2025 Annual Conference: EMS

Friday, October 17th, 8:00 - 11:30 am | Morning Session

EMS: Leading Across Generations in the Fire Service 
Scott Nelson, Clarity Central

Session Description
As the Fire and Emergency Services field continues to change, leading across and within generations has become increasingly challenging. Intergenerational communication can be either a source of conflict or can lead to cooperation, collaboration and a more unified department.

Great leaders embrace new approaches and communicate in ways that engage others. It is a commitment to create a culture of excellence that results in each fire officer and firefighter inspired to contribute their very best toward a common goal.

Scott Nelson, Senior Partner, Clarity Central

Scott Nelson is a leadership coach, communications trainer and senior partner at Clarity Central. He is an instructor for the Executive Education programs at U of M Carlson School of Management, University of St. Thomas, and St. Cloud State University. Previously, he was a conflict resolution mediator at Mayo Clinic.

Scott started his career as a sales manager while also training and speaking on the topic of influential communication. He has done post-graduate work in ontology following his BBA in Management. He is also a firefighter with Excelsior Fire District and a leadership development instructor for the Minnesota Board of Firefighter Training and Education.

Scott’s experience involves several industries as well as many different organizational and personality types. He has worked with people of incredibly varied backgrounds including Maasai tribes in Tanzania, executives in corporations, and leaders in health care, non-profits, schools, local and federal government.