The Metropolitan “Metro” Fire Chiefs Association, a section of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), held its 2017 annual conference in Orange County from April 7th-13th. Approximately 120 fire chiefs from metropolitan fire departments in the US, Canada, China, South Africa and the United Kingdom attended the conference and elected the Section’s 2017-2018 officers and board members.
Orange County Fire Chief Otto Drozd III was elected president of the organization.
“I am honored to lead this distinguished group of my peers as we discuss major issues affecting the fire service in the U.S. and throughout the world,” said Chief Drozd. “It is a privilege to represent Orange County in leading significant national conversations on policies and best practices that advance the fire/emergency medical services profession and impact the international community.”
Chief Drozd’s term began April 13, 2017.
“I am so proud to see Chief Drozd recognized and elected to serve as president of the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association,” said Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs, who spoke at the conference’s opening ceremony. “Chief Drozd represents the exceptional quality of leadership we have among Orange County’s public safety management team. He serves as a reflection of the extraordinary men and women who comprise the Orange County Fire Rescue Department.”
During the conference, a comprehensive educational program included updates and presentations on numerous topics focusing on the following three major themes: Fire Dynamics and Data; Occupational Health and Safety with emphasis on cancer and mental health; and Terrorism/Active Shooter Response.
Acting USFA Administrator Dr. Denis Onieal, IAFC President and Chair of the Board Chief John Sinclair, IAFC CEO and Executive Director Mark Light, NFPA President and CEO Jim Pauley, and Chief Roy Wilsher, Chair of the United Kingdom National Fire Chiefs Council were among the many dignitaries addressing the chiefs. Also during the conference, Metro President Rhoda Mae Kerr signed a Memorandum of Understanding with President Dino Padayachee of the South African Emergency Services Institute.
About Orange County Fire Rescue
Orange County Fire Rescue, an ISO Class One, internationally-accredited fire department, is the largest fire and rescue department in Central Florida. It serves approximately 1,000,000 citizens and visitors and responds to more than 119,000 calls for service annually. The mission of the Orange County Fire and Rescue Department is to provide fire suppression, emergency medical and community risk reduction services to ensure our community can enjoy a high quality life and property protection delivered with compassion and integrity. Follow them on Twitter at @OCFireRescue.
About the Metropolitan (Metro) Fire Chiefs Association
The Metropolitan Fire Chiefs (Metro) Association brings together fire chiefs from large metropolitan fire departments to share information and focus on major issues effecting policy changes in the U.S. and abroad. Its members belong to the IAFC and NFPA and are the fire chiefs of jurisdictions with minimum staffing of 350 fully paid career fire fighters. For more information,contact Metro Executive Secretary, Russ Sanders.
About the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
Founded in 1896, NFPA is a global, nonprofit organization devoted to eliminating death, injury, property and economic loss due to fire, electrical and related hazards. The association delivers information and knowledge through more than 300 consensus codes and standards, research, training, education, outreach and advocacy; and by partnering with others who share an interest in furthering the NFPA mission. For more information, visit www.nfpa.org. All NFPA codes and standards can be viewed online for free at www.nfpa.org/freeaccess.
