2025 florida fire chaplains conference

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We would like to hear from you about a successful aspect of your chaplaincy. Perhaps it's a unique way of doing station visits or a program you have with your recruits. Maybe it's print materials you have designed or how you connect with firefighter families.

These TED-like presentations will be 15 minutes long with 10 minutes for your presentation and 5 minutes for questions.

If you are interested, email a description of your presentation to jlacognata@firefightersafety.org. We will look over all the submissions and choose those that represent a variety of ideas.

Bob Appleby founded Cornerstone Church in Clinton Connecticut in 1992 and served as the senior pastor for 23 years. He also ministered in the town of Clinton as both the police and fire chaplain, coming alongside hundreds of families and individuals in their times of greatest need. Bob is uniquely gifted in crisis scenarios and served his country in the Marine Corps for eight years before sensing a clear call for ministry.

Bob brought his military and ministry experience together during the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York when he worked in Ground Zero alongside firefighters and law enforcement for months searching for victims and counseling first responders. He has the unique gift of combining real-life experience with biblical insights, to help people live their lives to the fullest.

Bob currently serves as the teaching pastor at Colonial Church in Saint Augustine, FL. As a husband of 44 years, a father of two incredible children, and a grandfather of 8 grandkids, Bob’s passion is to see entire families transformed by the truth of God’s Word.

After a 20 year career as a podiatrist in Florida, Murphy walked away from practice to answer a call that had been placed on his life as a teenager. A medical career was his choice, not God’s. Today he is answering the God given call and following after Him with a sold out passion for Him and His people.

For several years Murphy served as an associate pastor in the role of pastoral care at a local church while also serving as a volunteer chaplain to both Winter Haven Fire Department and Polk County Fire Rescue.

In November of 2022, Murphy became the first full-time chaplain in the history of Polk County Fire Rescue, ministering to both first responders and the citizens and visitors of Polk County, Florida.

He and his wife, Glenda, enjoy exploring antique shops as they visit small towns all over Florida and spending time with their five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Joe LaCognata is the Founder and President of Fire Rescue Support, Inc. Joe started his involvement with emergency services in 1986 as a volunteer firefighter and EMT. Since becoming a pastor in 1994, his connection with emergency services has been through the chaplaincy with both police and fire departments. Joe currently serves as Chaplain with Marion County Fire Rescue, Ocala Fire Rescue, The Villages Department of Public Safety, the Florida State Fire College, and the Florida Fire Chiefs Association. Joe is also the Statewide Chaplaincy Coordinator with the Florida Firefighter Health and Safety Collaborative.

Joe has completed Basic Chaplain training through the International Fellowship of Chaplains. He is an Approved Instructor in Individual and Group Crisis Intervention with the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation and has his Certification in Critical Incident Stress Management from the University of Maryland Baltimore County Department of Emergency Health Services. Joe is an Endorsed Chaplain with the North American Mission Board and a Master Fire Chaplain with the Federation of Fire Chaplains. Joe holds a PhD in Educational Leadership from Illinois State University and is an Instructor III with the Florida Fire Service.

Joe has been married to Kim since 1985 and they are the proud parents of five amazing children, four wonderful sons-in-law and a granddaughter.

25 years of experience investing in marriages, families, and individuals, through coaching, chaplaincy, counseling, and teaching. Dave is called to invest in people like you. His passion is evident through the years of working with groups, teaching, counseling, public speaking and chaplaining. You will find Dave studying, watching videos, or practicing guiding others to better understand one another, communicate more effectively, build trust, enhance identity, and learn to love.

People who spend time with Dave will tell you he is caring, warm, understanding, and relationally/emotionally intelligent. He knows how to help you become your best self in order to function in your world at the highest level.

Dave’s training includes Bachelor’s degree from USF in Elementary Education, Master’s degree in Clinical Christian Counseling through the National Christian Counselors Association. Dave also is a certified Brain Health Coach through Amen Clinics. In addition, Dave is SYMBIS (Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts) certified, and a Level 2 Gottman Marriage therapist. Finally, Dave is trained in temperament analysis which helps others discover their inborn traits which reveal their spiritual genetics.

Interesting fact: Dave has played the drums for 35 years, has been skydiving twice, completed 6 marathons, is adopted, and has the best family in the world.

Beau is a highly qualified professional with a Bachelor of Ministry degree and is currently pursuing a Masters degree in Temperament Therapy. With over 15 years of extensive full-time ministry experience as a youth pastor, children's ministry director, and young adult director, Beau has a deep understanding of guiding and mentoring individuals. Beau is committed to following God's guidance and uses his expertise in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) along with certifications in Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) and Making Sense of Your Past Worth (MSOYW) to assist families in navigating challenging dynamics and life circumstances.