The Municipal Fire Defense Institute
One of the most controversial subjects to appear on the fire service scene in recent years is the Municipal Fire Defense Institute sponsored by the American Municipal Association. At the recent Las Vegas conference of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, a bitter fight occurred on the convention floor when the Resolutions Committee recommended referral of a Great Lakes Division resolution of nonconcurrence with the Institute to the board of directors for further study. Strangely enough, the institute has not yet begun its active functions and is already being reorganized to be more representative of the parties concerned, with additional fire service personnel included. Whether this action will be sufficient to lessen the tension prevailing among the various fire service organizations is problematic at this time.
Judging from the IAFC membership reaction, there is a widespread lack of confidence both in the expressed objectives of the institute and its sponsor. The more vocal opponents of the institute at Las Vegas charged that its original announcement brochure was deceptive as to true intent and claimed that some city officials who joined the institute over the protests of the fire chief immediately charged the membership fees against the fire department budget. Those chiefs who took a more or less neutral stand stated they felt that city administrators are responsible persons and could join the institute whether the fire service liked it or not. It was pointed out that the fire service should be close to the studies and deliberations of the institute in order to be informed of its actions rather than be in the dark as to its intentions.
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