The IAFC installed Chief Bob DiPoli, Needham (Mass.) Fire Department, as its 2004-05 president Aug. 14 at the Presidential Celebration attended by more than 1,000 fire officials at Fire-Rescue International in New Orleans.

House Rep. William J. Pascrell Jr. (D-N.J.), author of the original FIRE Act bill, installed the IAFC's new slate of officers, including Chief Julian Taliaferro, treasurer; Chief James Harmes, second vice president; and Director Bill Killen, first vice president.

DiPoli said his three main initiatives for his term were to build IAFC membership, increase the political power of the fire service and support the Firefighter Life Safety Initiative begun this year by the National Fallen Firefighters' Foundation and the USFA.

Fire Chief magazine Editor Janet Wilmoth and John Randjelovic, president of Pierce Manufacturing, presented the Fire Chief of the Year Awards at FRI's first general session Aug. 12.

Chief Edward P. Plaugher (Ret.), Arlington County (Va.) Fire Department, was named Career Chief of the Year; Volunteer Chief of the Year is Chief Rick Haase of Staunton (Ill.) Fire Protection District.

The Apparatus Maintenance Section and Fire Chief magazine awarded the first Emergency Vehicle Technician of the Year Award to Fire Mechanic Rob Hussey of Fort Mojave Mesa (Ariz.) Fire Department.