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HazMat Training Symposium

Incident Command Team

About Us

The Florida Hazardous Materials Symposium is a non-profit organization that provides hazmat professionals near and far with the latest tips, tricks, trends, and training to combat incidents of varying complexities. Blending theory and practice, we strive to equip our responders with the knowledge and tools necessary to keep them safe while getting the job done. Our goal is to increase hazmat disaster resilience. The Incident Command Team is made up of a variety of members who serve on the State Emergency Response Commission, Training Task Force, and as LEPC Chairs and Coordinators.

Code of Conduct

Mailing Address

Florida Hazardous

Materials Symposium, Inc.

1717 SE 27th Loop

Ocala, FL 34471

TIN #81-3901170​

FL Hazmat Symposium
Board of Directors

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Rob Hanson

Symposium President

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Richard Knoff

Symposium Vice President

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Keila Walker-Denis

Symposium Secretary

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Teresa Newsome

Symposium Treasurer

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Heather Lorimor

Symposium Appointed Officer

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Jeremy Feil

Symposium Appointed Officer

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Michelle Cechowski

Symposium Member At Large

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Ashley Shive

Symposium Private Industry Member

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Curtis Knowles

Symposium Local Emergency Planning Committee Representative (non-voting)

Symposium Staff List

Fire Chief

Rob Hanson

Incident Commander

Emergency Management and Community Projects Senior Planner

Jerri Sackett

Public Information Officer

Fire Chief

Larry Collier

Deputy Planning Section Chief

Deputy Chief

Jon Haskett

Lead Safety Officer

President/Project Manager Retired

Teresa Newsome

Registration

Battalion Chief

Heather Lorimor

Volusia County Fire Rescue Liaison

Director of Emergency Services & Waste Management

Ashley Shive

Private Industry Liaison

Florida Division of Emergency Management

Symposium Partner

Fire Chief - Retired

Richard Knoff

Deputy Incident Commander

Meghan Lord

Planning Section Chief

Division Chief

Jeremy Feil

Logistics Section Chief

Firefighter - Engineer

Ronnie Hutchinson

Assistant Safety Officer

Emergency Manager

Keila Walker-Denis

Registration

Fire Lieutenant

Frank Watkins

Volusia County Fire Rescue Training Center Competition Liaison

Emergency Management and Community Projects Director

Curtis Knowles

Local Emergency Planning Committee Liaison

Additional Support Staff

Kent Cartwright
Dan Cook
Rob Dietrich
Brett Ortagus
Eric Prendergast

Chris Rankin

Partial funding for this event is received from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness (HMEP) Grant.

Cancellation/Substitution Policy:

All cancellations will be subject to a $50 administrative fee. Cancellations must be sent in writing via e-mail to MICHELLE@FLHAZMATSYMPOSIUM.ORG by January 1, 2027. Telephone cancellations will not be accepted.

After January 4, 2027, substitutions will be allowed in the event the registrant is unable to attend, but no refunds will be issued. Telephone and email substitutions will be permitted.

The Florida HazMat Symposium is committed to ensuring digital accessibility for people with disabilities.
We are continually improving the user experience for everyone, and applying the relevant accessibility standards.

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