WFCA Quarterly Newsletter 2023 | Q2
Published:October 16, 2023
Edited:October 16, 2023
Learn more about what the Western Fire Chiefs Association and its partners worked on during Q2 2023 in this edition of the WFCA Quarterly Newsletter.
Applied Sciences Center for Resilience Studies
WFCA announced the Applied Sciences Center for Resilience Studies (ASC), which will serve as the knowledge broker between industry, businesses, non-profits, communities, and academia, to advance mutually beneficial endeavors, and assist in strengthening the innovation ecosystem in public service. Backed by funding from NASA, the ASC’s initial undertaking will concentrate on advancing wildfire technology and the decision-making processes during the critical first 24 hours of a fire in the Wildland-Urban Interface. Click here to view the full press release.
Disclaimer statement:
The material contained in this document is based upon work supported by a National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) grant or cooperative agreement. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of NASA.
Help Honor Chief Piechura’s Memory and His Vision of Firefighter Safety
Chief Jeff Piechura was at the helm when he and his team at Northwest Fire District set out to build a fire training center to better prepare firefighters for the demands of the job they were about to begin. Since 2012, thousands of firefighters have received training at the Northwest Fire District facility.
Firefighter safety was Chief Piechura’s top priority. He knew that excellent training not only protected his crews, it served the taxpayers and community well.
Our friend, leader, and mentor lost his life on July 10, 2021, when the aircraft he was flying in crashed while he was working as an air tactical group supervisor (ATGS) on the Cedar Basin Fire near Wikieup, Arizona.
The SJ Piechura Tribute Committee is working on plans to build a tribute on the training center grounds in Chief Pie’s memory – a space where firefighters can reflect on the values that make them strong.
Click here to learn more and/or donate.
Upcoming Events Hosted by WFCA
All Hazards Incident Communication Awareness Overview
The All-Hazards Incident Communications Awareness service provides a complete overview of the ICS and roles and responsibilities for Communications Unit personnel staffing it. It explains the organizational structure and the staffing of the logistics section service branch component. It reviews the COML responsibilities and supervision of the INCM, COMT, RADO, INTD, Auxiliary Communicator (AUXC) and other technical specialists. There will also be an overview of AT&T FirstNet and the Response Operations Group (ROG) services.
Free – No Prerequisites – Click here for more information
Communication Unit Leader Course
This course is provided through a partnership with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA, Western Fire Chiefs Association, and Nevada Department of Emergency Management). This course helps participants establish the essential core competencies requires for performing the duties of the Communications Unit Leader (COML) in an all-hazards incident. This course addresses all responsibilities appropriate to a COML operating in a local or state-level All-Hazards Incident Management Team (AHIMT). These responsibilities include the collection, processing, and dissemination as needed to facilitate operations of command, general staff, and unit leaders within the confines of a Type 3 AHIMT.
Free – Prerequisites – Click here for more information
Information Technology Service Unit Leader (ITSL) Training Course
In 2018 and 2019, CISA introduced the ITSL course, and SAFECOM and NCSWIC have coordinated with FEMA National Integration Center (NIC) and other organizations focused on public safety communications to establish the best way to integrate the ITSL into the ICS. The ITSL course targets Federal, state/territory, tribal, urban, local, and emergency response professionals, and supports personnel in all disciplines with a communications background and an aptitude for and extensive experience in information technology (IT). The training course provides an overview of the ITSL components including the Unified Help Desk (inclusive of both communications and IT support), IT Infrastructure Manager, Network Manager, and specialist roles. It provides an in-depth overview of their responsibilities and includes exercises for the ITSL’s major functions to ensure reliable and timely delivery of IT services to participating agencies and officials
Free – Prerequisites – Click here for more information
Eye in the Sky
Unmanned Vehicle Systems, more commonly known as drones, provide fire departments with an incomparable view and an efficient way to have an eye in the sky to support ground crews. With their ability to access hard-to-reach areas, cover larger territories, and remain in the air for extended periods of time, drones enhance the level of safety and efficiency for Public Safety professionals.
With Sourcewell’s newly awarded Unmanned Vehicle Systems suppliers, you have access to things like:
- Thermal solutions
- Drone & sensor training
- LiDAR & photogrammetry mapping
- Bathymetry & magnetometry surveys
- Custom mobile command centers
- Drone as First Responder (DFR)
- Water, ground and aerial unmanned systems
- Pipe cameras
- Equipment leasing
Sourcewell’s publicly awarded contracts can help get your fire department’s drone program off the ground. To view available Unmanned Vehicles Systems contracts, click HERE
To check your Sourcewell member status or to view all contracts available to you through Sourcewell, visit the Sourcewell website or call 877-585-9706.
WFCA’s Fire Headlines Podcast
WFCA is pleased to announce the launch of the Fire Headlines Podcast. The weekly podcast addresses the top news from Daily Dispatch. During each episode, Chiefs Bob Horton and Jeff Buchanan discuss the most popular fire service news with our staff host. The panel is often joined by subject matter experts that explore a broad range of topics from Encouraging Women in the Fire Service to the Responsibility of Wildfire Damage Costs. Visit our website today to explore more episodes.
Follow & Share
Weekly episodes are announced on Thursday’s through our social media pages: Facebook, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn. We welcome you to follow us and keep the conversation going by submitting questions and topic suggestions at [email protected].
Don’t let legal backyard burning turn into an out of control wildfire. Join the Burn Permits App community and see where the smoke is coming from. Available to agencies within the Western Division.