The Fire Chiefs' Association of Massachusetts has maintained
a presence on the World Wide Web since January 9, 1998.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Legislation

 

House_2284[1].pdf

House_2396[1].pdf

House_4455[1].pdf

House_4521[1].pdf

Senate_1415[1].pdf

Forest Fire Control March 08 st01892[1].pdf

FCAM Legislative Agenda for FY 09

Fire Chiefs Association of Massachusetts

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The following are the DRAFT guidelines, related to the Fire Chief Certification were unanimously approved by the Board of Directors at their meeting on June 3rd, 2008 and supported by the membership at the June 16th meeting of the General Membership to be posted on the WebSite as a DRAFT to stimulate producive discussion from our members on this legislative isssue.  The June meeting voted that this draft will be posted on the web site and input will be received through the Secretary/Treasurer or to the President until the October 6th Board of Directors meeting.  The input received will be relayed to the Fire Service Commission and the Massachusetts Fire Training Council, who are the boards tasked under the proposed legislation with the promulgation of the minimum standards pertaining to the Certification of Fire Chiefs.  The association urges and welcomes any feedback or input you may have regarding these DRAFT guidelines .    DRAFT  Guidelines for An Act Relative to Standards & Qualifications for Fire Chief   Establish the Fire Chief Certification Advisory Committee. This Committee shall be supported by such staff of the DFS as may be required for its effective operation.   Powers & Duties:      the Fire Chief Certification Advisory Committee shall have the responsibility to advise and to recommend to the Fire Service Commission on all items relating to the certification of Fire Chiefs, including, but not limited to: Issuance of certificates Review of credentials of applicants Maintenance of applicant records Hearing of complaints and appeals pertaining to Fire Chief certification Review and approval of all criteria, including, but limited to: Education Experience Résumé   Make-up of the Committee: The Fire Chief Certification Advisory Committee (FCCAC) shall consist of seven members appointed by the President of the Fire Chiefs’ Association of Massachusetts, terms of the committee members are as established by lot at the first meeting: One member of the Executive Board of the FCAM One member of FCAM representing a career fire department One member of FCAM representing a part call – part career fire department One member of FCAM representing a call/volunteer fire department One member from academia who is an educator at the college level (e.g. fire science, fire administration, public administration) One member of FCAM that serves on the Massachusetts Fire Service Commission One member of FCAM that serves on the Massachusetts Fire Training Council Secretary of Public Safety Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (Ex-Officio) State Fire Marshal (Ex-Officio) o      Certification Required:         After date, no individual shall be permanently appointed to the position of Fire Chief unless that individual has been deemed qualified and certified by the Fire Chief Certification Advisory Committee (FCCAC)   o      Conditional appointment:     After date, individuals who meet or exceed the experience requirements but who are not certified may be appointed on a conditional basis only.   o      Regulations for conditional appointment:               Any individual conditionally appointed as a Fire Chief, on or after date, who is not certified at the time of appointment; shall comply with the following: Immediately upon appointment, the appointing authority shall report the conditional appointment to the FCCAC Within the first six months of employment the conditional appointee shall make application for certification Within one year following the first six months of employment the conditional appointee shall meet the requirements of certification for appointment Conditional appointees may petition the FCCAC in writing for an extension of time to comply. Upon establishment of cause, the FCCAC may grant such time extensions of time as it may consider appropriate. Conditional appointees shall notify the FCCAC of any change in the status of their employment, within one month of such change. The FCCAC shall, within ten days of any action taken by the committee, notify the appointing authority in writing of such action. o      Requirements for certification   Application:    Any candidate for certification as Fire Chief shall submit an application to the FCCAC, accompanied by the required application fee as prescribed, on forms provided for such purpose by the FCCAC   Fire Chiefs Appointed as of date:   Upon receipt of acceptable evidence as established by the FCCAC, signed by the city or town clerk and the appointing authority in attestation that the applicant for certification was employed in the position of Fire Chief, the applicant shall be deemed certified and shall be issued a certificate. The certificate shall indicate the name of the individual and other information as may be deemed necessary by the FCCAC.   After date, applicants for certification shall meet or exceed the qualifications for the position of Fire Chief as determined by the FCCAC.   o      Procedures for complaints   o       Cause for complaint: Any individual aggrieved by a decision of the FCCAC may be entitled to a hearing before the Fire Service Commission or a subcommittee thereof. A complaint shall be made in writing to the Fire Service Commission, attention: Fire Chief Certification Advisory Committee   o       Hearings on Complaints:      If a hearing is to convene, the FSC shall give at least ten days notice to all those party to the complaint. The sending of notice to the address recorded on the records of the FSC shall be deemed sufficient notice.   o       Notice of Hearings:   The notice shall contain:   The name of the complainant A copy of the complaint The date, time and place of said hearing   The complete file of complaint shall be available for inspection at the office of the FSC during regular business hours. Parties may present written or oral evidence to refute or mitigate any charge contained in the complaint and present witnesses in his/her behalf.   o       Continuation of hearings:     The FSC, in its discretion, may continue the date for hearing upon request by the Fire Chief, the complainant or the commission itself.   o       Timing of decisions: The FSC shall make a decision within 15 days of the hearing. A written decision shall be issued within 30 days of the hearing date.   o       Decisions:      The decision shall be final and binding upon the Fire Chief and the complainant.   o     Notice of Action:        In the event that the Commission votes to take action for or against said certification pursuant to this hearing, the Fire Chief, upon notice of the decision, shall immediately comply with said orders.   o       Appeal:           Any person aggrieved by a decision of the Fire Service Commission may appeal such decision to a court of law or equity in conformance with M.G.L. c. 30A, § 14.   o      Revocation of Certification   o       The FSC, upon recommendation of the FCCAC, and subject to the requirements of the Administrative Practices in accordance with M.G.L. c. 30A, may revoke a certification if it is determined that the registrant: (The following is not an exhaustive list.)   o       Has obtained a certification by fraud or misrepresentation, or the person named in the certificate has obtained it by fraud or misrepresentation;   o       Has made a false or misleading statement, or has made a material omission in any submission to the FCCAC.   o      Violations   o      It shall be a violation on or after date, for any individual to represent himself/herself to be qualified for the position of Fire Chief if that individual does not currently hold, or to use title or otherwise represent himself/herself to be qualified for the position of Fire Chief if that individual does not currently possess a certificate, unless such person is appointed subject to conditional appointment guidelines.   o      It shall be a violation on or after date, for any local appointing authority to offer employment, to retain for employment or to permanently appoint any individual for Fire Chief who is not certified in accordance with these regulations, except on a conditional appointment as specified.

 

 

 

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Firefighters’ Prayer: 

When I am called to duty, wherever flames may rage, give me the strength to save a life, whatever be its age.  Help me embrace a little child before it is too late, or save an older person from the horror of that fate.  Enable me to be alert and hear the weakest shout, and quickly and efficiently to put the fire out.  I want to fill my calling and to give the best in me, to guard my every neighbor and protect his property.  And if according to God’s will, I must answer death’s call, bless with your protecting hand, my family, one and all.   AMEN.

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We are currently taking a poll of the total membership of each Fire Department in the State.  If you have not already done so please send your current total complement of uniformed fire personnel including the Fire Chief to FCAMSECTREAS@comast.net

The Hundred Club intends to provide a brochure describing the services that they provide and have provided to the public safety personnel over the past 50 years.  This poll will be used by the Hundred Club to provide each member of each fire department a brochure of the services that they provide.

Thanks to those who have responded thus far if you have not responded.  Please, if you have not responded - send the information to the Secretary/Treasurer at the email address above.

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Dues Notices for FY 09

The membership dues invoices will be going out by April 1st for FY 09.  Please return the bottom half of the invoices with your payment. Each invoice will include a W-9 form and a return postage paid envelope. The W9 is being sent for those people who may need this for their accounting department.  It has been sent to all members even though many retired and associate members will not need it. Please note on the return portion of the invoice we are asking for your help in updating our data base.  There are three lines to enter your home address, current email address and cell phone number.  Your cooperation in providing this information is greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

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Elect Jack Parow 2nd V.P. IAFC in 2008

 

Candidate’s Profile

Jack is fire chief in Chelmsford, Mass., a 34-year veteran of the fire service and an IAFC member since 1991. He has served as President of the New England Division IAFC, President of the Fire Chiefs’ Association of Massachusetts, a member of the IAFC Election Committee and represents the IAFC on the International Code Council. Jack is a member of the VCOS, the Fire and Life Safety Section, the EMS Section, the Safety, Health and Survival Section and the NFPA. He holds a master’s degree in business and policy studies, a bachelor’s degree in fire and safety engineering and is an EFOP graduate. Jack teaches at Anna Maria College in Paxton, Mass. in the graduate and undergraduate Fire Science and Management Program. In addition, he has been very active at both the state and federal level in moving vital fire service legislation forward, including funding of the "Fire Bill".

Candidate’s Platform

I believe in the mission of the IAFC and the execution of goals and objectives through the IAFC’s bi-annual strategic planning process. Furthermore, we need to focus our energy on firefighter safety and wellness, fire prevention and code strengthening, federal legislation, proper funding of the National Fire Academy, EMS issues and volunteer and call firefighter retention.

Because of the rapidly changing environment we operate in, it is important that the IAFC become the "go to" organization on all fire related issues and truly become the voice of the fire service in the international arena. To be successful, the IAFC must become an even more membership driven organization. We can accomplish this by reaching out and listening to the Divisions, Sections and Committees as well as the State and Provincial Fire Chief Associations. Working for the entire membership needs to remain a top priority. Hopefully, we can create an organization that is seamless from the local to the international level.

In the past, the IAFC has elected strong leadership into office. I feel that I have the knowledge, experience and commitment to continue that trend. My pledge to you is that I will work hard, represent the entire membership and be an ambassador for the IAFC. I ask you for your vote and support. If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at chiefcfd@aol.com.

Fire Rescue International 2008 will be held August 14 - 16 , 2008 in Denver, Colorado

The New England Division is staying at the Denver Marriott City Center. 

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RESIDENTIAL SPRINKLER POWER POINT PRESENTATION

1 & 2 Family Fatal Fires 1986 to 2005

Click here to down load >  1- & 2-Family Residential Sprinklers

 

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The 2009 Congressional Fire Services Institute Dinner will be held on April 2, 2009.  Tickets are $275/person. 

Start planning now to attend with the Massachusetts contingent.