Last week, my most recent Internet book order arrived. When I unpacked one small one, I knew I'd been suckered by a newspaper's tantalizing review of the book, which listed "things to do before you die." If I'd previewed it at a store, I never would have bought it. Do I need some stranger to tell me what's important to do before I die? I should develop my own list.

In the March 1, 2005, edition of On Scene, however, is a must-read list for every fire chief and officer in North America. Members of the International Association of Fire Chiefs receive this membership newsletter monthly.

Besides the chart on page 2 ("Proposed funding for programs of interest to firefighters") that caught my eye, the March 1 issue includes the 2004 Annual IAFC Committee, Task Force and Section Accomplishments Report. This report is six tabloid-size pages of concise bullet points summarizing what the IAFC as an organization accomplished in 2004. The value and impact of the IAFC is spelled out on these six pages. Listed are 241 actions, activities and efforts to support and strengthen the organization, its members and the national fire and emergency services.

Sacha Dick, IAFC's director of national/international leadership, compiled the report. The 11 committees parallel a fire chief's checklist of administrative priorities -- Communications, Human Relations, Health & Safety, Professional Development, and Program Planning.

For the bigger picture, every chief needs a heightened awareness of hazmat, national task forces, terrorism and the wildland urban interface. IAFC Committee reports include these latest updates.

Reports from the IAFC Sections -- Apparatus Maintenance, Federal & Military Fire Services, EMS, Industrial, Metropolitan Chiefs, and Volunteer & Combination -- show they target specific needs and support for departments.

While all the magazines, e-newsletters and Web sites have covered the big news stories, the IAFC's Annual Report is a tightly written summary by topic. The report also is a resource of key people -- chairs or participants -- who are knowledgeable on specific topics. When a reporter called with a question on communications, we referred him to Chief Doug Aiken, IAFC's Communications' Committee chair. EMS issue? EMS Section chair Chief John Sinclair is a good starting point.

Actually, anyone -- including manufacturers and politicians -- involved in the fire and emergency service industry would find this issue of On Scene a valuable resource. The only item missing in this list of accomplishments is an application for membership.

The report's subhead states: "Members are the greatest strength of the International Association of Fire Chiefs. They represent the organization, serve on committees and task forces, and participate in IAFC special interest sections to accomplish the IAFC Strategic Plan."

It's tough to read this list and not think about all the people committed to improving the fire and emergency services today and for the future. You can't afford to not be involved in the IAFC. Put it at the top of your list.

Janet Wilmoth, Editor