Experience the RFI Difference

The demands and expectations placed on the already overburdened members of North America’s small, rural, and remote fire departments increases with each passing day. We have done so much with so little for so long that more and more is expected of us.

To this end a group of concerned long-time members of the rural fire community proudly announce the creation of the Rural Firefighting Institute (RFI), a not-for-profit institute dedicated to the improvement and advancement of fire prevention and control for small, rural and remote fire departments.

Rural fire, rescue, and emergency medical responders are the first responders to virtually any emergency in the vast majority of North America. Because the challenges we face are unique, our methods of service delivery must by their very nature also be unique.

The needs of these rural emergency responders are greater in terms of technology transfer and application, apparatus and equipment availability, community master planning, resource allocation, and training and education, than any other segment of today's Fire Service.

Many have asked why have another organization and why RFI.

Here are a just few of the key reasons:

• It’s great for Congress, Federal, State and Local Officials and the citizens we protect to appropriate and make money available for dry hydrants throughout Rural America but of what value are those dry hydrants if the pumpers, hose, tankers, equipment, training and retraining to effectively and efficiently deliver the water to the scene of the fire are not provided at the same time.

• Over the past decade, much time and energy have been devoted to the development of apparatus, equipment, and personnel performance standards for emergency responders that were so desperately needed. Many of these standards are developed by our peers through the NFPA Standards Making Process which is truly the finest in the land. It is now time to put equal energy into understanding and complying with these standards, especially NFPA 1710 and NFPA 1720, the “deployment” standards as they relate to the Rural Fire Service. While fires may burn the same in the country as in the city, the response capabilities in rural areas in terms of times and personnel and equipment needs are drastically different.

• Nine-eleven changed the total emergency response landscape. While great sums of money have been appropriated in the name of Homeland Security, the fire service (the first to arrive and the last to leave) continue to remain at the end of the federal bread line. And the funds that are allocated to states for the fire service are usually greatly diminished after the administrative fees are deducted. Unfortunately, many funding initiatives go toward the higher priority targets of others and never reach the fire departments

All of our RFI’s educational offerings and services will be made available to anyone wishing to participate via Educational Affiliation Subscriptions.

How can RFI help you?

RFI can only be as good as we all collectively can dream it to be and then assist in achieving the dream. Please share with us your ideas thoughts and suggestions and the needs you feel we need to achieve together. We also will welcome articles for the newsletters, and innovative tips used in your department that can be shared with your peers.

Why RFI

The expectations of, and on, already overburden members of Small, Rural and Remote Fire Departments is overwhelming. For so very long they have done so very much with so very little that it is now automatically expected of them. To this end a group of concerned members of the rural fire community proudly announce the creation of a Rural Firefighting Institute (RFI), a not-for-profit institute dedicated to the improvement and advancement of fire prevention and control for small, rural and remote fire departments. Their needs are greater in terms of technology transfer and application, apparatus and equipment availability, master planning and resource allocation, and training and education, than any other segment of today's Fire Service.

Why the name Rural Firefighting Institute?

Sure it could have been called an association but we do not intend at this time to have membership. Some wonder why it is not called the Rural Firefighters while others say it should include the word volunteers!

The fact is we will exist to improve rural firefighting capabilities in America. Those as defined by others are small, rural and remote fire departments and have volunteer, paid on call, and permanent fire fighters. The title was carefully chosen to reflect who we are and what we intend to do.

In talking about having a clear and directed voice it is for the RFI mission which is to see that rural firefighters are properly trained and have the proper apparatus and equipment to do the jobs they are called on to perform. It is also to encourage more funding for rural fire protections instead of only terrorism and see that fire training facilities like the one in Wayne County in Ohio are available in every county in every state in America. All of our educational services will be through education subscriptions and not membership.

And finally it is not to compete with the National Volunteer Fire Council, the Volunteer section of the IAFC, the standards of the NFPA, or state fire training programs that all have a clearly defined mission and provide excellent services. We want to aid and support there efforts and can’t believe they would not want all the support they can get in seeking the best protection possible for America’s Heartland.

Why National and Regional Expositions

While there are many national and regional events for the fire service few specialize in addressing the needs of the Rural Firefighting Community. Rural firefighters are always welcome in training programs at the state, county and local levels for which they are most thankful. The Founders, however, feel that in this day and age some new and dynamic approaches to and technology designed especially for Rural Firefighting is essential. It is further felt that many rural firefighters have great contributions to advance to the manufacturing and service industry that would make their products more user friendly for everyone concerned. Thus Annual National and Regional Expositions!

Why Wooster Ohio

If you own and operate fire apparatus in America there is a strong chance that some piece of equipment in or on that unit was manufactured in Wooster Ohio who proudly lets the world know that some 11 major fire service provides operate in that County.

Additionally, you will find located there the Arden Shisler Center for Education & Economic Development of the University of Ohio, the leading edge, state of the art Regional Fire and Rescue Training Facility for the practical hands-on applications that many would die to have and may inspire others to replicate, and fairgrounds for the competitions. The list of hosting agencies speaks to the positive attitudes towards the advancement of Rural Firefighting in America. Lastly a fire museum being built at this time could house the Rural Firefighting Hall of Fame. Need, we say more.

The purposes of the Rural Firefighting Institute are to:

1. Promote the importance, awareness, needs, and contributions of Rural Firefighters to the improvement of the economy, environment, and the protection of life and property from natural and manmade disasters and acts of terrorism in America.



2. Provide a loud, clear and directed voice to the legislators and regulators on technology, product specifications and resource availability; legislation and regulations; standards, certification; and the necessary funding to support the 21st Century educational needs of all Rural Firefighters.



3. Promote the development and utilization of reality based performance standards, educational programs, certification and re-certification systems which accurately and fairly, measure, recognize, and compensate the competence of Rural Firefighters.



4. Provide assistance or any and all types, in the development and use of community risk assessment and master plan models, testing and validations of the design and operations of emergency response equipment and apparatus; and the administration and management of Rural Fire Departments.



5. Operate a rural fire and emergency services education and informational exchange network and conduct learning conferences, symposiums, seminars and, expositions relevant to any and all rural fire and emergency services operations.



6. Maintain a sound financial management system to provide the facilities, equipment, resources and personnel to ensure survival, raise liquidity and promote the growth of the Rural Firefighting Institute.



7. Do any and all other things relative to developing, maintaining, and upgrading, the awareness, knowledge, skills, abilities, of all Rural Firefighters in America.

RFI will achieve its purposes by:

1. Developing an awareness of the importance of the Rural Fire Service to the economy, environment and protection of life and property in America.



2. Providing subscribers with a monthly newsletter and the instructional guide for a monthly training program designed specifically for rural fire departments



3. Conducting 1 annual Rural Firefighting Exposition in Wooster, Ohio and
   Regional Expositions each year on a rotational basis nation wide.



4. Operating an informational and educational network for the rural fire community.



5. Providing needed and requested educational programs and advisory services.



6. Developing and implementing certification programs for rural fire fighters.



7. Opening a Rural Fire Fighters Hall of Fame in Wooster, Ohio and encouraging award and presentation competitions for recognition of excellence in rural fire protection.



8. Providing educational materials through the operation of an educational resource center.



9. Operating a formal office and internet web site for the conduct of business. RFI is incorporated in the State of Maryland as a not for profit Organization and has an application pending for IRS 501 (C) (3) status The Institute would not be possible without the support of the founding sponsors as listed on our home page.