By Chris Mc Loone

I always enjoy putting together our December issue. Doing so gives me the chance to check in with industry suppliers and get an idea of where they feel their markets are headed in the coming year. Some might think, "Big deal. The tool manufacturers are optimistic. What's that got to do with me?" The answer is actually quite a bit.

When the manufacturers are saying that municipal budgets are showing less constraint, that means it's time for you to begin ensuring you get a piece of that pie. The Assistance to Firefighters Grant application period just opened, but it is time for us to stop relying on grant monies to accomplish what we need to do. If municipalities are starting to loosen the purse strings even a little bit, make sure you are the first in line to ensure your firefighters get new PPE, or that they get new apparatus that will stay out of the shop, or that they get SCBA that meets the most current edition of NFPA 1981.

You're not going to know whether or not your municipality has the money to spend unless you ask. The whole country knows we have suffered long enough, but what our budget directors are going to want is proof.

Data-Rich Environments

Like it or not, today we live in a world that is driven by data. We look at statistics to predict where the world economy is headed, whether to buy an ambulance or a pumper, or to plan our own capital improvements on our homes. Usually data are available at the click of a mouse. But, one area where many departments still struggle is documenting their activities to use as criteria for capital purchases.

For example, my department is working to achieve national accreditation. This has been a sometimes arduous process, especially in the beginning when we were getting systems in place to collect data regarding our training, our responses, our records, and attendance levels. Data collection required some companies in the department to change certain processes within their own organizations-no easy feat when most of the companies in the department are more than 100 years old and have been using their own processes the entire time.

Although the department is still several months away from finding out if it is accredited, the data we have collected have already resulted in many benefits. For one thing, we now have a more formal "seat at the table" with our elected commissioners. A few tangible benefits have been realized. We received funding for an expanded training program, which includes capital expenditures; we have expanded our training facility with a larger multipurpose training building; we constructed a training/storage building for the various training props and training equipment we have accrued; and, most importantly, at least one public safety training academy will send instructors to our facility for Firefighter I classes.

Another example is a preventive maintenance reimbursement program. The data we have collected have been used as justification for this program, under which each company is reimbursed by the township for preventive maintenance performed on apparatus, equipment, and facilities.

Obviously, not every department will realize such benefits. Economic realities are what they are. However, through a proactive program, it is possible to more effectively place your department "on the map" of your municipality, thus securing the funding necessary for you to continue providing the services your community has come to expect. Being able to prove you are doing what you say you are doing has benefits that transcend just counting pennies. It is hard to argue with data.

We have struggled enough during the economic downturn. The time is now for you to get your "seat at the table" and demand the funding that is long overdue for your department. If you have been assembling data, get them organized and present them effec

Chris Mc Loone

If there's one thing the current economy has taught most of us, it's that there is no crystal ball we can use to predict when things are going to turn around. Even when things start to look like they're going pretty well, we again realize that very little of this is within our control. So, although things are pointing toward a 2014 that is better than 2013, the optimism remains understandably tempered.

Market Outlook

Many fire industry manufacturers are proceeding with caution considering the fragility of the economy. Things are better than they have been, but there is still a long way to go. "We are optimistic that municipal budgets will continue the improvement we have seen in the last couple of years," says Giff Swayne, president, Holmatro, Inc. "It is of course a fragile recovery, and there is still a good deal of pressure on fire department budgets. But, overall we are cautiously optimistic that the gains we have seen over the past couple of years will continue. During the depth of the recession and housing crisis, it was common to hear that departments were deferring purchases of new equipment because of budget cuts. But, we are not hearing that much anymore."

David Durstine, vice president, marketing, Akron Brass Company, says that his company is optimistic for the North American fire service and is looking forward to seeing industry growth in 2014. "Although we expect the growth to be mild, there is a pent-up demand as many fire departments have been delaying purchases or equipment upgrades over the past four to five years, and we are beginning to see a positive outlook on many city and state budgets."

Braun Industries is also looking forward to continued growth. "The economic indicators show a slight increase in growth for our industry in 2014," says Chad Brown, vice president, sales and marketing.

On the apparatus side, Bobby Williams, vice president, sales and marketing, Pierce Manufacturing, says federal demand will remain down, but the company continues to see evidence for improvement in municipal demand. "Some of the areas that were hit harder economically are now beginning to show signs of life," he says. "More of the larger fleet customers are starting the buying cycles, which is promising."

Economy's Effects

Of course, the general state of the economy will have an effect on the fire industry and municipality buying patterns. It's hard to pinpoint what the exact state of the economy is, but William Smith, president and CEO of Waterous, says, "Over the last two years, the economy has been stabilized and has been showing positive signs. As long as the government continues to support the fire service, 2014 will be a good year."

Keeping an eye on Washington, D.C., is key. "I wish that there was a defined state of the economy," says Swayne. "The gridlock in Washington, the uncertainty brought on by new legislations and regulations, and the roller coaster that is fiscal policy will play a role in our market in 2014. The problem is no one seems to have a clear understanding of where we are heading economically."

Durstine adds, "As we saw recently with the United States federal government shutdown, optimism could change at the flip of a coin or significant events beyond our control."

Braun cites the Affordable Care Act (ACA) as a potential influencer on companies in his market. "I think there is some hesitation in the marketplace with ACA and how that will impact the departments and agencies financially."

Swayne adds, "The recovery we have seen is fragile. Although the grants and Fire Administration funding seem to be intact for fiscal 2014, we need to keep a close eye on Washington and work with all industry stakeholders to ensure it stays that way."

Willi

A memorial service will be held at the Crossroads Neighborhood Church, 7555 Old Military Road NE., Bremerton on Dec. 12, 2013 at 3 p.m.

Memorial remembrances may be made to the Central Kitsap Medic One Foundation.

While teaching my daughter to drive, I racked my brain to think of all the different things she would need to be aware of safe driving. Not wanting to overwhelm a new driver with a hundred rules, I narrowed them down to 4 things that she could always apply. Those rules became:  
 
1. Don’t hit anyone 
2. Don’t let anyone hit you 
3. Reduce speed for conditions 
4. Don’t Tailgate

The Washington Fire Chiefs regrets to announce the passing of former Fire Chief Steve Bigelow.

Chief Bigelow started in 1980, first as Fire Chief of Kitsap County Fire District 15 and then as Fire Chief of Central Kitsap Fire & Rescue after District 15 merged with District 1 in 1999.  He served as Fire Chief until his retirement in 2001.

Chief Bigelow impacted the local community in many ways, from serving as President of the Kitsap County Fire Chiefs Association, to coaching local youth soccer teams, and being an active member of the Silverdale Chamber of Commerce.  One project that was held in particular high regard to Chief Bigelow was his role in helping to form the Kitsap Readiness Response Center...