2026 florida fire chaplains conference
Monday, April 27 - Wednesday, April 29
The Florida State Fire College
11655 NW Gainesville Road
Ocala, FL 34482
Special Guest
comedian tim boyd
Tim Boyd is an author, comedian, and former pastor with over 20 years of experience in leadership and communication. Blending insight, humor, and heart, Tim travels the country performing for fundraisers, churches, and even comedy clubs. He is a sought-after speaker known for helping others find the joy in hard places.
lodging
Florida State Fire College
Florida State Fire College
Florida State Fire College
$25 per night, per person
2 people per room
Limited availability
If you are registered in FCDICE, click the image above and select Submit Dormitory Reservation from the main page (before logging in). If you don’t have a profile, contact the Fire College at 352-369-2800.
Area Hotels
Florida State Fire College
Florida State Fire College
Complete guide
to hotels in
Marion County
The Ocala/Marion County Chamber of Commerce has a listing of all area hotels. Click the image above to see this listing.
Hear from fellow chaplains about successful aspects of their chaplaincy. Perhaps it's a unique way of doing station visits or a program with recruits. Maybe it's print materials or how to connect with firefighter families.
These TED Talk-like sessions will be 15 minutes long with 10 minutes for the presentation and 5 minutes for questions.
conference host
Joe LaCognata
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 Chapl
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.
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.
