By JILL EVANS

Chief Jack K. McElfish of the Richmond, VA, Department of Fire & Emergency Services has been elected president of the Southeast-ern Association of Fire Chiefs. McElfish has been Richmond's fire chief since 1995. Previously, he was fire chief in Clayton, GA, and Wallingford, CT.

Trade stories and badges while strolling along the private beach at Great Stirrup Cay, as part of the 1999 Firefighter Fellowship Cruise sponsored by Citizens Fire Company 1 of Palmyra, PA. A bon voyage party kicks things off on April 4, 1999, and guests can prepare to set sail for exotic ports of call aboard Norwegian Cruise Lines' ship Wind. Participants will have a chance to meet some of the most recognized names in the fire service, including retired Boston Fire Commissioner Leo D. Stapleton and FDNY Deputy Chief Vincent Dunn, a Firehouse® contributing editor. Tickets can be purchased by calling Stacey Withers at 800-848-9004, extension 3001.

New York State has two "firsts" in firefighting history: the first New York State Salute to Firefighters and the dedication of the official New York State Fallen Firefighters Memorial. Planned for Oct. 4, 1998, the first annual New York State Salute to Firefighters will take place in the New York State Museum on the Plaza beginning with a cocktail reception at 6 P.M. New York State Commissioner of Labor James J. McGowan is slated to be the master of ceremonies. In addition, on October 5, New York Governor George E. Pataki will preside at the dedication of the official New York State Fallen Firefighters Memorial at the Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY. The 10-foot, bronze sculpture, created by Robert Eccleston of S chuyler Falls, NY, honors the 1,400 firefighters who have given their lives to save others. For information about the events call 518-473-3590.

The Missouri Emergency Medical Services Association (MEMSA) has announced that the St. Louis Fire Department has been selected as Missouri's Emergency Medical Services System of the Year. Additionally, Gary Ludwig, the department's chief paramedic and Firehouse® EMS columnist, has been selected as Missouri's Emergency Medical Services Administrator of the Year. In making the announcement, MEMSA Vice President Ben Chlapek said, "The St. Louis Fire Department has developed a true emergency medical service system...This was only possible through the hard work of the members of the St. Louis Fire Department and their outstanding leadership." The St. Louis Fire Department is Missouri's largest EMS provider.

Pittsburgh Fire Chief Charlie Dickinson retired Aug. 21, 1998, after nearly 40 years of firefighting. Dickinson was named assistant chief in 1986 and chief in 1988. Prior to moving to Pittsburgh, he served with the Hayward, CA, Fire Department.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department has purchased over 180 automated external defibrillators (AEDs) from SurVivaLink Corporation of Minnetonka, MN, for use in its first-response basic life support (BLS) vehicles, including engine companies, truck companies and hazardous materials squads. The new AEDs replace older equipment and expand the number of AEDs on fire department vehicles. Los Angeles County serves 3.2 million residents and nearly one million households covering 2,258 square miles. The fire department responds to approximately 123,000 emergency medical calls annually.

On a sad note, John Busby, a founder of the Silsbee, TX, Volunteer Fire Department, passed away on July 6, 1998. He was 93. Born in 1905, Mr. Busby, along with other volunteers, started the volunteer fire department in 1939 using donations from local businessmen. A donated bus served as the department's first water tanker. In addition to being the founder of the Silsbee Fire Department, Mr. Busby organized fire departments in the towns of Woodville, Buna and Kirbyville. He was appointed to the Texas A&M Firemen Training School in 1949.

Firehouse® Publisher Bruce Bowling, left, joins Sen. Michael B. Enzi (R-Wyoming), second from left, and Sen. Craig Thomas ( R-Wyoming), far right, in dedicating the painting used as this month's cover, "Timeless Heroes" by artist Chas Fagan, to the Congressional Fire Services Institute. The painting, which was commissioned by the CFSI, was dedicated on April 30, 1998. Also joining in the presentation were the model for the painting, Firefighter Mike Vogt of the Casper, WY, Fire Department, and his wife, Karen.