IAFC Press Release

Today's Fire Chiefs Face Growing Challenges.  As 2nd Vice President,
I will help by:

• Using my national experience to add membership value to the IAFC and its members.

• Working towards Vertical Integration - striving to align the goals of the sections, divisions, committees, and associations to solve problems for, and return value to, Fire Chiefs.

• Helping to ensure that the IAFC has the financial strength to solve problems and tackle issues that matter to Fire Chiefs, while reducing the amount of effort committed to raising funds to remain solvent.

• Continuing to support the IAFC's initiative to systemize the delivery of regional and national deployments at the local level:

If asked to identify key factors of organizational success, I would distill it down to two - Value and Vision.

Value: In business there is an axiom that reads: “Price is only an issue in the absence of value.” If the IAFC identifies and addresses the issues affecting the daily professional lives of the typical fire chief, members will recognize the value of their membership, or better stated, their investment. Consequently, membership will grow as will the number of industry partners drawn to a healthy and esteemed organization. Contemporary and progressive training, tools, and member services also translate to value for fire chiefs looking to ensure their continued effectiveness. With value and service come loyalty, growth, and long-term financial health.

Vision: Today’s fire service has an unprecedented opportunity to better align with its strategic partners and move in a unified direction. To foster this, the IAFC leadership must concentrate on aligning the sections, divisions, committees, and state associations to identify, integrate, and market key initiatives, whether legislative or administrative. Once we have a shared vision from the national through the local level, our efficacy will increase and our successes will be measured in miles, not yards.

Of the many critical issues that require a unified vision, it is imperative that the IAFC work with the nation’s fire service and policy makers to ensure preparedness for and access to reliable resources for national mobilizations. Specifically, the IAFC should further refine and advance national mutual aid initiatives, advocate for the deployment of a nationwide interoperable communications network, and take action to maintain critical federal grant programs and ensure the most effective use of those funds.

I enthusiastically anticipate the opportunity to facilitate a renewed focus on our collective success...starting with attention to our VALUE & VISION.