The 466th meeting of the Massachusetts Institute of Fire Department Instructors was hosted by MIFDI Director Deputy Chief John Sullivan of the Billerica Fire Department on Wednesday, May 28th.  The presentation was by Dan Cugno and Fred Lane of the Positron Corporation. Positron is a Canada based corporation specializing in CAD, (computer aided dispatch), software for the public safety sector. It was pointed out that a computerized ‘call taking and records management system’ differs greatly from a CAD system, but the two work hand in hand to improve dispatch operations.

The business meeting was held immediately following the Positron presentation. A motion was made, seconded and approved to reimburse President McLeieer for additional expenses incurred at FDIC. The Board of Directors also supported this expenditure.
Business cards for the Board of Directors was also discussed, and it was voted to spend fifteen dollars to purchase card stock in order to be able to provide the Board Members with the cards.
It was announced that the meeting schedule has been filled for the rest of this year, (2003), but suggestions and meeting locations are needed for the 2004 meetings. Rick Gomes suggested bringing in one guest speaker, once a year, and having an all day seminar. This was well received by the attending MIFDI members and more discussion will follow in subsequent meetings.
President McLeieer reported that his trip to FDIC went well, but noted that
security was at an all time high with numerous police and military personnel  equipped with  automatic weapons in all areas of the conference.
Also noted was the cost of the June clambake meeting in Barnstable will be $37.50 per person. Contact Randy Sherman to make your reservations.
Everett Pierce spoke on the Task Force focusing on the need for building and fire inspectors to be trained together. Continuing education and recertification are needed as well. Training police officers to an awareness level is also needed as they are commonly working the nightclub venues as well as other public gathering places. Prevention and awareness for recruit firefighters is another area of focus. Lastly, a written and practical exam for pyrotechnicians is also being considered.
A 50/50 raffle was held and won by our President!
Immediately following our meeting, Positron graciously hosted our lunch at Rick’s Café in Billerica and was greatly appreciated and enjoyed by all.

MAY MIFDI MEETING HIGHLIGHTS:

The Treasurer’s Report:
Checking Balance 1/1/2003   = $1,221.08
Checking Balance 5/23/2003 = $2,266.50
Checking Balance 6/1/2003   =

50/50 Raffle =
Winner =
Deposit from 50/50 Raffle =

BILLS PAID
June Newsletter            $105.00 Mike
Web Page May - Aug. $  39.75 Mike
MIFDI Stickers
And Pens Cost   $865.00                                              MIFDI Clothing collected $364.00
Collected           $  88.00                                                                     Purchased  $354.00
 
                                                                     Owed to Treasurer for mailing           $  27.00
________________________________________________________________
Total Members         = 132
Dues Paid thru 2004 =   06
Dues Paid thru 2003 = 106
Dues Paid thru 2002 =   20

Dues Paid thru 2001 =   17 Deleted from records Voted at April meeting

Mailings:
E-Mail - 34,
Home  - 75
Work  - 23
Total Mailed = 98

No New Members Since Last Meeting:

Treasury Balance as of 05/23/2003  =  $2,266.50

Respectfully submitted 05/23/2003
David M. Jardin
MIFDI Treasurer
Deputy Fire Chief - Stoughton

Thank you to the membership for your support.

• See Business Meeting section (above).

• See Business Meeting section (above).

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

Public Relations Committee  - consists of Mr. Ira Hoffman and Michael McLeieer.  Nothing to report.

MFTC UPDATE:   Steve Persson

• No printed report received.  (Steve Perrson  gave a very informative report regarding MFTC matters but was

unable to submit anything for this issue of the Bulletin, due to the early deadline this month.

The June meeting will be hosted by the Barnstable County Fire Academy on Wednesday, June 18th. This is our annual ‘clam-bake’ meeting and is most certainly something you won’t want to miss. The presentation will be conducted by our president, Michael McLeieer, who will give us an overview of his trip to FDIC in March.

DIRECTIONS to the Barnstable County Fire Academy:
Travel east on Route 6 from the Cape Cod canal to exit 6 then onto Route 132 toward Hyannis.
Take a left onto Hadaway Road.
At the second set of lights turn left onto Independence Drive and travel to the end.
Turn right at the last stop sign onto Mary Dunn Road and take another right in ¼ mile onto South Flint Rock Road into the Academy.

SCHEDULE:
0900 Coffee and pastry - 0945 Board of directors
1000 Program presentation - Highlights of F.D.I.C. by Michael McLeieer
1130 Business Meeting - 1200 Lunch

This month’s bulletin is going to be shorter then normal.  We wanted to mail it out early so everyone had time to make their reservations for the Annual Clam Bake which will be held on Wednesday, June 18th at the Barnstable County Fire   Academy.

Please make your reservations early!

Traditionally, this has been the meeting that highlights from the F.D.I.C. conference are communicated to the membership, and this year is no exception.

Since this will be the last meeting before the summer break, let’s have a big turnout!

Our fall schedule will resume with the September meeting scheduled to be held at the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy / Department of Fire Services on the fourth Wednesday, September 24th.  We plan on having a presentation on the role of the Fire Ground Safety Officer.

The MIFDI website http://www.mifdi.org continues to increase the number of visitors who view it each month.  It remains the best source for networking and exchanging training ideas with all of our members and beyond.

Remember, this is your organization.  Please let the Officers or Board of Directors know if there is anything we can do for you.

Have a safe & enjoyable summer!

Michael

June 13, 2003, Massachusetts Firefighting Academy Recruit Class #158 Graduation Ceremony at the M.F.A. Fire Station @ 1:30 p.m.

June 14, 2003, MAFFA 26th Annual Fire Parade, Show, & Flea Market
Edgewater Office Park, Wakefield, Mass.

June 20-21-22, 2003, New England Fire/Rescue/EMS 2003
Eastern States Exposition, West Springfield, Mass.
For info contact www.newenglandfirechiefs.org

July 18, 2003, 6th Annual PFFM Scholarship Golf Tournament
Ponkapoag Golf Course, Canton, Mass.

October 5-9, 2003, IAFF Redmond Symposium, fire service health & safety event.
San Francisco, California. For info contact www.IAFF.org

Teaching Tip
Helping Students Feel Free to Ask Questions
Many students would rather go outside to pick up their morning newspaper in their underwear than ask a question in front of a dozen or more students. It is essential for an instructor to communicate to students that their questions are welcome. Here are several suggestions helpful for encouraging students to ask questions:

• Tell student their questions are always appropriate. Remind them frequently that you encourage being asked about the material.
• Respond to any and all questions as thoroughly as possible. This communicates that you appreciate the student’s inquiry.
• Request the name of the student who asked the question (if you don't know it), to show that you value his or her participation in the class. If you know the student's name, use it in your answer.
• To help shy students ask questions, use the "one-minute paper" technique. During the last few moments of class, have students take out a sheet of paper and jot down one of the main points from the presentation along with one question they still have about the topic. The students should hand these papers in as they leave. The instructor reads them, chooses a few of the most appropriate or common questions, and begins the next class by answering them. This encourages more questions to come up during class. It also tells the instructor how well students have been following the presentation.

MIFDI
Attn: David Jardin, Treasurer           If you have not already done so, it's time to renew your dues.  Due Jan. 1st.
52 Willow Street
Stoughton, MA 02072-1027

*Dues are $25.00 per year for Active Members -

*$100.00 per year for Associate members (which includes a 1/4 page of advertising in the MIFDI Bulletin and on the MIFDI website).

*Retired members dues are $12.50 for one calendar year (January 1 through December 31).

This forum is an extension of the Guest Book on the MIFDI Web-site, and provides our members a way to ask questions and get answers about problems encountered in the Fire and EMS service. If you would like to reply to a question, pose your own question or submit an article for publication in the MIFDI bulletin, but have no internet capabilities, you may do so in writing to: Michael McLeieer, President - MIFDI, PO Box 507, Merrimac, MA 01860-0510.
Fax # (877) 327-4353.  Faxing or e-mailing of articles is preferred.  Please e-mail articles in MS Word format to michael.mcLeieer@merrimacfire.com

JUNE 18th:                     Barnstable County Fire Academy - Annual Clam Bake

JULY/AUGUST:             Enjoy the Summer!!

SEPTEMBER 24th:       Department of Fire Services / Massachusetts Firefighting Academy, Room 109 - Stow, MA

OCTOBER 22nd:           MassPort / Logan Crash Fire Rescue

NOVEMBER 26th:        To be announced

DECEMBER 17th:        Yerardi's Restaurant, 418 Watertown St., Newton