2026 THAT DAM FIre Conference

Register HERE

September 25th and 26th 2026

Lecture Series Location-

Holiday Inn Express Ankeny

2502 SE Hulsizer Dr, Ankeny IA 50021

Hands On Training Location-

Midrise Mayhem- Urbandale Fire Training Tower

3927 121st St, Urbandale, IA 50323

Search-Altoona Fire Training Tower

211 NW 54th Ave, Des Moines, IA 50313

Hotel Information

Holiday Inn Express Ankeny

2502 SE Hulsizer Dr, Ankeny IA 50021

515-965-2400

$139 per night (Block Name- 2026 D.A.M. Fire Conference)

**Make sure to tell the hotel that you are part of the FOOLS fire Conference

friday’s Lecture Series

Fully Involved Leadership: Building Trust, Accountability, and a Culture of Excellence - Mark vonAppen

Class- In Fully Involved Leadership, Mark vonAppen delivers a raw, passionate, and experience-driven presentation that challenges leaders to own their influence, embrace accountability, and build trust through consistent action. Rooted in his “Big 4” principles—Do Your Job, Treat People Right, Give All Out Effort, and Have an All In Attitude—vonAppen explores how high-performing teams are built on clarity, integrity, and shared purpose. Drawing from decades in the fire service, he connects real-world lessons from the fireground and the kitchen table to universal leadership challenges in any organization. Through stories, humor, and hard truths, vonAppen shows that leadership isn’t about titles or authority—it’s about earning respect, creating buy-in, and modeling the behaviors you expect from others. Attendees leave with actionable tools to strengthen their culture, improve communication, and lead with authenticity, humility, and courage

Instructor Bio- Mark vonAppen is a nationally recognized fire service leader, speaker, and creator of the Fully Involved movement—a leadership philosophy that has influenced thousands of firefighters and leaders across the country. With over 25 years of fire service experience, vonAppen has served in multiple operational and leadership roles, developing a reputation for his no-nonsense approach to team dynamics, communication, and personal accountability. A decorated firefighter, instructor, and writer, vonAppen’s work has been featured in Fire Engineering, FireRescue, and numerous leadership forums nationwide. His teaching blends the grit of experience with the heart of mentorship, challenging leaders to confront complacency and build cultures where excellence is expected and earned every day.

Midrise Mayhem- Clyde Gordon

Stretching hose beyond the first floor to reach an upper floor fire of a multi-dwelling apartment or mid-rise is challenging. This course is designed to identify those unique challenges through a class that provides comprehensive skill-building of requisite skills needed for the vertical challenges of an upper floor fire scenario. This course will identify hose deployment strategies when elevation and extended stretches must be employed and done rapidly to complete a successful stretch; in most cases, these buildings may not be standpipe supported. Students will observe and execute various hose deployment methods that advocate speed and efficiency, tackling the intricate and delicate art of stretching hose vertically. This course is designed for firefighters to hone in on their skills and abilities to rapidly stretch hose making this a unique, indispensable class to better prepare firefighters for the challenges of the vertical firefighting.

Instructor Bio- With 40 years as a proven leader in the fire service and over three decades within the Houston Fire Department, Clyde Gordon offers a unique blend of leadership, vision, and knowledge. He has a reputation for a strong work ethic, exceptional fire ground operations and management, and building uncompromising integrity and responsibility in a crew. Clyde believes in continuous improvement of fire ground skills and operations through regular and consistent training. His many years as a fire officer and District Chief at some of the busiest stations in the City of Houston has offered numerous unique fire ground experiences. He is known for his teaching through honest and personal first-hand experience.

TBD- Phil Gilman

Class Description coming soon!

Instructor Bio- Philip Gilman - Engineering Technician IV - UL Research Institute - Fire Safety Research Institute

Phil is a Fire Apparatus Engineer with the Omaha Fire Department, assigned to a Rescue/Engine company, and serves as an research Technician IV at UL Research Institutes - Fire Safety Research Institute, where he supports fire service research and the advancement of science-based firefighting practices.

His instructional focus centers on bridging real-world fireground experience with current research, technical operations, and firefighter decision-making.

Above all, he’s a student of the craft and is passionate about developing firefighters through practical, evidence-based instruction.Saturday’s Hands-on-training

saturday Hands On Training

Midrise Mayhem- Steve Robertson, Clyde Gordon, Caleb Bryant, Jerry Herbst

Stretching hose beyond the first floor to reach an upper floor fire of a multi-dwelling apartment or mid-rise is challenging. This course is designed to identify those unique challenges through a class that provides comprehensive skill-building of requisite skills needed for the vertical challenges of an upper floor fire scenario. This course will identify hose deployment strategies when elevation and extended stretches must be employed and done rapidly to complete a successful stretch; in most cases, these buildings may not be standpipe supported. Students will observe and execute various hose deployment methods that advocate speed and efficiency, tackling the intricate and delicate art of stretching hose vertically. This course is designed for firefighters to hone in on their skills and abilities to rapidly stretch hose making this a unique, indispensable class to better prepare firefighters for the challenges of the vertical firefighting.

Instructor Bios-

Steve Robertson- Lieutenant Steve Robertson retired from the Columbus Division of Fire after a distinguished 36- year career in the fire service, including 33 years serving the citizens of Columbus, Ohio. During his tenure, he served as a Lieutenant on Engine Company 18, located in the South Linden neighborhood. Lt. Robertson is a respected educator and instructor within the fire service. He has taught for several years at FDIC International, specializing in engine company operations. He also served as the lead instructor for the FDIC Hands-On Training (HOT) programs Stretching for Success and Mid-Rise Mayhem. In addition to his instructional roles, Lt. Robertson is a member of the Firefighter Rescue Survey (FRSI) technical panel, contributing his expertise in fire dynamics and tactical operations in multi-story and row house structures. For 29 years, he has been a state-certified Fire Safety Instructor and previously served as a member of the State of Ohio Fire Training Committee.

Clyde Gordon- Houston Fire Department, Retired District Chief. With 40 years as a proven leader in the fire service and over three decades within the Houston Fire Department, Clyde Gordon offers a unique blend of leadership, vision, and knowledge. He has a reputation for a strong work ethic, exceptional fire ground operations and management, and building uncompromising integrity and responsibility in a crew. Clyde believes in continuous improvement of fire ground skills and operations through regular and consistent training. His many years as a fire officer and District Chief at some of the busiest stations in the City of Houston has offered numerous unique fire ground experiences. He is known for his teaching through honest and personal first-hand experience.

Caleb Bryant- Caleb Bryant is a member of the Midwest City (OK) Fire Department and is currently assigned as the Assistant Chief of Green Shift after spending the majority of his career on an Engine Company. He has a passion for all things related to the fire service, especially Engine work. Caleb is a state certified Fire, EMS, and Hazmat instructor, and a founding member of his departments Live Fire Instructor Cadre. He is also a member of the County Fire Tactics Green Team and a part of the Stretching for Success and Midrise Mayhem Instructor Cadre. When he’s away from the fire service, you’ll find him with his wife and two daughters, or at a local car show sharing his love for all things car related.

Jerry Herbst- Jerry is a 46 year veteran of the Fire Service and is a New York State certified Training Officer . Jerry has served in all rank positions including 6 years as Chief of Department in his local FD and ten years as a Deputy Chief at the County Level. He is still an active Firefighter and is currently the Director of Municipal Markets and Training for Elkhart Brass. He travels Worldwide in support of Elkhart’s field force and National account partners providing subject matter expertise on the evaluation, development and implementation of equipment solutions for effective fire attack packages. Jerry has been published and referenced in Industry leading media, is active in instruction and support at many National Hands on Training events and is the co creator of the Brass Tacks Hard Facts video series.

PPE Required: Full PPE with SCBA and Spare Bottle.

Search- Phil Gilman