News Bulletins

Government Warns Against Bogus "Cash for Clunkers" Web Sites

President Obama signed into law a program NHTSA is calling the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS). This is a government program that helps you purchase a new, more fuel efficient vehicle when you trade in a less fuel efficient vehicle. Under the CARS program, NHTSA is charged with rules for program implementation in 30 days. You may want to contact your local dealer in mid-July.

June 24, 2009 Bill Signed into Law
Now - Program Being Developed
Late July, 2009 Target for Program Implementation
November 1, 2009 Program Ends

Full Details here;
http://msvfa.org/news.html

May 1, 2009

Hello Legislators;

Cal Larson here. As I write this, it comes with a heavy heart as I have just recently learned that the legislature has a bill to reduce the MN Fire Safety Account due to the budget difficulties, however this was set up as a dedicated account for the State Fire Marshals Office and the Fire Service Training for which departments across the state can be reimbursed for some or all of our training costs if the funds are not desecrated by raiders to this account.

Some background as to how this affects greater Minnesota;

I will use the example of a greater MN FD, the cost of just getting a new firefighter trained to firefighter 1 (basic) so they will be able to respond to fires within their community is between $900.00 to $1,100.00. add to this the facts that we have to immunize the new ff, $200.00 to $300.00, and supply them with personal protective equipment (PPE) so they can respond to a fire $2,600.00 to $3,500.00 you can start to see why this account cannot be touched, especially in light of LGA reductions by the state. Average cost borne by any department for new firefighter $ 4,300.00 to $4,500.00.

Without this funding remaining in place, safety of the firefighters will be in question and as importantly the public. The legislators, because of the economy and other factors have to make tough choices, this is NOT one of them!!!

We already have a huge recruitment and retention problem in this state and this will incredibly hamper the ability to bring on new firefighters as the experienced 20, 30, and even 40 year veterans leave the fire service.

Money raided now will have an immediate impact and the ripples will be felt for years down the road by the fire service ,and the public if this money is taken.Finally, on a local level I will be informing the public that the fire service had dedicated funds to train and insure the capabilities of the local fire personnel but the legislators chose to__________.

What will be the answer?

This will be posted on the msvfa.org website as well, to inform the firefighters in Minnesota and to await the response from the Minnesota legislature.

Calvin Larson
Chair, MSVFA
Minnesota State Volunteer Firefighter’s Association

SF 802/HF 1657 Omnibus Public Safety and Judiciary Appropriations

The Volunteer Fire Service Needs YOU!

Neighbors helping neighbors... the volunteer fire service.

Have you ever thought of becoming a volunteer firefighter?

Minnesota's Volunteer Fire Departments are always looking for people who are interested in becoming part of a special team. Enjoy a rewarding experience and make new friendships, all while serving the community you live in and protecting your neighbors.

No experience is necessary... all volunteers will receive the equipment and training required for the job, at no cost to you.

Becoming a Volunteer Firefighter is a long honored tradition of this country.

What does it take to become a Volunteer?

Most cities and towns set their own requirements; check with your local fire department. However, many departments want you to:

Be a high school graduate

Have a valid drivers license

Be able to use computers and have some math and science courses

Be healthy and in good physical condition

If you are in high school, check to see if your local fire department has a Fire Explorer program. Many previous Fire Explorers have gone on to become fire fighters in their communities.

Take courses at a Minnesota State College or University.

Thirteen Minnesota State Colleges and Universities offer Firefighter I and Firefighter II courses.

Hennepin Technical College, Lake Superior College, and Northland Community and Technical College offer a two-year BAAS degree.

Southwest Minnesota State University offers a Fire Service Administration bachelor degree.

Find a fire department that serves (map) your area near you - click here pdf (925bk)

Checkout the Recruitment page;
Recruitment Page

Station Links
http://msvfa.org/links_mn_fd.html

The MSVFA WILL represent YOU and YOUR issues as a firefighter.

LIST OF EVENTS

Events Scheduled - Calendar - Click here

MSFDA Conference June 13 - 14, 2009 in Owatonna
Registration Packet click here

Spring 2009
NVFC Meeting in Washington, DC Spring 2009

September 23-26, 2009
NVFC Meeting in Coralville, IA September 23-26, 2009

More Events...

Gag Orders

Does your fire departments have a rule or policy that infers that you as a firefighter can not speak to anyone about what is going on in regards to fire protection activities?

Is so you should know that your rights are most likely being violated.

If you are interested in becoming part of the time honored profession in the USA, please email us at webmaster@msvfa.org and we will assist you in contacting a volunteer fire department in your area and answer any questions you may have.

Checkout the Recruitment page;
Recruitment Page

Fire Stations
http://msvfa.org/links_mn_fd.html

Cancer Awareness

The big "C" word cancer. What are you
doing to prepare or protect yourself?
Click here for more info....

Become a member of the
MSVFA and support the Volunteer firefighters.

The MSVFA strongly encourages every volunteer firefighter to join the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC)
Click here to join the NVFC

SAFER Grant Information

On March 6th, 2009 the Minnesota State Volunteer Firefighters Association (MSVFA) was awarded a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant to develop and conduct a recruitment and retention study of the volunteer fire service throughout the State of Minnesota.

details here

Join the MSVFA

FREE 2009 One Page Calendar
click here

Other News Items ....

Message From The MSVFA Chair Cal Larson - Message
Ethanol Hazards and Safety Concerns

The MSVFA WILL represent YOU and YOUR issues as a firefighter.

Message from the MSVFA Chair Cal Larson

The Minnesota State Volunteer Firefighters Association welcomes all to the association and our fluid website. MSVFA is committed to the individuals concerns and needs at the local, state, and national level. At the local level, we will help with your needs as a firefighter. At the state and national level, we will work hard on issues that affect volunteer and paid on call firefighters regarding legislation and policy in the fire service.

This has become necessary in Minnesota as the volunteer and paid on call firefighters do not have a voice that is working specifically for the largest portion of the fire service, YOU! 75% of the firefighters in Minnesota are volunteer and paid on call individuals.

Again, welcome to the MSVFA.

Cal Larson

Chair of the MSVFA

Messages from the MSVFA Chair

Message Archive Menu - Message

More About MSVFA...

Why a "volunteer firefighters" association?

That question is a natural one to ask and an easy one to answer. Other professional people are associated for the same reason, COMMUNICATIONS and SUPPORT.

Minnesota has no organization that has as its "main focus" the rank and file volunteer or paid-on-call firefighter.

The MSFCA represents Chiefs Issues.
The MSFDA represents Department issues.
The MPFF represents Career firefighter issues.

THESE ARE ALL GREAT ORGANIZATIONS. THE MSVFA ENCOURAGES YOU TO JOIN THE ASSOCIATION THAT REPRESENTS YOUR INTERESTS.

The MSVFA strives to create and environment where professionalism abounds. Having good old fashion competition between members is a great way to practice every day skills and have some fun with family and friends. We believe this will have a positive impact on recruitment. Check out the competition menu item below.

You are acquainted with the operations of your department but so many times important outside information seldom finds its way to the rank and file firefighters of a fire department. By becoming an active member you can have information come directly to you. You need MSVFA to keep this line of communication open.

We share information on recruitment and retention, personnel and labor issues, relationships with management, equipment changes, problem fires, methods of funding, social activities and many other subjects. We will work to help "you" with issues in your organization.

We worked together on legislation that affects the Volunteer Firefighter and the Fire Service. The MSVFA worked for firefighters in Washington DC on the Federal level with our representatives to Congress as well as our State Lobbying. Going to bat [hard ball] lobbying in Washington DC for legislation like HR 943 - S. 1466 and other legislation that benefits volunteers.

HR-943 Volunteer Responder Incentive Protection Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income and to exempt from social security, unemployment taxes, and withholding of tax requirements rebates of real or personal property taxes or any other benefit provided by a State or local government to a member of a volunteer emergency response organization providing firefighting or emergency medical services.

Thousands of dollars will now stay in the volunteer firefighters pocket and not go for federal income tax. The MSVFA will work for you in Washington DC on any federal bills that would help our state volunteer firefighters and the fire service over all.

MSVFA Chair Cal Larson and the Board of Governors invite you to become an active member of the MSVFA.

Preferred Links