Volunteer & Combination Officers' Section
For approximately the last 11 years I have had the distinct pleasure of serving as a chief fire officer and being an active member in the International Association of Fire Chiefs' and the Volunteer and Combination Officers' Section.
I am a strong believer of being an active participant in any organization that I choose to be a member and the VCOS is no different. During my association with the section I have taken every opportunity afforded me to become involved in the various activities, committees, and work groups to contribute to the success of the organization and the fire service. I have had the pleasure of working on the following projects:
- VCOS White Ribbon Report
- VCOS Red Ribbon Report
- 2006 VCOS Election Committee
- VCOS - Mutual Aid Task Force
- VCOS 21st Century Leadership Course
- VCOS Safe Vehicle Safety Achievement Award
- Safety, Health, and Survival Section - Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation Program Task Force
The White Ribbon Report: Managing the Business of the Fire Department: Keeping the Lights On, the Trucks Running and the Volunteers Responding was published in September of 2006. Chief Fulmer co-authored the document with 10 other fire service leaders that represented combination departments.
The Red Ribbon Report: Lighting the Path of Evolution: Leading the Transition in Volunteer and Combination Fire Departments was published in
2006. Chief Fulmer co-authored the document with 10 other fire service leaders that represented combination departments.
Chief Fulmer, in conjunction with several VCOS members, at the request of Fire Chief Tim Wall, served on the VCOS election process for 2006.
Chief Fulmer, in conjunction with other members of the VCOS, were appointed to a task force to represent the interests of the combination and volunteer fire service with regard to interstate mutual aid. This task force developed and rendered recommendations to the IAFC Board of Directors that represented the interests of the combination and volunteer fire service.
VCOS 21st Century Leadership Course
Chief Fulmer is part of the instructional team that delivers the leadership courses. The course is titled "Beyond Hoses and Helmets – Strategy and Tactics of Leading a Volunteer or Combination Fire/Rescue Organization." and is made available through a partnership between the VCOS and Pierce Manufacturing, located in Appleton, Wisconsin. A cadre of instructors, representing volunteer and combination departments, travel the United States, delivering the course to fire departments, regional schools, and state fire academies. More information regarding the course can be obtained at: Beyond Hoses and Helmets.
VCOS Safe Vehicle Safety Achievement Award
In 2006 Chief Fulmer was recruited by the VCOS Chairman, Tim Wall, to serve as the point of contact for the sections Vehicle Safety Achievement Award.
Chief Fulmer worked with Chief Bill Jeneway, of VFIS and Chief and President of the King of Prussia (PA) Volunteer Fire Company. This program is designed to provide resources to the fire service community in an attempt to curb the many senseless injuries and deaths that plague the fire service. Through a variety of web based resources participating agencies are encouraged to implement programs covering: emergency response, seat belt initiatives, tanker safety, driver's training, accident investigation, etc...
Participating agencies are encouraged to complete and submit a self-certification form and compete for the Safe Vehicle Achievement Award, which will be presented at the VCOS - Symposium in the Sun.
Co-chair - Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program Task Force
At the beginning of 2007 Chief Billy Goldfeder, Chairperson of the IAFC's Safety, Health and Survival Section [SHS] asked Chief Fulmer to co-chair the Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program Task Force [FFFIPP]. Chief Fulmer is co-chairing the task force with Deputy Chief Colleen Walz of the Pittsburg (PA) Bureau of Fire and is comprised of fire service representatives from across the Nation and abroad.
This task force was convened to address concerns with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's FFFIPP and issues involving personal protective clothing and equipment failures and the dissemination of information to the fire service. The Task Force recently submitted their recommendations to the SHS board of Directors.
