WFCA Quarterly Newsletter 2024 | Q3
Published:January 8, 2025
Edited:January 8, 2025
Learn more about what the Western Fire Chiefs Association (WFCA) and its partners worked on during Q3 2024 in this edition of the WFCA Quarterly Newsletter.
President’s Message
Dear WFCA Members,
We’re excited to share that it’s been another successful quarter for the Western Fire Chiefs Association! From strong representation at Fire Rescue International—where our very own Josh Waldo was sworn in as IAFC President—to our annual FORCE conference, which saw great participation across all our Western states, we continue to prioritize leadership development, innovative thinking, and networking opportunities.
Next, we’re taking a bold step forward with the inaugural IGNITE Symposium this coming February. If you haven’t already, be sure to register for this forward-thinking event, which will focus on Wildfire, Technology, Health & Wellness, and Leadership. Plus, it will offer exciting and rewarding networking opportunities.
We are also actively working with the IAFC and other key partners on critical issues important to you, including Wildfire (response, reimbursement, and national policy), proposed OSHA changes, CMS challenges with GEMT, and re-imagining a true National Mutual Aid System (NMAS). Stay tuned for updates on these initiatives in our next quarterly report.
In Service –
Chief Mark Niemeyer, City of Boise
WFCA President
Western Fire Chiefs Association Supports FCC’s Decision on 4.9 GHz Spectrum Allocation
The Western Fire Chiefs Association (WFCA) is proud to support the FCC’s recent decision to reaffirm the 4.9 GHz spectrum for public safety use. This crucial move enhances communication capabilities for first responders, enabling them to utilize advanced technologies in emergencies such as wildfires and natural disasters. WFCA Board President Mark Niemeyer and CEO Bob Roper emphasize the importance of this decision in ensuring swift, coordinated response efforts and advancing public safety. Click here to read the full press release.
6 Days Left for Early Bird Pricing – New Invoicing Option!
There are just 6 days left to take advantage of the early bird pricing of $450 for the IGNITE Symposium! We’re excited to announce a new payment option: you can now choose to be invoiced in January 2025. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to secure your spot at a fantastic rate while enjoying the flexibility of deferred payment. Register today!
Thank you to our Event Sponsors!
Sourcewell – More Than Just the Big Ticket Items
When fire chiefs think of Sourcewell contracts, they often think about buying big ticket items like fire apparatus, ambulances, radios, and SCBA. These are higher cost purchases that typically need to be competitively bid to meet an agency’s procurement requirements.
But did you know that Sourcewell also offers contracts for everyday things like office supplies and furniture, computers, and janitorial supplies? Even if you aren’t required to issue an RFP, you can enjoy Sourcewell best value pricing on the goods and services you need every day to run your fire departments.
Sourcewell works for all types of fire departments – career, combination, and volunteer. Even the smallest of volunteer departments is receiving public money – in the form of both tax dollars and community donations. Maintaining the public trust and using those donations appropriately is critical to ongoing community support. Taking advantage of the many Sourcewell contracts available to you ensures that you are using your fire department funds effectively, efficiently, and appropriately, and that you are getting the best value, doing so with a low level of effort on your already overtaxed volunteers.
Welcome Chief Ken Kehmna to the Fire Headlines Team
We’re excited to announce that Chief Ken Kehmna has joined the Fire Headlines podcast as a co-host alongside Samantha Didion. With over 35 years of fire service experience, including roles ranging from Firefighter/Engineer-Paramedic to Fire Chief, Chief Kehmna brings invaluable expertise to the show. Listeners can look forward to his insights on the most popular fire service news stories, drawn from the Western Fire Chiefs Association’s Daily Dispatch, as well as his perspective on the evolving challenges and opportunities facing first responders nationwide.
You can listen to episodes on any podcast streaming platform or watch episode videos on YouTube.
Important Notice: Service Interruption
The Daily Dispatch is unfortunately experiencing a service interruption. We are working with our provider to resolve the issue as soon as possible so that we can again bring you your daily news. Thank you for your continued support of the Daily Dispatch.