From Dimes to Dollars - Winning the Economic Discussion

Author: Mark Niemeyer, WFCA President and Bob Horton, WFCA Deputy Director
Published: 2/15/2023
Recently, WFCA hosted a webinar with Dr. Anirban Basu, a well-respected economist from Maryland. As Chairman & CEO of Sage Policy Group, Inc., a Baltimore-based economic and policy consultancy he founded in 2004, Dr. Basu’s insight into and analysis of the major factors shaping economic outcomes is highly sought after. Regardless of your rank, understanding economic indicators will help you judge the overall health of your department, division, community and state. Dr. Basu’s 2023 Economic Update is a great way to get started on your journey to understanding. Before you click to listen, read on for an introduction to the material from WFCA’s President and Deputy Director.     read more

Bob Horton Joins WFCA as Interim Deputy Director

Author: Bob Horton, WFCA Interim Deputy Director
Published: 12/13/2022
It is my pleasure to join the great team here at the Western Fire Chiefs Association. It was 1999 when I went on my first ride along, and it changed the course of my life forever! After twenty-two years of service to the community, I now shift my focus to serving the members and partners of our innovative association. A third of my career has been spent in executive leadership positions, working to deliver quality services to the community and provide a safe environment for the workforce such that they could retire physically, mentally, and financially healthy.     read more

Your Connection to Compliance

Author: Scott Miller, President, Western Fire Chiefs Association
Published: 6/10/2021
First responders need partners—those organizations dedicated to finding solutions that enhance our ability to maintain public safety. BRYCER, LLC, is one such organization. Western Fire Chiefs Association is proud to endorse BRYCER, The Compliance Engine. With its long history of working with fire, insurance and Information Technology industries, BRYCER has created a simple to use, state-of-the-art web-based service to accelerate and simplify the collection and utilization of fire and life safety data. BRYCER’s technology will help your department get and stay compliant with adopted fire codes and the law—that means you can focus on mission critical tasks that keep your community safe.     read more

Protect Our Spectrum: Sign the Public Safety Spectrum Alliance (PSSA) Petition

Author: Jeffrey D. Johnson, CEO, Western Fire Chiefs Association
Published: 9/04/2020
I am asking for your help in protecting the 4.9 GHz spectrum for public safety. As you are aware, we depend on this spectrum for our radio systems and for our broadband data network needs. That's why it's so important for members of the first responder community to support this effort by signing and widely sharing the Public Safety Spectrum Alliance (PSSA) petition.     read more

WFCA Announces Support of Public Safety Spectrum Alliance

Author: Scott Miller, President, Western Fire Chiefs Association
Published: 8/14/2020
As our industry navigates the myriad challenges threatening public safety, the efforts of the Public Safety Spectrum Alliance (PSSA) to preserve the 4.9 GHz spectrum will ensure that we are able to solve the pressing challenges of today and prepare for what will emerge in the future. On behalf of the Western Fire Chiefs Association, I am pleased to announce our support of the PSSA. A unified public safety voice is necessary to keep spectrum where it belongs - with public safety. Please take a few moments right now to read how the PSSA will secure a safer future for our citizens, cities and nation.     read more

Swimming Naked: A Financial Reckoning Amidst a Pandemic

Author: Jeffrey D. Johnson, CEO, Western Fire Chiefs Association
Published: 6/02/2020
Warren Buffett is known for saying “Only when the tide goes out do you discover who's been swimming naked.” For reasons beyond anything in a fire chief’s control, we find ourselves amidst a pandemic and headed for what’s likely to be a substantial financial setback. We are already working with chiefs who are being asked to cut their budgets immediately by 10% - 25%.     read more

Public Safety Advocate: HPUE—What It Does, How It Works, What Is Available

Author: Andrew Seybold, CEO, Principal Analyst, Andrew Seybold, Inc.
Published: 5/15/2020
Today's Guest Columnist discusses the impact of using high-power devices for Band 14 FirstNet in terms of coverage and data speeds, and gives a bit of history on FirstNet and other LTE-based networks. Additionally, his column provides an in-depth discussion of products coming to market that are designed to enable FirstNet to support higher-power end-user devices. In Andrew's words, "I believe HPUE checks off one more of the many important pieces that need to find their way into FirstNet and the public safety community's arsenal of products and services available to our first responders."     read more

Illinois Fire Service State Agency Status Update
Thursday, May 14th, 4:00pm CDT

Author: Illinois Fire Chiefs Association
Published: 5/13/2020
Please join leadership from the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal, Illinois Fire Service Institute, Chicago Fire Department, MABAS-IL, Illinois Association of Fire Protection Districts, Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois, Illinois Fire Chiefs Association, Illinois Professional Firefighters Association, Illinois Firefighters Association and the International Association of Fire Chiefs for this interactive discussion. Each agency will present a brief status update followed by an open question and answer session.     read more

Your Support is Requested: Letters to Members of Congress

Author: Jeff Tucker, President, Western Fire Chiefs Association
Published: 5/01/2020
Today, as President of the Western Fire Chiefs Association, I issued letters to the Honorable Members of the United States House of Representatives and United States Senate on behalf of the WFCA Executive Board, and our members in AK, AZ, CA, HI, ID, MT, NV, OR, UT, WA, and WPI, urging Congress to provide an additional $5 billion for AFG and $5 billion for SAFER grants.     read more

Guest Editorial: Intra-Operable Networks, T-Mobile Ex Parte Filing

Author: Andrew Seybold, CEO, Principal Analyst, Andrew Seybold, Inc.
Published: 4/03/2020
"Andy Sebold is one of the most credible public safety technologists in the country. It is an honor for Andy's insights to grace our editorial page. Thank you for your service to public safety Andy." --Jeff Johnson, Chief Executive, Western Fire Chiefs Association. Learn how T-Mobile, a network which fought public safety and wanted the broadband spectrum auctioned now wants to be a part of the very network they fought against.     read more


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