The recent flurry of editorials, e-mails and phone calls regarding the funding or lack of funding for the U.S. Fire Administration and National Fire Academy, perception of disregard for the fire service within the Department of Homeland Security and other rumors about the USFA reached a saturation point last month. One fire chief described the escalating unrest as the fire service's "throwing rocks at all sorts of different targets." The fire service needs to focus its energies, he said.

The International Association of Fire Chiefs arranged to do just that with a "Come-to-Washington" meeting on Thursday, Feb. 24. Last week, 18 fire service associations and organizations, as well as representatives of the fire service media, were invited to attend the Fire Service Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C. The all-day meeting was held in the stately Caucus Room in the Cannon House Building, across from the Capitol.

The meeting's chair, IAFC President Bob DiPoli, wasted no time in expressing continued support for the USFA and the NFA but also acknowledged the increased concerns of the fire service. DiPoli suggested the group identify specific issues and proposed several key findings for review. From these eight findings, five goals evolved with the intent that a unified strategy be developed by April 7th, the date of the 17th annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner in D.C.

U.S. Fire Administrator R. David Paulison and Federal Emergency Management Agency Chief Operating Officer Ken Burris presented the 2002-2005 financial status of the USFA and the NFA within DHS.

"I've always been straight with you, like you have been with me," Paulison began. "I'm going to clearly lay out what I see the issues are and say where we are and where we aren't. When we're finished, I'll answer any questions you have. You can't hurt my feelings and you can't embarrass me. And Ken Burris is here to help me answer any questions that are FEMA-related and do all we can do to give you the information you need."

After lunch, several Congressional staffers were on hand to answer questions about the DHS budget, process and appropriations. A few were well-versed in D.C.-speak, ("what'd he say?"), while others (understandably) addressed the concerns presented by the fire service organizations.

What really prompted this meeting? I believe it was you -- members of fire and emergency services organizations across the country. Many of you recently contacted your Congressional leaders and asked for answers. You and your peers were pushing back at the NFA, FEMA and USFA in response to rampant rumors of budget cuts to the fire service and demanding a higher level of representation within DHS. The IAFC stepped into the role of resolving this controversy.

When was the last time a meeting like this was held, when the federal government said, "Let's talk"?

So, where do you go from here? If you were not invited to be there, get over it and find out how your organization can help. DiPoli ran a tight, efficient meeting. There was no time for egos or meandering. Paulison and Burris were open and direct. Was it perfect? Probably not. Was it an honest attempt to straighten out a lot of misinformation? Absolutely. There is progress being made by the USFA, but it still has a long road ahead. [See the upcoming March editorial in FIRE CHIEF for more details.]

What's next? Print out the Findings and the Goals of the American Fire Service from the IAFC summit meeting. Be in Washington, D.C., on April 7 for the Congressional Fire Service Institute's day in D.C. and the dinner. Visit your local representatives in Congress; even better, bring them to the CFSI dinner.

You proved the fire service has a voice. DHS knows it, too, and now we all need to be on the same page.

Janet Wilmoth, Editor
jwilmoth@primediabusiness.com