NorCal leadership recognizes that many fire departments and prevention divisions have been severely impacted by the downturn in the economy. During the need to reduce costs, many fire prevention bureaus were downsized, some shifted responsibility to building divisions, others may have been completely eliminated. Governments historically rebound much slower than the private sector. The healing of local economies will likely be the last to completely rebound; as the economy slowly begins to rebound, so will jobs, construction projects and the ever-present demands for quick plan review turnaround and inspection services. There will be added political pressure to get businesses up and running to feed the local economy.

Now more than ever it is important for fire prevention professionals to take full responsibility for their own training and staying current in many various areas of expertise. Although training budgets have been all but eliminated, many agencies will allow their employees the time off to attend classes if the employee pays for their own way. We are here to help. The Committee selects and offers classes that provide prevention personnel with the most efficient use of their time and financial resources by offering great classes at a reasonable cost. Please consider taking NorCal FPO sponsored classes on a regular basis as it will help support all of the good work that you do, day in and day out.

This past calendar year, NorCal FPO offered 5 outstanding classes serving approximately 200 students. For the fiscal year 2008/09 we offered 8 classes with more than 300 students – and you helped us raise a net gain of $18,266.21—monies raised are reinvested back into this important organization. Your participation is the life blood of NorCal FPO.

2009 NorCal FPO sponsored classes included:

• February – Smoke & Fire Dampers
• April – Wildfire Workshop, Assessing Wildfire Hazards in the Home Ignition Zone
• Co-hosted with Napa Communities Fire wise Foundation and Fire wise/USA
• June – Hazardous Materials Requirements of the International Codes
• June – 2007 CBC Performing Nonstructural Plan Reviews
• October – Pitfalls of Inspections and Installations of Fire Pumps

We would like to thank the instructors and hosts of the classes, without whom, these classes would not have been possible. In addition to the training opportunities provided, these classes generated revenue to help support the work of the organization.