Planning and executing an air show is unlike any other public safety event. Success depends on integrating aviation operations, emergency management, fire and EMS, law enforcement, public works, military leadership, hospitals, emergency communications, and dozens of supporting agencies into a single operational plan.

For the past several years, I have led the planning and execution of the Navy's largest air show, supporting an annual attendance of more than 300,000 spectators. The size of the event demands extensive pre-planning, executive coordination, unified command, contingency planning, and operational discipline while maintaining installation readiness throughout the event.

The operational lessons learned through these events led to my authorship of the International Association of Fire Chiefs' Special Events Planning Toolkit, developed while serving on the IAFC Terrorism and Homeland Security Committee. The toolkit captures planning principles, operational considerations, and lessons learned that can be adapted to complex events across the fire service.

Whether your organization is preparing for an air show, large public gathering, or other high-profile special event, I can help evaluate existing plans, facilitate planning workshops, review Incident Action Plans, identify operational gaps, and share proven practices drawn from real-world experience.