The 2009 FDSOA Apparatus Specification and Vehicle Maintenance Symposium scheduled for Jan. 17-21 in Orlando, Fla., offers more than 30 presentations and classes covering many new and important topics.

The 2009 event kicks off on Saturday, Jan. 17, with two pre-symposium offerings including a special EVT Certification Commission test site for those who have pre-registered with EVTCC. A concurrent morning workshop offers training and certification in basic public safety traffic control at the scene of roadway incidents for firefighters and other emergency response personnel. Pre-registration for the workshop is required.

On Sunday, Jan. 18, early arrivals can register for the main symposium and attend a choice of three classes during the day. A welcome reception is open to all in the late afternoon.

The main program begins Monday morning, Jan. 19, with a keynote speaker and a round of presentations including how to make operation-based buying decisions, new apparatus options and a shop managers’ roundtable session where the audience can ask questions about apparatus maintenance. The afternoon is devoted to individual sessions on a variety of topics including aerials, pump testing, secondary braking, scene lighting, apparatus specs, ambulance design, real-life skid-avoidance training and tool-mounting systems.

The program continues all day on Tuesday, Jan. 20, with presentations and sessions on pumper bodies, 2010 engines, apparatus safety, specification writing, CAFS, cab air bags, scene lighting, axles and suspensions, foam systems, brush truck designs and more.

The symposium winds down on Wednesday morning, Jan. 21, with presentations on the new NFPA 1901 apparatus specification, vehicle data recorders and the role of emergency vehicles in natural disasters. A final presentation will provide a sometimes humorous, sometimes serious, look at safety in the fire service and how to incorporate it in your department.

For more information, call FDSOA at 508-881-3114 or go to http://www.fdsoa.org