The 451st meeting of the Massachusetts Institute of Fire Department Instructors was called to order at 10:00AM at the Concord Fire Department.  Deputy Christopher Kelley  hosted the meeting on Wednesday, December 19th, 2001.  29 members present.

A video was presented by MIFDI President Norm Aubert of the World Trade Center as the actual incident unfolded.  The video captured events in “real time” as they happened, from the moment of first impact to the ultimate collapse of the first tower, and showed all the aspects of managing such a large scale operation. This was followed by a presentation by guest speaker David Torucy, Highway Superintendent, Concord MA. He is also a Captain with the Naval Reserve and was activated for the 9-11 event. In addition, he is a liaison to FEMA, Region One, and gave a very informational presentation on the resources available to us from FEMA.

BUSINESS MEETING
The Secretary’s report was not read due to the absence of the secretary.

The Treasurer’s report was read.

No Treasurer's report was filed with the editor!

The goal of MIFDI is to have this organization over 200 members strong by the end of this year.  Please spread the word about our organization to members of the fire service and tell a friend.

OLD BUSINESS:

Norm announced the old MIFDI web site has been deleted and is now re-routed to the new site.  The link on the DFS site to the new MIFDI website is up and running.
 

NEW BUSINESS:

There was discussion whether the DFS Haz-mat Director should have a complimentary membership to MIFDI.  Norm made a motion which was seconded and approved that the DFS Haz-mat Director must pay membership dues to MIFDI.

Norm mentioned we need hosts for locations in 2002.

Norm announced Ira Hoffman has 2 new books available on terrorism response.

Dave made a motion which was seconded and ultimately passed to adopt a new ad size for the MIFDI Bulletin. The new size will be 5”high x 4” wide.

Michael made a motion which was seconded and passed, that all associate members’ advertisements in the MIFDI Bulletin whose dues are not paid by March, 2002, would be removed from the MIFDI Bulletin.

It was announced that all members should look at the date directly above their name on the mailing label on their copy of the Bulletin to determine when their membership expires.

There was discussion regarding the on-line selling and order taking of MIFDI shirts and hats. Dave will check with the distributor regarding pricing of these items. A motion was made, seconded and approved to have Dave check on a MIFDI re-order of clothing.
 

COMMITTEES:

The Historical Committee - consists of Steve Perrson, Ira Hoffman, and Richard Gomes. No one present. Nothing to report.

The Bi-Law Committee - consists of Norm Aubert, C. Randall Sherman, Mort Shurtluff, Chris Kelly, Brian Ash, and John Cummings.  Norm had nothing to report.

Public Relations Committee  - consists of Mr. Ira Hoffman and Michael McLeieer.  Michael had nothing to report at this time, but will try to schedule a meeting after the holidays.

MFTC UPDATE:   Steve Persson –  Not Present – Nothing to report.

MFA UPDATE:  Everett Pierce –

One recruit class will graduate January 7th. There will be a 2 week break followed recruit classes resuming at MFA.  The 24 hour S.P.R.T. class is still on hold.
As requested by Mass Chiefs, A R.I.T. program has been developed. Training to instructors should be conducted within 60 days. Each fire district should be trained by the spring.  June 5, 6, 7, & 8 – Abbottville Tabletop Scenarios, possibly to be held in Worcester.

Also, visit the DFS website for the procedures for class cancellations due to severe weather.  MIFDI will also post this information on the MIFDI website – www.mifdi.org.

Minutes respectfully submitted by,

Michael McLeieer
2nd Vice President

Working with the Media
 

• Work with the media
• "The media" are not monolithic -- every reporter has a different agenda.
• All questions deserve an answer, (saying no comment doesn't go over very well).
• Just because you say so doesn't make it so.
• Have something important to say.  It is your responsibility to be understood, not the listener's responsibility to understand you.  (Be careful on the use of fire service jargon).
• Use examples.
• Be a good listener -- make sure you hear what is being said.
• Never go off-the-record.
• Practice speeches and probable interview questions outloud.
• If you don't have the answer say so and offer to find the answer within a few days.
• Don't "ad lib", think before you speak, don't let your mouth outrun your thoughts.
• Be brief, only answer the question asked.
• Think of all the public figures that get themselves in hot water by saying something inappropriate.  Sometimes it cost them their jobs.

JANUARY MIFDI MEETING: (Mass Fire Academy)
Topic of discussion will be Haz-mat Response Updates. John Jones is tentatively scheduled to speak on mandatory training. It was voted that this will be an extended meeting.
 
 

As the organization continues to grow, I hope, that we will be able to continue to utilize the specialties of our membership.  We will be looking for members to fill upcoming vacancies on the Board of Directors during the January meeting at the DFS/MFA Stow facility.  If you are interested and consider yourself a possibility in filling one of these vacancies, please let us know during the next meeting. We ask that ALL Board members attend this meeting. Other committees that are established and could use an increase in participation are, the Historical, Bi-Law, Public Relations committees.

A few weeks ago, Ira Hoffman, from FSP Bookstore sent me a copy of the “Terrorism Handbook for Operational Responders” by Delmar Publishers and “Understanding Terrorism and Managing the Consequences” By Paul M. Maniscalco and Hank T. Christen.  Emergency responders are using these training manuals for WMD and Terrorist preventive awareness training.  Since 11 September 2001, we have to look at the way we think, and work, so that we ALL may be a little bit more safer and prepared for the unexpected.  These books give the responder the basic insight in establishing Risk vs. Benefit Analysis for Preparing Responses, Munitions, Biological, and Nuclear Terrorism.  An overview in dealing with PPE, Detection Devices and Decontamination is also discussed in an easy to comprehend format.  FSP will sell these books at cost, so that this information may get on the street to the responders.

Mr. Hoffman has these books on hand and they may be ordered by the Internet or by phone.  Ira’s commitment in this matter is to get this material out so that brother and sister firefighters may be better prepared if the unthinkable could ever happen again.  Mr. Hoffman who is a FDNY honorary Battalion Chief lost many of his friends on that Tuesday in September.  You may review these books to see if your department may want to purchase copies. These books are not being sold for profit, but for the shared interest of knowledge.   Remember, Confucius says; “I hear and I forget, I see and I remember, I do and I understand!!!”

I am looking forward for the upcoming meeting at the DFS/MFA facility, expect a long day as the staff will have presentation(s) of new training programs on firefighter safety and survival and the new Company Officer program.  A tour of the fire facility will also be given in the afternoon. I will be soliciting instructors to join our organization also at this time. REMEMBER TO MAKE PHONE CALLS IN SUPPORT OF THE DFS/MFA EXPANSION AND EQUIPMENT PROJECT UPGRADE.  THE BILL NUMBER IS  #4603, AND THE LINE ITEM # IS 8000-9012.

Make sure to visit the MIFDI dominion website at MIFDI.ORG, or through the DFS/MFA or FSP link.  As usual, if there is anything that the officers of MIFDI can do to make “OUR” organization better, please let us know!!!  The New Bedford Fire Department, Training Division, currently has the “ WTC 9-11-01” training video.  This is on a loan basis so that other departments may make copies of it.  Please let us know when the video is shipped from one department to another. Please be safe, and may Saint Florian always be there to guide you safely.

Special Notice
The dates on the top of your address label indicate when your membership with MIFDI is to expire.  New Memberships for 2002 are due soon!!  Those memebers who no longer receive a printed bulletin will receive an e-mail message listing their expiration date.
 
 

DRILL SCHEDULE!!
JANUARY -   Mass Fire Academy - Stow
FEBRUARY - TBA
MARCH -       TBA
APRRIL -        TBA
MAY -             TBA