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.
NEW - ID Fire Service Resource Response Plan Revised
(Revised: 6-2-13)
Idaho's Fire Service Resource Response Plan (IFSRRP) was reviewed at the IFCA Annual Conference in Post Falls at the Board Meeting on May 10th. Deputy Chief Perry Oldenburg (Boise FD), who also serves as IFCA District 4 Director, has led the Task Group working on refining and developing the ISFRRP. IFCA members may click on this link to download copy of the 18 page plan. (Color printing works best due to maps in the back.)
ISFRRP: /Assets/dept_1/PM/pdf/ifsrrp revised may 2013.pdf 
FFLP Grant Application Period to close June 28
(Revised: 6-2-13)
The 2013 Idaho Fire Fighter License Plate (FFLP) Grant program application period is open until June 28th. Attached is a link to the grant instruction letter and application form. Applicants are advised to please read the instructions thoroughly before applying for the grant. There are numerous restrictions and rules which apply. Failure to follow the instructions could result in your application being disqualified if not properly completed. All applications must be received on or before June 28th. This year it is estimated around $45,000 in grants will be awarded. Good luck!
CLOSING DATE FOR 2013 GRANT APPLICATIONS IS JUNE 28TH!
2013 Grant Instruction letter: /Assets/dept_1/PM/pdf/2013 grant instructions ltr 3-15-13.pdf
2013 Grant Application form: /Assets/dept_1/PM/pdf/2013 grant application form.pdf
Bereavement Uniform Program Update
(Posted: 4-1-13)
From IFCA Corporate Member Steve Cohen at Lighthouse Uniform . . .
An update on the development of the Bereavement Uniform Program, and more important, for those in a position to make the program available to their people, several milestones were reached this week. The Bereavement Uniform webpage, http://bereavement.lighthouseuniform.com, has finally been launched. Please take a look. Any feedback would be appreciated. We are also waiting for word as to whether the United States Public Health Service will become part the effort. The National Volunteer Fire Council has added the Bereavement Uniform Program to its LODD Resource list http://www.nvfc.org/hot-topics/lodd-resourcesputting the program shoulder to shoulder with the BJA, US Fire Administration and the National Fallen Firefighter Foundation, a huge recognition of value. The IFCA has done the same. For a variety of reasons, the decision was made to keep a low profile, the Program doesn’t live on the Lighthouse website, and we are urging people to link the Program to their department website or Facebook page. Access from the department website will make it easy for families to find, it will insure a measure of anonymity for those wanting it and it will keep the Program at the top of web searches. If you are in a position to make this happen, please do so.
Chief David Gates of the Pocatello Fire Department is the new President of the IFCA. Chief Gates will serve a two year term of office along with the rest of the officers and has served several years as President of the Training Officer's Division. Chief Gates takes the reigns from Chief Kenny Gabriel of the Coeur d'Alene Fire Department who will now serve as Immediate Past President for one year. Fantastic 2013 Annual Conference in the Books
(Revised: 6-6-13)
The Board of Directors swearing-in ceremony at the Installation Banquet.
The 2013 IFCA Annual Conference and Business Meeting held on May 9 and 10 at the Red Lion Templin's Hotel in Post Falls was a huge success in every way. Approximately 93 people attended the conference which took place during some of the best weather we have experienced during a conference in recent memory. Eight teams of golfers played in the Mike Sheets Memorial Golf Tournament and District Directors and their alternates attended a first-ever pre-conference training session on the Idaho Fire Service Resource Response Plan (IFSRRP) held after the Chief's Roundtable.
Vendor Coordinator Bill Cowin reported another one-day 'sold-out' vendor show on Thursday. Our sincere thanks to all the vendors who attended and donated raffle prizes. During the Business Meeting two resolutions passed relating to recommended basic standards for Structural/HazMat and Wildland firefighters. The passage of these two resolutions marks the successful conclusion of trying to get these to a membership vote for many years. A resolution to create a committee to draft changes to the Constitution and By-Laws, to more mirror the approach to Board succession used by the WFCA and the IAFC failed primarily on its wording, but was supported in spirit based on the ongoing need for succession planning for the Board. This will likely get re-drafted and re-submitted for next year.
Deputy Chief Andy Cater (Caldwell FD) and Deputy Chief Scott Buck (Star FD) were both recipients of the FPO of the Year award presented by FPO Division President Ken Anderson. Retirees were also recognized and honored with EMS Chief Lynn Borders (Kootenai County EMS), Chief Dale Costa (Shoshone FD #2) and Chief Jeff Carnes (Sun Valley FD) received Life Memberships. Chief Borders was also recognized by the WFCA for his service to them over the years with a special award presentation by Mr. Jeff Griffin of the WFCA.
The banquet and key note speaker was Ret. Chief and Past IAFC President Michael Brown who is the Executive Director of the Washington State Fire Chiefs Assn. Michael was educational, inspiring and humorous with both of his presentations. Thanks also go to Chief David Gates who gave an insightful presentation on the Charlotte WUI Fire near Pocatello last summer and to Deputy Chief Perry Oldenburg who presented more training on the IFSRRP
Special thanks go to host Chief Warren Merritt and his staff from Kootenai County Fire & Rescue who helped make the conference the success that it was. We also want to recognize and thank Ms. Kelly Gwinn-Duby, Ms. Michele Singer and the rest of their crew from the Red Lion Templin's Hotel for meeting all of our needs with ample meeting room space, great food and smiling faces. The conference was also a financial success according to VP of Ops Doug Brown who said, "Once again, the conference made a profit, which helps support the IFCA's day-to-day operations." The 2014 Annual Conference will be held in Moscow, ID with Chief Ed Button (Moscow FD) serving as the host chief. The tentative dates for that will be April 30 to May 3, 2014 at the Best Western University Inn in Moscow. The IFCA Board thanks all who attended this year and planning is already underway for the 2014 conference.
COLORADO WUI STRUCTURE PROTECTION VIDEO
(6-14-13)
To the southeast of Idaho the state of Colorado has seen a series of large and particularly destructive WUI wildfires this June. The video below (see link) was shot by Steve Schopper with the Colorado Springs FD and follows an engine crew as they successfully protected a structure from the advancing Black Forest Fire. (That fire has burned some 15,000 acres, destroyed over 400 homes, killed two people and is only 30% contained as of June 15th.) The video was shot on Tuesday (June 11th). The video illustrates what is meant by “Defensible Space” and how adequate defensible space allows firefighters to do just that, effectively defend a structure from an advancing fire.
Video link: http://vimeo.com/68342641
Job Postings
:
Buy all your Books here!
You receive a 5% discount and the IFCA receives a commission on the profit. The IFCA Bookstore is your one-stop shopping source for IFSTA, ICC, NFPA, Delmar and many, many other publications. Call the IFCA Bookstore at 800-342-2314, or, click on the button below.
The Fire Rescue Group Purchasing (GPO) program provides a means to purchase fire equipment and supplies at discounted prices, saving you time and money. Find out more at: www.firerescue-gpo.com
Use this number to report suspected arson fires or suspects! Callers may remain anonymous. There is a $5,000 Award Fund available. Sponsored by the State Fire Marshal's Office and the N.W. Insurance Council.
Membership classes include Active, Corporate, Divisional or Master.
Divisions include: EMS, Fire Prevention and Training.
Coming soon: Volunteer Division
(Download, printout, complete and mail with dues payment.)
