Message from the President
June 2023
Hello all. We are getting to the middle of the summer and passing the middle of the year. I am not sure about you, but it seems like the year is flying by. The USA Branch has been extremely busy over the past few months and have many events and activities either scheduled or in the works for the remaining months of the year.
NFFF Memorial Weekend
President Hanifen and Board Member-at-Large Pecki Prince attended NFFF memorial weekend as Special Invited Guests of NFFF and Peki also worked much of the behind the scenes to support the event. We were honored to be invited and moved by the services. If you have not had a chance to attend, I highly recommend attending and supporting the families. A very sombering event.
CFSI
Treasurer Paul Brooks and President Hanifen attended CFSI. We were joined by members that requested complimentary tickets to sit at the IFE-USA table. It was great to talk with our members and understand what they enjoy about the branch and what needs to improve. I appreciate the input as we work to deliver the best member experience possible. The next morning, Treasurer Brooks and President Hanifen attended the National Advisory Council for CFSI. Much good information in light of much gridlock on Capital Hill while we were in DC. President Hanifen was able to attend two days of visits to representative offices. We were met with overwhelming support for the American Fire Service, but a need to curb spending in DC. We will need to advocate as a branch for needed funds for the American fire service. This is why it is important that we remain active as associations united in our needs.
2023 Educational Conference held in Conjunction with FRI
We are excited to be back at FRI with our annual education conference. The education conference is Tuesday August 15, 2023, from 13:00-17:00. Our room location will be announced as we get closer to the conference. We are establishing a great line of speakers. We have Board Chair Mark Chubb, as well as Chief Kris Blume scheduled. We will hear updates from the international board and learn about Upstream thinking. Additionally, we will hear about the science of fire gear and cancer.
2023 US Fire Administrators Summit
IFE-USA has received tentative approval to participate in this year’s summit. We look forward to participating and providing both a national and international perspective. If you have input you would like to relay, please email president@ife-usa.org
Summer Lunch and Learns
We have taken a summer break from the Lunch and Learn’s as we know many of you are on vacation and attending chief’s conferences that are often in the summer. We will resume in September. If you have ideas, please email your thoughts.
Thanks to all our members for their continued involvement. If the board or I can do anything to improve the members’ experience, please let us know.
Sincerely,
Randall W. Hanifen, Ph.D, CFO, FIFireE
President-USA Branch