NoDak Defrost HOT Conference

09/04/2026

Solid work Missouri River Engine Crew!!

The rumors are true!

Chief Curt 'Ike' Isakson, is coming to Bismarck!!!

Curt “Ike” Isakson is a recently retired Battalion Chief with over 30 years in the fire service. He served 25 years with Escambia County Fire Rescue, previously worked as a Company Officer with Pensacola assigned to Heavy Rescue 31, and began his career as a Junior Firefighter with Midway Fire Protection District.

Chief has written numerous articles for Firehouse Magazine, taught and spoke at FDIC and operates County Fire Tactics.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to listen and speak with one of the best in the service! Stay tuned for registration update!

chiefike.com
countyfiretactics.com

05/01/2026

The INAUGURAL NoDak Defrost Mustache Competition is going down Saturday night.

Watch the reel all the way through… you’ll get it.

📍 Phat Fish Brewing
🕢 Judging kicks off at 7:30 PM

This is where legends are made… or exposed.

05/01/2026

NoDak Defrost HOT Conference 2026 kicked off yesterday with the Wildland Track setting the tone right out of the gate.

Today we turn it up.

Justin McWilliams Track – “Walk Through Workshop: Rescue & Search” goes live at 12:30pm. Dickinson Fire got a preview… and yeah… you’re in for it.

Then we roll into the General Session:
5:00pm – Social + Supper
6:00pm – General Session kicks off

Come hang out. Come learn. Be around people who actually give a damn.

And hey… if you’re just showing up for the raffle and free swag, we see you. No shame. Just know you’re probably walking out with more than you planned… and if you don’t…

Might be time to turn in the t-shirt.

See you there.

04/30/2026

🚨 FULLY INVOLVED 🚨

This one hits different.

On the eve of kickoff, it’s time to recognize the ones behind the curtain. The ones who don’t just support Defrost… they build it.

🔥 North Dakota Firefighter's Association
Props, equipment, support… over and over again. We’ve asked for just about everything, and they’ve delivered. Multiple trips, loaded down, making sure we have what we need to train the right way. And let’s not forget the financial support helping make all of this possible.

🔥 Dickinson Fire Department
They open the doors, the bays, the classrooms, and their training grounds. They’ve hosted meetings for the last 12 months and let us turn their homes into coordinated chaos. This doesn’t happen without them.

🔥 Badlands Fire Training
This is the engine behind it. Hundreds… probably thousands of hours. Planning, coordinating, prepping. Locating sponsors, spreading the word, creating apps, and handling the chaos that comes with building something this big. All of it… without taking a dime. Because when it comes to doing better, money doesn’t matter. You can’t put a price tag on what this conference stands for.

This is what **Fully Involved** looks like.

04/29/2026

🚨 SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT – 1ST ALARM 🚨

M & T Fire and Safety is on the board as a 1st Alarm Sponsor for the 2026 NoDak Defrost HOT Conference 2026.

This conference runs on people who believe in the job and put their name behind it. M&T Fire is one of those. They’re backing training that actually matters… the kind you take home and put to work on your next call.

Their support helps make this whole thing go. From the instructors on the ground to the tools in your hands, it all adds up. And it all points back to one thing… getting better at what we do.

That’s what we’re after.
Better firefighters. Better outcomes. No shortcuts.

We appreciate M & T Fire and SafetyM & T Fire and Safety stepping in and being part of it.

04/29/2026

🚨 1ST ALARM SPONSOR 🚨

Huge thanks to Outer Edge Engineering, PLLC e for stepping in as a 1st Alarm Sponsor for NoDak Defrost.

Not only are they backing this thing, they’re getting in the mix and helping teach the Spouse Track. That matters. This job doesn’t just hit the firefighter, it hits the whole family. Having people willing to invest in that side of it speaks volumes.

Support is one thing. Showing up and putting in the work is another.

We appreciate Outer Edge Engineering, PLLC for doing both.

04/29/2026

🚨 3RD ALARM SPONSOR 🚨

When things get busy, timelines get tight, and everything starts stacking up… you need someone who can flat out deliver. That’s where Quality Quick Print (QQP) steps in.

QQP consistently knocks out last-minute, high-pressure projects like it’s just another day on the job. And with NoDak Defrost, those “last-minute” needs hit fast and hard these past couple weeks. They didn’t flinch. They showed up and got it done.

Fun fact, they’re also the crew behind “Teddy”, our logo, and have helped us dial it in with multiple updates along the way. That kind of behind-the-scenes support doesn’t go unnoticed.

We appreciate the partnership, the hustle, and the ability to operate in the chaos right alongside us.

That’s why we’re proud to recognize Quality Quick PrintQuality Quick Print as a 3rd Alarm Sponsor of the NoDak Defrost HOT Conference.

04/28/2026

🚨 1ST ALARM SPONSOR 🚨

Big shout to Rafter L K Leather for stepping up as a 1st Alarm Sponsor for NoDak Defrost.

They’re kicking in items for the raffle, and if you haven’t checked them out yet, now’s the time. This is firefighter-made gear, built right here in North Dakota by one of our own. No fluff, just solid leather work that holds up.

If you’re in the market for leather… and let’s be honest, who isn’t… make sure you give Rafter L K Leather a look.

We appreciate the support and backing of what we’re building out here.

04/28/2026

🔥 SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT 🔥

Big thanks to CCBC of Dickinson for stepping up and keeping crews hydrated at the NoDak Defrost HOT Conference.

Long days, hard work, and pushing it on the training ground… hydration isn’t optional. These guys made sure we’ve got sports drinks on hand to keep firefighters and EMS going.

Yeah… you could say “Brawndo’s got what plants crave… it’s got electrolytes.”
Good thing we’re humans… and CCBC of Dickinson has us covered on that front.

Appreciate the support and helping keep our people in the fight all weekend.

04/28/2026

🔥 SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT 🔥

Big thanks to Grand Forks Fire Equipment showing up and bringing some of the latest and greatest equipment to the NoDak Defrost HOT Conference.

This isn’t just gear on display…this is hands-on, real-world stuff that keeps firefighters informed, sharp, and ready for the job. Getting eyes and hands on new tools matters.

And on top of that, they threw in some raffle items to keep things rolling.

That’s how you support the fire service…show up, bring value, and take care of your people.