WAHA announces new partnerships with Wyoming fire groups
Wyoming Fire Chiefs’ Association and Wyoming Fire Advisory Board offer new opportunities for building all-hazards capabilities
by Wyoming All Hazards Association
January 22, 2016
A full day of meetings in Riverton on January 8, 2016 resulted in new relationships between WAHA and two of the preeminent fire groups in Wyoming: the Wyoming Fire Chiefs’ Association and the Wyoming Fire Advisory Board.
WAHA President Jim Mitchell and WAHA member Rich Ochs attended a day of fire-oriented meetings last Friday at the request of Fire Advisory Board Chairman and Jackson Hole Fire/EMS Chief Willy Watsabaugh. Watsabaugh wanted both fire groups to hear about what WAHA is doing to bring together multiple disciplines in order to further the all-hazards concept in emergency preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation.
"Having WAHA representatives in the room to answer questions about the organization helped everyone realize that we’re all working towards the same goal: a safer place for all emergency responders and Wyoming residents and visitors," Chairman Watsabaugh said.
As a result of these meetings, the Wyoming Fire Advisory Board requested that WAHA provide two representatives to serve on a Training Consolidation Committee. The goal of this committee is to work with state agencies to help streamline the process for storing and sharing training certifications and qualifications. In a separate meeting, the Wyoming Fire Chiefs’ Association voted to have their Association become a member of WAHA with Campbell County Fire Training Chief Ron Smith serving as their liaison. In return, the Fire Chiefs’ Association requested that WAHA provide a liaison to their group as well.
"I am very excited to be building these new partnerships with the fire service and look forward working together on important statewide issues," said Mitchell.
WAHA was formed to promote all hazards planning, preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation for all hazards, further the professional advancement of all hazards preparedness, and to insure and maintain protection of life and property from disasters throughout the State of Wyoming.
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