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

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

THANK YOU!! To all those who attended or participated in the 39th Annual IFCA Conference which wrapped up on May 10th in Boise (Garden City). Good weather, good fellowship, many vendors and great training made for an outstanding event. The Conference saw 122 persons in attendance including members, vendors and spouses. Kudos to the management and staff at the DoubleTree Hotel Boise - Riverside for their capable assistance. Big thanks go to our program presenters Colonel Bill Shawver (BHS Director), Chief Brad Trosky and Captain Marty Ogen (Middleton FD) and Commander Kim Humphrey (Phoenix, AZ Police Dept.). Outstanding work, everyone!

CONFERENCE RECAP: On Wednesday a lively pre-conference Chief's Roundtable focused heavily on fire prevention issues, over thirty golfers participated in the 2nd Annual Mike Sheets Memorial Golf Tournament and BME hosted a "free" BBQ amidst several new fire apparatus. On Thursday host Chief Martin Knoelk and Garden City Mayor John Evans welcomed everyone after the Idaho Honor Guard placed the colors. The business meeting produced its usual array of reports, we had a 98% vote in favor of a 20% dues increase in 2009 while elections brought several changes to the Board (see Board of Directors link on left). The 3M / ATP Hospitality Room had their usual outstanding beverages and eats using a large suite on the Boise River. Over 35 vendors and exhibitors were on hand to show off their wares and services. On Friday the Board met and members met with vendors. The afternoon breakout sessions featured the Idaho National Guard's communication vehicles which were mind-boggling in their capabilities. The Southern California Mutual Aid presentation showcased Idaho's bravest truly helping their fellow man on Idaho's first-ever mutual aid deployment to California. Friday evening the Banquet State Senator John McGee praised our members and their profession and shared with us his baby girl's ultrasound photo on his Blackberry (congrats to the new Dad and Mom, Hannah). There were numerous award presentations and we wrapped up the evening with commedian Pat Mac who had us in stiches laughing (brown underwear?). On Saturday our keynote speaker Kim Humphrey made us rethink how we benefit when we use enlightened leadership skills and Karine Aebi, who was "solo" on her first year as Vendor Coordinator (and did an excellent job), won the grand prize - a 32" flat screen TV. Indeed, a great time was had by all!
Mark your calendar's now - the 2009 IFCA Conference will be held May 7 to 9 at the Shilo Inn in Idaho Falls. The host chief will be our President, Dean Ellis. There is a feasibility study underway regarding holding a "joint" conference with the Washington and Montana FCA's in Spokane in 2010. IFCA reps will be attending the Washington FCA Conference soon to further explore this. It is not a done deal yet, we're just looking right now.
New IFCA Lapel Pins On Order. All IFCA members are entitled to an IFCA lapel pin as part of their membership. New members who attend the Annual Conference are recognized and awarded their pins during the general session. However, the stock of the old pins had dwindled, so new pins are on order. The new pins will differ slightly as they will feature a blue area behind the gold bugles, with Idaho still being in red with gold trim. Need a pin (or even an IFCA auto decal)? Contact your District Director and they can help you.

Guess who's turning 100 Years Old?
The Mountain Home Fire Department will hold its "100 Years of Brotherhood" Centennial Celebration on Saturday, June 7th. There will be displays, a parade, firefighter and public competitions, good eats, a street dance plus demonstrations. For more information call Brian Reed at 208-587-2117 or 208-598-2119 . . . AND . . .
The Meridian Fire Department will hold its Centennial Celebration on Friday, August 1 at 5:00PM at the Meridian Speedway Dairy Barn. This will be in conjunction with their Annual Salmon BBQ. There will be a "friendly" firefighter competition (yeah, who are they kidding), music, beer garden, a dunk tank (not "drunk" tank unless you over-imbibe at the beer garden), apparatus displays and several childrens activities.
CONGRATULATIONS to Chief Gridley and Chief Anderson and their department's on these major milestones in their departmental history.

DUES INCREASE APPROVED. IFCA dues will increase by roughly 20% starting in 2009. Regular memberships will increase from $75 to $90, Combination memberships will increase from $110 to $130 and Master memberships will increase from $185 to $220. The Associate member category is going to be merged into the Corporate Partners Program. Details to follow soon.

The Fire Fighter License Plate (FFLP) Grant Program for 2008 is now open for applications. Instruction and application forms are now available to download from the Documents section link on the left. There is over $55,000 available for grants this year. The grant application deadline is July 1st. Check out the FFLP link on the left for more details.

Corporate Partners Program - Campaign 2008!IFCA Corporate Partnerships range from $150 (Bronze) to $2,500 (Sustaining) per year. If you or someone you know wants to learn more about becoming an IFCA Corporate Partner, please contact the IFCA Offices at (208) 455-0344 or download an application form by clicking on this link: CPP Application Form

Thank you to Wedbush Morgan Securities and LN Curtis for renewing for 2008! We also welcome new Corporate Partners: Boise Mobile Equipment and the International Code Council.

4th Annual Eastern Idaho Fire Chiefs Academy - will take place May 30 - June 1 in Idaho Falls. Click here for course information and registration:
4th Annual Eastern Idaho Fire Academy

2nd Idaho WILDLAND FIRE Conference will be held Oct. 8-9, 2008 at the DoubleTree Hotel Boise - Riverside. An outstanding program is being assembled. Check back here later for more details.

Chief Wanted. Timberlake FPD is seeking a new Fire Chief. Click here for info: Timberlake Fire Chief
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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 - link above and also in top right of home page under Quick Links.)

4/27/2008		Charleston Sofa Super Store Fire - Phase II Report Coming Soon Report expected in 2 weeks.Charleston (SC) Sofa Super Store blaze inquiry has taken nearly year.By Ron Menchaca The Post and CourierFriday, April 25, 2008A team of consultants investigating the events Read More...

4/20/2008		Chief Wendelsdorf Selected for Harvard Fellowship KBCI - TV (Boise) By Jerry Manter CALDWELL - Caldwell Fire Chief, Mark Wendelsdorf, was notified on Friday that he has been selected as one of eight national finalists for a fellowship to the John F. Read More...

3/1/2008		Assistance to Firefighters Grant Info Department of Homeland Security Announces Application Period for FY 2008 Assistance to Firefighters Grants The Department of Homeland Security's Grant Programs Directorate will begin accepting applica Read More...