111th Annual IFA Conference Review

The 2001 Conference kicked off on Friday, October 26, 2001 with the opening ceremonies, call to order by President Berk, presentation of colors, pledge of allegiance, invocation, welcome by the Peoria Fire Chief and the Association Presidents. Updates were given from the State Fire Marshal's Office and from the Fire Service Institute. Following a complimentary lunch in the exhibit area, a joint session was held with the two keynote speakers. The first being Mr. Donald V. Fittes, Former CAT Chairman and CEO, presenting "Positioning Your Department for Change." The second keynote speaker was John Mittendorf, Deputy Chief of Los Angeles, presenting "Changing Roles in Training."

The following workshops were given:

Workshop #1 - RIT/ICS: Chief Forest Reeder, Chief Bob Hoff, and Lieutenant Rick Kolomay conducted an open forum session on what the conference participants wanted to discuss. They shared with us on how to have a successful response in regards to Rapid Intervention Teams (RIT). Manpower response needs to be adequate in order for it to be useful in the response field. Chief Reeder shared with us self-survival skills. He stated that training all personnel to meet with three elements:

• self-survival skills
• firefighter rescue and
• civilian rescue

He also shared this list of top 10 self-survival skills:

• Don SCBA in 60 seconds or less
• Activate PASS device
• Emergency SCBA check
• Shift/Dump/Don SCBA
• Tie bowline/handcuff
• Use buddy breathing techniques
• Disentangle from wires
• Wall breech
• Call for HELP/MAYDAY
• Self-Rescue Techniques

Workshop #2 - Pediatric Emergencies: Shelia M. Sawatski, R.N., shared with us an enormous amount of information in regards to pediatric emergencies. Respiratory problems are the #1 cause of illness in pediatric patients and auto accidents are the #1 cause of injury in pediatric patients. It is very important to do a 30-60 second primary assessment and follow up with a thorough secondary assessment. Remember the types of AVPU signs between the age groups: infants, toddlers, and school-aged children. It is imperative that appropriate amounts of oxygen and drug administration is given correctly to the age-specific pediatric patients.

Workshop #3 - Live Line Demo: Kyle Finley gave us an electrifying presentation on how to handle hazards relating to electrical emergencies. He explained that pulling meters from residential buildings is the responsibility of the electric company and not the fire departments. A possible explosion can occur when the fire departments try to remove the meters. He demonstrated the special tools he uses in his profession and had an outstanding electrical pole display that was out of this world. He showed us some possible reasons on how the electricity could go out at certain times of the day without any regards to weather conditions. The one thought that he really stressed to us as fire service personnel, "Always consider any down wire as a live wire, no matter what."

Workshop #4 - Weapons of Mass Destruction: Len Edling and Gene Ryan gave us some insight on the terrorism that is happening not only in our Country but around the World. Everyone, at some point, is going to be involved in this situation. The fire service in Illinois will be asked to step up and take their turn with terrorism. Len presented information on Anthrax - what it is, what it looks like, and what to do on handling it. Your fire departments should have SOPs on how to handle these calls. It is the overall responsibility of the fire departments to handle these situations. They suggested that all fire service personnel should have some knowledge of the basic concepts. Also, Anthrax is not the only type of terrorism that should be zeroed in on. They offer an 8-hour class and follow-up classes on detection and treatment.

Following the workshops was the General Business. Following are the General Session Highlights. The meeting was called to order at approximately 3:30 p.m. by President Berk. General announcements concerning the Memorial Service and the banquet were made.

Berk recognized Reverend Albert Weidlich and Attorney John Brady for their efforts.

Zeke Luther was appointed Sergeant at Arms.

Running unopposed, Marv Behrhorst was re-elected to the term of Secretary/Treasurer.

Directors Ken Wiesemann of Worden, Steve Gambrill of Harristown, and Jeff Stuck of Cartersville were reappointed.

Resolutions were read and accepted honoring Spring Bay Fire Department, West Peoria Fire Department, Local 50 Honor Guard, the Celtic Bag Pipers, East Peoria Honor Guard, Doug Chappell, and Ralph Schauer.

Berk summarized the accomplishments made during the past year, which included the following:

• The Bulletin - out on a more timely basis, redesigned format, and advertisers are paying
• Hertz Program - benefits to members at no cost, reduced rate on car rental
• Strategic Planning for the Association - goals were set and are being attained
• By-Laws - were revised and approved
• Mission statement - revised to read: Dedicated to the advancement of the Fire Service by providing leadership, the Association will proudly support the community of firefighters in Illinois through education, training, and information networking at the local, state, and national levels.
• First Combined Conference - historic even for the 3 organizations to come together
• Combined efforts with the Fire Service Institute - entered into partnership with FSI through the training CD; this program expressly targets IFA's Mission Statement
• Executive Manager Position - completed lst year and day-to-day operations have run more smoothly; directors are kept up-to-date
• Board positions - two positions were filled by the appointments of William E. Offerman of Elwood and Kevin Wiwczaroski of Glen Carbon; only one vacancy remains
• New members - five new members obtained through the conference mailing to all Illinois departments

Secretary/Treasurer Behrhorst indicated that the credentials form was somewhat confusing by being at the bottom of the Conference Registration form. This will be looked at for next year's conference.

Delinquent departments were read and with the appropriate motions, were dropped from the membership rolls.

Executive Manager Post gave a brief review of The Bulletin, indicating if anyone wanted to know who The Bulletin was sent to in their department, she had the information available.

Berk reiterated the need for communication. If anyone has questions or comments there is e-mail through the web page and since September 11th, at least 2-3 e-mails have been received per week. Also, once information is received, it is that individual's responsibility to pass the information along.

Wiwczaroski mentioned the workshops. If anyone had suggestions for next year's workshops, they need to let Director Mandarino know.

Berk further stated that there has been an extreme amount of activity on the State level with the various associations working on NY Memorial Service which was held at the United Center in Chicago and also an anthrax response policy. Once the response policy is complete, it will be mailed out.

Tony Labro of Madison County presented the IFA with a $1,000.00 check for the Redbook.

Michael Deckelmann of Chicago asked about the capabilities of electronically contacting each IFA director. Berk indicated that it was possible through either e-mail or faxing.

Director Reason challenged everyone in the room to bring someone else with them next year to fill the room. Gambrill suggested that next year's conference motto be "Each One Bring One."

The conference continued with the Annual Banquet on Saturday evening and the Annual Memorial Service on Sunday.

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