9:00 am – 9:15 am

9:15 am – 10:00 am

Captain Nicholas Picerno will share how Montgomery County Police Department’s Drone as First Responder program is redefining public safety. Attendees will gain insights into how drones are reducing emergency response times, enhancing situational awareness, supporting investigations, and improving officer safety.

10:00 am – 10:30 am

Mississippi State University’s ASSUREd Safe program is the nationally recognized authority for credentialing first responders in Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) operations for public safety and disaster response. This presentation will explore the program’s structured, standards-based approach to training, hands-on testing, and certification. Attendees will learn how ASSUREd Safe ensures first responders are proficient, compliant, and mission-ready—enabling safe drone deployment and cross-jurisdictional coordination during emergencies. The presentation will also highlight the program’s accessibility, national reach, and ongoing support to maintain operator proficiency amid evolving technologies and regulations.

10:30 am – 10:45 am

Marvin “Ben” Haiman offers a uniquely informed lens on the convergence of public safety and technology. As former Chief of Staff for the Metropolitan Police Department, he has firsthand insight into the operational gaps and communication hurdles first responders face, from siloed systems to real-time data overload. Now at the University of Virginia, Mr. Haiman drives innovation and policy focused on public-sector resilience. He speaks to both today’s critical needs and tomorrow’s possibilities – like AI-powered situational awareness, next-gen 911, secure data platforms, and wearable tech – helping agencies become more agile, informed, and responsive in crisis.

11:30 am – 12:00 pm

In high-stakes environments, first responders need more than traditional training, they need experiences that reflect the complexity, uncertainty, and human dynamics of the real world. This session explores the power of immersive learning across all first responder populations, from fire and EMS to law enforcement and emergency management. Drawing on real-world applications and interdisciplinary research, the session will examine how scenario-based learning, simulation, and cognitive design can strengthen decision-making, collaboration, and psychological readiness. Whether you're building training programs from scratch or looking to evolve existing models, this presentation offers actionable strategies to make immersive learning more accessible, equitable, and effective across agencies.

12:00 pm – 1:30 pm LUNCH ROUNDTABLES & KEYNOTE

Deputy Chief Thomas Chenworth of the DC Fire and EMS Department and DC Firefighter/EMT Jeffrey Lenard will recount the critical role technology played in their emergency response to the January 29 mid-air collision between a commercial aircraft and a military helicopter. 

1:30 pm – 1:45 pm

1:45 pm – 2:30 pm

Samantha L. Dorm, Senior Grant Consultant at Lexipol, will guide participants through the process of identifying the right funding opportunities, crafting competitive applications, and effectively managing grants after they are awarded. Attendees will learn practical strategies to secure funding for essential equipment, personnel, and services that strengthen public safety and support local government initiatives.

2:30 pm – 4:30 pm

4:30 pm

4:30 pm-6:30pm