AN URGENT CONVENTION MESSAGE TO THE MEMBERS OF THE IFA

Since its founding in 1879, the IFA has held an annual Convention in September of each year. Since that time, the Convention has grown into a significant event that allows attendees to network, socialize and engage in friendly competition during the Fireground Training Drills.

In the early 1990’s, electrical panels and receptacles were built to allow campers at Convention to have electricity at their campsites. As we all know, campers have increased in size and complexity since that time, and so have the demands on the electrical distribution system for the campground.

Over the years, host departments have made upgrades and repairs to the panels to accommodate these larger demands.  Unfortunately, these upgrades have not kept pace with electrical codes and safety requirements.

This issue is not new, as the current and past IFA Board members have been trying to implement a plan to gradually upgrade the system to current code standards. With the adoption of the new codes, a gradual upgrade is no longer an option.

This brings us to the cold hard facts of this matter. Estimates have been obtained and the cost to bring the campground electrical up to code will be nearly $234,000.

It is unfair to even think that any one host town should bear the cost of the required upgrades, and this should not come as a surprise to anyone, as all have known for many years that the electrical system was living on borrowed time.

Iowa Falls has made a commitment that if the funding becomes a reality, they will have new, Code compliant electrical panels fabricated and ready for the 2022 Convention. If all monies can’t be raised Iowa Falls will build them as the money allows hoping to be complete by 2023 convention. These panels will be safe, weathertight and serve the needs of the IFA and Host towns for years to come.

To break this down, if we, as members if the IFA wish to continue to have a Convention in the form that we have become accustomed to, the $234,000 needs to be raised by the end of May to allow time for the materials to be obtained and assembled to be done by 2022.

To break this down, if every attendee at convention could contribute $100, the money would be easily raised in a short time. It is time for our membership, especially those who participate in Convention to step up and help to fund these needed upgrades.

A portal has been set up on the IFA webpage under “Fundraising” with a tab to donate to this effort.

Again, the urgency of this matter cannot be emphasized enough. Please talk to your department and anyone else that may be willing to contribute to this fund.

Please feel free to reach out to any member of the IFA Board if you want more specific information.  

Respectfully,

IFA Board of Directors

Jason Barrick
Chuck Raska
Roger Carr
Aaron Clemons
Kent Brix
Mike Kime
Nick Riley