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Relive the Excitement: Virtual Academy's GOLD FLAME Conference 2024
Did you miss out on the Virtual Academy's GOLD FLAME Conference 2024? It was an incredible two-day virtual event that empowered, educated, and inspired professionals to elevate their skills and leadership.
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Held on September 18th and 19th, 2024, the GOLD FLAME Conference provided a wealth of knowledge and insights from industry leaders. This wasn't your typical online conference – it featured a powerhouse lineup of speakers and sessions that delivered actionable strategies and a renewed sense of purpose for attendees.
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​Here's a glimpse of what you missed:
Day One:
Morning Show with Doug Showalter and Leslie Whitham
Start your conference experience off right with our dynamic Morning Kickoff Session! This energizing opening event is designed to ignite your passion and set the tone for a day of inspiration and innovation. Join us as we unveil the conference highlights, hear from our keynote speakers, and connect with fellow attendees in an engaging and interactive environment.
It's Hard to Say "No": The Importance of Boundaries and How to Draw Them
The class will be about the factors that make it hard to say now and then give some practical advice on how to develop the skill of saying no.
Engagement Strategies in a Multi-Generational Workplace
This session will address one of the most common issue facing communications centers around the country today. The largest workforce in America today is made up of “Baby Boomers”, by 2029 most of them will have reached retirement age, leaving behind a wide range of experiences and knowledge. The only way to successfully work through a multi-generational workforce is to acknowledge there is an issue. Whether it’s new training methods or changing leadership styles, or even harvesting the experiences of tenured employees, we will begin the conversation and offer some ideas to successfully navigate these changing times.
Women in Leadership Panel
This compelling session will feature a dynamic lineup of trailblazing women who have broken barriers and transformed the landscape of emergency response and leadership. Through engaging discussions, personal stories, and strategic insights, you'll gain valuable perspectives on overcoming challenges, fostering resilience, and driving impactful change. Join us to connect with fellow leaders, enhance your skills, and be inspired by the exceptional women shaping the future of 9-1-1 and beyond.
You Hold the Power of Federal Reclassification
We each have the ability to contribute to the success of federal reclassification. Did you know that the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) randomly collects job descriptions as part of their research to classify Public Safety Telecommunicators? They collected 1,000 job descriptions in 2018, contributing to the classification of "clerical." Agencies across the country must update their documentation in anticipation of the next round of BLS research, which is coming in the next few years. Come learn who, what, when, why, and how to update your job descriptions, document technology used, and document policies and procedures to give 911 professionals the best chance at federal reclassification.
Speak to Lead: The Basics on Leveraging Public Speaking for Career Advancement
Public speaking is a powerful tool for career advancement. When you speak confidently in front of others, it demonstrates leadership, communication skills, and the ability to influence and inspire. These qualities are essential for taking on more significant roles within an organization. Effective public speaking helps build credibility, expand a professional network, and make a lasting impression on key stakeholders. This course will focus on high-level examples and exercises to help with leading meetings, pitching ideas, or representing your company at events. The ability to articulate your thoughts clearly and persuasively can open doors to promotions, new opportunities, and greater recognition in your field.
GIS for Telecommunicators
​This course will go through the basics of GIS to prepare attendees for a more thorough understanding of their “map.” Using the basic knowledge, the course will then speak to specific opportunities within their operation to collaborate with GIS personnel and public safety personnel to help enhance the data as well as enhance the information being provided to public safety personnel in the field.
Day Two:
Morning Show with Tracy Eldridge and Jenny Mason
Start your day with a burst of motivation and be part of a transformative experience that will ignite new possibilities and propel you towards success. This high-energy session promises to set the stage for a day of innovation and inspiration, featuring influential thought leaders who will share their insights and game-changing ideas.
The Three D's with Dom: Effective Training Strategies For CTOS
​Communications Training Officers (CTO) play a pivotal role in developing the skills and confidence of new and experienced Public Safety Telecommunicators. This training will explore three key teaching styles-Directing, Discussing, and Delegating and how to apply them effectively to meet the diverse needs of trainees.
Difficult Conversations - Giving Feedback in Productive Ways
Low Confidence, Over Confidence, Flippant, Over Agreeable, Dense, are all descriptors used to label trainees. Learn how to identify these traits but more importantly where they come from and how to overcome them. During this session you will reflect on your training journey, identifying memorable traits of your trainers. Learn techniques to develop trust and open communication in the pursuit of creating productive team members!
The Art Of Communication: Giving and Receiving Feedback
Whether you are a frontline communicator, CTO, supervisor, command staff, or beyond, your ability to provide effective feedback is crucial to organizational development, but who teaches you how to provide effective feedback? This course is a deep dive into what is feedback, when to provide it, and how to provide it effectively to produce organizational change.
Healthy Happy First Responders: Mental and Physical Wellness
This course is designed to empower first responders with knowledge and tools needed to improve overall mental and physical well-being. We will discuss nutrition, movement, self-care strategies, and wellness techniques to offset the health implications of high stress as a first responder.
Advanced Troubleshooting for 911 Dispatchers: Navigating Technical Challenges and Legal Compliance
This session will focus on advanced troubleshooting techniques for 911 dispatchers and supervisors, incorporating essential legal requirements and addressing the latest technological challenges. Attendees will gain a deep understanding of how to manage and resolve issues related to Multi-Line Telephone Systems (MLTS), p-ANI, and evolving emergency communication technologies. Additionally, we will cover critical legislation such as Alyssa's Law, Kari's Law, and the Ray Baum's Act, ensuring that participants are well-versed in compliance and best practices.
Empower Your Mind: A Journey to Lasting Positivity
​In today's fast-paced world, maintaining a positive outlook can often feel like an uphill battle; however, this course is designed to equip you with insightful strategies to cultivate enduring positivity in your daily life. We will explore positivity and understanding its profound impact on mental health, relationships, and personal achievements. You will learn how to break free from limiting beliefs, navigate life's challenges with grace, and create a mindset conducive to joy and fulfillment.
The Ethical Compass; Navigation for Public Officials and Public Perception
This session emphasizes the importance of ethical behavior as a public official. Participants will explore principles like honesty, integrity, and confidentiality, which are crucial to dispatching operations. They'll learn a decision-making framework for handling ethical dilemmas and review real-life case studies. The session also addresses misconceptions about ethics, the lines you should never cross, and strategies for maintaining public trust and keeping you out of the hot seat.