Administrative Support Track Session

Thursday, October 15 | 8:30 am - 2:30 pm | 2026 Annual Conference

8:30 am – 11:30 am: Communicating with Authenticity – Scott Nelson

Authentic communication is essential at every level in every organization. Communication styles influence both the intent and the impact of a message. It is critical to be able to identify and understand the styles of others so you can adapt accordingly without compromising your authenticity. Balancing empathy with accountability results in collaborative conversations that create the ability to find common ground with others and influence positive change.

11:30 am – 12:30 pm: Best Practices for Data Practices in the Age of Artificial Intelligence - League of MN Cities

AI is quickly becoming popular across local government operations, including in fire departments, but using it responsibly requires understanding how the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act applies to information entered into, utilized and generated by AI systems. This session will explore practical best practices for emergency professionals, including data classification, protecting sensitive operational and personnel information, security considerations, and establishing department policies for responsible AI use.

1:30 pm – 2:30 pm: Turning Curiosity into Output – Angela Contreras and Joel Paylor, Minnesota State Fire Marshal Division

Fire service and fire prevention professionals ask questions every day: How many structure fires did we respond to last month? Where are incidents occurring? What trends are we seeing?

This one-hour training will show participants how to take common fire service questions and turn them into clear, answerable data queries. Using practical examples, participants will learn how to identify the key information needed to find, analyze, and communicate useful data.

Administrative Support Track attendees are also welcome to attend the Vendor Show at no cost.