Third Annual Medical Special Operations Conference

FDNY Foundation to Join with FDNY to Host Third Annual Medical Special Operations Conference

The FDNY – in partnership with the FDNY Foundation – will host the 3rd annual Medical Special Operations Conference (MSOC) May 15-17.

The conference serves as a venue for military, federal, state and local medical operators and planners to share their experiences. The conference also provides an opportunity to learn from other stakeholders and experts in the field on how to improve the response framework within the medical special operations community.

“This conference gives attendees an invaluable experience: to learn from some of our best members at the FDNY Training Academy,” said Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro. “The conference allows the FDNY and its experts to share their knowledge, and gives agencies around the world the opportunity to share their experiences in the field.”

“We are proud to host this important conference and to share cutting-edge information,” said FDNY Chief of Department James Leonard. “The MSOC provides a unique opportunity to attend lectures and workshops, as well as training in hands-on skills, provided by members of our great Department.”

The MSOC will take place over two days and consists of workshops, lectures and panel discussions. It also provides an opportunity to learn hands-on skills, as well as offering a vendor showcase with the latest equipment and products.

The MSOC will also provide an optional one-day pre-conference that includes a hands-on bio-skills cadaver lab, canine critical care workshop and a visit to the World Trade Center site.

“We have some 3,700 EMS officers, paramedics, EMTs and civilian employees in the FDNY Bureau of EMS,” said Chief James Booth, FDNY Chief of EMS. “Through their work in the field and the Department’s dedication to making sure our members have the best training available to them, we have important knowledge and experiences to share. This conference provides us with the opportunity to talk with other leaders in the field, which will allow us all to better protect and serve our communities.”

“We are dedicated to making sure all Fire and EMS uniformed personnel have the initial and continued development of skills that allow them to safely and effectively respond to fires, medical emergencies, disasters and terrorist attacks,” said Chief Stephen Raynis, who oversees the Department’s Bureau of Training. “It is our honor and privilege to share our knowledge with members of agencies around the country and worldwide. We are proud of our ability to keep citizens safe in the greatest city in the world and we strive to help other organizations do the same in their cities.”

“The skills and knowledge offered at the MSOC can save lives,” said Chief Roger Ahee, FDNY Bureau of EMS Training. “We are constantly looking to both improve our own abilities, and to share what we have learned with others. We hope attendees to this conference will return to their communities armed with knowledge to better protect their citizens and, when called upon, to help them save lives.”

“Response to this conference has been and continues to be tremendous,” said Dr. Douglas Isaacs, FDNY Deputy Medical Director, Office of Medical Affairs. “It is our hope that we are able to share with everyone who attends this conference the skills they need to improve patient care.”

Among the topics set to be discussed at the two-day conference: International US&R response, military medical operations, the FDNY response to Ebola, current and emerging technologies, hazmat medicine and the 2014 Oso Mudslide US&R medical response.

The conference will also offer hands-on skill stations in: search canine handling and care, confined spaces/maritime operations, patient packaging and Medevac operations.

“The people who live in, work in and travel to New York City have the great privilege of being served by the greatest Fire Department in the world,” said FDNY Foundation Board Chairman Stephen Ruzow. “We at the Foundation are proud to help the FDNY host the MSOC, which lets agencies and organizations learn from the Department, and serves as a gathering place for the most knowledgable experts in the field.”

“A large part of our mission is to help the FDNY and its members promote outreach, as well as to dedicate resources to continued training,” said FDNY Foundation Executive Director Jean O’Shea. “Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we are able to partner with the FDNY to offer the MSOC and other such events. These events give members of our Department the opportunity share their knowledge and discuss practices with the best in the field.”

The conference is being offered in collaboration with the North Shore-LIJ Emergency Department. The North Shore-LIJ Health System is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide Continuing Medical Education for physicians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses and physicians assistants. The Council has designated this activity for a maximum of 16.50 AMA PRA Category I Credits.

The NYC Regional Emergency Medical Advisory Committee has designated a maximum of 16.50 CME credits for paramedics.

For more information about this year’s conference, click here.