Message from MSFCA Board of Directors The Montana State Fire Chiefs Association (MSFCA) recognizes that the COVID-19 crisis has created profound difficulties for individuals, their families, fire departments, and their communities. These include new childcare and other familial responsibilities; new challenges to physical and mental health; new questions of financial security; and new concerns for the future. During these difficult times we urge you to reach out to us to share your best practices, lessons learned, and updated procedures, or if you just need assistance or advice. We invite you to join us for our fourth COVID-19 Info Session on Thursday, May 28th at 6:30 PM. Stay safe and healthy.

SAFER Grant Application Deadline Extended In recognition of the economic hardships facing local jurisdictions and fire departments across the country as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad F. Wolf has waived the cost share, position cost limit, supplanting, and minimum budget requirements for FY19 SAFER grant applicants. More information is in Information Bulletin 450, which can be found  here . In addition, the application period is being extended to May 27, 2020 at 5 p.m. ET.

SAFER Grant Info

COVID-19 has produced an unprecedented series of new issues for the fire service. To track the conversation and offer real solutions to help the fire service, Intterra, and the Western Fire Chiefs Association have come together to produce a series of webinars focused on COVID-19 and Wildfire. The first episode will be May 27th at 8:30 AM PT / 9:30 AM MT. It's FREE so, be sure to register.

Register for Webinar

COVID-19 and Wildland Fire Management All wildland fire agencies remain committed to wildland fire readiness through active hiring of fire personnel, adjusting training practices to minimize contact and slow COVID-19 spread potential, and assessing prescribed burning operations. All wildland firefighting partners are working together to plan for fire activity during COVID-19. To further ensure the highest degree of readiness, the National Multi-Agency Coordinating Group requested three regional Area Command Teams to work with partners at all levels in the fire community to develop protocols for wildfire response during the COVID-19 pandemic. These Wildland Fire Response Plans are available to all incident management teams and fire units to help guide effective wildfire response. The safety of the public and all wildland fire responders is always the number one priority for all wildland fire agencies.

COVID-19 Resources & Geographic Area Plans

Register for SourceWell FireRescue GPO is a public safety focused cooperative purchasing program available through a partnership with  Sourcewell , one of North America’s largest government cooperative procurement organizations. FireRescue GPO was created in 2002 by  Western Fire Chiefs Association  (WFCA). WFCA had been partnered with NPPGov, until recently forming a new FireRescue GPO partnership with Sourcewell in the fall of 2019. This new partnership enhances FireRescue GPO’s ability to serve the fire service. Sourcewell is a self-sustaining government organization providing cooperative purchasing solutions to over 50,000 public-agency members across the United States and Canada. With over 400 competitively awarded contracts, Sourcewell provides access to industry-leading equipment, supplies, and services. Revenue generated through FireRescue GPO is shared with fire chiefs associations across the country including the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), its Divisions and State Fire Chiefs Associations.

Sponsor & Vendor Registration 2020 Convention The 2020 Fire Service Convention, hosted by Montana State Fire Chiefs Association and Montana State Volunteer Firefighter Association, is scheduled for October 22-24 in Butte, Montana. We assure you that we are carefully monitoring developments with the COVID-19 outbreak. While we do this, we are cautiously moving forward with planning for the convention and will take a prudent and precautionary approach to ensure we prioritize the safety and well-being of our community. Convention Webpage

Montana State Fire Chiefs Association 1236 North Ave. W., Missoula, MT 59801 406-625-7050 | Website | Email ‌

If you have not renewed your 2020 membership, please click on the link below to renew or join. Or contact us if you need us to resend your invoice. We appreciate your continued support, our association is only as good as our membership!! Renew or Join