Committee: Education

Contact: Dale Specken, Chair – [email protected]

2023 Mission: The mission of the Education Committee is to enhance the Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association’s (MSFCA) membership by providing high-quality and current educational workshops at the annual conference and by promoting additional educational opportunities.

2023 Report:  
We are excited to be in Duluth for the MSFCA Conference 2023. We once again have a vast variety of class sessions that we hope will meet everyone’s needs. The Duluth Entertainment Convention Center provides many quality classroom spaces so that we can provide quality training for all our members. One of the many goals of the Education Committee is to bring quality instructors and education topics to all members of the association.

The Education Committee is made up of members throughout the State of Minnesota and meets three times annually. The rest of the work required to successfully present an educational opportunity for Fire Chiefs is completed electronically throughout the year by our various sub- committees. The Education Committee is determined to bring quality instruction to all members of our organization.

Education Committee Goals:

  1. Understand that every Chief is important to the MSFCA; therefore, we listen to and consider the needs of the state while establishing various educational opportunities.

  2. Determine the current, timely topics and then locate the most highly regarded experts to present them to the membership.

  3. Recognize that it is vital to keep the conference affordable for all Chief Officers and, therefore, work within the allotted budget.

  4. Bring quality training and speakers to all MSFCA members and conference attendees.

2023 Education Committee Members
  • Chair: Dale Specken, Hopkins

  • Vice Chair: Judy Thill, Fire Chief, Inver Grove Heights

  • Zack Bonnema, Assistant Chief of Training, Chaska

  • David Brosnahan, Fire Chief, Roseville

  • Daniel Buchholz, State Fire Marshal Division

  • Scott Carriveau, Assistant Chief, Maple Lake

  • Kim Cox, Captain, Eden Prairie

  • Mike Dobesh, Fire Chief, Richfield

  • Ross Hoernemann Captain, Hugo

  • Tim Holmes, Fire Chief, Brainerd

  • Jeremy Hutchison, Battalion Chief, Cloquet

  • Chip Lohmiller, Fire Chief, Crosslake

  • Curt Mackey, Fire Chief, Excelsior

  • John Rhode, Captain, St. Bonifacius

The MSFCA is your Association, if you want change, get involved. We did!