Hello, everyone. On the eve of our annual 2008 NIAFPD Conference the committee has been very busy tying up loose ends to make sure that this will be the best conference ever. We are confidant that you will love the new look of the Double Tree Hotel. With all their improvements we feel they will shine as never before. Enclosed in this issue of the Fire Guard you will be able to look over the entire program to help you pick out just the right class for you and your district. Attending the NIAFPD Conference is a total educational experience. Along with all the educational classes offered, the networking with your fellow trustees is priceless. I look forward to seeing all of you there.

The new “NIAFPD Financial Manual for Illinois Fire Protection Districts” will be ready for distribution at the conference. Each district will receive one hard copy and one copy on CD. We hope the manual will help you and your district in the future. As I stated in the last issue of Fire Guard this manual was put together for us by our friends at the Law Firm of Ancel, Glink, Diamond, Bush, DiCianni & Krafthefer. This manual is packed with pages of useful information.

The Legislative Committee has been working hard along with the IAFPD to put our platform together for the upcoming Legislative sessions. If you have any issues, please contact Bill Hoffmeister, Chairman of the legislative committee. Bill is with the Frankfort Fire Protection District. Or you can contact Kathy Haage our Executive Director.

We are still looking for a few people to fill the open spots we have on the Board of Directors. If you are interested or if you know someone who is interested please contact Kathy Haage or myself as soon as possible.

As in the past if you should have any questions about the NIAFPD or if you might need to find out more about the Fire Service please don’t hesitate to call Kathy Haage or myself and we will try our best to help you.