The Fire Department Safety Officers Association (FDSOA) is pleased to announce that Eric Valliere will remain in office as chairman of the Board of Directors of FDSOA for a second three-year term. Valliere’s first term started when previous chairman, Jeff Merryman, had to step down early in his tenure. Prior to becoming chairman, Valliere served two terms as a western director and began his term as vice chairman before taking over for Merryman.

Valliere is an assistant chief with the Scottsdale Fire Department, where he has been since 2005. He oversees Operations, EMS, and Safety.

So far, his time as chairman has been busy. Valliere’s biggest accomplishments have been to expand the Apparatus Symposium to a full conference, add additional certifications and expand classes so the ISO certification can be a hybrid online course.

He’s also looking to the future and has big plans for his second term. The board is currently working on a strategic plan. Valliere would like to see more membership focus with CEUs, expanded outreach and increased member benefits. “I could totally do this full-time. I love the relationships I’ve made through FDSOA,” said Valliere.

His passion and enthusiasm will certainly help him during his second term. We look forward to celebrating his accomplishments.

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The Fire Department Safety Officers Association (FDSOA) was established in 1989 as a non-profit association. Its mission is to promote safety standards and practices in the fire, rescue and emergency services community. The association is led by a volunteer board of directors and has a small staff to handle the day-to-day operations. The association is dedicated to the issues that affect the critical role of the safety officer in protecting and promoting the safety and health responsibilities of fire departments, communities and first responders.

FDSOA can be found on the web at www.fdsoa.org. Please follow FDSOA on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

The Forks River (TN) Fire Department station was damaged in a single-vehicle accident last week, reports carthagecourier.com.

Around 6 a.m. last Wednesday, the vehicle struck the front of the building and damaged two bay doors, which were temporarily replaced by tarps, the report says.

Officials say the only apparatus damage was a scratch to one of the two engines inside at the time.

Emmett (KS) fire station’s fate in eastern Pottawatomie County may be known before the end of the year, as Pottawatomie County Fire officials say they’ve reached out to a company for a feasibility study on whether it makes sense to renovate the facility or build a new one, reports 1350kman.com.

Staffing became a concern as recently as six months ago—dropping to as few as two firefighters, the report says. Officials say some applications are pending, though the roster currently has seven firefighters.

Officials say the next step won’t take place until the study’s results are in, which they estimate will be in November.

The Rapid City (SD) Fire Department plans to request from city council $15 million to remodel its Station 1, reports blackhillsfox.com.

If approved, the money would come from COVID funds that were received from public safety wages in 2020, the report says.

Station 1, the main hub for first responders, has been in downtown Rapid City since 1975. The renovation would double its size.

Officials in Bowling Green (KY) approved the construction of a new fire station at a meeting on Tuesday (Oct. 19), according to a report published by WBKO.com.

The report said the Bowling Green Board of Commissioners awarded a noncompetitive bid to Brandstetter Carrol, Lexington, KY, for agricultural and engineering services for a bid not to exceed $540,000. The report added that the new station will be built across from the current location.