The Volunteer and Combination Officer's Section of the International Association of Fire Chiefs has reached its 10-year milestone. Founded as the Volunteer Chief Officer's Section by a handful of dedicated and driven individuals, the section today has more than 2,200 members and is known widely in the fire service simply as VCOS.

The initial goals of the section were to represent the interests of volunteer chief officers on the legislative front and to develop their educational opportunities. Chief John Buckman of German Township, Ind., held the first meeting. Members exchanged information via fax, attended quarterly meetings at the IAFC headquarters in Fairfax, Va., and held board conference calls once every few months. Shortly after the formation of the section, the board of directors successfully petitioned the IAFC for a seat on the board of directors.

A membership recruitment drive reaching chief officers all across America was developed. When the section formed, dues were $10 — they're now $25. VCOS also has an affiliate membership for young officers who aspire to be chief officers.

With its board of directors becoming more active and involved in the fire service, VCOS took on more work and challenges. The section's recent accomplishments include:

21st Century Leadership Classes

Designed to provide the knowledge and skills that fire department leaders need to bring their departments into the next century, the program consists of four modules that can be taught in four-, eight- or 16-hour increments, covering recruitment and retention, problem-solving, leadership, image-building, and team-building. The course consists of lecture, videos, hands-on activities, class participation and a complete student handout.

Symposium in the Sun

The only national conference designed specifically for the chief officer who manages volunteers or a combination of volunteers and career personnel, the symposium is usually held during the second weekend of November in Florida, offering educational workshops, fun and great networking opportunities.

A Call for Action: The Blue Ribbon Report

The VCOS board has strived to become more involved in legislation that affects volunteer and combination fire departments. In March 2004, it published this report to put its ideas for preserving and improving the future of the volunteer fire service in writing. The report has been cited several times in Congressional testimony about America's fire service and has led to a number of meetings with national legislators.

Industry partnerships

VCOS has received a true commitment from various exhibitors, vendors and businesses interested in promoting the fire service. We would not be where we are today without their support.

The VCOS board of directors has 10 members: a chair, vice chair, secretary/treasurer, international director and six directors at large. In addition to Buckman, past chairs include Chief Fred Windisch of Houston, Texas; Chief Mike Chiaramonte of Lynbrook, N.Y.; and Chief Peter McMahon of Grand Island, N.Y. The current chair is Chief Larry Curl of Indianapolis.

VCOS has much to be proud of in its first decade, but as you know it still has much work to do. Visit www.vcos.org for more information.