On March 10th, 2010, the Arizona Fire Services Institute reviewed a proposal submitted by the Training and Certification Task Force which outlines the structure of how training, certification, and administration of the program could work. (Please see the attached organizational structure)
Generally, the proposal would initiate the formation of the “Arizona Center for Fire Service Excellence” under the policy direction of AFSI. The AzCFSE would be administered and coordinated by the Arizona State Fire Training Committee Executive Board. The Arizona State Fire Training Committee is a non-profit 501c (3) entity which in the past has primarily planned and coordinated the Annual State Fire School. As a result of recent cuts at the Department of Fire, Building and Life Safety, and the loss of the entire training staff, The AzSFTC has assumed 100% responsibility for the State Fire School and will manage that event. Under this new Proposal, the AzSFTC would also be responsible for day-to-day management of state training, certification and accreditation through the AZ Center for Fire Service Excellence.
In order to comply with the requirement that we have a single point of contact for training and certification, i.e. a State Training Director, Bob Barger has agreed to serve in that role on an interim basis along with his duties as the State Fire Marshal. This designation does not include any functional responsibility but it does get us back on track for involvement with the National Fire Academy, TRADE (Training Resource and Data Exchange) and other national programs which require that single point of contact.
After a slight modification to the organizational structure, AFSI which is composed of the Arizona Fire Districts Association, Professional Fire Fighters Association, Arizona Fire Chiefs Association, Volunteer Fire Fighters Association and Metro Fire Chiefs, voted unanimously to approve the plan. The AFSI will now meet with the State Training Committee (AzSFTC) Executive Board to solidify the relationship. This meeting will occur sometime during the first week of April. After that process is completed, the AzSFTC E-Board would then be responsible for developing a business plan to support the structure prior to formal adoption of the process.
Organizational Structure
If anyone has any questions, please contact one of the AFSI representatives or Randy Redmond, AzSFTC chairperson (randy.redmond@sierravistaaz.gov).
Arizona Fire Services Institute
Chairman – Chief Jeff Piechura jpiechura@northwestfire.org
AFCA – President Larry Rooney Larry.Rooney@peoriaaz.gov
AFDA – President Rick Southey rsouthey@bullheadfire.org
PFFA – President Tim Hill thill@phxfirefighters.org
VFFA – Ted Smith twsmith@citlink.net
Metro Chiefs – Steve Kreis steve.i.kreis@phoenix.gov