Dear AFCA Member: 

Due to budget reductions and other mandates, the Office of the State Fire Marshal has immediately suspended several significant programs and implemented polices, procedures and processes which are necessary to reflect staff reductions in the Office. Specifically, 3 positions will be immediately vacated including two Fire Training Program Specialists and the State Fire Resource Coordinator. These reductions and mandates will eliminate all state training and certification programs as well as Fire Marshal support for the Statewide Mutual Aid Program, the NFIRS Reporting System and other major programs and activities.

In addition, the 2nd Annual Arizona Fire Instructors Conference, scheduled for April 8th and 9th in Mesa, and is a collaborative event between the AFCA and the State Fire Marshals Office, has been cancelled.

Please READ the attached Memo in its entirety, as this seriously affects the entire Arizona fire service and will have a direct effect on your departments depending on how many and which state resources are utilized in your jurisdiction.

The Arizona Fire Service Institute which includes representation from the AFCA, VFFA, AFDA, PFFA, and Arizona Metro Departments are continuing to work with the Department of Fire, Building and Life Safety to minimize these impacts and to assist the State Training Director in developing a transition plan as indicated in the Memo.

We will keep you posted of any additional news about this unfortunate situation.

Suspension of OSFM Programs and Process Changes