Missouri Valley Fire, Burn and Life Safety Conference
2008 Conference
This year’s conference, "Discover Clues to Effective Fire, Burn Prevention Education", is being held on June 18-20 at the Sheraton Kansas City Sports Complex Hotel in Kansas City, Missouri.
Conference History
In 1999, the Missouri Valley Division of the International Association of Fire Chiefs approached a group of Kansas fire, burn and life safety educators and asked if they were interested in coordinating an annual public education conference somewhere in the eight-state Missouri Valley region. The first conference was held in 2000 in Wichita, Kansas and has been held annually since that time at the following locations:
2000: Wichita, Kansas
2001: Olathe, Kansas
2002: Waterloo, Iowa
2003: Topeka, Kansas
2004: Overland Park, Kansas
2005: Wichita, Kansas
2006: Lawrence, Kansas
2007: Hutchinson, Kansas
Future Conferences
The Tenth Annual Fire, Burn and Life Safety Public Education Conference conference will be held in Wichita, Kansas on June 24-26, 2009.
The Missouri Valley conference provides an economical learning opportunity for novice to expert fire, burn and life safety educators. Nationally recognized experts share their knowledge on a wide variety of topics during the two and a half day conference. Attendees have ample opportunity to network with speakers and other participants.
Measuring the Keys to Success
Outcomes relating to public education conferences are very difficult to measure. For the fourth year, the planning team is asking for your help in evaluating the effectiveness of the conference. On Tuesday evening during early registration and the hospitality session, participants will be asked to complete a pre-conference assessment of his or her own knowledge, ability, and confidence relating to public education and conference topics.
On Friday morning, each person will be asked to complete a post-conference assessment. Pre- and post-assessment answers will be compared to determine if there has been a measurable improvement in these key areas.
In addition, each participant will be asked to sign a “consent to contact” during registration. This form gives permission to a member of the conference planning team to contact you by phone, mail or e-mail in three to nine months to determine if you have used any of the information you learned, made changes to your practices, or implemented any new programs as the result of what you learned at the 2008 Discovering Clues to Effective Fire, Burn Prevention Education. Participation is voluntary but we hope you will help us with this research project. Incentives to participate include:
Participation is voluntary but we hope you will help us with this research project. Incentives to participate include:
- Each person who completes the pretest will be entered into a drawing for a cash prize to be presented at lunch on Wednesday.
- Each person who signs the “consent to contact” form will be eligible to win a gift card that can be used at a national chain store or restaurant
- Two drawings will be held during the closing ceremony for those who have completed both the pre- and post-test. Prizes will include a complimentary registration to the 2009 Conference or $100 cash award
Results from the 2007 conference showed significant improvement in self-rated competence and ability as a public educator and in overall knowledge.
For More Information Contact
Elena Nuss at 785-296-3403
or
Marilee Brown at 785-368-7290