ISFSI Launches Training Officer Credential Designation
The International Society of Fire Service Instructors (ISFSI) launched the Training Officer Credential designation at the Central Arizona Regional Training Academy in Prescott, AZ. Thirteen credential candidates from 10 departments participated in the first program.
“ISFSI recognized the need to establish an opportunity for today's aspiring, emerging, developing, or practicing fire service instructor, training officer, fire officer and allied training personnel to qualify their professional status,” said Leigh Hubbard, executive director of ISFSI. “This credential is designed to elevate the standards of instructor professionalism.”
ISFSI President Steve Pegram added, “The ISFSI credential designation provides instructors a direct pathway to develop and advance as professional educators and will bridge the gap between fire service professional development, the professional credentialing of instructors, and the accreditation of emerging training curriculums and eLearning platforms and programs.”
Successful candidates will have their education, training and experiences validated on a professional platform. The credential authenticates their contributions to the industry and provides employers a tangible recognition of the employee's professional accomplishments. Successfully credentialed candidates are issued a three-year designation by the ISFSI and are eligible for 32 hours of continuing education credit by Columbia Southern University.
Metro Chiefs Elect New Officers
The Metropolitan “Metro” Fire Chiefs Association, a section of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) held its 2016 annual conference in Long Beach, CA, from May 13–18. Approximately 120 Metro Chiefs from Australia, Canada, China, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States attended the conference and elected the Section’s 2016-2017 officers and board members.
The new officers are:
- Chief Rhoda Mae Kerr, president; Austin, TX, Fire Department
- Chief Maurice Kemp, vice president; Miami, FL, Fire Rescue Department
- Chief Otto Drozd, secretary; Orange County, FL, Fire Rescue Department
- Jon Hannan, treasurer; Charlotte, NC, Fire Department
The new board members are:
- Chief Teresa Deloach Reed, board member; Oakland, CA, Fire Department
- Chief (retired) Luther Fincher, senior board member; Charlotte, NC, Fire Department
- Chief Michael Duyck, alternate board member; Tualatin Valley, OR, Fire & Rescue Department
- Chief Ken Block, immediate past president; Edmonton, Alberta Fire Rescue Services
NFPA President and CEO Jim Pauley issued the oath of office to the new officers and board members.
The Metro Chiefs also bestowed the following 2016 Metro Awards:
- Chief Maurice Kemp was named Fire Chief of the Year
- Chief (ret.) William “Shorty” Bryson, former Chief of the Miami and Miami-Dade Fire Departments, received the Lifetime Achievement Award
- Chief Rhoda Mae Kerr received the President’s Award of Distinction
Line-of-Duty Deaths
2 U.S. firefighters recently died in the line of duty. One was health-related and one occurred during a search-and-recovery operation. This edition of Firehouse is dedicated to these firefighters.
FIREFIGHTER JOHN M. DAVIS, JR., 45, with the Kenly, NC, Volunteer Fire Department, died on May 7 of an apparent heart attack. Davis suffered chest pains while on scene at a motor vehicle accident and was rushed to a hospital, where he succumbed to his injury.
CAPTAIN BRADLEY LONG, 28, of Sherrills Ford-Terrell, NC, Fire-Rescue, died on June 6. Long, a rescue diver, and another diver were searching Lake Norman for a drowning victim when they encountered an emergency. A third diver entered the water after a mayday was called. The two other divers eventually resurfaced, but Long did not. His body was later recovered and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Firehouse Staff
Content written and created by Firehouse Magazine editors.
