President's Message
By: Charles Werner
To the Members of the VFCA and Virginia Fire Service,
This last year, I would like to recognize and thank President James Gray for his dedicated service to the VFCA. Most notably, Chief Gray spent a great deal of time working to improve relationships between the VFCA and other fire service organizations. During the present environment of economic challenge and legislative upheaval, these relationships have been and will continue to be instrumental in preventing a number of attempts to reduce or change payment schedules to critical fire service funding such as the Aid to Localities and the EMS $4 for Life.
While the environment of upheaval will undoubtedly continue, next year's financial situation and state budget climate is predicted to be even more challenging than this year. Simultaneously, there are several very critical fire service initiatives under way that require an all out effort and your involvement will be a key element to that success. First, we as the Virginia Fire Service must work together collectively to advance residential sprinklers so that we can further our mission of saving lives and property from fire. A great deal of great work has been done already but this year will require a higher level of fire service presence and participation. Residential sprinkler systems are the best way to protect the citizens we serve and to prevent firefighter line of duty deaths.
In the area of safety, we all know of the inherent dangers and have heard the horrific stories where emergency responders (EMS, Fire and Police) have been injured or killed while working at highway incidents. This is one area that truly connects us and is an opportunity for us to work together, improve our relationships and ultimately to protect each other. On an exciting note, Secretary of Public Safety Marla Decker, has proactively initiated a new multi-discipline stakeholder group to develop better working relationships between police, fire, EMS and emergency management. This will be a great opportunity to reinvigorate the highway incident management/safety programs in the Commonwealth and to replicate the successful programs that already exist. To further this effort, I have asked the VFCA Division Vice Presidents to serve as champions in their respective regions. Additionally, I have asked the chairs of the SIM Committee and Health and Safety to lead this forward.
Another area of safety involves the use of seat belts. Nationally, the number of firefighter deaths that occur as a result of not wearing seat belts is unacceptable and quite frankly, ridiculous. I challenge each of you in your department to implement seat belt policies and to have every member sign a seat belt pledge. This is one area where we can make an immediate change and protect every member of our respective departments. If you do so, please send me a copy of your signed pledge and we will put your department's name on a list to be published on the VFCA website.
Fire prevention and public education cannot be left out of this discussion. The Virginia Fire Service must be engaged to insure that we maintain safe buildings and provide fire safety education to prevent death and injury; especially children and senior citizens. Fire safety education programs, free smoke detector installations, juvenile fire setter programs and effective fire investigation/arson programs are key elements for an effective campaign.
My last challenge comes in the area of firefighter health and wellness. It is imperative that our personnel are in the best physical condition for their personal well being and to perform the duties of firefighters. Clearly, heart attacks remain one of the largest causes of firefighter line of duty deaths. This applies to your fire department regardless if volunteer, combination or career. As part of this challenge, I will ask each of you to set personal goals and objectives and to lead by example. I personally am setting a goal to exercise more regularly, increase my endurance and to lose at least 20 pounds over the next 6 months. I will report my progress in future issues of the Commonwealth Chief.
On another front, I am pleased to say that our incoming presidents (president, 1st VP and 2nd VP) will be working as a team to develop a strategy that transcends our individual presidencies to create a higher level of effectiveness and continuity. Additionally, I intend to initiate a new committee of past presidents to utilize their wisdom, experience and influence.
In the area of technology, I will be exploring ways to utilize social media to better inform our members and fire service partners to enhance our collective legislative efforts. And as always, I will be diligently working to represent the fire service in efforts to improve public safety communications in the areas of narrowband, broadband, interoperability, intelligibility and situational awareness.
In summary, there is much to be done but we will not be successful without YOU. As United States Fire Administrator Kelvin Cochran has stated, it is time to get "FULLY INVOLVED". If you are not already a member of the VFCA, there has never been a better time to join and become fully involved to move the fire service forward. Please join with me to strengthen the Virginia Fire Chiefs Association and to unite the Virginia Fire Service to an unprecedented level at a time when we need it the most!
Mission Statement
The Virginia Fire Chiefs Association, Inc. (VFCA) formerly known as the State Fire Chiefs Association of Virginia, Inc., is the advocate for leadership of emergency response organizations. VFCA provides a comprehensive and integrated statewide public safety effort, thereby enhancing the quality of life for our customers by reducing the effects of fire, medical, and environmental emergencies.
History and Purpose of VFCA
(Formerly SFCAV)
The State Fire Chiefs Association of Virginia, Inc., was organized in 1930 by progressive Fire Chiefs who saw the need to work together for the betterment of the fire service. The Association's original purpose was to work for the promotion of fire prevention, protection from and extinguishments of fires, and attendant reduction of insurance rates. The Association proposed to accomplish this by bringing into closer contact the various Fire Chiefs in the Commonwealth for their mutual benefit and welfare. Among the first matters discussed in 1930 were the need for a State Firemen's School, the Firemen's Pension Bill, and a Model Arson Law.
The Association has continued to grow through the years and its goals have broadened to keep pace with the challenges. Today, the Association's stated purpose is to bring together at least once a year persons interested in the advancement of the fire service; to discuss ways of improving life-saving and fire extinguishments procedures; to assist in research studies; to serve as the recognized organization for the exchange of ideas, information, knowledge and experiences affecting the safety of life and property from fires; to encourage and assist in the development of public education in fire prevention programs in the Commonwealth of Virginia; to cooperate with all organizations in the promotion of the goals and objectives of the fire service; and to support and encourage the delivery of pre-hospital emergency medical services by the fire service to relieve human suffering.
In 2002, the SFCAV changed its name to become the Virginia Fire Chiefs Association in order to facilitate searching capabilities on the Internet and a more direct identification similar to other organizations throughout the United States.
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