Resource Management

Welcome to the new AFCA Resource Management Section.

What is this new Section all about? It goes back to early 2007 when a few Support Services folks from several fire departments in the west valley area of Phoenix were discussing issues they had in common – bay door issues being the biggest at the time. We all realized that there were other issues that our departments had in common in the area of Support Services and the more we talked, the more issues and problems we all shared. We also found out that some departments had already found solutions to many of these issues. One thing led to another and on May 25, 2007, the Valley Support Services group held their first meeting at the Goodyear Fire Admin. building. This meeting was attended by Support Services guys from Avondale, Buckeye Valley, Glendale, Goodyear, Peoria, Scottsdale, Sun City, Sun City West, Surprise and Tolleson fire departments. Topics discussed included grants, ice machine issues, bio-diesel fuel in fire trucks, and firefighting foam. Several meetings have followed since and are now typically hosted by vendors and suppliers who are allocated some time to make presentations about their products and resources, and sometimes even provide lunch for our group.

After attending a few AFCA Training Section meetings and seeing the benefits they were providing for their members, it was easy to see that we should work towards evolving the Valley Support Services group into a Section under the AFCA. The work began, the request
was made, and on January 14, 2010, the Executive Board of AFCA approved our request to become a section under the Association.  Now we'll be able to do the same good stuff we've been doing in the Phoenix area with representatives throughout the State.

Soon to be Frequently Asked Questions:

What is the purpose of the Resource Management Division?

- Provide a means to get people together to openly discuss issues in the area of fire apparatus, vehicles, equipment, supplies, resources and facilities.

- Identify issues and problems shared in our work in Support Services/Resource Management Divisions

- Recognize solutions and alternate methods to shared issues and problems

- Discuss best practices and other department’s policies and procedures

- Share information about upcoming events, new tools and technology, pending issues, and manufacturer recalls.

Why become a member of the Resource Management Section?

- See above

When and where does the Resource Management Section hold its meetings?

- We will generally hold meetings on a quarterly schedule, hosted by vendors for fire service products at their business locations. Past Valley Support Services meetings have been hosted by First In Inc., H&E Equipment, Grainger, Cummins Rocky Mountain and MES in Phoenix.

Who are the members of the Resource Management Section?

- Anyone who is interested in learning from others and helping others in order to become more effective and efficient in providing support for the members of our fire departments.

- The men and women who work in the Support Services or Resource Management Divisions of fire departments in the state of Arizona.

- Any AFCA members

Do I have to be a paid member of the AFCA to be part of the Resource Management Section?

- No. See the previous question (above). We would like to encourage you to become an AFCA member, as they are a great resource for us and the Resource Management Section, but it’s not required.

- You do have to be an AFCA member to receive AFCA email blasts and updates as well as other AFCA member benefits. Go to: www.azchiefs.org for info on AFCA. You can then click on “Resource Management” under “AFCA Sections to check out our site.

Can I attend the AFCA Conference and/or the Resource Management Section meeting without being a member of AFCA?

- Yes. You must register for the Conference to attend but you don’t have to be a member of AFCA. You also don’t have to be an AFCA member to attend our meeting, register for the golf tournament or attend the Equipment and Technology Expo, which costs nothing.

What is the Equipment and Technology Expo?

- This year’s Expo is the largest in the state and growing every year. All emergency service personnel are welcome. There is no charge and you don’t have to be registered for the Conference to attend the Expo. There will be over 54,000 square feet of vendor space with literally tons of fire apparatus, equipment and technology on display. You don’t want to miss it so come on down and make a day out of it.



Click here for minutes of April 30, 2010 meeting

Click here for minutes of February 26, 2010 meeting