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WFCA, Plume Labs by AccuWeather Review 2022 Wildfire Season, Discuss 2023 Predictions in Webinar

Author: Western Fire Chiefs Association
Published: 1/23/2023
Experts from WFCA and Plume Labs by AccuWeather are coming together on Wednesday, Jan. 25, to discuss the continuing challenges that wildfires present to our communities and businesses. The teams will provide information on the forecast data solutions available to help mitigate the risk of wildfires to land, lives and property. And notably, they will present a collaborative proof of concept project: Wildfire and Smoke Evolution Mapping. Read on to learn more and register for this essential webinar. read more

WFCA Streamlines Disaster Damage Assessment with Digital Technology

Author: Western Fire Chiefs Association
Published: 1/19/2023
Determining what infrastructure and buildings have been impacted by a disaster often takes weeks and diverts responders from accomplishing other high value tasks to support communities and survivors. Leveraging innovative technology and operational expertise, the Western Fire Chiefs Association (WFCA) can now provide comprehensive ground-based assessments of disaster impacts within 72 hours of loss. Watch Chief Jeff Johnson explain more about WFCA's newest service in a short video. read more

WFCA & Milliman Establish Alliance to Drive Down Property Risk in the WUI

Author: Western Fire Chiefs Association
Published: 1/09/2023
Consistent with its mission to lead, educate, support, and protect, the Western Fire Chiefs Association (WFCA) has established a strategic alliance with Milliman, a global leader in risk management, to intelligently drive down risk in the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI). Our organizations have the confidence, experience, and humility, to recognize the complexity and consequential magnitude of the WUI problem, one requiring the recruitment of expertise outside of ourselves. read more

WFCA Introduces Phase 2 of its Wildland Fire Map

Author: Western Fire Chiefs Association
Published: 10/11/2022
The Western Fire Chiefs Association (WFCA) announces the introduction of Phase 2 of its Fire Map, which launched in July of this year. Phase 2 includes 3D map views, reporting of active fire-fighting aircraft in real-time, and Fire Integrated Real-Time Intelligence System (FIRIS) specific to the state of California. These new introductions provide an even higher level of detail to keep lives, land, and property safe. read more

To Burn or Not to Burn

Author: Chief Brent VanKeulen, Deputy Director, Western Fire Chiefs Association
Published: 10/28/2021
Burn season is open; however, in many areas the process to obtain a burn permit is antiquated, inefficient or even non-existent. This lack of information about who is burning and where is risky. The Burn Permits App, a product of the Western Fire Chiefs Association and powered by Public Fire Safety (PFS), is an automated burn permit process that gathers critical information about the burn. With this new app, fire departments will know who is going to burn, where and when. read more

Building Trust by Caring for your Troops: Help Firefighters Bridge the Gap to Medicare Eligibility

Author: Chief Brent VanKeulen, Deputy Director, Western Fire Chiefs Association
Published: 10/25/2021
Leading effectively requires that others will follow and support you. I have found that focusing on a simple theme or word that represents a leadership principle helps me in the application of more complex frameworks. “Trust” is one such word that has guided the span of my leadership career from a newbie company officer to a fire chief. I learned that leaders must trust, be trustworthy, and care for their people—from hiring to retiring—to ensure their organization thrives. read more

Airgain, HPUE, MegaRange™ And Public Safety

Author: Jeffrey D. Johnson, CEO, Western Fire Chiefs Association
Published: 6/16/2021
How first responders communicate is evolving faster now versus any point since the advent of two-way radios. One of the most amazing innovations is HPUE (High Power User Equipment) now available on FirstNet® (and no other network). HPUE is branded as MegaRange and fulfills a public safety demand for a more powerful cellular device. At 5x the power of a regular cell phone, these devices fully realize the vision that FirstNet’s founders had for our network which is built for and by public safety responders. The AirgainConnect antenna-modem transmits higher power to reduce blank spots and increase coverage in remote areas, parking structures, tunnels, and dense downtown areas. read more

Constellis is seeking firefighters and EMS responders to help vaccinate Pennsylvania

Author: Constellis
Published: 3/09/2021
Constellis, a worldwide integrated risk services and logistics provider, is seeking firefighters and EMS responders to help vaccinate Pennsylvania. There is an immediate need for paramedics, EMT’s, nurses, and support personnel. Firefighters and EMS responders from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, New York, and Virginia will be considered for assignments. Full- and part-time positions are available immediately at 28 sites throughout Pennsylvania. read more

COVID-19 and Wildfire Webinar Series: Episode 3

Author: Chief Kim Zagaris, WFCA Wildfire Policy and Technology Advisor
Published: 1/07/2021
As we enter 2021, Western Fire Chiefs Association and Intterra team-up again to bring you the final episode in the 3-part webinar series about COVID-19 and wildfire. This candid roundtable discussion will focus on the issues, offer guidance and lessons learned, and provide tips for how to proceed with next fire season. You can expect these leaders will impart real-world experience and insight throughout the episode, giving you needed information to better navigate these unfamiliar times. read more

FM Global Donates $150,000 to Wildfire

Author: Scott Miller, President, Western Fire Chiefs Association
Published: 10/22/2020
The Wildfire Initiative, a program of the Western Fire Chiefs Association, is pleased to announce the generous donation of $150,000 made by FM Global to help with immediate relief and long-term support of the fire service battling wildfires across Washington, Oregon, and California. Recognizing that the affected states are in the best position to allocate the funds, FM Global requested that WFCA and the Wildfire Initiative suggest categories of use ranging from firefighter safety equipment, strategic planning for prevention, notification and evacuation, research and development, infrastructure, and community protection and education. read more