NFPA Journal: Metropolitan Fire Chiefs

WEB SITE: http://www.nfpa.org/metro

CHAIR: Rebecca Denlinger, Chief, Cobb County, Georgia, Fire & Emergency Services

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Metro Chiefs Meet in Sacramento by Rebecca Denlinger

From May 22 to 27, the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs met in Sacramento, California, for our annual conference, cohosted by Rick Martinez, chief of the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District, and Dennis Smith, chief of the Sacramento City Fire Department. Metro Chair Chief Wes Shoemaker and local dignitaries opened the event with greetings, followed by an honor-guard memorial service remembering all fallen firefighters.

At the speaker sessions, attendees received updates from USFA Administrator Dave Paulison, IAFC President Ernie Mitchell, IAFC Executive Director Garry Briese, and NFPA's Russ Sanders. Dr. Steve Long-Nguyen Robbins kicked off the education program with a presentation on diversity in the public sector, and the program continued with presentations on such topics as the California wildfire response, Georgia's fire service project charters, and the Toronto Fire Department's response to SARS. Israeli Fire and Rescue Commissioner Shimon Romach spoke about his country's response to terrorism, and Hong Kong's Director of Fire Services Anthony Lam offered an inside look at the Hong Kong Fire Department. The program also included presentations by Major Cities Chiefs of Police Executive Director Thomas Frazier, Washington Council of Governments Executive Director David Robertson, and Montgomery County, Maryland, Fire Administrator Gordon Aoyagi.

The spectacular social program included a visit to Napa Valley, as well as the traditional golf tournament. Evening activities began on Saturday with a reception, followed on Monday by dinner and a casino night at the California State Rail Road Museum.

Russ Sanders opened the closing ceremonies by introducing Chief Shoemaker, who thanked the Sacramento leadership and conference planning teams for the brilliant job they did. By popular demand, Chiefs Martinez and Smith brought their teams to the stage for presentations.

Joe Redden, the section's only remaining founding member, then swore in the newly elected executive committee members. Joining me on the 2004-2005 Executive Board are Vice-Chair Kelvin Cochran of Shreveport, Louisiana; Secretary Bill McCammon of Alameda County, California; and Treasurer Robert Ojeda of San Antonio, Texas. Joe also swore in Tim Fuller of St. Paul, Minnesota, as senior board member, Otis Latin of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, as a board member, and Keith Richter of Contra Costa County, California, as an alternate.

Four members received awards during the ceremony. Chief Shoemaker presented me with the Chair's Award, and gave the Award of Distinction to Russ Sanders for his work in support of the section. Awards Chair Bill McCammon then presented the Fire Chief of the Year Award to Jeff Bowman of San Diego, and Los Angeles County Fire Chief Mike Freeman presented retired Dallas Fire Chief Dodd Miller with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Next year's annual conference will be held in San Antonio, Texas, from May 6 to 12. Business meetings will be held on August 14 in New Orleans, in conjunction with Fire Rescue International, and on November 14, in conjunction with the NFPA Fall Education Conference in Miami, Florida.

For information, check the Metro website at www.nfpa.org/metro or contact Metro Executive Secretary Russ Sanders.

HOW TO REACH US: Russ Sanders, Executive Secretary, (502) 894-0411, rsanders@nfpa.org