IFSAP.ORG Illinois Fire Service Administrative Professionals October, 2013
IFSAP Newsletter
Inside this issue: Cooking Safety
2
State Fair
4
President’s Corner
5
Kathy Trapp’s Retirement
6
IMRF Updates
7
Movember
8
Resume Article
9
Golf Outing
10
ESP Class of 2013
13
www.ifsap.org
BCFPD Hires Administrator
Congratulations to Kim Mueller who is now working with Barrington Countryside Fire Protection District! Kim Mueller was hired to help Fire Chief Jeffrey Swanson guide the District through its separation from the Barrington Fire Department. Kim Mueller has 17 years of experience in the fire service. Kim’s professional abilities and experience will serve the Barrington Countryside Fire Protection District well and I am sure she will pave a successful path for the District.
IFSAP Apparel Upcoming Events: Annual Awards Luncheon IFSAP Annual Conference
www.ussafetyproducts.com Email: info@ussafetyproducts.com Office: 708-747-7639
www.ifsap.org
www.goldmedalideas.com
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Cooking Safety
Home Cooking Fires
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State Fair
2013 State Fair—Joan M. Buzzard
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The IFSAP President’s Corner Cori Hilliard, Rockford Fire Department
I can hardly believe my term as President is almost half over! The 2013/2014 IFSAP Board of Directors are a talented, hardworking, knowledgeable group that I truly enjoy working with. These ladies along with other committee members have been busy working hard this year. The Executive Support Personnel Certificate Program started on September 4th with 13 of our enthusiastic members striving to become more effective in their roles as support personnel and understanding many aspects of the fire service. Graduation for these ladies will take place on Wednesday, December 11, 2013 at our annual awards and graduation luncheon. This year’s luncheon will be held at Pinstripes in Oak Brook. Registration forms for the luncheon have been sent out and are available on our website. I hope you will plan on joining us. In addition, the Board, as well as other committee members have been hard at work planning the 2014 Annual IFSAP Conference and Meeting. This is a great time to enhance your administrative skills and network with your peers. It will again be held at the Irish Cottage Boutique in beautiful Galena, Illinois. More information will be coming soon……mark your calendars for April 23-April 26, 2014. In closing, I encourage and welcome each of you to attend our board meetings. The schedule is posted on our website. However, please notify a Board Member in advance to ensure we have enough chairs (and refreshments!) If at any time you many have any questions, please feel to reach out to me or any other IFSAP Board Member for assistance.
Whenever ideas are shared, the result is always greater than the sum of the parts~ Rick Willis
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Kathy Trapp—19 Years of Service
Congratulations Kathy Trapp! - Gina Barr
www.ifsap.org
Congratulating Kathy Trapp from Darien Woodridge Fire Protection District on 19 years of service. Pictured Above Cathy McNulty Pleasantview Fire Protection District, Carla Clark Lemont Fire Protection District, Kathy Trapp DarienWoodridge Fire Protection District, Carolyn Larimer (Retired) Downers Grove Fire Department and Gina Barr Downers Grove Fire Department.
IMRF UPDATES
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Movember
Movember—Sue Huiner
www.ifsap.org
As an official global charity, Movember’s vision is to have an everlasting impact on the face of men’s health. During November each year, Movember is responsible for the sprouting of millions of moustaches on men's faces around the world. Through the power of the Mo, vital funds and awareness are raised to combat prostate and testicular cancer and mental health challenges. With their new moustaches, these Mo Bros bring much needed awareness to men’s health issues by prompting conversations wherever they go.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is an annual campaign to increase awareness of the disease. While most people are aware of breast cancer, many forget to take the steps to have a plan to detect the disease in its early stages and encourage others to do the same.
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Resumes
Commentary on Resumes—Joan M. Buzzard
Commentary Joan M. Buzzard, Co-Editor IFSAP Newsletter Effingham Fire Department
Resumes In late August of this year my Chief requested that I submit an updated resume to him as the City that I work for is re-evaluating workloads, job descriptions and pay grades. As I reflected upon my duties and penned the responsibilities related to my position I was reminiscent of an article that I wrote years ago entitled, “Do You Have What It Takes to Be an Administrative Assistant in the Fire Service.” The article was based solely on feedback that I had received from many of the respected and dedicated Illinois Fire Chiefs whom I have had the privilege to meet and distinct honor to come to know. As I recall their responses I am reminded once again of one of the most important qualifications that these Fire Chiefs felt was needed in an Administrative Assistant and simply stated it was “Loyalty.” LOYAL as defined in Webster’s Dictionary is “faithful to those persons, ideals, etc... that one is under obligation to defend or support.” As I summed up my qualifications listed at the top of my resume, I decided to include “Loyal,” right next to “Highly Dependable, Organized and Efficient,” as well as all of those other qualifications meant to embody the type of worker one is. I like how this one word identifies an attribute possessed and explains another element that you will bring to the job. “Loyal” defines and informs prospective employers of who you are on a personal level, as well as on a professional one, and allows you to do so well before the job interview. Such a simple, definitive and logical way to explain that you have what it takes to be Administrative Assistant in the Fire Service.
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Golf Outing
2013 Golf Outing—Sue Huiner
Since the decline in the economy, it’s been very difficult to predict the future of foundations and charitable organizations. Once again, I am delighted to report another successful year for the IFCA Educational and Research Foundation thanks to the annual golf outing. Special recognition is given to the Darley Family Foundation and NICOR as both were Premier Sponsors of the event again this year. We appreciate their continued dedication to our Foundation’s mission. We are fortunate to have so many devoted supporters, both sponsors and attendees alike. We thank all our supporters, both long-standing and new. This definitely is a group effort and we value all levels of participation. The Illinois Fire Chiefs’ Education and Research Foundation provides scholarships and grants to students and educational institutions for undergraduate, post-graduate and vocational education. We are thrilled to announce in 2013, the Foundation will provide its largest scholarship awards ever; valued in excess of $83,000 to Fire Service Personnel throughout the State of Illinois. A non-profit corporation, with 501 {c} 3 status, the Foundation is funded by limited sources including individuals, corporations, and special events. The golf outing is our major fundraiser. All proceeds from this event including donations go directly to the Foundation for these scholarships & grants. On Wednesday, July 10, 2013, 260 golfers hit the links at Gleneagles for a day of sun, fun and fund raising. Thanks to Great Lakes Ice Cream of Alsip our guests enjoyed ice cream to help keep them cool. Once again IFSAP, fire service members and the golf committee united and were on hand to provide assistance with the many contests, raffles, silent auction and serve ice cold refreshments. Thank you IFSAP volunteers Carla Clark, Pamm Cooper, Wendy Held, Denise Kaufman, Kathy Kirk, Paula Lacey, JoAnn Ogden-D’Altorio, Jenn Rogers, Kathy Russell, Ingrid Skidmore and Elaine Zdunek and fire service volunteers Patti Glade, Lisa Kuzinar, Tim Leidig and Lenore Victor. On behalf of golf committee chairs Chief Tim Sashko and I, we extend our heartfelt thanks to the IFCA Foundation veteran committee members: Foundation President Retired Chief Andy O’Donnell, Chief Pat Kenny, Retired Chief Dave Christensen, Retired DC Bill Glade, Retired Chief Dick McKeon, Chief Tom Deegan, Chief Phil Dimenza, Rosalinda Kucharski, Dick Swanson, Tom Kallay, Jeff Swanson, Amy Edwards, John Falduto, Michelle Buhr and new committee members Lindsay Morris and Sarah Dring. This committee does an amazing job and remains a role model for teamwork as they persist in discovering new revenue streams in our efforts toward making the Illinois fire service one of the best in the nation. Please consider hosting a blood drive and/or attending one of the Casino events as the foundation also receives proceeds from these activities.
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Golf Outing
2013 Golf Outing—Sue Huiner
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Top Golf
2013 Top Golf Event
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ESP Class
2013 Executive Support Program Class
The 2013 year Executive Support Program Class included the following Administrative Professionals: Andrea Awebrey, Donna Beran, Miranda Blazekovich, Pamela Fink, Randa Hanna, Deb Hoiden, Denise Kauffman, Melissa Kruse, Carole Murphy, Alicia Pavone, Cathy Seffrood, Kelly Vale, Lauren Wulf
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Schedule
Schedule
BOARD MEETING SCHEDULE 10:30 am
Thursday, November 7
Alsip FD 12600 S Pulaski Rd. Alsip, IL. 60803
10:30 am
Thursday, December 5
To Be Determined**
10:30 am
Thursday, January 9
Addison FPD 10 S. Addison Road Addison, IL. 60181
10:30 am
Thursday, February 6
Barrington FD Public Safety Building 400 North Northwest Highway Barrington, IL. 60010
10:30 am
Thursday, March 6
Channahon FPD 24929 S Center Street Channahon, IL. 60410
UPCOMING EVENTS www.ifsap.org
IFSAP 6th Annual Awards Luncheon Wednesday, December 11, 2013 Pinstripes - Oakbrook 2014 IFSAP Annual Conference 4/23/14-4/26/14 Irish Cottage, Galena IL IFCA Annual Golf Outing July 9, 2014 Glen Eagles Club-Lemont, IL
Raffle Prizes Include: -50� Flatscreen TV -I-Pad -Collectible Stein -Tool Box