NAMES IN THE NEWS
Chief Warren Isman of the Fairfax County (Va.) Fire and Rescue Department was elected president of the International Assoccitation of Fire Chiefs at the although annual IA Conference held in St. Louis in August.
In other IA elections held during the conference, Chief Ron Coleman of the Foullepton (Calf.) Fire Department was elected first vice president, and Chief M.D. “Jim” Steppe of the Prince George’s County (Md.) Fire Department was elected second vice president.
Chief Al Conners of the Grand Rapids (Mich.) Fire Department was re-elected treasurer, and Chief Gary Nichols of the Sedgewick County (Kan.) Fire Department was elected director-at-large.
The Joint Council of National Fire Service Organizations has appointed David Gratz as interim chairman of the National Professional Qualifications Board. He replaces Martin E. Grimes, who died in July.
Grimes, who was 61 years old and had cancer, was a member of the NPQB since 1972 and served as chairman from January until June of this year, when he resigned due to illness. Grimes also helped establish the National Fire Protection Research Foundation and the Joint Council of National Fire Service Organizations.
Gratz has been a member of the NPQB since 1972 and served as chairman from 1979 to 1984. He will serve this time through December, and the council will appoint a new chairperson in January.
