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CANTON, OH - Stark State University was again home to the 14th Annual Jackson Fire Expo, which was held on February 21st, and 22nd, 2009. The 192 participants that attended the two-day event were treated to a trade show and two guest lecturers who spoke about current issues affecting the modern fire service. Of the 33 departments that were represented at this year’s expo, Jackson Twp FD led the pack with the most members registered. They had sixty attendees, followed by the Perry Twp FD with twenty-five attendees followed by the Plain Twp FD which had twenty attendees. Rounding out the departments that had double digit numbers included the Solon Fire Department with fourteen and the Western Reserve Joint Fire District with ten.

Saturday’s session started with a continental breakfast and vendor’s expo which ran from 7:30am to 9:00am. At 9:00am the seminar got underway with the presentation of the flags by the Jackson Township Fire Department Honor Guard as Captain Dave Aberth of the Perry Twp. FD who performed a stirring rendition of the “National Anthem” in front of a packed auditorium.

Saturday’s session featured returning presenter, Assistant Chief Skip Coleman (Ret.) of the Toledo, Ohio Fire Department who presented the program, “Searching Smarter.” Chief Coleman has served as a Battalion Chief, Deputy Chief of Operations and has been an instructor at Owens Community College, one of Ohio’s largest community colleges. He is also a National Fire Academy instructor and is a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Officer Program and is the author of various texts including Managing Major Fires and Incident Management for the Street-smart Fire Officer.

Sunday’s feature presenter Captain Mike Gagliano of the Seattle, Washington Fire Department made his first and surely not to be his last appearance at this years Expo. Capt. Gagliano, a training officer, delivered an entertaining program entitled, “Strategic and Tactical Air Management for the Fireground.” Captain Gagliano is an expert air management/SCBA instructor who has written many articles as well as co-authored the book, Air Management for the Fire Service along with fellow Seattle Fire Department instructors. Both programs were extremely informative and thought provoking.

This year’s Expo attracted twenty-seven vendors who set up their booths in the recently renovated Student Center on the grounds of Stark State University. Attendees could view and purchase PPE, thermal imagers, hand tools, environmental sensors, EMS gear, and rescue equipment. The expo hall was open throughout the expo and drew crowds before and after the expo and during breaks and lunch both days.

Another highlight included a catered lunch that was furnished by Santangelo Catering of Canton, Ohio. During lunch, firefighters from the Jackson Township Professional Firefighters Local 2280 were busy selling 50/50 tickets for charity. This year they raised $945. The funds were distributed evenly between the Multiple Sclerosis Society, National Breast Cancer Research Fund, Spina Bifida Association, and Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The four charities chosen this year represent diseases that affect fire department members’ families.

The Jackson Fire Expo is held annually and is considered to be one of Ohio’s Premiere Fire Schools. They also have a web page that is updated regularly and which includes on-line registration forms as well as maps. Go to www.jacksonfirefighters.com to learn more about the Jackson Township Fire Department and the upcoming 2010 Jackson Fire Expo.

The author would like to thank JTFD Capt. Kai Rieger for providing information and photos used in this story.