The bell rings April 22 on the largest firefighting show in the world. Are you ready?

Firefighters engage in hands-on training at the 2012 FDIC. More than a dozen trainings are scheduled for this year’s event as well. Register at www.fdic.com to join in.

FDIC returns to the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium April 22 to 27 for five jam-packed days of demonstrations, education sessions and the most models of new firefighting equipment you’ll ever see in one location. Fire instructors, training officers, fire chiefs, administrative chiefs, line chiefs, company officers, career and volunteer firefighters, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, apparatus and equipment specialists, Haz-Mat technicians, community emergency response teams, and fire academy and fire science students will take away skills and information that make a difference every day on the job.

While some come for the professional training they receive at the conference, experienced FDIC attendees say catching up with colleagues and friends and establishing new relationships is what makes FDIC so valuable.

2013 marks the 85th anniversary of the Fire Department Instructors Conference, and its growth continues unabated. There are more exhibiting companies, special events, classroom sessions, pre-conference workshops and training courses than ever. This year you’ll even find 20 hands-on training evolutions; around 29,000 fire industry professionals; 900 exhibitors; over 500 leading speakers and instructors; 192 classroom sessions; and 64 four-hour preconference workshops and live demonstrations. Firefighters who attend the continuing education sessions will receive certificates of attendance.

Actor and comedian Adam Ferrara will entertain FDIC crowds from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, April 26, in Lucas Oil Stadium. (Photo provided)

Can you believe that more and more frequently, firefighters are being assaulted on the job each year? Chief Tim Holman of the German Township, Ohio, Fire and EMS does. He’ll tell you why, offer solutions and let you take a look at some case histories on Friday. Earlier in the week, David Dalrymple of Roadway Rescue LLC will talk about why vehicle rescue is no longer just a matter of extrication. Lt. John Ceriello and Battalion Chief George Healy of FDNY, Fire Research Engineer Steve Kerber of UL, and Fire Protection Engineer Dan Madrzykowski of NIST will then lay out the experiments they’ve been doing to examine ventilation control and transitional attack on a variety of fire scenarios.

Plan for your best FDIC experience by checking out the full list of conference sessions, events and speakers at www.FDIC.com. Online registration is still available, and by liking FDIC on Facebook or following @fdic on Twitter, you’ll receive updates on the hundreds of opportunities happening that week in April.