IAFC BOARD OF DIRECTORS
TELECONFERENCE CALL

Thursday, March 8, 2001

Chief Brown, President, called the March 8th teleconference call to order at 1:30 pm on Thursday, March 8, 2001.  Those participating for all or part of the conference call included:

Chief Mike Brown, President
Chief John Buckman, 1st Vice President
Chief Randy Bruegman, 2nd Vice President
Chief Luther Fincher, Immediate Past President
Chief Larry Garcia, Treasurer
Chief Jack Krakeel, Representative, EMS Section
Chief Larry Grorud, Director, Great Lakes Division
Chief Bob Pottberg, Director, Missouri Valley Division
Chief Roger Bradley, Director, New England Division
Chief Roy Brock, Director, Southwestern Division
Chief Fred Windisch, Representative, Volunteer Chief Officers Section

  IAFC Staff:
Garry L. Briese, CAE, Executive Director
George Hofmann, Deputy Executive Director
Sheila Jarboe, Executive Assistant
Brian, Johnson, Assistant Executive Director

DISCUSSION ITEMS

FIRE Act Funding Update:  Mr. Briese reported that staff recently met with Congressman Pascrell, Congressman Weldon and Senator Dewyne to discuss strategy to again move this forward.  The Board was asked to encourage their division members to send letters directly to the President about the decision to cut this funding from the federal budget.  We have received approximately 400 copies of letters that have been sent to the President.

Chief Krakeel noted that he had heard a rumor that the HCFA reimbursement portion of the negotiation process would be cut from the budget.   He asked if staff could make some inquiries to see if this was a rumor or fact.

NFPA 1710 (FDIC & Ohio) Update:  Approximately 150 fire chiefs were in attendance at an Ohio Fire Chiefs meeting where Chief Brown presented the IAFC’s position on 1710.  Also accompanying Chief Brown was Bill Hershman, IAFC’s Director of Communication.

Chief Brown believed that following the discussion, almost all of the attendees had a better understanding of the position taken by the Board and felt they were in support of the Board’s decision to accept the final draft of the standard.

Chief Brown also noted that he believes it is important for the Board to take every possible opportunity to attend meetings and explain the position taken by the Board.  Mr. Briese noted that he would be meeting this Saturday with both the NLC and ICMA to discuss the Board’s position on 1710 and why we support the draft standard.  

Chief Bruegman asked Mr. Briese to provide information about the accreditation process and how it relates to the standard.  The next meeting of the IAFC’s 1710 Task Force will be held in Denver on May 30-31st.

Adoption of the Strategic Plan:  Chief Brown noted that the draft had been sent to the Board of Directors for their review and several modifications had been submitted but they did not affect the contents of the document.  Following a brief discussion, the following motion was made:

3/08/01-1:  Moved by Chief Fincher, seconded by Chief Grorud TO ADOPT

THE IAFC'S STRATEGIC PLAN.  Motion passed. 

Chief Garcia asked that the diversity of the organization’s revenue source be placed on the agenda for the May Board meeting.  Mr. Briese noted that it is important for the Board to receive periodic updates on the strategic plan at all future Board meetings.  Following a brief discussion, the following motion was made:

3/08/01-2:  Moved by Chief Buckman, seconded by Chief BRUEGMAN THAT STAFF DEVELOP AN ACTION PLAN WITH A DRAFT TO BE SENT TO THE BOARD WITHIN TWO WEEKS.   REVIEW OF THE ACTION PLAN WILL OCCUR ON THE APRIL 5TH BOARD  TELECON.  Motion passed.

Chief Buckman noted that the action plan should define what committee/task force or headquarters staff would be responsible for ensuring the strategic plan is being implemented.  It would also identify anticipated completion dates.  Chief Buckman also noted that it would be necessary to identify those items that would be on-going or would not be developed or completed until the third year.

The document will be distributed all participants of the strategic planning session along with distribution to the leadership and members.

OSHA Ergonomics Rules:  Mr. Briese reported that this has failed to pass in both the House and Senate.  The IAFC can take a small amount of credit for its failure to pass.  It was also noted that the appeal also failed and the President is expected to sign the appeal shortly.  The Board concurred that the membership needs to know about this and the IAFC’s participation as soon as possible.

Employee Benefits Report: The Board had received a copy of a report that highlighted the employee benefits.  There was some concern that salaries were not competitive with today’s market in the DC area as well as not being competitive with our current revenue. 

Chief Krakeel was concerned about the cost of health care for family coverage.  It was recommended that we look at cooperative health care partnerships in order to lower some of these rates.

 IAFC Division & Section Membership on the Board of Directors:  Mr. Briese reported that legal counsel had reviewed the IAFC’s constitution and bylaws but because there was still some concern about the wording that specifies the requirements to serve on the Board of Directors, Chief Brown asked that the Constitution, Bylaws and Resolutions Committee review legal counsel’s recommendation and make a recommendation for further discussion at the May Board meeting.  Copies will be sent to the Constitution, Bylaws and Resolutions Committee and Board.

Chief Brown adjourned the teleconference call at 2:20 pm.

Minutes Submitted By

Sheila Jarboe, Executive Assistant
Garry L. Briese, CAE, Executive Director
Chief Mike Brown, President