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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

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For Students and Attendees​​

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​For Instructors and Staff

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Mailing Address

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Florida Hazardous

Materials Symposium, Inc.

1717 SE 27th Loop

Ocala, FL 34471

TIN #81-3901170​

Symposium Staff List

Emergency Management Specialist IV

Michelle Cechowski

Symposium Executive Director

Fire Chief - Retired

Richard Knoff

Symposium Vice President

Emergency Manager

Keila Walker-Denis

Symposium Secretary

Division Chief

Jeremy Feil

Logistics Section Chief and Symposium Officer

Meghan Lord

Planning Section Chief

Deputy Chief

Jon Haskett

Lead Safety Officer

Battalion Chief

Heather Lorimor

Volusia County Fire Rescue Training
Facility and Symposium Officer

Captain

Mike Zielonka

Classes and Instructor Lead and Symposium Officer

Fire Chief

Rob Hanson

Symposium President

President/Project Manager Retired

Teresa Newsome

Symposium Treasurer

Emergency Management and Community Projects Senior Planner

Jerri Sackett

Symposium Public Information Officer

CEO Retired

Lee Newsome

Deputy Logistics Section Chief

Fire Chief

Larry Collier

Deputy Planning Section Chief

Firefighter - Engineer

Ronnie Hutchinson

Assistant Safety Officer

Lieutenant

Paul Seiferth

Hands-On Training Lead

Cofounder/President

Doug Wolfe

HazMat Competition Coordinator

Additional Support Staff

Chris Capozzi-Adkins
Kent Cartwright
Dan Cook
Rob Dietrich
Curtis Knowles
Alyssa Newell
Ashley Shive
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.

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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 2, 2026. Telephone cancellations will not be accepted.

After January 2, 2026, 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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