Fire Prevention Officers Section Update

CalChiefs members, allied agencies, and partners,

In 2023, as a result of California Fire Chief’s Association’s (CalChiefs) continued commitment to elevate California’s fire services through our organization and partnerships, leadership moved to restructure the Association and restrengthen the relationship with our professional Sections.

The restructuring was essential to move CalChiefs and its impact in the legislative, regulatory, and public policy arena forward as threats and opportunities continue to increase in California. The CalChiefs Board of Directors was committed to collaboration and transparency during the organizational restructuring, working closely alongside our members to develop a professional structure that will allow the Association to have greater impact on behalf of all local government fire service professionals.

CalChiefs’ organizational structure includes eight Sections, each individually represented by professionals within the Section area of expertise. Sections cover the spectrum of fire and EMS delivery and a full range of topic specific knowledge. It is this depth of knowledge and resources that provides our ability to actively engage in legislation that affects service delivery throughout our great state, as well as be actively involved in national issues.

During the restructuring process, each Section was asked to adopt an updated agreement that included aligning their bylaws with the parent association to remain an active part of the CalChiefs. Unfortunately, the Fire Prevention Officers (FPO) North and South Section decided to not adopt the new agreement, and the current members of that Section will be stepping away from the CalChiefs family. While saddened by this decision, CalChiefs remains committed to ensuring representation from the critical FPO voice. Fire prevention issues will continue to remain a priority for CalChiefs, and given the importance, the FPO’s will remain active within the Association’s organizational functions. CalChiefs remains hopeful that FPOs who have stepped away from the Association will continue to collaborate on issues of shared importance.

We very much value the contribution that FPOs bring to both our industry, and our Association. Their voice is critical to us realizing our vision, and we are strongest when all sections are active, healthy, and collaborative. The FPO function remains open, and we are confident that the section will once again be represented by fire service fire prevention leaders who share the Association’s mission and vision and recognize the importance of a unified voice.

The California Fire Chiefs Board of Directors has approved a set of bylaws for the Fire Marshal’s Section of the California Fire Chiefs Association to reconstitute the membership loss from the previous Fire Prevention Officers Section of CalChiefs. We are encouraging Fire Chiefs to select and assign their Fire Marshal and/or Deputy Fire Marshal to participate as a member. This will include serving on our Legislative Task Force as a subject matter expert (beginning at the conclusion of this legislative session) and filling political appointments to various boards and commissions as requested by the Governor’s Office. A membership drive will begin July 1 as our membership renewal process begins.

Organizational change is never easy, and the Board of Directors is overwhelmed with gratitude for our dedicated partners who have navigated this transition with us as a unified membership. I am excited about the direction of our work and the amplified impact that we will have for our members as we continue to execute our mission to strengthen and advocate for the California Fire Service through leadership, unity, and collaboration as the voice of the California fire service.

If you have further questions or comments, please contact Executive Director Jeff Meston or President Mark Heine.

Mark Heine
President, California Fire Chiefs Association