What our members think!!!!
One of the most common remarks:
“I had no idea that ISFCA was so involved with the legislature concerning EMS and fire issues. They truly are doing a great service for us and our constituents”.
A testimonial from a member district:
“We have yet to attend an annual conference that we didn’t come away with information that more than offset the cost. We also had the opportunity to visit with other commissioners, exchange ideas and meet face to face with vendors who supply many of our needs”.
Joe Stear, Chairman-Kuna Rural Fire Protection District
“Being a fire commissioner can be an easy task when all is well. But when issues arise as they often do, and at the most inopportune times, being a fire commissioner can be a very lonely and frustrating job. In my case when a major issue arose that threatened the very way we did business, a long hard road was ahead. Expensive attorney's fees and seemingly non-ending research began. Part way thru the process, ISFCA contacted me and said they wanted to help (My district never felt that we needed to join). The support that I received from ISFCA was very welcomed. I felt like my fire district and I, with limited resources, were all alone in the world and ready to be swallowed whole by a very large entity with nearly unlimited resources. ISFCA provided us with many valuable comments, and provided me with people to sit on my side of the table. This made my voice much more viable. We ended up victorious against a Goliath sized foe.
Now that my district is a member of ISFCA, I feel more confident, I never feel alone and I am able to do my job in a much more efficient way. The membership dues are more than made up for by the education and resources provided by ISFCA. I strongly encourage all districts to join and become active members so that when issues do arise the ISFCA has an even larger voice.”
Roy Allen, Commissioner-North Bannock County Fire Suppression District
"As a newly elected commissioner for our fire district, I quickly became aware that I lacked the necessary background and knowledge relating to the laws and rules regulating fire districts. I immediately sought out an organization that could help me rapidly access the information needed along with the professional assistance I needed to become and stay compliant with the requirements associated with our district.
Our fire district is very fortunate to have discovered the Idaho State Fire Commissioners Association; our commissioners attended the ISFCA's annual conference last year, an event that provided the assistance and resources we needed to understand and perform our jobs as commissioners.
ISFCA provides us with manuals, a professional web site with endless resources and professional legal insights on the evolving issues relating to the management of fire districts. They are also a proactive organization that has taken important issues to the legislature, making themselves a recognizable and credible group that legislators will listen to when making important decisions relating to the preservation of life and property.
I highly recommend becoming a member of the Idaho State Fire Commissioners Association, it is a network of fire commissioners around the state, and your membership is money well spent."
Tim C. Vargas, Chairman - Jerome Rural Fire Protection District #1
“Why do I feel it is important to belong to ISFCA? The answer is simple; it’s the only organization within the state of Idaho representing the needs and interests of locally elected fire commissioners across our diverse state.
Of primary importance, ISFCA serves as the voice of fire commissioners when dealing with the Idaho legislature on matters affecting fire district law, the IFC and the State Fire Marshal’s Office. In 2008 ISFCA spearheaded the rewrite of the state fire code statutes and during the 2009 legislative session ISFCA was instrumental in discouraging legislation that would have seriously jeopardized the public safety and prevented fire commissioners from performing the duties for which they were duly elected. This year, during the 2010 legislative session, ISFCA helped defeat legislation that would have seriously impacted the operations of EMS services across the state.
Since joining ISFCA my district’s fire commissioners have received many hours of education and training as to the duties and responsibilities of fire commissioners. Important information concerning the open meeting law as well as matters dealing with the IRS and Idaho State Tax Commission requirements have also been provided. Additionally and perhaps one of the best benefits I’ve found is in the exchange of ideas and the camaraderie that often develops among individuals in pursuit of solutions to common problems.”