Make new friends but keep the old
If we did not see you in Kansas City at the Wildfire 2002 conference, you missed a great educational and networking opportunity!
Wildfire 2002 was a resounding success according to the attendees, and they can't wait until Wildfire 2004 in Reno, Nev. We had the opportunity to listen to presentations by speakers such as Jack Cohen on “Home Ignition Zones,” Chief John R. Hawkins speaking about “Safety Zones in the Interface,” Chief Ronny Coleman on “Why is Communication Still a Problem? Educating Those at Risk,” and Robert Sandman on “Population Protection Planning.”
The IAWF held its annual business meeting in conjunction with Wildfire 2002, and the Board of Directors held its monthly board meeting there, also. Items of interest to the members of the IAWF at the board meeting were a renewal of our management agreement with the International Association of Fire Chiefs; a briefing by the editor of Wildfire, Janet Wilmoth; and the introduction of our executive director, Sacha Dick.
Tony McDowell has served as our executive director for several years and has had some changes in his personal life, including becoming a father again, which required him to step down as our staff person. Tony accomplished a lot for the IAWF during his tenure, and we wish him well in his fire service career. Thanks, Tony, for your able guidance and assistance.
Sacha Dick is now serving as our executive director. She has been with the IAFC for more than five years. For four of those years, she served as the executive director of the Southeastern Association of Fire Chiefs. In addition to working with fire chiefs, she has been involved in the fire service on the ground for eight years. Her contact information is listed in the IAWF section of the magazine. Please welcome her to the IAWF.
Other changes of note at the IAWF are changes on the Board of Directors. Long-time board members who have completed several terms as members have left the board, including Deanne Shulman, Susan Conard and Mike DeGrosky from the United States, and Marc Castellnou from Spain. Other members who have resigned due to work commitments are Ed Waggoner from the United States and Ross Bradstock from Australia. They are replaced on the board with Leslie Anderson, Rick Gale and Joe Lowe from the United States, and Al Beaver from Canada. We currently are recruiting additional members for the three vacant board positions.
As we here in the United States begin getting in shape for the 2003 fire season, our counterparts in Australia are experiencing a very serious fire season. So as you read this issue, remember to be safe in your work in wildland fire.
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