The Iowa Firefighters Association is the Voice of Iowa’s Firefighters

The Iowa Firefighters Association was organized in 1879. There are now approximately 15,500 volunteer and career firefighters from across Iowa that make up the membership of the I.F.A. The Iowa Firefighters Association is dedicated to the improvement of Iowa’s Fire Service and protection of the general public through legislation, better training, minimum standards for apparatus and equipment, fire prevention, public relations and information.
Members receive a monthly issue of the Iowa Firefighter, benefits of State and Federal legislative lobbying, networking opportunities through annual convention and meetings and the chance to help improve the Iowa Fire Service.

Senator Danielson: Respect and do more to support EMS volunteers

Click on the video above to see Senator Jeff Danielson’s floor rebuttal to the article about EMS that was in the Sunday, April 7th Des Moines Register.

New Benefit for IFA Members:

The Iowa Firefighters Association has partnered with American Income Life Insurance Company to provide a NO COST Accidental Death or Dismemberment Program for our members.

Features:

• $2000 AD&D Benefit
• Health Services Discount Card
• Child Safe Kits
• And More.

You will be receiving a letter in the mail notifying you of these benefits. Please fill out the enclosed response card or fill out the online card on the web site mentioned in the letter. Once your card is returned an AIL representative will contact you to deliver your no cost benefits and explain additional insurance coverage available on a voluntary basis.

You must be an Iowa Firefighters Association member to receive these Benefits.

Important IFA Information

Iowa’s volunteer firefighters and emergency medical services personnel can claim a $50 annual tax credit beginning in 2013 in recognition of the valuable services they provide to the people of Iowa. Governor Terry Branstad signed SF 2322 into law on Friday, April 27th. On hand for the bill signing were (left to right) Sen. Jeff Danielson, a firefighter for the city of Cedar Falls; Brad Yeager of Forest City, 3rd Vice President of the Iowa Firefighters Association (IFA); volunteer firefighter Rick Landgrebe of Sigourney; Rep. Steve Lukan of New Vienna; Elsa Yeager of Forest City; Jack Runge of Buckeye, IFA President; Sen. Tom Hancock of Epworth, a past IFA President; Ellen Hagen of Jewell, a past IFA President; Branstad; and Sen. Bill Dotzler of Waterloo. (Photo by Senate Intern Matt Bopes)

IFA message about recent management
changes at the Department of Public Safety

The recent leadership changes within the Department of Public Safety are strongly supported by the Iowa Firefighters Association. Recent near miss injuries or fatalities at fires, reduced attention to the training needs of our fire service, and a general dilution of the voice of the fire service has caused our organization to stand up and take notice. The position of the State Fire Marshal should be and needs to be that of a Director to serve as the chief fire official of this state. Many positive changes within the State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Department of Public Safety have helped reduce fire deaths, increased the overall fire prevention message and most importantly put firefighters first. We welcome the changes within the Department of Public Safety and look forward to the increased communication on behalf of the fire service.

Over 70% of the firefighters in this state are volunteers. The field of firefighting is becoming more dangerous. It’s important now more than ever the Department of Public Safety support the fire service of this state. Focus on increased training facilities and funding as well as support for fire related public safety initiatives is expected. This recent change is very appreciated by our organization of over 15,000 firefighters and sends a clear message to the fire service of the importance of our role in public safety.

Respectfully,
Roger Bissen
IFA President

State Wide Juvenile Fire Setter Program Roll Out July 1st -

The State Fire Marshal Division in partnership with the fire service organizations of Iowa, the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics Burn unit staff, the American Red Cross of Iowa and United Way will roll out a live test of the State-Wide Juvenile Fire Setter intervention program July 1. As of July 1, 2012, any Fire Official responding to a fire involving a juvenile who lit the fire can (and should) call 2-1-1 to refer the child to a trained juvenile fire setter intervention specialist stationed around the state. An expert assessment of that child will be conducted by one of the over 100 trained JFIS in our state. That data will be recorded in Fire Bridge and statistical data will help us to better combat the juvenile fire setter problem in Iowa. This state-wide program developed by locally trained fire officials will provide a standard of care for children who light fires. I encourage wide distribution of this announcement to the fire service community.

Special thanks to Lt. Brent Smith of the Cedar Rapids Fire Department for organizing an idea into a program.

Raymond A. Reynolds
Iowa Department of Public Safety
State Fire Marshal
215 E. 7th Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50319
Phone: 515-725-6145
Email: ray.reynolds@iowa.gov