On August 19, 2019, the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) announced that Mark Light has retired from his position as CEO and Executive Director.

Mark Light said, “It is with mixed emotions that I announce my retirement. It has been my sincere honor to lead the IAFC as CEO and Executive Director for the past 12 years. IAFC has accomplished many things during my tenure and I am proud of these accomplishments. None of those accomplishments could have happened without the full support of the IAFC Board of Directors and the IAFC staff. I cherish the relationships I’ve developed with so many of individuals over the years. Know that I am sad to step away from working with and for a vibrant and remarkable organization. The fire service is the most noble industry on planet Earth. It has been my sincere privilege to serve this profession for over 42 years.”

IAFC President (2018-19), Dan Eggleston, said, “Under Mark’s leadership, IAFC has expanded learning opportunities and executive fire officer training for leaders and emerging leaders, promoted diversity and inclusion in the fire and emergency service with iDELP and Women Chiefs Council, increased its operating budget from $10.5 million to $22.5 million, relocated its headquarters to a location that is better suited for IAFC business needs, implemented a social media and the conneXions education programs, and experienced a growth in IAFC staff from 32 to 68 employees. On behalf of the Board and the membership, we thank Mark for his contributions and wish him well.”

“We now begin a search for a new CEO and Executive Director to lead IAFC in achieving its short- and long-term strategic goals. The Board and I look forward to working with the next CEO and Executive Director to advance IAFC’s mission of supporting current and future fire and emergency service leaders worldwide through vision, information, education, services and representation to enhance their professionalism and capabilities.”

The Deputy Director will be the interim lead for the organization, reporting directly to the IAFC Board of Directors until the new Executive Director is selected and onboarded. More information regarding the Executive Director position will be available on the IAFC website, www.iafc.org, in the coming weeks.

After more than three decades in firefighting, Yelm area resident Dan Mahoney has a title he’s never had before: chief. Mahoney became chief of Lewis County Fire District 5 in Napavine on Aug. 1 after spending his firefighting career — most of which was on a volunteer basis — at numerous departments throughout Thurston County.
- PUB DATE: 8/20/2019 2:10:45 AM - SOURCE: Nisqually Valley News

The Southeast Thurston Fire Authority responded Monday afternoon to a small brush fire burning portions of dry grass and a tree off the Umtanum Street cul-de-sac in Yelm. No injuries were reported, though some neighbors reportedly began evacuation procedures as large flames climbed up a tree nearly 100-feet tall.
- PUB DATE: 8/20/2019 1:41:47 AM - SOURCE: Nisqually Valley News

The Harrisburg-Carlisle area has the third-fewest occupational firefighters per capita of any metro region in the United States, according to a new ranking based on government data. The ranking developed by security information website ASecureLife compared 2018 census population data and federal employment statistics.
- PUB DATE: 8/20/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: The Sentinel

If you live outside the City of Batavia in Genesee County, the ability of volunteer fire companies to get enough able-bodied manpower to your house in a timely manner if it ever caught on fire is reaching a crisis stage, Tim Yaeger, emergency management coordinator told members of the County Legislature today.
- PUB DATE: 8/20/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: The Batavian