The nominations for the George D. Post, Instructor of the Year Award are now open!  The award will be presented on the main stage at FDIC in Indianapolis, In.  The winner will be given registration and transportation to FDIC to receive the award.  You do not have to be a nationally known speaker to win.  If you know an instructor that is making a difference in making their firefighters safer, nominate them!  Use this link or look for the nomination form in Fire Engineering Magazine. 

To access the nomination form, click on this storys title and then download the form.

The 1st Distance Education in the Fire Service Symposium kicks off in Nashville!  Dr. William Jennaway delivered the opening session to instructors from around the country discussing theories of distance education/e-learning.  Dr. Jennaway facilitated an interactive discussion among the participants, who each brought expertise to the event.

ISFSI President, Eddie Buchanan delivered a presentation on the use of technology in training and offered some demonstrations of the common technology used in the business.  Eric Kauffman wrapped up the 1st day with a perspective on professional AV production and discussion on how to move current content to an e-learning program. 

Day two featured Jacksonville, FL Fire Department who demonstrated how their department utilzed e-learning in their department.  John Brunacini demonstrated how e-learning is used in the blue-card program.  Finally, symposium sponsor, Target Safety, demonstrated a learning platform and how they can be used to deliver training. 

The program wrapped up with a panel discussion where participants could ask questions and participate in discussions on e-learning. 

The Symposium was a great success and thanks to all who contributed.  Look for the presentations to become available on the website.  We\'re seeking proposals for future symposiums related to e-learning! 

Fire Engineering and PennWell, producers of the world's greatest firefighter training conference and exhibition, the Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC), proudly announce the formalized partnership between the International Society of Fire Service Instructors (ISFSI) and Fire Engineering's FDIC. The agreement, signed September 16 in the Fair Lawn, New Jersey, office of Fire Engineering, expresses in writing what has long has existed, a strong and mutually beneficial relationship between the instructors of the American fire service, represented by the ISFSI, and Fire Engineering/FDIC. FDIC is again the home of the International Association of Fire Service Instructors--now and in the future.

These two leading organizations in fire service instruction have combined in the past to support one another in extending world-class quality fire service education and producing world-class quality fire service educators. The ISFSI, which holds its national members meeting at the FDIC annually in Indianapolis, Indiana, is proud to announce that Pennwell Corporation, parent company of Fire Engineering, is extending to all society members a 10% discount on the full conference registration to FDIC. The ISFSI is also presenting an eight-hour workshop on developing fire service instructional methodology.

This year's FDIC, April 20-25, 2009, promises to be the largest, most comprehensive, and most beneficial training opportunity nationally and internationally for all levels of fire service practitioners. FDIC will be hosting more than 24 hands-on training evolutions, 34 preconference workshops, and more than 160 classroom presentations. The ISFSI and Fire Engineering are proud to be working together to bring the very best in quality education to firefighters from around the world.

For online registration information for FDIC, go to www.fireengineering.com.

The ISFSI has joined with other fire service organizations to comment on the proposed rule making for the Public Safety Officer's Benefit Program. The Department of Justice admisters the program and has proposed several changes that could have a negative impact on firefighters.  You can read the official comments from the fire service stakeholders by clicking this link:

web.me.com/eddiebuchanan/ISFSI/ISFSI_Resources_files/PSOB%20Docket%20No%201478%20public%20comment%20-%20FINAL.pdf

You can learn more about this issue by going to the Congressional Fire Services Institute website at www.cfsi.org.  Thanks to the CFSI for coordinating the comments from the fire service stakeholders! 

The ISFSI has joined with other fire service organizations to comment on the proposed rule making for the Public Safety Officer's Benefit Program. The Department of Justice administers the program and has proposed several changes that could have a negative impact on firefighters.  For example, one proposed revision would change "approved" training to "mandatory" training for a fallen firefighter to be eligible for benefits.  The ISFSI strongly disagrees with this change and has provided comments. 

You can learn more about this issue by going to the Congressional Fire Services Institute website at www.cfsi.org.  Thanks to the CFSI for coordinating the comments from the fire service stakeholders! 

The ISFSI awarded a complimentary membership to Battalion Chief Danny Gray of Fairfax (VA) Fire & Rescue.  Chief Gray won the Near Miss Report of the Year from the Firefighter Near Miss Program.  Pictured are ISFSI President Eddie Buchanan presenting the membership to Fairfax Fire Chief, Ron Mastin.  Learn more about the Near Miss Program by going to www.firefighternearmiss.com.

Lawrence William (Larry) Davis, Jr., 63, passed away August 3, 2008 at his home in Corpus Christi, TX.  Larry was born October 22, 1944 in Washington, PA to the late Lawrence William Davis, Sr. and Mary Ann Case Davis.

He was a noted fire service author, speaker, and instructor who taught thousands of fire fighters across America over his 40 years of service to the fire fighting community. His works and teachings were revered by many as “ahead of his time” and his impact on the American fire service – especially the rural community – was perhaps paralleled to none.

Larry started his fire fighting service with the Canonsburg, PA Volunteer Fire Department in the mid-1960’s.  He spent 4 years in the United States Air Force where he rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant in their fire service.  Upon leaving the USAF, he spent almost 30 years working in industrial fire and loss prevention with Industrial Risk Insurers (IRI) while at the same time gaining national recognition for his work with the rural fire fighting community.  

Larry’s work as a fire service instructor was exceptional and he rose to Chairman of the International Society of Fire Service Instructors on the mid-1990’s. Upon his retirement from IRI he and his wife moved to Texas where he became a Staff Division Chief with the Refinery Terminal Fire Company and then with Industrial Emergency Services.  

He was a full-member of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers and was a Certified Fire Protection Engineer.  Much of his life-long commitment to improving fire protection can be found in the textbooks that he authored. He was also one of the founders of the Rural Firefighting Institute and was Vice President of GBW Associates, LLC, a fire protection training and consulting firm.  

He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann Davis of Corpus Christi; his daughter Kayce Davis of New York City, NY; his brother and family: Mark, Connie, Tom, Mary and Emilie Davis, of Westminster, MD; his stepson and family: Christopher, Sonya and Kyle Conrad of Storrs, CT.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, August 30, 2008 at Island in the Son, United Methodist Church, 15602 Hwy 361, Corpus Christi, TX 78418.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Island in the Son Church or to the donor’s local volunteer fire company.  Friends wishing to pay tribute through words can email their remembrances to ldavis@gotbigwater.com.

The ISFSI is proud to announce that The Indiana Fire Instructors Association has been approved as a State Chapter of the ISFSI! You can learn more about the IFIA by going to www.ifia.org!

We want your feedback on "The Voice" Podcast! The Voice used to be a publication produced by the ISFSI for our members. It offered training resources, articles and other fire service info. Today, the Voice is a "radio show" that features issues that challenge fire service instructors. Let us know what you would like to hear on The Voice! We want to ensure it is meeting the needs of our members. To offer your ideas, email our host, Steve Pegram, at spegram@ci.xenia.oh.us. You can hear The Voice by going to www.fireengineering.com and clicking on "Podcast."

Fire Engineering Books & Videos is pleased to offer ISFSI members a 20% discount on their purchases. To take advantage of this offer just enter the special code in the coupon code field of www.FireEngineeringBooks.com or mention the code when calling 1.800.752.9764. Offer good only on Fire Engineering products purchased directly from Fire Engineering Books & Videos. Offer good through June 2009. ISFSI members should have received their code in an email blast. Members who did not receive that email can contact the home office for assistance.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has a document that might impact you! The “National EMS Scope of Practice Model” outlines the future of EMS and each state will decide if they will adopt the plan. The plan, as written, calls for the elimination of the Emergency Medical Technician - Intermediate Level. Instead, the plan calls for EMT-Basic, Advanced EMT, and Paramedic. The Advanced EMT level lacks many of the ALS skills that EMT-Intermediates have practiced in the past. If your department provides EMS services, you should become familiar with the “Scope of Practice” and find out where your state stands on the issue! Even more so, develop an understanding of how it might impact your department Look for an official position on this issue from the ISFSI coming soon. You can click on this story to access a link for the Scope document.

The ISFSI is proud to announce a special discount for our members on the instructor text, Fire Service Instructor: Principals & Practice from Jones & Bartlett Publishing. The instructor text was reviewed and endorsed by the ISFSI. The text is due for release on August 10, 2008. You can pre-order through the Jones & Bartlett website. Members should have recieved a special email with the discount code. If you did not, contact the home office. For more information on the new instructor text, go to: http://www.jbpub.com!

The ISFSI is proud to announce the newest feature on it's website, the ISFSI Academy! The "Academy" offers ISFSI members access to key information sharing and training opportunities. To access the Academy, simply click on the "ISFSI ACADEMY" button on the main page. You can self enroll to gain access to the site!

The ISFSI is proud to announce the members who have met the necessary criteria and have been selected to represent the instructors on the SAFER Grant Peer Review Panel. The team will travel to the National Fire Academy in July to review grant applications from departments from around the country. A special THANK YOU to these members for stepping up! Vince Moffitt, Farmington, New Mexico Richard Burks, Artesia, New Mexico Lou Molino, College Station, Texas Johnny Leos, Bogalusa, Louisiana Donald Striejewske, Bonaire, Georgia Kevin Grebinar, Sterling, Massachusetts Bruce Ziegle, Park Forest, Illinois The ISFSI will also be represented at the Grant Programs Criteria Meeting to be held in July. This meeting is where the major fire service stakeholders convene to determine the priorities for the grant guidance. The ISFSI will be there to support the interest of the fire service instructor and training!

ISFSI Member Chief David B. Fulmer selected as the first alternate for the 2008 Harvard Fire Executive Fellowship! Chief David B. Fulmer was among approximately 75 applicants, representing the National fire service, that applied for the Harvard Fire Executive Fellowship to attend the “Senior Executives in State and Local Government at the John F. Kennedy School of Government located on the Harvard campus in Cambridge, MA. This three week program provides training that assists officials in assessing the tasks they face in managing today's results driven government agency. The program concentrates on: Developing new conceptual frameworks for addressing policy issues; exploring the relationships between citizens and government; examining the ethical and professional responsibilities of leadership; and exchanging ideas with experienced faculty and participants from diverse backgrounds. The Harvard Fire Executive Fellowship is a joint initiative between the International Association of Fire Chiefs, International Fire Service Training Association; National Fire Protection Association, and the United States Fire Administration that fund eight scholarships per year for senior fire executives to attend the $11,000.00 program. David was among 12 candidates that traveled to the National Emergency Training Center, located in Emmitsburg, MD to participate in the interview process. He was selected as the 1st alternate for the 2008 program, which meant he would be provided an opportunity to attend should one of the 8 candidates be unable to fulfill the three week commitment. He was notified during the week of May 12 that an opening existed and will be attending the July session.