Effective April 11, Eddie Buchanan will take over as president of the International Society of Fire Service Instructors. Buchanan will relieve Chief Timothy E. Sendelbach, who has led the organization for the last five years.

“It’s an honor to lead the organization during this unique period of opportunity and growth,” Buchanan said. “I must applaud the leadership of President Sendelbach and Vice President Shane Ray. They provided sound leadership for the organization during some very difficult times. They have set the organization on a path for success that have opened doors for the instructors.” Buchanan currently serves as division chief of Operations for Hanover (Va.) Fire & EMS, a combination department with 150 career personnel and 300 volunteers. He holds an associate’s degree in fire science and a bachelor’s degree in human-resources management from the University of Richmond. He continues his post-graduate studies in homeland security and emergency planning. He is the author of the Volunteer Training Officer’s Handbook and co-author of the Red & White Ribbon Reports from the Volunteer/Combination Officers Section of the International Association of Fire Chiefs.

“The mission that lies ahead for the ISFSI is to provide networking opportunities and resources for the fire instructor,” he said. “We must help our members navigate the complex new horizons of fire service education in areas such as student-centered learning and distance education. We must reach out to fire instructors everywhere and empower them to make the grassroots changes necessary to reduce firefighter fatalities and enhance safety. I believe we have the board members in place to take on this challenge and capitalize on the opportunities previous board members have given us.”

In addition to Buchanan, the ISFSI also named the following members to the board:

• First Vice President, Doug Cline, Eden, N.C.;
• Second Vice President, Chris Naum, Liverpool, N.Y.;
• International Director, Alan Brody, Rama, Ontario;
• Eastern Director, Rob Stumpf, Bloomington, Ind.;
• Eastern Director, Mike Finney, Cincinnati;
• Western Director, Kevin Milan, Parker, Colo.;
• Western Director, Devon Wells, Hood River, Ore.;
• Director at-Large, Steve Pegram, Xenia, Ohio; and
• Director at-Large, Mary Sovick, Fort Collins, Ohio.