New look signifies renewed commitment
Longtime readers of Wildfire will no doubt find that this issue has a much different look and feel from previous issues.
Earlier this year, the IAWF board of directors voted to out-source the publication of Wildfire to Primedia Business Magazines and Media. Primedia is a powerhouse in the magazine world, with more than 4.6 million subscribers in 19 industry sectors. The majority of their publications rank number 1 or 2 in their market segment. In addition to nearly 100 magazines and newsletters, Primedia produces 450 technical books. Many of our members who serve in structural fire departments will recognize the Primedia name brand from the Fire and Emergency Training Network, a cable and satellite network that reaches more than a 250,000 fire and EMS personnel each month.
Wildfire staff will be headquartered in Primedia Business's Chicago office and created by the same staff who produces Fire Chief Magazine. Fire Chief has been in publication since 1956 and is one of the most respected periodicals in the structural fire world. With more than 52,000 monthly subscribers, Fire Chief has a tremendous impact on the fire service and a loyal following in its specialized industry of professionals.
Making the decision to move Wildfire out of our internal operations was a tough one for the IAWF board. After all, our association was formed largely around Wildfire and the International Journal of Wildland Fire, and for many years we produced both publications in-house. While the quality of our publications has always been high — and our readers loyal — the in-house arrangement required the dedication of almost all of our resources.
In 2001 we entered a relationship with the Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organization, a professional and scientific journal publisher located in Collingwood, Australia, to publish the IJWF. That relationship has been beneficial for both organizations and for our IJWF readers. Subscriptions to the journal have been steadily growing since then, as has the number and quality of research articles submitted for publication.
The decision to outsource the publication of these magazines reflects our commitment to significantly widen the circulation of the magazine while continuing to present timely material of interest to wildland fire managers and researchers. The magazine will continue to be the official publication of the association and will serve as the platform for presenting our positions, concerns and news announcements. In addition, by outsourcing the magazine, the IAWF will be able to begin re-investing its resources to better meet the needs of our growing association: to develop and plan new conferences, to serve our members more efficiently and to develop stronger ties with allied wildland fire organizations.
I would like to recognize the efforts of the new professional staff of Wildfire, especially Editor Janet Wilmoth, Features Editor Lisa Allegretti and Associate Art Director Phil Hammel. In addition, Publisher Ray Anderson provided much of the drive and vision to make this deal work. I would also like to recognize IAWF board members Mike DeGrosky and Bill Gabbert for their dedicated efforts to help make the magazine transition a smooth one, and a special thanks to Bill for working to organize the new editorial advisory committee.
As you review the “new” Wildfire, we would welcome your comments and thoughts. Please feel free to let us know what you think by writing to <wildfire@iawfonline.org> or send your mail to: IAWF, 4025 Fair Ridge Drive, Suite 300, Fairfax, Va. 22033-2868.
Sincerely,
In April, the IAWF launched its newly constructed Web site at <www.iawfonline.org>. This new site is not only one of the best-looking wildland fire sites on the Web, it also provides new functionality. Visitors can choose to join our e-mail list and can register for membership using the site.
Also new to the Web is <www.wildfiremag.com>, your source for Wildfire on the Internet.
