IGNITE- Finding the Leader in YOU!

Henry County Fire Rescue is proud to host our 2nd Annual IGNITE Women’s Conference following the tremendous success of last year’s inaugural event. Building on the momentum and positive feedback from our first conference, we are excited to once again bring together professionals from across public safety for two days dedicated to connection, leadership development, and professional growth.

The IGNITE Women’s Conference will bring public safety professionals together for an engaging, purpose-driven experience focused on strengthening self-leadership, enhancing team dynamics, and advancing mission-focused leadership within the fire service. This event is designed to create a supportive and collaborative environment where attendees can learn, connect, and grow both personally and professionally.

The conference will feature a dynamic lineup of keynote presentations and interactive breakout sessions led by experienced leaders and subject-matter experts from across the public safety community. Sessions will emphasize practical leadership strategies, communication and decision-making skills, resilience, career development, and the unique challenges and opportunities faced by women in the fire service.

Participants will leave with actionable tools, expanded professional networks, and renewed motivation to lead with confidence, strengthen their teams, and positively impact their organizations and communities.

Breakout Sessions

• The Georgia First Responder PTSD Program - Ashley Abercrombie - ACCG

This program is designed to help bridge financial gaps first responders encounter following a diagnosis of PTSD. It helps with extra expense items such as deductibles, co-pays, out of network treatments, and to offset loss of income. The benefits provide a little peace of mind so the first responder can focus on healing.

• Navigating Leadership as a female in a predominantly male workforce - Air Evac Lifeteam 185 - Upson County, GA

This topic explores the unique challenges, opportunities, and growth experiences women encounter while leading in fields traditionally dominated by men. It examines the realities of earning respect, establishing credibility, and finding one's voice in environments where female leadership may be less common or met with conscious or unconscious bias.

• Reefer Container Safety - Fire Chief Rodney Wiggins - Greene County

This session will provide an overview of the unique hazards associated with refrigerated shipping containers (“reefers”) and their growing presence in communities, distribution centers, and along transportation corridors. Using lessons learned from the unfortunate September 4, 2024 incident, the presentation will highlight the risks posed by refrigeration systems, electrical components, pressurized refrigerants, and confined-space environments.

Additional T-shirts are available for purchase at the conference.

Hotel Accommodations:

Home2 Suites by Hilton Stockbridge Atlanta

Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Atlanta McDonough

Courtyard by Marriott Atlanta McDonough

Holiday Inn Express & Suites McDonough

Hilton Garden Inn Atlanta South-McDonough