WFCA Quarterly Newsletter 2024 | Q1

Learn more about what the Western Fire Chiefs Association (WFCA) and its partners worked on during Q1 2024 in this edition of the WFCA Quarterly Newsletter.

President’s Message

On behalf of the WFCA Board of Directors, I am pleased to share the first quarterly newsletter of the year to our valued membership. As always, the WFCA remains steadfast in our commitment to supporting Fire Departments across the West. Through legislative engagement, research initiatives on critical issues, advancements in technology, and ongoing educational programs, we strive to provide comprehensive support to our community.

Below are several hot topics that I hope you will find time to engage with:

• Proposed OSHA changes: A summary of the changes and ‘call to action’ was sent to each of the States represented by WFCA. If adopted, these changes could bring significant challenges, specifically in funding the requirements.
• County of Maui Department of Fire and Public Safety (MFD) After-Action Report (AAR): WFCA’s Chief Bob Roper and Chief Kim Zagaris conducted thorough visits with firefighters and MFD stakeholders. With support from WFCA staff, they produced a high-quality After-Action Report (AAR) for MFD. We are very grateful to MFD for relying on WFCA as a trusted source for this important work.
• WFCA endorses Fire Chief Dan Munsey for IAFC 2nd Vice President: Both 2nd VP candidates presented their vision to the WFCA Board of Directors, who ultimately chose to endorse Chief Munsey. This decision required a unanimous approval of the Board. We will be asking all of you to vote for Chief Munsey when elections open in May.
• Wildfire Commission Report: Now that the report is completed, WFCA Board Members and staff will be working together to determine the next steps for the West. We envision development of best practice legislation along with further engagement with each of your States to better understand your challenges. 
• Fire-Rescue International – 2024: As you plan your training schedule for this summer, we hope you will join us in Dallas, Texas for the Fire-Rescue International Conference. We look forward to welcoming one of our own, Josh Waldo (Bozeman, MT), as the incoming President of the IAFC.
• Save the Date: WFCA will be hosting its first-ever association conference, the WFCA IGNITE Symposium, 2 days of amazing speakers, topics, and engagement. February 11-12, 2025 in Las Vegas, NV. 

I look forward to seeing many of you in the coming months. Thank you, and keep serving the Mission.

Chief Mark Niemeyer, City of Boise
WFCA President

---

Sourcewell: Your Resource for Employee Benefits Plans

You’re likely familiar with Sourcewell when you think about quick and compliant ways to make purchases for fire apparatus and other equipment. Did you know that Sourcewell also has contracts to help you build employee benefit plans? As you know, great service is delivered by great people. Sourcewell has contract options to help you attract and keep those great people, including life & accident insurance, dental, vision, financial wellness & support, teletherapy, and more. 

Whether you make these benefit selections yourself or work with an employee benefit consultant, Sourcewell contracts provide incredible value through cooperative purchasing.

Schedule a meeting with Sourcewell for yourself and/or your benefits consultant and learn how RFP can mean Ready for Purchase.

---

AT&T FirstNet ROG Webinar

Join the Western Fire Chiefs Association (WFCA) and your peers for an interactive webinar with FirstNet! During this response operation group (ROG) webinar, get your questions answered, share lessons learned, and have an impact on what’s next for FirstNet.

The Q&A portion will start with questions submitted ahead of time, but we’ll be sure to reserve some time for on-the-spot questions. Click here to register! Submit your questions to [email protected].

---

WFCA’s New Fire Preplan Articles

Explore new Fire Preplan Articles by WFCA to gain essential knowledge on fire preplanning that includes building layouts, fire suppression systems, and evacuation routes. Dive into topics covering fire information, incident management, technology, safety, and risk management, offering expert advice to mitigate potential fire risks. Whether you’re in the fire industry or a resident in a fire-prone area, these resources provide valuable tools to enhance readiness and stay ahead of evolving challenges. Discover innovative solutions for comprehensive fire preplanning and ensure effective fire control measures through uncertainty.
 
“What is Community Risk Assessment?” – Learn more about community risk assessment and identifying, prioritizing, and mitigating potential hazards, ensuring proactive safety measures for all residents.
 
“Innovative Fire Technology: Smart Firefighter Helmet” – How could smart firefighter helmets impact the future of firefighting and safety? Explore this emerging technology and its potential with expert guidance from the WFCA.

“Effective Fire Hazard Mitigation” – Empower your fire department with effective fire hazard mitigation strategies and enhance safety protocols and readiness to protect communities efficiently.

---

Top 5 Most Clicked Stories

Similar to most news organizations, the Daily Dispatch tracks clicks to gauge interest and identify the types of stories that catch our readers’ attention. We know our readers especially enjoy articles that include multimedia such as video and photos. We hope you enjoy revisiting the most clicked stories from this quarter.

---

WFCA’s Burn Permits App

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.

---

Sponsored Content

Consider the Advantages of Class A Foam in Firefighting

Author: Craig McDonnell, VP, Fire Suppression Americas & P&P Retardant

Class A foam improves the efficacy of firefighting, enhances water’s effectiveness in dousing flames, and introduces other advantages. However, misconceptions about the use of foam, its environmental impact, and lack of training, have contributed to a decline in its use over recent years. In this article, Craig McDonnell delves into the benefits of using Class A foam and dispels some of the misconceptions around the technology.

Perimeter Solutions offers a free training course to fire departments around the country on how to properly use firefighting foam. Departments interested in learning more can contact Norbe Puroll, Business Development, Government & Municipal, at [email protected].