International Association of Fire Chiefs

Established in 1873, the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) is a powerful, professional membership organization of more than 12,600 chief fire and emergency officers. The mission of the IAFC is to provide leadership to career and volunteer chiefs, chief fire officers, and managers of emergency service organizations throughout the international community through vision, information, education, services, and representation to enhance their professionalism and capabilities. Members of the IAFC are the world’s leading experts in fire fighting, emergency medical services, terrorism response, hazardous materials spills, natural disasters, search and rescue, and public safety legislation.

John M. Buckman III
Chief Buckman serves as fire chief of the German Township Volunteer Fire Department in Evansville, IN, and is past president of the International Association of Fire Chiefs. In 2001, he received the designation Chief Officer from the Commission on Fire Accreditation International. Chief Buchman graduated from the Executive Fire Officer Program at the National Fire Academy in 1988. President George W. Bush appointed Chief Buckman to the Department of Homeland Security State, Tribal, and Local Advisory Group. In 2000 he was appointed to the America Burning Revisited Commission by President William J. Clinto. In 1995, Fire Chief magazine named Chief Buckman Fire Chief of the Year. He has authored over 70 articles and presented at a variety of conference in all 50 states as well as Canada.