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Since 1926, the Indiana Fire Chiefs Association has been working to further the professionalism of the Fire Service. IFCA reaches out to all fire service professionals – Active Members are Chiefs of Departments or any Chief Office Rank individual. Associate Members include individuals from any Indiana fire department not holding the title of any chief officer rank.
Throughout the year, IFCA offers educational opportunities, conferences, and networking events. A monthly newsletter and the website work to keep members current on events throughout the state and beyond.
IFCA Board Members have committed their time and resources to growing the organization – both in terms of membership and a statewide presence. In the last year, membership in the organization has doubled, so the efforts of board members and staff are making a difference.
Join IFCA today and become part ot a growing, vibrant organization.
Please also consider joining an IFCA section or committee listed below. Sections are Technical Rescue, Public Education, Aviation and EMS. Committees include: Education, Emergency Response, Membership, Legislative, Communication, Conference, Fire Safe Initiative, and District Task Force.
Join an IFCA Section (Email the IFCA office of interest and arrange for payment of Section dues)
1. Technical Rescue Section - Enhance current and future technical rescue capabilities in the state. The purpose of the Indiana Technical Rescue Section is to develop a statewide technical rescue response system that would be developed as an extension of local response capabilities. This would include District Task Force capability that would focus on the overwhelming impact of an event that traps or buries persons in structures as a result of a natural (tornado, earthquake, snow-load collapse, etc.) or mad-made (explosion, terrorism, etc.) situation. The response of such a resource would supplement a local fire department response and operate under their command and within established ICS.
2. Public Education Section - Outreach and Engagement - Engage and educate the public and media on fire and life safety issues. One of the primary benefits of IFCA membership is the additional information sharing that can happen in facilitated forums. IFCA continues this tradition by establishing methods of disseminating information and informational resources to the fire service, media, and public in an effective manner, both during crises and in day-to-day prevention efforts. IFCA also aims to establish public safety educators in both Districts and Counties, and develop a fire service relationship with the media so that all parties are appropriately educated prior to and during an event.
3. Aviation Section
Scope: The scope of this section is to improve public safety within the aviation industry. To specifically address aviation related issues that affect or impact the Indiana Fire Service or other applicable organizations represented by IFCA.
Purpose: The purpose of the section is to provide input and direction on aviation related issues on behalf of the Indiana Fire Service, or other applicable organizations represented by the IFCA
Duties: The duties of this section are to review aviation related issues from around the state, solicit input from the Indiana Fire Service and other applicable organizations on these issues and provide the IFCA recommendations on how to enhance these plans, laws, or applicable documents, etc. Another duty is to interact with the FAA / INDOT office of aviation and keep the IFCA informed on any related aviation concerns.
4. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Section
Scope: The scope of this section is to specifically address EMS issues that affect or impact the Indiana Fire Service or other applicable organizations represented by IFCA.
Purpose: The purpose of the section is to provide input and direction on EMS issues on behalf of the Indiana Fire Service, or other applicable organizations represented by the IFCA
Duties: The duties of this section are to review EMS related issues from around the state, solicit input from the Indiana Fire Service and other applicable organizations on these issues and provide the IFCA recommendations on how to enhance these plans, laws, or applicable documents, etc. Another duty is to interact with the EMS Commission and keep the IFCA informed on any related EMS concerns.
Join an IFCA Committee (Email the IFCA office with interest and you will be contacted by committee chairperson)
1. Education Committee - Promote education and training to the current and future leadership of the fire and emergency services. Training and exercises are proven to increase knowledge and therefore the professionalism and functions of Indiana’s fire and emergency services. IFCA pledges to support additional education through a conference, training sessions (including Fire Service Leadership), multiple exercises, and institutionalization of the National Incident Management System.
2. Emergency Response Committee - Emergency Preparedness - Enhance coordination of the fire and emergency services communities for emergency preparedness. Beyond the day-to-day response capabilities for the fire and emergency services, a need exists to prepare for larger emergencies. IFCA is addressing this need by implementing the Indiana Mutual Aid Response Plan (IMARP) for major incidents exceeding local response capabilities, implementing All-Hazards Incident Management Teams statewide, assisting with the development of a statewide credentialing system, and sharing information such as best practices and standard operating procedures.
3. Membership Committee - Organizational Development - Continue to develop and maintain a strong organization and membership. The Indiana Fire Chiefs Association is a strong organization, which can only be made stronger by the involvement of more Fire Chiefs. To that end, IFCA is implementing measures to increase membership, revenue, member benefits, and additional opportunities for members, and marketing efforts.
4. Legislative Committee - Government Affairs - Serve as an advocate for legislative and policy issues affecting the fire and emergency services. Every year on state and federal levels, legislation has the potential to impact the fire and emergency services in various ways. To ensure that IFCA’s members have a voice in legislation that affects them, IFCA pledges to be involved in the process, by tracking and taking action on rulemaking and legislation, providing alerts to members, participating in a legislative breakfast annually, and working with other organizations such as the Indiana Board of Personnel Firefighting Standards and Education, and the Indiana Emergency Medical Services Commission, to achieve common rulemaking goals.
5. Communication Committee - Enhance internal and external communications from the Indiana Fire Chiefs Association. Communications are the basis for coordinated, effective responses and preparation for responses. To enhance these capabilities on a day-to-day basis, IFCA will maintain and enhance communications to and from members, through a website and other tools. IFCA will also expand communications with current and potential members, and fire and emergency services personnel statewide through promotional/marketing materials, and support the statewide interoperable communication project.
6. Conference Committee - The IFCA, in partnership with other Fire and Emergency Associations and the IDHS, host annually a statewide conference (IERC). The purpose of this conference is to provide fire and emergency responders with an opportunity to advance their skills and knowledge in emergency response as well as to learn and share best practices. The conference also seeks companies that support the Industry to help with conference costs. These companies are invited to participate as conference sponsors or as exhibitors. Their presence and involvement also provides a forum for us to become more familiar with their products and services. The conference committee will work with other IFCA committees to organize and plan the event.
7. Fire Safe Initiative Committee - The Indiana Safe Fire Service Initiative is modeled after the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation 16 Life Safety Initiatives designed to reduce line of duty death and injuries that occur to firefighters. The Indiana SAFE Fire Service Initiative will include the development of safety related posters, website to share information, newsletters to help firefighters and officers make better informed decisions about their health and welfare and a web cast program to educate firefighters and officers about the dangers they face every day while on the job.
8. District Task Force Committee
Scope: The scope of this committee is to specifically address issues that affect or impact the Indiana Fire Service or other applicable organizations represented by IFCA by the development of the Indiana District Task Forces.
Purpose: The purpose of the committee is to provide input on the development of the Indiana District Task Forces on behalf of the Indiana Fire Service, or other applicable organizations represented by the IFCA, as the draft plans have a significant reliance on the Indiana Fire Service.
Duties: The duties of this committee are to review the draft plans of the DRTF development, any applicable laws (ie: Indiana Mutual Aid and Mobile Support Law), solicit input from the Indiana Fire Service and other applicable organizations on these draft plans and laws, and provide the IDHS recommendations on how to enhance these plans, laws, or applicable documents, to gather the support and participation of the Indiana Fire Service in the District Task Force concept.
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