The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) has welcomed Chief Steven Locke as its 150th President.
Locke, of the South Burlington Fire Department in Vermont, was officially sworn in as IAFC President and Board Chair on Friday, August 14 during the annual Fire Rescue International Conference.
He succeeds outgoing President Chief Trisha Wolford of Anne Arundel County, Maryland.
Executive leadership appointments
Locke was joined by newly sworn executive leaders Chief Ernest Malone of Indianapolis, Indiana, who becomes First Vice President, and Chief Mike Snider of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, who takes the role of Second Vice President.
Wolford will remain on the IAFC Executive Committee as Immediate Past President.
As IAFC President, Locke will serve as the association’s official spokesperson and representative.
He will preside over meetings of the Association and Board of Directors and lead the organisation in advancing fire and emergency services worldwide.
IAFC leadership continues
IAFC Presidents serve one year terms, providing strategic leadership and helping advance the Association’s mission to lead, educate and serve the global fire and emergency service community.
Chief Locke said: “Together with our CEO, Donna Black, our Board of Directors, our Divisions, Sections, Committees, and Task Forces, I intend to push hard to ensure we are living up to our vision statement: igniting global leaders for a safer tomorrow.
“The IAFC must be the voice of fire service leadership. We must be engaged in every aspect of our profession, representing everyone from the largest metro departments to the smallest volunteer organisations across the globe.
“Serving as IAFC president was never an aspiration of mine. Anyone who knows me well understands that I am an introvert by nature. I’m more comfortable working behind the scenes than standing behind a podium.
“But after ten years on the IAFC Board, I also understood the moment we are in. I saw the need for steady, strong leadership, the need to sharpen our focus on member value, and the need to remain contemporary, relevant, and forward-looking while still honoring our traditions and the people who paved the way for us.
“Those needs are why I am both honored and humbled to serve as President of the IAFC.”
South Burlington City Manager Jessie Baker, said: “In all he does, Chief Locke creates momentum. He identifies areas for improvement and action, he moves them forward, he gets stuff done, and he delivers results.
“He doesn’t wait for change—but creates the change that improves any team in which he plays a role.”
