President's Message  Barry Baker, Fire Chief  Ormond Beach Fire Department   July 2008  I am hoping that all readers of this article are registered for the FFCA  Annual Conference in Ponte Vedra (July 25-30)?  If not, you are missing  the all too infrequent opportunity to acquire critical information from industry experts and network with your peers in an absolutely stunning setting.  For those who have waited to the last minute to register, simply visit to the ffca.org website and join in the party.  Our annual conference traditionally involves our families, so please bring them along to enjoy the events.   The end of one’s term tends to be a bittersweet time for outgoing presidents. Bitter because I will become a forgotten has-been in several short weeks (much like Rick, Mark, and Bill; can’t remember the has-beens last names) but sweet because I have been honored and fulfilled in serving as your president and because after a busy year some free time will be welcomed.   But most of all I want to thank each and every member of the FFCA for their confidence in placing me in this leadership role and their support throughout this past year.  It has been a busy and productive year both legislatively and personally.  Strategically it has been a year of enhancing existing partnerships and formulating new relationships.  The Board’s hope is that those partnerships and relationships will provide opportunities that were perhaps impossible in the past and assist us in reaching our visions outlined in our strategic plan.   What is turning out to be a normal wildfire season will soon be followed by our traditional hurricane season.  Needless to say, we must be prepared for the worst and hope for something significantly less.  Unfortunately, it seems that every year our key FFCA SERP leadership team is surprised to find that many of our members are not familiar with our statewide response plan.  Please don’t be shy about reviewing that document along with the most recent changes and share it with all of your personnel.  Our SERP plan works well for all who know how to activate the plan.  Don’t wait until an emergency occurs to get any of your questions answered, simply contact your regional coordinator.   Next month your new president, Fire Chief Nat Ippolito, will be writing this article and leading this organization into the future.  Chief Ippolito is a wonderful person, a strong relationship builder and first-class leader, deserving the same support that you have given me this past year.  I look forward to seeing each of you in Ponte Vedra.  Thanks for the opportunities that this organization has provided me…..   PS- If you plan on attending the Southeastern conference in Chattanooga, TN in mid-June, please plan on staying for the voting on Saturday morning, June 21st.  The FFCA Board has endorsed Fire Chief Rick Talbert for the 2nd Vice-President’s position and strongly encourage you vote for Rick. Stay safe…. Barry Baker, Fire Chief Ormond Beach Fire Department President Florida Fire Chiefs' Association