62nd Annual Conference Under Way

The 62nd annual conference is off with a bang.  The first day started off with an somber service of the events of 9/11 and remember those who lost their lives on that horrific day.  The seminar continued with remarks from Vice President Brian Batten, State Fire Marshal Farr, and Public Education Committee Chair Ted Jensen.

The keynote address provided solid motivation from Ray Renoylds, State Fire Marshal from Iowa, followed by updates to NFPA 13D/R by Dana Haagensen, then completed with an expert panel which took Q/A from those in attendance.  The day was caped off with a get acquainted reception with local legislators from the capital.

There is still room for you to join us on Wed, Thursday or Friday.  Please stop by and you can register for the day!

Executive Board is looking for Nominations

The Michigan Fire Inspector society is looking for nominations for the position of four year trustee and awards.

The four year trustee position is an elected position by the general membership and is an integral part of the executive board.  If you are interested in running for the executive board please submit a letter of interest with resume to Secretary Ron Farr (email rrfarr895@aol.com).

In addition we are looking to award deserving members with our highest awards given by the Society.  These include

• Fire Inspector of the Year
• Firemen Larry Zimmerman Public Educator of the year award

Nominations must be submitted by August 1, 2011 to Secretary Ron Farr (email rrfarr895@aol.com).

Nominations for the Fire Inspector of the year should include information on the nominee and include how they have helped MFIS meet our goals.  Nominations for the public educator of the year should demonstrate how education programs have benefited their community and society members.  Nominations should can be submitted on behalf of your department, organization, or personally.  If you have questions about the award program, please contact an executive board member.

The Michigan Fire Inspectors Society gave away 20,000 Fire Prevention Calendar for the year 2010. The calendar was filled with helpful hints/tips and activities for all ages but more importantly, how to protect yourself and family from the dangers of fire! The calendars were distributed throughout the State of Michigan and were a great success. Our success was due to the kind contributions from the business community and individuals. Due to the overwhelming positive impact and response, we’re in the process of designing a 2012 calendar and I’m asking for your help.

The Michigan Fire Inspectors Society will not be selling the calendars for profit, 100% of the monies raised will go directly into the printing of the calendars.

If you would like to be a sponsor or if you would just like to make a donation, please see the attached flyer. If you need any additional information, please contact me at (734) 374-1358 or Brian Batten (Ferndale Fire Department) at (248) 336-4131.

• Donation Form

Congressional Fire Services Brings Nations Leaders to DC

The Michigan Fire Inspector Society with four other state associations are in Washington D.C. this week.  The five delegates (Past President Marty Myers, Secretary / Treasurer Ron Farr, President Kevin Abbassee, Trustees John Hager and Ted Jensen) arrived through out the week as part of the Congressional Fire Services campaign.

The board members have been meeting with staff and legislators to ensure that the voices of Michigan’s fire service is heard.  Working to ensure funding of the AFG grant system, working towards legislation on automatic sprinklers, and other key pieces of legislation.   The group has been working closely with other state organizations for a legislative luncheon that was held on Wednesday with Michigan Legislators.

Tonight the CFSI dinner will take place which will bring many highlights to the weeks activities.  The Michigan Fire Inspector Society has taken an active role under the leadership of Marty Myers since the start of CFSI.

Bill Gage a Captain/Inspector with Brighton Area Fire Authority and a Lieutenant with Van Buren Fire Department passed away on January 13, 2011 at Beaumont Hospital.

Bill was born on December 13, 1959 to William and Patricia Gage. On February 14, 1986, he married the love of his life and his best friend, Tamara Long Gage. Together they celebrated almost 25 years of marriage raising a family, traveling and sharing common interests such as their love of sports. In his words, Bill said “I have lived a full life.” During his 51 short years, he touched many people and his was a life of accomplishment.

Most recently, Bill graduated from the Eastern Michigan University School of Fire Staff and Command. Bill

Bill Inspecting a local Filming Site

was a Captain / Fire Inspector with the Brighton Area Fire Authority and a Lieutenant with the Van Buren Township Fire Department.  Bill was honored to be the 2010 Fire Inspector of the Year by Oakland County Fire Prevention Society.  According to Fire Marshal O’Brian “He was the face of our department to many of our businesses.  He is the only one of our staff that can say he’s been in almost all of our commercial buildings!”

An ardent “Go Blue” fan, Bill graduated from his beloved University of Michigan in 1983 where he played trumpet with the Marching Band and U of M Alumni Band. Bill is past president of the Lions Club serving the Belleville area. A lifelong Belleville resident, Bill graduated from Belleville High School in 1978 where he was a member of the Marching and Jazz Bands. For many years, Bill served as a soccer coach with the Van Buren Soccer Association mentoring area youth. Bill worked as a school teacher and police officer.

Most importantly, Bill was a loving son, brother, husband and father. Bill is survived by his loving wife, Tamara, of Belleville, his sons, Adam of Ypsilanti and Aaron of Howell; Stephanie Upplegger, his future daughter-in-law; his faithful dog Eddie; his parents Bill & Pat Gage of Grand Blanc; his brother Bryan of Hammond, IN and many family, friends and coworkers. Bill was preceded in death by his beloved grandparents and Timothy, a brother who passed in 1961.

Viewing will be at the David C. Brown Funeral Home beginning on Sunday, January 16 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. and Monday, January 17 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 18 at St. Anthony’s Church in Belleville.  Apparatus and Inspector vehicles should be staged in the parking  lot not later then 10:15 am with a luncheon to follow at the Belleville Moose after the burial.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Bill’s name may be made to the Bill Gage Inspector Scholarship Fund at the Brighton Area Fire Department.  You can make checks payable to the Brighton Area Fire Authority and indicate in the memo section “Bill Gage Inspector Scholarship” and mail to 615 W. Grand River Ave, Brighton MI 48116.  Bill was a true champion in furthering his education and this program will be started to help Inspectors get the needed training they need.

The family expresses its sincere appreciation to the Brighton Area and Van Buren Township Fire Departments for their generosity and assistance during this difficult time. Bill will be missed by all!

National Fire Protection Association Launches New Campaign

The NFPA launched its new campaign to bring a face to the life saving impact of home fire sprinklers.  The new web-page serves as a resource to building departments, citizens, fire officials and decision makers on the power of home fire sprinklers.

The site is loaded with resources which show the devastating effects that home fires have on people, communities, and responders.

Each year, about 3,000 people in the United States die in home fires, accounting for 80 percent of all fire deaths. By containing fires before they spread, home fire sprinklers protect lives and property. Sprinkler opponents are spreading misleading information and raising false questions about sprinklers in the minds of consumers and municipal bodies. Such tactics of delay and defeat can cost lives.

NFPA is fighting back by sharing research-based information, advocacy tools and now, personal stories of those affected by home fires.

Visit the site and take advantage of these powerful tools.

www.firesprinklerinitiative.org/faces

News form the 61st Annual Educational Conference

During the Annual Business Meeting, (to be held on Wednesday September 15, 2010) the membership will consider possible by-law changes.  The by-laws committee is proposing changes to multiple sections.

Attached are the proposed changes and copies will be made available to the membership during the annual business meeting.  If you have questions please do not hesitate to contact a board member.

• Proposed Changes
• Current By-Laws

Leland Gayheart Fire Safety and Prevention Award to the Michigan Fire Inspectors Society

The 2010 Calendar Project has been received an award from the University of Michigan Trauma Burn Center.  The Leland Gayheart Fire Safety Prevention Award was recently presented to Fire Marshal / Board Member John Hager from Karla Klas of the University of Michigan.

The award is presented each year to recognize the work of Michigan firefighters and Leland Gayheart, a 23-year-old firefighter who lost his life after a burn injury in 1991.

The award was created to encourage prevention programs by local fire departments. Included is an honorarium, which is awarded annually to the fire department whose innovative efforts have demonstrated a statewide, countywide or citywide impact on prevention and fire safety.

There have been 21,000 calendars distributed to fire departments throughout Michigan and given away. Hager said the $500 cash prize that is part of the award will be used to print more calendars.

MFIS Highlights Outstanding Achievements and Brings in a New Board

The Michigan Fire Inspector’s Society honored several members and guests at the 60th annual awards banquet during the conference this last week.  On September 24, 2009 the society handed out its highest awards, awarded its first burn survivor scholarship, and moved new leadership into the board.

The Society honored Fire Marshal Jim Hutchison from Wyoming Fire Department with the Honor of Fire Inspector of the Year.  President Norm Hosko noted that Fire Marshal Hutchison had given to the Society over the years serving on our code development committee, administration of the MFIS store, and for outstanding service to the residents and business of Wyoming.

• Previous awardees for the Fire Inspector of the Year

The Firemen Larry, Public Educator of the Year was awarded to Fire Inspector Peter Vlahos of the

Bloomfield Township Fire Department.  Over an eight-week span, Peter guides the youngsters in each of 19 second grade classes in the school district through an informative study of a number of hazardous issues including fire and burn prevention, pedestrian safety, poisoning and choking hazards, and bus safety. The course ends with a visit to the Bloomfield Township Fire Department’s Smoke/Safety Trailer. Pete designed the educational program, which is based on the National Fire Protection Agency’s Risk Watch injury prevention program, including utilization of the Safety Smoke House and the Hazard House, in 2005 in collaboration with colleagues, the University of Michigan Trauma Burn Center, and the Bloomfield Hills School District. Its aim is to give children and their families the skills and knowledge to create safer homes and communities, and to deal wisely and calmly with emergencies that may occur.

• The Firemen Larry Public Educator of the Year is presented in honor of Fire Marshal Larry Zimmerman.  Previous awardees are shown here

The President’s Award was awarded to Fire Marshal Les Rodwell of the Howell Area Fire Authority for his continued passion for the fire service and continued efforts to many organizations over his varied 30 year career.  Fire Marshal Rodwell has served the Howell area as a police officer and firefighter for the last thirty years and the last eight as Fire Marshal.  He is a past president of the Michigan State Firefighters Association.  He serves on the Michigan Fire Service Coalition, the Code Development Committee, the Fire Code Review Committee, and the Planning Committee.  He also serves on the Livingston County Fire Chiefs Association as the Secretary Treasurer.

• View Previous President Award Winner

Many members of the Society have worked over the years to create a scholarship program to aid burn survivors in furthering their education.  The scholarship program became a reality when it was awarded to Joseph Klumstra as the first recipient of the award.  Joseph is a sophomore at Grand Valley State University and a lives in Ada Michigan.

Chief Dave Peterson of the Plainfield Fire Department and President of the Michigan Fire Chief’s Association administered the oath to the new board members.  The new board has set ambitious goals to help the society address many of the issues that are confronting the members.  The new board will be Michael O’Brian President, Kevin Abbasse Vice President, Ron Farr Secretary / Treasurer, Norm Hosko Past President, Brian Batten First Trustee, John Hager Second Year Trustee, Paul Dove Third Year Trustee, and Michael Evans from the City of Novi was elected to serve as the four year trustee.

**Change in Date**

It is time to make your voices heard in Lansing!

Due to the legislative calendar the date for the Awareness day was moved, please change your calender and make a note of it!

On September 10th, we hope you will join the Michigan Fire Services Coalition in Lansing to talk to your legislators about the importance of adequately funding the fire services in Michigan. As discussion continues at the capitol about further reducing revenue sharing we need to let the legislators know about the devastating impacts those cuts will have to the safety of the citizens of Michigan.

There is no cost to members of fire and rescue who’d like to participate.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Michigan State Capitol, Lansing, MI

Schedule:

• 8:30 – 9:00 a.m. Registration
• 9:00 – 3:00 p.m. Presentations on the lawn of the capitol, Driving Simulator, Burn Cell, EMS, Hazmat, Tech Rescue, Dive Team
• 9:00 – 1:00 p.m. Visit your Legislators office.
• 11:30 – 1:30 p.m. Lunch with Legislators & Staff

Send registration to:

Kelley CawthorneAttn: Melissa Yutzey
208 N. Capitol Ave., 3rd Floor
Lansing, MI 48933
Fax: (517) 371-3207
E-mail: mfsc@mpffu.org

Registration Deadline: September 3, 2009

Fire Service Coalition – Michigan Fire & Rescue Awareness Day Registration Form