WA Fire Commissioners Association

Future WFCA Conference Venues

The WFCA has traditionally rotated east-west for its annual conference. While the cost to put on a conference has been slightly higher on the westside, the fluctuations have been manageable from year to year. Over the last three to five years, however, costs have risen considerably on the west side, where it is common to see meals, guest and meeting room rates 15-20 percent higher than those in Eastern Washington. In order to continue its commitment to providing members with the best possible venues at the most affordable prices, the Board directed staff to seek statewide convention bids. In light of today's economic challenges, holding the line on costs is especially important.

The Board has approved the following venues for future conventions:

2009: Spokane Doubletree

2010: Pasco Red Lion

2011: Spokane Red Lion

2012: Yakima

It is important to note that facilities across the state regularly submit proposals to host conferences; 2013 and beyond will be no exception. WFCA staff continues to keep the lines of communication open with all statewide properties and, along with the Board, remains committed to keeping costs at a manageable level for members.

If you would like to share your thoughts regarding future conventions, please email the WFCA Board at wfca@wfca.wa.gov, or write P. O. Box 134, Olympia, WA 98507.

Washington State Fallen Firefighters' Memorial Service

The 24th Annual Washington State Fallen Firefighters' Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, October 11, 2009, at 10 a.m., in the Capitol Rotunda in Olympia. The service includes a keynote address by Governor Gregoire, speakers from the fire service, as well as music and traditional fire service observance with bagpipes and an honor guard.

"This year we honor four Washington State fire fighters that made the ultimate sacrifice," says State Fire Marshal Mike Matlick, "Chief Bob Wilson of Jefferson County Fire Districts #2 & #5, Assistant Chief William Dean McLean of Douglas County Fire District #5, Lieutenant Terry Bowen of Skagit County Fire District #11 and Firefighter Roger Duke of the Vancouver Fire Department."

The Fallen Firefighter Memorial Service is a joint effort by the Washington State Fire Protection Policy Board, Washington State Fire Fighters' Association, Board of Volunteer Fire Fighters, Washington Fire Chiefs, Washington Fire Commissioners Association, Washington Council of Fire Fighters, Thurston County Fire Chiefs Association, the cities of Olympia and Tumwater Fire Departments, and the Office of the State Fire Marshal to recognize fire fighters who lost their lives while serving their communities.

State Fire Marshal's Office Announces Changes to the State Certification Testing Process

September 2, 2009 - The following was submitted by the State Fire Marshal's Office

OLYMPIA - The Washington State Fire Protection Policy Board (FPPB) recently reviewed the test scoring process used by the Office of the State Fire Marshal-Accreditation and Certification Unit. In an effort to streamline the testing process the FPPB elected to make the following changes for International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) certification tests.

The FPPB voted to go to a "raw score" test scoring method. Simply stated, this means the only adjustment to a candidate's final score would be if an erroneous question were removed from the test during the scoring process.
The FPPB also voted to retain the current cut-off score which requires a candidate to attain a minimum 80% final grade to pass the written test. All certification levels will require an 80% passing rate and all candidates must be 18 years old at the time of their written and skills examinations.

The effective date of this change was August 10, 2009. If you have any questions, please contact Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal Paul Snider, Accreditation and Certification Section, 360.596.3928.

USFA Warns of State Legislation Banning Home Sprinklers

By FireRescue1 Staff

June 11, 2009 - The following was forwarded by Commissioner Mark Thompson, South King Fire & Rescue

WASHINGTON--The United States Fire Administration is pushing for firefighters to take an active role as states consider legislation that would prohibit fire sprinkler requirements for new homes.

"I encourage every member of the fire service to stay abreast of this rapidly changing situation, and to be ready to voice any concerns that you have about proposed legislation to your respective state legislature," USFA Acting Assistant Administrator Glenn A. Gaines said in a statement released June 4.

With the endorsement of the USFA, the International Residential Code was changed in September 2008 to require fire sprinklers in all new construction, including residential homes.

"This code change survived rigorous scrutiny, during which all interested parties had ample opportunity to comment on the technical merits of the issue," Gaines said.

Opponents of the IRC change--led by the National Association of Home Builders--have since introduced state legislation hoping to block such requirements.

According to Gaines' statement, more than 30 years of research has demonstrated residential fire sprinklers can save the lives of building occupants and firefighters, significantly offset the risk of premature building collapse posed by lightweight construction, and substantially reduce property loss caused by fire.

"The time has come to use this affordable, simple and effective technology to save lives and property where it matters most--in our homes," he said.

Firefighters can access the Fire Sprinkler Initiative website as a central clearing house for up-to-date information, the statement said.

"Stay vigilant and keep the fire service community informed of developments in your area. Only by working together can we save lives," Gaines said.

Residential Fire Sprinklers

A Message from the United States Fire Administrator

June 5, 2009 -- The following was forwarded by Commissioner Mark Thompson, South King Fire & Rescue

The U.S. Fire Administration has promoted research, development, testing, and demonstrations of residential fire sprinkler systems for more than 30 years. The research regarding residential fire sprinkler systems has indisputably demonstrated the following:

Residential fire sprinklers can save the lives of building occupants.
Residential fire sprinklers can save the lives of firefighters called to respond to a home fire.
Residential fire sprinklers can significantly offset the risk of premature building collapse posed to firefighters by lightweight construction components when they are involved in a fire.
Residential fire sprinklers can substantially reduce property loss caused by a fire.
The time has come to use this affordable, simple and effective technology to save lives and property where it matters most--in our homes.

In the past year, the national debate about the benefits of residential fire sprinklers passed a major milestone with the adoption of a change to the International Residential Code that will require fire sprinklers in all new construction. This code change survived rigorous scrutiny, during which all interested parties had ample opportunity to comment on the technical merits of the issue. Since then, parties who oppose this life-saving technology have started a vigorous campaign to enact laws at the state level that will prohibit adoption of sprinkler requirements for new homes.

I encourage every member of the fire service to stay abreast of this rapidly changing situation, and to be ready to voice any concerns that you have about proposed legislation to your respective state legislature. The Fire Sprinkler Initiative website has been established to provide a central clearing house for up-to-date information. Log on to the site at http://firesprinklerinitiative.org -- stay vigilant and keep the fire service community informed of developments in your area. Only by working together can we save lives.

It is the position of the U.S. Fire Administration that all Americans should be protected from death, injury, and property loss resulting from fire in their residence. All homes should be equipped with both smoke alarms and residential fire sprinklers, and all families should have and practice an emergency escape plan. The U.S. Fire Administration supports all efforts to reduce the tragic toll of fire losses in this nation, including the recently adopted changes to the International Residential Code that require residential fire sprinklers in all new residential construction.

Emergency Management & Response Information Sharing & Analysis Center

June 2, 2009 -- The following is from EMR-ISAC Infogram which was forwarded by Commissioner Mark Thompson, South King Fire & Rescue

All-Hazards Planning Principles
In an article posted online at www.JEMS.com, "EMS in DHS," the Journal of Emergency Medical Services (JEMS) news director affirmed that the challenges of developing an all-hazards plan for protecting lives, property, and the environment are easier when emergency planners apply particular principles. The specific principles discussed in the article were abridged by the Emergency Management and Response--Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC), and can be seen as follows for the convenience of Emergency Services Sector departments and agencies:

Planning is an orderly, analytical, problem-solving process. It includes plan initiation, analysis of objectives, development and comparison of ways to achieve the objectives, and selection of the best solution.
Plans guide preparedness activities. They provide a common framework by establishing the desired end state, and the tasks and capabilities required to accomplish it.
Planning helps deal with complexity. The National Strategy for Homeland Security places special emphasis on planning for catastrophic events with "the greatest risk of mass casualties, massive property loss, and immense social disruption."
Emergency planning addresses all hazards. The causes of emergencies can vary greatly, but many of the effects do not. This means planners can address emergency functions common to all hazards in the basic plan instead of having unique plans for every type of hazard.
Emergency planning doesn't need to start from scratch. Many states publish their own standards and guidance for emergency planning, conduct workshops and training courses, and assign staff to work with local planners. Planners should take advantage of others' experiences.
Planning depicts the anticipated environment for action. This promotes early understanding and agreement on assumptions and risks, and provides the context for interaction. It identifies clear tasks and purposes, fosters interaction among stakeholders, guides preparedness activities, establishes implementation procedures, provides measures to synchronize actions, and allocates or reallocates resources. It can also serve as a partial substitute for experience.
Planning must involve all partners. The most realistic and complete plans are prepared by a team of representatives of the departments, agencies, and private sector and non-governmental organizations that will execute the plan.

For detailed information about these principles, see the 182-page pdf document, "Developing and Maintaining State, Territorial, Tribal, and Local Government Emergency".

Emergency Management & Response Information Sharing & Analysis Center

April 23, 2009 -- The following is from EMR-ISAC CIP Infogram 16-09 which was forwarded by Commissioner Mark Thompson, South King Fire & Rescue

Challenges of Rural Emergency Management

Sleep Deprivation Hazards

GSA Equipment Discount for ESS

April 20, 2009 - The following is from EMR-ISAC CIP Bulletin 27-08 which was forwarded by Commissioner Mark Thompson, South King Fire & Rescue

In June 2008, President Bush signed the Local Preparedness Acquisitions Act. It authorizes the General Services Administration (GSA) to extend to Emergency Services Sector (ESS) organizations and their state and local governments the opportunity to fully participate in the agency's cooperative purchasing program to buy homeland security equipment at discounted rates. Taking advantage of reduced prices, especially in the current economic climate, helps emergency departments and agencies conserve their resources for critical infrastructure protection (CIP) and response acquisitions.

Responder organizations will be able to procure discounted law enforcement and firefighting equipment, in addition to homeland security equipment such as alarm systems and facility management systems, all listed in GSA's Schedule 84, but previously available only to federal agencies. When speaking with a GSA associate, the Emergency Management and Response--Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) confirmed that the implementation process to open Schedule 84 to state and local agencies will take approximately another 60 days. However, GSA suggested that emergency departments explore the available equipment and vehicles catalogued on Schedule 84 and review the GSA Advantage tutorial before the program opens in early fall.

GSA Advantage is described as "the online shopping and ordering system that provides access to thousands of contractors and millions of supplies and services"--log onto www.gsadvantage.gov to access this information. State and local governments can use federal grant monies to purchase items through the GSA program. To browse the products and services offered on GSA Schedule 84, click on http://www.gsaelibrary.gsa.gov/ElibMain/ScheduleSummary?scheduleNumber=84.

WFCA Management Excellence Award Program Survey Results

April 2009 -- Over the past several months the WFCA has gathered input from members regarding the future direction of the Management Excellence Awards and it appears the majority of respondents would like to see some changes. The WFCA Board will discuss survey results at an upcoming meeting. To view the summary, click here. To view in-depth comments, click here. If you have input regarding the MEA program, please submit your comments to the WFCA at wfca@wfca.wa.gov.