East Fork chief completes federal fire officer executive program

East Fork Fire & Paramedic Districts Fire Chief Tod F. Carlini has completed the executive fire officer program offered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U. S. Fire Administration.

"The intensive executive fire officer program is designed to provide senior fire officers with a broad perspective on various facets of fire and emergency services administrations," said U.S. Fire Administrator Gregory B. Cade. "This program provides fire service officers with the expertise they need to succeed in today's challenging environment."

Carlini took seven years to complete the course, delayed by the attack on the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, and a death in the family.

"One of the biggest and best benefits of the entire program is being able to be with other fire officers from around the country and world for a two-week period," Carlini said. "I have made life-long friends from all over the country by being able to participate in this important program. In many cases, you find that problems and issues you are facing are being faced by others in departments both big and small. Being able to network solutions and ideas with your peers at a national level is an experience I will never forget."

Each of the four courses requires a written applied research project or theses which demonstrates the application of course theory and concepts to real life situations within the student's own organization.

Each project was evaluated through a formal process and progression through the program was contingent on achieving each milestones.

Carlini's four papers, dealt with issues affecting East Fork Fire & Paramedic Districts and Douglas County.

His first paper was on the impact of a lack of affordable housing on volunteer recruitment.

His second paper, based on risk management, discussed a wildland fire assessment program, which the district did implement.

The third paper centered on federal government cost share agreements for wildland firefighting and its impact on local government.

His final project was the consolidation of the Sierra Forest Fire Protection District of Douglas County with the East Fork Fire Protection District, which was implemented last year.

Carlini said he was thankful for the opportunity to attend and noted that it took seven years to achieve this credential.

Carlini was preceded in this accomplishment by retired Deputy Fire Chief Dave Drew. Carlini and Drew are the only two East Fork chief officers to earn the distinction. Deputy Chief Dave Fogerson and Battalion Chief Scott Fraser are now in their third and second years in the program respectfully.

"It is essential for today's fire officers to gain as much knowledge as possible and to stay in step with the many changes that are taking place in today's fire service," Carlini said.

The executive fire officer program is considered the equivalent of a core course work of a master's degree in fire administration.