Committee: Communications & Policy

Contact: Kurt Rogers, Chair – [email protected]

2024 Mission:
The mission of the Communications and Policy Committee is to provide policy recommendations to the Minnesota State Fire Chief’s Association (MSFCA) Board of Directors, with an emphasis on promoting goals, directions, and quality within the organization. The committee continuously monitors and updates the policy and procedure manual to ensure the MSFCA operates within state and federal laws and regulations it sets for itself. As the need arises, new policies are introduced to the Board of Directors for consideration.

The committee also assists the Board of Directors to coordinate all the MSFCA’s committees and communication channels. It oversees all facets of the MSFCA website, Minnesota Fire Chief magazine, and E-Newsletter operations that include but are not limited to, publishing, editing, and advertising. The committee also ensures that all informational content meets the needs of the MSFCA’s members.

2024 Report:
The committee has two primary objectives: communications and policy. As in the past few years, most of the focus in 2024 was on policy work. The policy & procedure manual was last overhauled in 2015. The committee started tackling the review and revision of MSFCA policies. This year, policies 201, 206, and 801were updated and approved by the Board of Directors. Spelling errors were corrected, and the format was completely overhauled due to repetitive and extraneous language.

Policy #201: Fundraising 

Currently, the Association does not fundraise, so a separate policy for Fundraising is not necessary. The below paragraph on fundraising was added into Policy #206 Fiscal Controls and Policy #201 was eliminated.

Fundraising

The Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association (MSFCA) does not do any direct fundraising. The Board of Directors must approve any fundraising efforts or contracts with fundraising companies. 

Policy #206: Fiscal Controls

The policy was streamlined and updated to current practices.

Policy #801: Lifetime Membership Criteria Policy

The policy was updated to current practices, and small formatting changes were made.

Once the manual is overhauled, it will continuously be reviewed to update the policy and procedure manual. 

2025 is a great year to get involved with communications and policy work. Our committee is always expanding 

2024 Communications & Policy Committee Members

• Chair: Kurt Rogers, Lakewood, Fire Chief

• Tim Bush, Fire Chief, Maple Grove

• Dennis Edwards, Asst. Chief, Duluth

• Dan Lysher, Fire Chief, 148th Air National Guard