President's Update
Here we are in March -- and where has the traditional Wisconsin winter been? I guess the reward of not having a cold and snowy season is the reduced heating bills. During this mild winter, the Association has been very busy with all the activities that sustain, improve and promote the fire service here in the great state of Wisconsin.
First, I would like to say "Thank You" to Chief Doug Doefer for his years of service to the Association as 1st and 2nd Vice President, and President of the Board of Directors. The Association has been fortunate to have members that lead and serve like Chief Doefer. His service has been greatly appreciated.
It is hard to believe that we are only 100 days or so away from the 2012 Annual Conference and Trade Show; it's just around the corner! As we live in these challenging times of four dollar a gallon gas and shrinking local budgets, we really looked at minimizing the cost of the conference to hopefully allow you to attend. The Board has a program starting with the Thursday Pre-Conference that is not only for the Chief Officers to attend, but for other Officers on your department as well. We have what we believe to be a tremendous 2-day educational opportunity for you. Please look at the conference materials and join us for the 84th Annual Conference June 21-24 at the Kalahari. The training sessions will benefit you and your department! I hope to see you there!
WSFCA continues to review and follow the strategic plan developed late last year. In the plan there was a directive to put WSFCA out in the communities and gather information relating to the needs of the fire service. On March 3rd we had a listening session in Bayfield County, and had a packed room of 140 local Fire and EMS personnel from 13 different counties. In addition, we invited the political decision makers and other state agencies that work with and affect the fire and EMS service in Wisconsin. During that meeting many training and certification issues were talked about from the Fire and EMS perspective, as well as the lack of volunteers and frozen budgets on Fire and EMS. At the conclusion of the meeting it was evident that many of the issues are the same for Fire and EMS services throughout the state. WSFCA will be appointing Presidential Task Forces to look at these Fire and EMS concerns. This includes review of SB 330 (the former Comm. 30 that regulates the fire service), the Hazmat Ops issues, and certifications for both Fire and EMS. We feel there is a need to obtain data and statistics in order to make good decisions on these complex issues. We need to hear from YOU so your voice will be heard! Please sign up with a Task Force so you can let us know your thoughts. WSFCA will be continuing these listening sessions around the state.
WSFCA has been working closely with other associations on fire code training with the Department of Safety and Professional Services. We have asked for the return of the County Codes trainings so your Department can attend. There are locations being setup around the state; please attend these multicounty training seminars.
On behalf of the WSFCA Board of Directors and myself, it is a pleasure to serve you. WSFCA represents 864 fire departments in Wisconsin. Without the continued support of your membership it wouldn't be possible to have this broad representation of the state's fire service. We will continue to address the issues of today's Fire and EMS services, and will lead and work with others to obtain the very best we can for the Fire service in Wisconsin.
Be safe and see you soon! Remember together we will make a difference.
Glenn M. Linzmeier
President, Wisconsin State Fire Chiefs' Association
608-209-5697
fire1@blmgrove.com