We are pleased to announce our keynote speakers for 5x5!
Our keynotes are leaders in public safety communications. They offer attendees insight into public safety challenges and share how innovations provide solutions for first responders today and into the future.
Be sure to register for the 2025 summit. We look forward to seeing you in Bellevue.
Deputy Chief Thomas Chenworth
Deputy Chief, Washington DC Fire and EMS
Thomas Chenworth is the Deputy Chief of the Washington D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department’s Information Technology Division. Here, he has worked to upgrade outdated systems and cut costs with the long-term goal of improving safety and efficiency. Chief Chenworth has worked for the department since 2003 and has served in the role of Technician, Lieutenant, and Captain of the Hazardous Materials (HazMat) Unit during his career.
Chief David Povlitz
Chief, Arlington County Fire Department
Chief David Povlitz has over thirty years of experience in fire, rescue, and emergency medical services and over 20 years of special operations experience, including hazardous materials, collapsed buildings, rope rescue, and marine incidents. He was appointed the Fire Chief of the Arlington County Fire Department in Virginia in November 2018.
Division Chief Kevin Fetterman
Division Chief, Orange County Fire Authority
Kevin Fetterman is a division chief with the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) where he oversees the Command and Emergency Planning Division of the largest fire agency in Orange County, covering nearly two million residents across 78 fire stations. In addition to this role, Chief Fetterman is responsible for operationalizing emerging technology, serving as a liaison to the Information Technology Division, and leading an Emergency Command Center (ECC).
Dereck Orr
Division Chief, NIST PSCR
Dereck Orr has been the Division Chief of the Public Safety Communications Research (PSCR) Division at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Communications Technology Laboratory (CTL) since 2002. Prior to working at NIST, he served as a professional staff member on the Senate Appropriations Committee and served four years at the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) at the Department of Justice.
Michael A. Cannon
Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, FirstNet Authority
Michael A. Cannon was named Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) in May 2025. Previously, he served as Chief Counsel for the FirstNet Authority. Prior to serving in that position, he was Chief Counsel for Economic Affairs overseeing a staff providing legal advice and services.
