2024 Arizona
Fire School
CELEBRATING 51 YEARS OF FIRE SERVICE TRAINING AND EDUCATION
September 4-8, 2024
LOCATION
Mesa Convention Center / 263 N Center Street, Mesa AZ 85201 Convention Center Property Map
Delta Hotels by Marriott Phoenix Mesa / 200 North Centennial Way, Mesa AZ 85201
Meet our 2024 Keynote Speaker
Medically retired Fire Chief since December 31, 2014. On July 2, 2014, I suffered an on-the-job, near-fatal, traumatic head injury and nearly became a LODD. I am lucky to have survived.
The incident left me with severe PTSD and two serious Traumatic Brain Injuries. In the nearly 10 years since this incident, I have greatly struggled with Suicidal Ideation, PTSD, self-loathing, poor life-choices, etc. It is time to share my journey of recovery and survival. I have learned to #strugglewell.
As our brothers and sisters continue to die from suicide at levels that are beyond acceptable, and nearly twice the national average for non-suppression personnel. 30% of us will develop some type of mental health issue. An average of ~100 firefighters per year will die by suicide, more than job-related injury and trauma. I had a 30-year Fire Service Career, 10 as Fire Chief, spanning two states and four departments. (Northwest Fire District - Tucson AZ, Sedona Fire District - AZ, Hemet CA, Murrieta CA)
"Suicide is a permanent solution - for a temporary problem!" - Remember that.
My Education: AA, BS, MA, EFO, CFOD x 6, Ironman Triathlete & Certified Ironman Coach.
While everyone suspected, assumed and congratulated me for doing so well, and doing fine; I was contemplating a big jump - off the Coronado Bridge in San Diego, CA. Nine years later, I have success stories to share, and sadly - stories of failure relating to anger, depression, substance abuse, poor choices, etc.
Mental Health & Wellness is a lifelong, ongoing journey and struggle. I have learned to 'Struggle Well', - and it is time for me to share my learned and successful strategies. Vulnerability is strength! At some point, we may all need some type of help!
Best Selling Author: "A Little Help Here! ...Alone and Dying in the California High-Desert, and a lifelong journey of PTSD and Trauma Recovery." - Amazon, by Matt Shobert, w/Paul Dail
"Ask your homies if they are okay!" - ms
Matt Shobert, Fire Chief
Traumatically Retired
Northwest Fire District-AZ, Sedona Fire District-AZ, Hemet-CA, Murrieta-CA
Special Presentations
Firefighter Memorial Service
Arizona's Fallen Firefighters will be honored at a Firefighter Memorial Service to be conducted during the Opening Ceremonies of the 51st Annual Arizona Fire School on Thursday, September 5, 2024 at 8:30am. The service will include a memorial bell ceremony conducted by personnel of the Mesa Fire and Medical Department Honor Guard & Pipes and Drums, along with other personnel from various fire agencies around the State. The service will recognize all members who have served, including deaths outside of the line of duty and death after retirement that have passed away between August 2023 and August 2024.
If you wish to have a member of your organization recognized at this year's Memorial Service you must provide their name to AzCFSE staff as indicated below. Please also include the individual’s department and years of service.
Please provide information to the following:
Email: melina.joya@azcfse.org
Or Mail to:
Arizona Center for Fire Service Excellence
C/o Firefighter Memorial
PO Box 132
Avondale, AZ 85323-0050
Arizona Fire Service Hall of Fame
List of Previous Inductees
Established in 1998, the Arizona Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who have made a significant, positive contribution to their community and Arizona's fire service. Individuals nominated are evaluated based on their years of service, service on committees, state or national impact, educational impact, operational impact, contributions to community, organizational impact, legislative impact or other areas that clearly demonstrate the individual's significant contribution to Arizona's Fire Service.
Nominations require a detailed summary of the nominee's significant contributions. The focus of the nomination should be on the overall impact on the Arizona Fire Service. Nominations must clearly indicate an impact beyond the nominee's organization and must be beyond the normal job requirements of the nominee.
Those selected will be inducted into the Arizona Fire Service Hall of Fame during the Opening Ceremonies of the Arizona Fire School held each year. Inductees will receive a personal commemorative plaque and are noted on the permanent Hall of Fame display located at the Hall of Flame Fire Museum located at 6101 E. Van Buren Street in Phoenix.
The nomination period has closed for this year but if you wish to nominate an individual for next year please use the link below:
2024 United Fire
Firefighter of the Year Award
The search is on... for the THIRTY-FIRST ANNUAL United Fire Firefighter of the Year!
A Firefighter qualifies to be nominated for any courageous action or can also be nominated for making contributions to life safety procedures or education. Nominee must well-represent the character and commitment of the firefighters in Arizona.
Nominations must be for an individual and actions that have taken place between March 1, 2023 and July 15th, 2024. All nominations must be received by August 7, 2024. The award recipient will be announced on Thursday, September 5, 2024 at the Opening Ceremonies of the 51st Annual Arizona Fire School.
Use this link: Nomination Form for complete information and nomination form or call 800-362-0150 for more information. Multiple nominations allowed.
OTHER PRESENTATIONS
Arizona Fire & Life Safety Educator of the Year
Each year the Arizona Fire and Burn Educators Association selects a Fire and Life Safety Educator of the Year. The individual awarded this honor has made significant contributions to Fire and Life Safety Education, demonstrated outstanding work as an educator, has been successful in increasing public awareness about safety issues, serves as a positive role model in their community and exhibits a commitment to excellence in their educational efforts. Further information and nomination forms may be obtained from the Arizona Fire and Burn Educators Association.
Information available at: https://www.afbea.org/grants-awards
Fire Investigator of the Year
The Arizona Chapter, International Association of Arson Investigators will name the individual who has been selected as a result of their exemplary skills in the field of fire investigation.
Information available at:
Arizona Chapter of the IAAI
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2024 Arizona Fire School