NAHF Participates in IAFC-FRIConference in Dallas Texas

On September 14-19, 2006, the National Association of Hispanic Firefighters (NAHF) Executive Board participated in the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) FRI Conference in Dallas, Texas. This event provided an excellent opportunity for the NAHF to affirm its relationships with key Fire Service leaders including, President of the IAFC Chief Jim Harmes, Fire Chief Mario Trevino Bellevue Washington, IABPFF President Johnny Brewington, and Dr. Dennis Onieal Superintendent of the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland.

One of the highlights of the conference was the Hispanic Officers Luncheon on Friday afternoon. It was standing room only as the President of the NAHF, Alberto Olmos, Vice President of the Dallas Hispanic Firefighters Association, Sal Morales and Dallas Fire Chief Eddie Burns Sr. welcomed the attendees. San Jose Fire Chief, Darryl Von Raesfeld, spoke to the audience about the success of the 2006 NAHF International Training Conference witch took place in San Jose California. Chief Von Raesfeld stated “If you ever have the opportunity to host the NAHF Int’l Training Conference in your City, I recommend you support it 100%”

President Alberto Olmos and Executive VP Sammy Chavira, went on a tour of the Lone Star State meeting with labor representatives from Texas and Oklahoma including, Dallas Firefighters Local 58 President Mike Buehler, Austin Local 975 VP Robert Garcia, San Antonio Local 624 President Chris Steele, Houston Local 341 President Roland Chavez and IAFF 11th District VP from Oklahoma Sandy McGhee. President Olmos stated “It’s important to understand the NAHF is not a labor organization. We’re a community based non-profit organization that acts as the conduit of communication between the fire service and the Hispanic community”. The NAHF encourages all its members to join their Local Firefighter Unions.
Texas House of Representatives Member Roberto R. Alonzo presents NAHF with a State of Texas House of Representatives Resolution recognizing September 16, as Mexico’s independence from Spain recalling the historic events of that day 1810

Submitted by: Eva Solorio, Executive Consultant to the President