A Message from the President
Chief Marty Dailey
Welcome to Chief's Quarterly and thank you for your continued support and membership with the North Carolina Association of Fire Chiefs. This is my last letter to you as your president and I would like to express my sincerest thanks to all for your continued kindness and support throughout the year. It seems like only yesterday when I was sworn in as your president, but now it's coming to an end. As the year winds down, I think and reflect back on the issues we've faced, remembering hardships placed upon us by cutbacks which affect the fire service. Those of you who have contributed to the chief's email group discussions have done so with diligence and professionalism. Positive dialogue has transpired and disagreements shared and I am most proud that we always come together as a fire service community.
When I first started serving on the board, I remember all of the dedicated members who were also serving and graciously giving of their time to help our organization. I would like to personally thank each and every past president whom I have had the pleasure of knowing. I want to thank Cathy Lohr, our previous executive director, for her service on this board. She was inspirational and assisted me during much of my time of service. Thanks to all current board members who work very hard and who are committed to helping this organization be productive for its members. Additionally, I want to thank Ken Mullen for stepping in and leading this organization to a new level. Ken is a true leader in every sense of the word and this organization continues to benefit from his dedication and service. Finally, thank you, members of the North Carolina Association of Fire Chiefs, for your support this year. It has truly been a pleasure to serve as your president.
As with most of my quarterly letters, I'd like to share an inspiring story. I hope it gives you something to think about. This story is titled, "The Daffodil Theory."
Several times my daughter had telephoned to say, "Mother, you must come see the daffodils before they are over. "I wanted to go, but it was a two-hour drive from Laguna to Lake Arrowhead. "I will come next Tuesday," I promised, a little reluctantly, on her third call. Next Tuesday dawned cold and rainy. Still, I had promised, and so I drove there. When I finally walked into Carolyn's house and hugged and greeted my grandchildren, I said, "Forget the daffodils, Carolyn! The road is invisible in the clouds and fog, and there is nothing in the world except you and these children that I want to see bad enough to drive another inch!" My daughter smiled calmly and said, "We drive in this all the time, Mother. "Well you won't get me back on the road until it clears, and then I'm heading for home!" I assured her. "I was hoping you'd take me over to the garage to pick up my car." "How far will we have to drive?" "Just a few blocks," Carolyn said. "I'll drive. I'm used to this. After several minutes, I had to ask, "Where are we going? This isn't the way to the garage!" "We're going to my garage the long way," Carolyn smiled, "by the way of the daffodils." "Carolyn" I said sternly, "please turn around." "It's alright Mother, I promise. You will never forgive yourself if you miss this experience." After about twenty minutes, we turned onto a small gravel road and I saw a small church. On the far side of the church, I saw a hand lettered sign that read, "Daffodil Garden." We got out of the car and each took a child's hand, and I followed Carolyn down the path. Then, we turned a corner of the path, and I looked up and gasped. Before me lay the most glorious sight I had ever seen. It looked as though someone had taken a great vat of gold and poured it down over the mountain peak and slopes. The flowers were planted in majestic, swirling patterns, great ribbons and swaths of deep orange, white, yellow, pink, saffron, and butter yellow. Each different colored variety was planted as a group so that it swirled and flowed like its own river with its own unique hue. There were five acres of flowers.
"But who has done this?" I asked Carolyn. "It's just one woman," Carolyn answered. "She lives on the property. That's her home." Carolyn pointed to a well kept A-frame house that looked small and modest in the midst of all that glory. We walked up to the house. On the patio, we saw a poster. "Answers to the Questions I Know you are asking" was the headline. The first answer was a simple one. "50,000 bulbs," it read. The second answer was, "One at a time, by one woman. Two hands, two feet, and very little brain." The third answer was, "Began in 1958." There it was, the Daffodil Principle. For me, that moment was a life changing experience.
I thought of this woman whom I had never met, who, more than forty years before, had begun one bulb at a time to bring her vision of beauty and joy to an obscure mountaintop. Still, just planting one bulb at a time, year after year, had changed the world. This unknown woman had forever changed the world in which she lived. She had created something of indescribable magnificence, beauty, and inspiration. The principle her daffodil garden taught is one of the greatest principles of celebration. That is, learning to move toward our goals and desires one step at a time -often just one baby-step at a time and learning to love the doing, learning the accumulation of time. When we multiply tiny pieces of time with small increments of daily effort, we too will find that we can accomplish magnificent things. We can change the world."
We are all like a daffodil bulb of the fire service. Every one of you has given and continues to lend time, effort and experience to this great organization. Just one step at a time, "learning to love the doing," multiplied by every member of this organization immensely helps the fire service move closer and closer to its goals. You help others within your communities and within this organization and in doing so, change lives along the way. We can change the world. God's grace and mercy are never ending.
Martin Dailey |
Is Funding Still Out There for the Fire Service?
By: Kelly Ransdall, Deputy Director
Office of State Fire Marshal
With the economic down swing, it is easy for all of us in the fire service to give up on the idea of funding being available to us. The truth is that funds are still out there and available for you to apply for throughout the coming year. Each year, volunteer fire department and volunteer rescue/EMS grants are available through the NC Department of Insurance- Office of State Fire Marshal. Eligibility information, grant applications and Frequently Asked Questions are available through the website: www.ncdoi.com/osfm.
In addition to these long-standing matching grants, there have been 3 rounds of smoke alarm installation grants over the past year. These grants are designed for communities to canvass high risk areas and go door to door to insure that the most at risk are reached. These grants are easy and do not require a match. Rather, you fill in reports online and receive long life alarms to better equip your community. The grants are ongoing and will be available online until all grants are awarded. There have also been grants through the "Get Alarmed" program that provides funding for smoke alarms as well as other equipment.
OSFM has just awarded over $20,000 in grants for fire departments who provide education to parents as part of Permanent Checking Stations. Permanent Checking Station grants can be used to buy equipment, seats and other items while providing this service. These grants will be available again after the first of the year.
As you can see, there have been and will continue to be grants opportunities for the fire service to get funding in order to provide valuable services in your communities. For more information on all these opportunities, please visit www.ncdoi.com/osfm, then select Injury Prevention- Safe Kids North Carolina.
|
Dear Editor:
The weekend of June 4-7, 2009, firefighters and volunteers from your area participated in Camp Celebrate, a camp for pediatric burn survivors.
The camp would have not been possible without all the support of the firefighters. They provided all the meals (nine total!) and snacks for campers and volunteers. They secured donations for camp from sunscreen, disposable cameras, craft supplies, decorating items for our theme (Beach Blast!), and many other needed supplies. About half of the weekend volunteers were freighters (88).
Firefighters served in the roles of cabin leader, camp counselor, and logistic organizers. Twenty-seven (27) fire trucks from across the state brought 60 Camp Celebrate campers to Camp Kanata, near Wake Forest, for the weekend camp. The thrill of riding the fire trucks to camp for some was beyond belief for most campers!
It is with a debt of gratitude that Camp Celebrate and the North Carolina Jaycee Burn Center at UNC Hospitals says THANK YOU to the firefighters locally and across the state.
Respectfully,
Winnie Morgan, Camp Director
Camp Celebrate
UNC Hospitals
David Nance
State President | |
|
|
Click here for more information and to register for the
South Atlantic Fire Rescue Expo
August 19-22 - Raleigh
|
Register by August 21st to Attend the NC Weekend at the National Fire Academy,
November 20-22, 2009
This 2-day On-Campus Program (formerly State Weekend Program) is targeted for fire service personnel with a minimum of three years experience. Most 2-day courses are designed for mid-level officers rather than chief officers or firefighters.
|
|
Register Today for the
2009 Chief Officer Executive
Development Program
(Two-Week Program)
October 26 - 30, 2009 (Week One)
November 30 - December 4, 2009
(Week Two)
Charlotte Fire/Police Training Center
Charlotte, NC
Presented in conjunction with:
University of NC Charlotte
UNC School of Government
NC Office of State Fire Marshal
Charlotte Fire Department
General Information
The NC Association of Fire Chiefs Executive Board proudly announces the Chief Officers Executive Development Program to be held at the Charlotte Fire/Police Training Academy. The two-week course will be presented in two sessions with the first being held October 26 -30, 2009, and the second to be held November 30 - December 4, 2009. Sponsored by the NC Association of Fire Chiefs, this course is being held in conjunction with the UNC-C Fire Safety Engineering Technology program, Office of State Fire Marshal, UNC School of Government and the Charlotte Fire Department.
The program will offer training and information critical to today's fire officer with topics including management/leadership, budgeting, strategic planning, human resources and employment law, working with local and state government officials/agencies, career and organizational development, effective communications, and many other topics of interest. Program faculty will consist of instructors from the University of North Carolina-Charlotte, UNC School of Government, Fire Service, local government and private sector, and will offer the most up-to-date information and strategies to help the fire officer meet his/her daily responsibilities. Classes will begin at 1:00 p.m. each Monday and end at noon on Friday. Tuesday-Thursday classes will be held daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with one night session during the first week. For a complete schedule of classes and instructors go to www.ncafc.com . Special lodging is available at the Wingate Inn (off I-77 south at Tyvola) in Charlotte at a cost of $64.00 plus tax per night. Individuals should make their own reservations at 1-704-523-3366. Advise the reservationist that you are with the "North Carolina Association of Fire Chiefs Executive Development Program" to receive the $64.00 rate. Continental breakfast is provided at the Wingate Inn.
Program registration fee is $450.00 per person which includes class materials, lunch Tuesday-Thursday, and one evening meal. The course is open to all chiefs, chief officers and those having chief officer responsibilities. The local fire chief will verify a student's eligibility to participate, and the Program Advisory Committee will confirm the student's enrollment. A confirmation letter of acceptance will be sent to each participant prior to class and will contain specific details related to the program. Remember! Class size will be limited; so please register early!
University of NC-Charlotte Degree Program Credit
Students who complete the Chief Officer Executive Development Program will have the opportunity to receive credit for UNC-Charlotte's ETFS 3611 Professional Leadership Seminar course (counts toward the degree program). To be eligible for the credit, students must complete all components of the Executive Development Program and take the additional final examination for UNC-C credit at the end of the program. To receive credit on a transcript, a student must enroll in the ETFS 3611 course at UNC-Charlotte and present evidence of completion of the Executive Development program and successful completion of the final exam for credit. The individual student is responsible for all fees relating to the UNC-C program. Please contact Jeff Kimble at JKIMBLE@uncc.edu for more information. Fire Officer Certification Credit (NFPA 1020)
Several classes included in this program will apply toward NC OSFM Fire Officers Certification. An individual must complete an application form and meet the criteria set forth for certification. Contact the Fire and Rescue Commission for an application form or complete the application form at the Chief Officer Executive Development Program class location (Charlotte Fire/Police Training Center). Registration
Complete the registration form and return with a check for $450.00 for each applicant to NCAFC
P. O. Box 7893
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
no later than September 15, 2009. The North Carolina Fire Service is operating in interesting times with more challenges for the chief officer. This course is designed to give practical, everyday methods of meeting the challenges facing you and your personnel each day. We are looking forward to having you or your chief officers join us for this timely and critical officer training course. This is an opportunity for training that should not be missed. Questions???
Contact Kenneth Mullen at
|
Update on the Home Fire Sprinkler Campaign
By: Angie Gregg / Richard Strickland--NCDOI
The NC Board of Examiners for Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler contractors has introduced changes to their plumbing contractor's licensing rules that will allow plumbers to obtain a special license to install 13D multi-purpose sprinkler systems. A public hearing addressing this rule change was held by the board on June 9, 2009. Approximately 20 local fire code officials attended the hearing. Senior Deputy Commissioner/Assistant State Fire Marshal Tim Bradley spoke in favor of the proposed rule change. Floyd Fritz, Assistant Fire Chief with the Pinehurst Fire Department, addressed the board as well and provided technical explanation of the fundamentals of 13D multi-purpose systems to the board. The licensing board will vote on the proposed rule change at their next meeting in August. The NC Home Sprinkler Alliance reported that they were invited to attend the High Country Homebuilders Show at Appalachian State University Convocation Center in May. After the national cry from homebuilders to fight against residential sprinkler code changes this was an opportune time to educate NC homebuilders about the facts and effectiveness of home fire sprinklers. A multi-purpose sprinkler display was built and erected to gain attendees attention and to get them asking questions. The Marble Mountain video and clips from the Home Sprinkler Coalition DVD were played continuously to also grab attendees attention. The Pinehurst Sprinkler trailer was set up outside of the entrance of the show and demonstrated actual sprinkler activation every hour on the hour. Volunteers that manned the booth had incentive items and each time an attendee would reach for an incentive they were told they could have the incentive if they would answer one question. The question was "In the event of a fire how many sprinkler heads normally go off?" Most attendees would answer "all of them", "I hope all of them". This gave the perfect opportunity to clear up one of the biggest sprinkler myths. After attendees learned that normally only one sprinkler head would activate and that the fire does not get as big as seen on TV, they were much more willing to talk about sprinklers. Attendees consisted of homebuilders, home buyers, realtors, insurance agents, firefighters, kids and the general public and many of them left with a new understanding of what residential sprinklers do and do not do. The Alliance has been invited to come to the Charlotte Homebuilders show in September. Several fire organizations are involved and helping with resources and manpower. The Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition is providing printed materials, banners and a fire timeline for the booth. This will be a much bigger show and the Alliance is working on the plans at this time. Anyone interested in assisting with the show can contact Angie Gregg at angie.gregg@ncdoi.gov. Remember, The Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition (HFSC) has a free home sprinkler public education kit which is an excellent resource for community education and outreach. You can order the kit online at www.homefiresprinkler.org. If you are wanting to do home sprinkler education in your community order one of these kits which provides you with the information and resources you need to talk to homebuilders, home insurers, children, real estate professionals and more. The recent article, "Comparative Analysis of Housing Cost and Supply Impacts of Sprinkler Ordinances at the Community Level "also provides valuable information for promoting residential sprinklers. Go to www.ncafc.com to review the article. |
|
Budget Planning
2009
Membership Dues
$25.00
August 19-22, 2009
Annual Conference
Raleigh
October 26-30, 2009 (Week 1)
November 30-December 4, 2009 (Week 2)
Executive Development Program
Charlotte Fire / Police Training Center
February 4-7, 2010
Mid-Winter Conference
Raleigh
April 26-30, 2010
NC Fire Prevention School
Ft. Fisher, Kure Beach
August 2010
Annual Conference
Raleigh
February 3-6, 2011
Mid-Winter Conference
Concord
| |
|
|
|
|
|
