Event Registration

Life Safety – Fire Safety Conference 2025 – WEST

Conference Description

Ensure the safety and compliance of your facility by attending IHCA’s 2025 Life Safety – Fire Safety Conference, designed specifically for Nursing Home and Assisted Living Administrators and Maintenance Managers. This essential conference provides the latest updates on fire safety regulations, practical strategies for maintaining compliance, and expert insights into safeguarding residents and staff. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your knowledge, address common challenges, and network with peers committed to creating safer environments in long-term care settings.

Location

Wild Rose Conference Center
777 Wild Rose Drive
Jefferson, IA

Schedule

March 5 – 6, 2025

March 5, 2025

12:30 p.m.      Registration/Check-In
1:00 p.m.        Trends and Hot Topics in Life Safety and Fire Protection
2:30 p.m.        Break
2:45 p.m.        Trends and Hot Topics continues
4:15 p.m.        Adjourn

March 6, 2025

8:30 a.m.       Check-In
9:00 a.m.       DIAL Fire Safety Inspection Update
10:30 a.m.     Break
10:45 a.m.     Emergency Preparedness and Management
12:15 p.m.     Lunch
1:00 p.m.       The 3 R’s of OSHA: Reportable, Recordable, Record Keeping
2:30 p.m.       Adjourn

Session Descriptions

Trends and Hot Topics in Life Safety & Fire Protection
Speaker: Kenneth Daily
This session provides essential guidance on navigating the complex requirements of Life Safety Code compliance to ensure the safety and well-being of residents in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Key topics include addressing common fire protection challenges, recent trends in inspection findings, and maintaining compliance with Life Safety Code standards. This session also highlights lessons learned from recent incidents, best practices for staff training, and effective emergency response planning to ensure resident safety. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain actionable insights and stay informed on the latest developments shaping fire safety in long-term care settings.

DIAL Fire Safety Inspection Update
Speakers: Jennifer Ware and Amy Fratzke
This session, delivered by a DIAL fire inspector, will provide long-term care administrators and maintenance managers with the latest updates on fire safety regulations and inspection requirements. Attendees will gain insights into common deficiencies, strategies for maintaining compliance, and best practices for ensuring the safety of residents and staff. This essential session equips participants with the knowledge to address fire safety challenges proactively and effectively.

Emergency Preparedness and Management
Speaker: Kenneth Daily
This training program equips participants with the tools and strategies needed to effectively plan for and respond to emergencies in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Topics include developing comprehensive emergency preparedness plans, coordinating with local emergency services, ensuring regulatory compliance, and implementing best practices for crisis management.

The 3 R’s of OSHA – Reportable, Recordable, Record Keeping
Speakers: James Featherston and Darren Smiley
This comprehensive training session will provide participants with essential knowledge and tools to navigate OSHA regulations with confidence. Topics include understanding the distinctions between reportable and recordable incidents, the importance of maintaining accurate and compliant records, mandatory training requirements, and programs required for workplace safety. Attendees will also learn about OSHA inspection policies and procedures, including how to prepare for and respond to an inspection.

Continuing Education Credit

This conference is approved for 7.5 contact hours for:

• Environmental Service Managers
• Department Heads
• NF Administrators
• Assisted Living Managers

Registration Fees

Members:     $225 per person
Non-Members:         $675 per person 

Hotel Accommodations

Cobblestone Hotel
771 Wild Rose Drive
Jefferson, IA
(515) 386-3535

Rooms are available at a discounted rate on the night of March 5, 2025.

Room rates: $119.99* + Tax – single or double occupancy.  *Request the “Iowa Health Care Association Conference Rate” when making your reservation.

This room rate is good until February 14, 2025.

Speaker Bios

Kenneth Daily, LNHA: Kenneth is the President of Elder Care Systems Group, a long-term health care consulting firm specializing in quality operations consulting, life safety code compliance, and emergency preparedness planning and implementation. Kenn is a recognized expert in life safety and emergency preparedness and has a wealth of experiences in long-term health care. He is a member of AHCA’s the Life Safety and Emergency Preparedness Committee and a member of the NFPA’s Healthcare Section

James Featherston is a risk and safety consultant with Cattail Risk Management. James expanded his risk management experience in 2022 after a career in the military and executive protection. Throughout his career, James has performed risk assessment and mitigation practices at a unique level. His focus on safety has helped clients, not just physically and operationally, but also helped to protect the reputation of the Executives and Diplomats he worked with.

Amy J. Fratzke is a Management Analyst 3 within the newly formed Fire Prevention Bureau at Iowa’s Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing. Prior to taking this role, Amy retired as a Fire Prevention Inspector within Iowa’s State Fire Marshal’s Fire Prevention Bureau after 30 years of service. Amy is dedicated to ensuring compliance with state regulations and promoting fire prevention in long-term care facilities.

Darren Smiley is also a risk and safety consultant with Cattail Risk Management. For nearly 30 years Darren has been providing risk improvement services to businesses with a focus on employee safety and OSHA compliance training. Darren has also assisted in preventing and reducing OSHA fines.  Born and raised in eastern Iowa, Darren joined the Marines attaining the rank of Sergeant and attended Iowa State University where he majored in Russian Language. 

Jennifer Ware serves as the Bureau Chief of the Fire Safety Bureau for the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensure. In her leadership role, Jennifer oversees fire safety regulations and enforcement to ensure compliance with state and federal standards across various facilities. With a commitment to protecting lives and property, she works closely with teams to conduct inspections, provide training, and implement best practices in fire safety. Jennifer’s dedication to fostering safer environments underscores her impactful contributions to the department and the communities it serves.

Sponsors