The commission is encouraged by the interest in the program. The CFO program has the added benefit of being used as a career-planning tool. Congratulations to our newly designated Chief Fire Officers. Vicki Murphy, a former chief in Seminole, Fla., is a senior analyst with TriData and a FEMA fire grant consultant. By Becky Martin Educating public officials about your fire and emergency services department can be a daunting task.
Public officials become fire fighters for a day.
During the day, they participate in 10 separate evolutions, in full turn-out equipment, culminating in extinguishing a live fire burn. At each station, veteran fire service instructors guide the individuals through the exercise. In a time of budgetary constraints, it is not only prudent, but necessary for the fire service to be understood and appreciated at the local, state and federal levels. The Feel the Heat program builds a partnership between the Ohio Fire Service and its public officials both elected and appointed. As a result, officials are learning just how important the needs of the fire services are and in turn are initiating additional expenditures for items such as improved turn-out equipment, SCBA's and thermal imaging.