POSITION STATEMENTS

ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

FEBRUARY 10, 2002

USFA/NFA

The Board of the MVAFC fully supports the efforts of the administration of FEMA, USFA and NFA to continue the implementation of changes as outlined in the Blue Ribbon Commission recommendations.  The implementation of these recommendations will enhance the operation of these agencies and in turn greatly assist the emergency service on a national, state and local level.

FIRE ACT

The Board of the MVAFC strongly supports all efforts to insure that funding is continued for the Fire Act even in light of any Homeland Security initiatives. Further, the Board feels that it is imperative that the Fire Act grants stay as a permanent program and be held separate and distinct from any other Homeland Security funding, and that these monies continue to go directly to local fire service. The MVAFC will assist with the “grass roots” efforts to ensure our congressional representatives bring forth our wishes.  The Division would also ask that our IAFC Governmental Affairs Staff continue a constant vigil over issues in Washington that affect fire safety and emergency services.

 NATIONAL FIRE CODE

The MVAFC Board has been and continues to believe that a single National Code would be very advantageous to the Fire Service.  We also support the IAFC concept of working through the three-year code cycle to evaluate the development process and review the results.  In addition the MVAFC Board would encourage the IAFC, regardless of what happens with the codes, to insure that we have building and fire codes that are compatible.

 NFPA 1710 & 1720

As leaders in the fire service we must work together with all fire service organizations to ensure we have standards that are “goal oriented” and provide direction for the future.  The Board of the MVAFC respects the local jurisdictions’ right to establish community standards for fire and EMS services.  Further, the MVAFC supports the request of NIST to conduct scientific testing to determine appropriate deployment standards.

 IAFC STRATEGIC PLAN

The MVAFC Board would encourage the IAFC to continue the Strategic Planning Process.  This process is one of the key elements that will not only prepare our organization for the future but will insure that everyone is working together.  The success of our organization depends on every member and we must make every effort to narrow the gap between the International, Division and State organizations.  MVAFC realizes that any plan must remain dynamic and offer flexibility.  The Board urges the IAFC Board to complete the objectives outline in the 2000 Strategic plan and vows to actively participate in the development of the 2002 Strategic Plan.  The Board would also request that during the development of the Division’s strategic plan that a member of IAFC staff be present to assist and to insure common goals are applied where applicable.

 WELLNESS/FITNESS PROGRAMS

The MVAFC Board is committed to support the IAFC/IAFF initiative in developing standards that will ensure the safety and health of all fire service employees.  The MV Division believes that with the proper training and conditioning the CPAT should be used as an entry-level standard.  The MVAFC Board also supports fitness standards for incumbent employees, again with the proper training and conditioning.

 FARM CHEMICAL PLACARDING

The MVAFC is opposed to any measures that would remove or eliminate the current standards for placarding of hazardous chemicals used in agricultural applications.  This would be an infringement on the safety of not only our personnel but also the general public.

 DIVERSITY

The Board of the MVAFC would encourage the IAFC and all members to take a proactive approach to addressing the issue of diversity.  It is incumbent on our organization to be the leader in assuring diversity is a goal.  This goal will make our organization strong and representative of all our members.

 WOMEN CHIEF FIRE OFFICERS

The MVAFC supports the efforts of the WCFO.  By resolution at the 2001 Annual Conference, the MVAFC supports the mission, vision, and value statements of the WCFO and that this organization will help set the standard for the diversity issues facing all of our members in the coming years.

 ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS

The MVAFC strongly supports the IAFC efforts to increase communications between the International, Division and State organizations.  The Board is committed to assisting the IAFC in any way possible to insure our members get accurate and timely information.  The Board would also encourage each Division and Section to initiate a strategic planning process as well as position statements, involving their state organizations in that process, and sharing such information throughout the IAFC.  This is another key in “narrowing the gap” between the IAFC, Divisions, and State organizations.  The Board also supports the efforts of the IAFC through Division teleconferences and urges the continuation of that communication tool.

 CMA NEGOTIATED RULE MAKING

 The MVAFC Board recognizes the difficult task faced by the HCFA Task Force in coming to consensus on a new Medicare reimbursement schedule.  If the schedule is instituted many of our members will be faced with a significant financial loss.  The MV Division encourages the IAFC and the EMS Section to initiate measures at the Federal level to assist in recovering those lost revenues that in many cases affect service at the local level.

IAFC BOARD OF DIRECTORS SEATS

The MVAFC Board feels that it is incumbent on the IAFC to maintain an elected executive Board of Directors comprised of chiefs who are currently serving as “Chief of Department”.  Members representing Divisions and Sections should be left to the discretion of the Division and Section based on their constitution and bylaws as approved by the IAFC.  Regardless of the rank of the representative chosen by Divisions or Sections, it is the Division’s and Section’s responsibility to ensure the person will be an active participant in the duties and responsibilities assigned.  It is our responsibility as a professional organization to project a professional image and vision in order to exemplify our ideals of LEADERSHIP, EXPERTISE and INTEGRITY.

LEADERSHIP PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM

The Board of the MVAFC would encourage the IAFC to continue to support this program in any way possible.  The Board feels this program is important not only to the future of emergency services but also to the ability of managers to function in a positive manner at the local level.  To that end, the MV Board also urges the IAFC to develop and implement a parallel program, designed for departments without IAFF designation, but whose leaders wish to partner in a shared leadership environment.

FEDERAL MANDATES

The Board of the MVAFC would support development of an IAFC position to encourage the Federal Government to fund any staffing, equipment or programs mandated on local fire departments by the Federal Government.

COMMISSION on FIRE ACCREDITATION INTERNATIONAL

The Board of the MVAFC encourages the use of the Fire Emergency Self Assessment Process as a means to enhance organizational performance and provide a means for continuous improvement in service delivery.  The Board feels this model can evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of an organization and set a course for improvement.

CHIEF FIRE OFFICER DESIGNATION

The Board of the MVAFC encourages all members to undertake the process to become Chief Fire Officer Designate.  This designation program is designed to enhance the professionalism of chief fire officers throughout the world; to promote excellence in the fire and emergency service profession; to serve as a career path to chief officers; to recognize the minimum competencies that may be used in qualifying for position appointments; to acknowledge the achievements of those officers who have excelled in developing their personal knowledge, skills and ability; for the establishment and the stature of fire officers within the fire and emergency service profession and other disciplines; to encourage the need for continuing education and professional development; to provide an avenue to benchmark among other participants to establish the Chief Fire Officer Designation (CFOD) as a mark of distinction; and to challenge fire officers to obtain the pinnacle mark of CFOD. 

IAFC EDUCATIONAL TELECONFERENCES

The MVAFC encourages the IAFC to continue the Educational Teleconferences.  The teleconferences provide membership with cost effective, timely and important information to assist in the management of today’s emergency service organizations.

HOMELAND SECURITY RESPONSES

The Board of the MVAFC feels that the IAFC should be the lead agency in the timely distribution of any information dealing with the threat of, or information dealing with response to terrorist actions, particularly in the area of recommended policy and procedures.  This type of action can best be explained by the example of the anthrax teleconference hosted by the IAFC, which was timely and informative.  While the MVAFC agrees that a single federal agency is best to focus the federal actions, the IAFC is perhaps better capable of distributing the planning and preparation information with recommended policies and procedures.

NATIONAL RESPONSE SYSTEM

The MVAFC supports the concept of a national system of response to large and catastrophic incidents in order to coordinate the best use of resources while ensuring proper safety and accountability standards.  Such system could use some of the concepts from the National Wildland Mobilization Plan but must have the basic components of following a chain of command and should include a national carding or identification system and a process by which transfer orders are drawn and delivered when certain skill types or certification skills are required at the incident site.   It is also the opinion of the Board of the MVAFC that such a response structure should be built upon a host of regional response systems throughout the country.  This would ensure that no part of this country is left unprotected and unprepared.

CHILDREN’S SLEEPWARE

The MVAFC is supportive of HR 528/730 that has been introduced in the 107^th Congress and seeks to reinstate the 1972 flame-resistant standard for children’s sleepwear.  The MVAFC opposes the decision of the Consumers Product Safety Commission that eliminated this vital safety measure for children.  The MVAFC joins the Southeastern Association of Fire Chiefs in requesting the IAFC and other fire service organizations to join in opposing the CPSC’s actions regarding sleepwear for children and support the passage of HR 528/730.

DRUG FREE WORK PLACE

The MVAFC strongly supports the concept of a drug free work place to insure the safety of our firefighters and those we protect.  Further, it supports all drug testing procedures and policies currently in place, and random drug testing for members of the fire service.

IAFC LEGISLATIVE ACTION

The MVAFC supports the IAFC in the creation of a legislative group through the use of division,  section, and state association representatives to meet on a regular basis to discuss the challenges and legislative needs on a state and federal level.  This group not only can meet to share ideas and challenges but could also be significant through the use of a grass roots e-mail tree for networking and contacting elected officials to express the fire service’s stance on issues.

DIRECTED VOTES BY IAFC REPRESENTATIVES

In order to promote unified front and single voice from our membership, the MVAFC Board agrees that any representative appointed by the IAFC to any standards development committee must be willing to vote on that committee or work group in the direction given to them by the IAFC.  This must be understood by any appointee prior to beginning to work on such committee or work group.

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