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Our VISION is to improve career and volunteer emergency services in the state of Idaho through leadership, collaboration, education, safety, information and representation.

Our MISSION is to provide and enhance leadership to career and volunteer emergency services in Idaho.

Trivia Question - 911 History
Where, when and who dialed the first 911 call in the United States?
(Answer at bottom of this page.)

Legislation UPDATE (2-8-10)
A bill has been introduced in the State Senate (S1325) regarding the 2009 IFC adoption which would significantly affect rural access and water requirements . Click here to see a copy of the full bill - http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/legislation/2010/S1325Bookmark.htm

AFG Grant Awards - Idaho Recipients. (2-1-10)
WASHINGTON, D.C. (FEMA-USFA) – Fire and EMS departments across the country, including Idaho, are finding extra money in their bank accounts as the 2009 AFG grants have been announced. No SAFER or Fire Prevention, Safety awards have been made yet. Nationally, nearly $71M was awarded going to 926 departments. In Idaho nineteen (19) departments received a total of $1,158,136 in grants. The "big three" were Coeur d'Alene FD - $269,705 for equipment and PPE; Timberlake FPD - $179,694 for equipment; and Middleton RFD - $112,919 for PPE. The average award was $60,955. To view a list of all the AFG recipients in Idaho click here:
http://www.firegrantsupport.com/content/html/afg/SearchAwards.aspx?year=2009
The IFCA extends its congratulations to the grant award recipients and our thanks to Congress and the President for continuing the AFG program in these fiscally challenging times. Thank you!

Medal of Honor Nominations Sought - The Idaho Medal of Honor committee is seeking nominations from the fire/EMS services for this distinct honor. For more information and nomination forms click on the "Idaho Medal of Honor" link to the left of this. Nominations are due by February 12th, so please hurry.

Buck Nomination Approved! (1-25-10)
Department of Building Safety Director Kelly Pearce has sent a letter to the IFCA advising that Governor Ottter's office has approved Fire Marshal Scott Buck (Star FD) as the new Fire Service representative to the State Building Code Board (SBCB).  Buck will be installed at the SBCB meeting on Tuseday, February 9th. Congratulations to Scott on his appointment!

NOTICE: Although Doug Brown is no longer employed by the Caldwell FD, the IFCA's mailing address is still the same (IFCA ATTN: Doug Brown c/o Caldwell FD 310 S. 7th Ave. Caldwell, ID 83605) . Please send your membership dues, grant reports and any other correspondence to that address. Any future changes of address will be posted in advance on this website and all members will be notified via email of the change.
Thank You!

SCHEDULED EVENTS:
February 9th starts at 9:30AM
Idaho State Building Code Board Meeting
DBS Bldg. at 1090 East Watertower St. - Meridian, ID

February 12 - 14 (all day each day)
Southern Idaho Fire Academy - Rupert, ID
/Assets/dept_1/PM/pdf/Southern ID Fire Academy 1-10.pdf

February 13 at 7:30PM
Comedy Night for the Weiser Rural FD Burnout Fund
Call 208-414-2370 for information or tickets ($20 ea.)

February 18 - 20 (all day each day)
International Class A Foam and CAFS Academy
Waterous Co. is sponsoring a foam and compressed air foam system academy in Glendale (AZ).
/Assets/dept_1/PM/pdf/ANN CAFS course 1-15-10.pdf

March 6 (No-host bar starts at 5:30PM - dinner at 6:00PM)
1910 Commemorative Fireman's Ball - Wallace, ID
/Assets/dept_1/PM/pdf/1910 Comm Firemans Ball 2-8-10.pdf
/Assets/dept_1/PM/pdf/1910 Comm Firemans Ball PR 2-8-10.doc

March 6 & 7 (all day each day)
Fire Officer Development Academy - Coeur d'Alene, ID
/Assets/dept_1/PM/pdf/NIFCA Academy Sched 1-10.pdf
/Assets/dept_1/PM/pdf/NIFCA Academy regist1-10.pdf

March 19 - 21 (all day each day)
Clearwater Fire Academy - Orofino, ID
/Assets/dept_1/PM/pdf/Clearwater Fire Academy flyer1-10.pdf

March 23 - 25 (all day each day)
"The Leadership Challenge" by Michael Palazzo - Boise, ID
/Assets/dept_1/PM/pdf/BoiseFDTLCReg[1].pdf

April 12 - 16 (all day each day)
Great Basin - Northern Rockies Fire Prevention Conf. -
Radisson Hotel - Salt Lake City, UT
For more info go to: www.utahfireinfo.gov

May 13 - 15 (all day each day)
Idaho Fire Chiefs Assn. Annual Conference
Red Lion Templin's Hotel - Post Falls, ID
(Program and registration info to post here soon.)

May 13 -15 (all day each day)
Boise Firefighter Safety Symposium - Boise, ID
http://www.boisesymposium.com/

HAITI EARTHQUAKE DISASTER The death toll from the 7.5 earthquake which hit the small island nation of Haiti on Jan. 12 continues to rise. If you are interested in helping there is an article below (Other IFCA News) from the National Volunteer Fire Council that provides useful information and links. The IFCA extends its thoughts and prayers to those affected by this tragic event and to those responders participating in the search, rescue and recovery efforts.
NOTE: The USFA is looking for French/Creole speaking firefighters that could be mustered together if needed in response to the disaster in Haiti.  If anyone has these linguistic skills, and if they would be willing and able to travel, please contact Michael.Forgey@dhs.gov.

Russ Warden Named New Payette Chief
The IFCA extends its congratulations to Payette's new Fire Chief, Russ Warden. Warden, a former Battalion Chief with PFD, succeeds former Fire Chief Jeff Sands who now works for the State Fire Marshal's Office.

Bart Lassman Recognized for
20 Years of Service with Wood River
Bart Lassman poses with his proud wife, Evan Stelma, for a photo following his receipt of a fire bugle award presented to him for 20 years of service to the Wood River Fire & Rescue organization.
Lassman, also an IFCA Board Member (District 5 Director), received the award for 20 years of service to Wood River Fire & Rescue.

Lassman began his fire-fighting career as a volunteer with Sun Valley in 1986 and joined what is now Wood River Fire & Rescue in 1989. He has been chief of fire and emergency medical services there for 11 years, responding to both fire and medical emergencies in southern Blaine County. The special service award features a bronze bugle, a device once used for communication on fire scenes. It was presented to Lassman by the Blaine County Fire Commissioners and his own firefighters at Wood River's annual Christmas party, held at the Valley Club. "I was honored," said Lassman of the unexpected award. "Especially to get it from my own people." The IFCA extends its congratulations to Bart with our thanks for his many years of service on the IFCA's Board of Directors. (Our thanks to the Idaho Mountain Express for this story and photo.)

Membership Renewals Due
IFCA Memberships for 2010 were due on January 1st. If you have not renewed your membership, and/or those for members in your department, you need to do so promptly.  If you need membership information or application forms just click on the following links:
Invitation letter from President Ellis: 2010 Invitation Letter
Application/Renewal form: 2010 Membership Application/Renewal
THANK YOU!

Job Offerings:
Fire Chief - Meridian (ID)
www.meridiancity.org
Director of Fire Protection / State Fire Marshal - (WA)
http://www.wsp.wa.gov/employment/employment.htm
Fire Inspector - Rexburg (ID)
/Assets/dept_1/PM/pdf/JOB Rexburg Fire Insp 2-4-10.pdf
Outside Sales Representatives in the Idaho area. Braun Northwest is currently accepting resumes. Please go to the following website to view job description. http://www.braunnorthwest.com/adminEmployment.php
2010 Annual Conference in Post Falls!
The North Idaho Fire Chiefs Conference Planning Committee is busy working on the program and activities for the 2010 IFCA Annual Conference on May 13-15.  The conference will return to a venue it has not been held at in many years - the spacious Red Lion Templin's Hotel located on the banks of the Spokane River.
NOTICE: On Jan. 6th the IFCA Board became aware that the Boise Firefighter Safety Symposium has been scheduled on the same dates (May 13 - 15) as the IFCA's 2010 Annual Conference in Post Falls.
Idaho Fire Protection Forum
The IFPF has a new website according to Mr. John Venche. The website can be viewed at www.ifpf-id.org. The IFPF is a consortium of fire protections professionals from both the public and private sectors who meet monthly in the Treasure Valley for training, networking and to enhance communications and knowledge.
IFCA 2009-2010 Strategic Plan Available. To view a copy of the plan click here:  IFCA Strategic Plan
HELP! Donations Needed for Idaho's Fallen Firefighter Memorial. The Idaho Fallen Firefighter Memorial is in seeking donations. They are selling personalized bricks to go around the memorial walkways.  All IFCA members, fire departments, fire service members and the public are encouraged to "buy a brick" to show your support. Bricks start at $100. To make a donation to "buy a brick" or for more information please visit the Memorial website at: www.fallenfirefightermemorial.org.

TRIVIA Answer -
The first 911 call in the United States came from Haleyville, Alabama and was made by Alabama Speaker of the House, Rankin Fite on February 16, 1968 to Tom Bevill, a United States Representative.
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Other IFCA News . . .
(For daily news reports from Idaho, other states and around the Nation please subscribe to the Idaho Daily Dispatch - see link above - and also in top right of home page under Quick Links.)

2/8/2010		Commemorative Fireman's Ball in Wallace (ID) The 1910 Commemorative Group is holding a Fireman's Ball. This semi-formal affair is a mid-winter event not to miss! Men in uniform and women in formals to color up the winter in Wallace. The Wallace Read More...

2/6/2010		Federal Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act Introduced in the Senate(Source: Congressional Fire Services Institute)On January 22nd, United States Senators Tom Carper (DE) and Susan Collins (ME) introduced the Read More...

2/4/2010		FREE: Natural Gas Response Action Guide "Dealing With Incidents Involving Pipelines" (June 2009)This unique, 30 page "action card" booklet in Adobe format is packed with operational response information that gives "first responders" c Read More...