Mellits Elected President of IAFC

A Prince George’s County Volunteer Firefighter has been elected as President of the International Association of Fire Chiefs – Eastern Division. Pete Mellits, a long-time member and past chief of the Bowie Volunteer Fire Department, was elected and installed to the top spot at the organizations 85^th Annual Conference.

In an email to the Prince George’s County Fire/Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Department, Fire Chief Marc S. Bashoor wrote, “Please join me in congratulating Pete Mellits from the Bowie VFD, who on June 1 was elected and installed, to the position of President, Eastern Division of the International Association of Fire Chiefs."

"It is heartening to see one of our Prince George's County volunteer officers ascend through the chairs of the Presidency. I look forward to making progress, improving safety, and working with Pete and the rest of the IAFC on other areas of mutual concern.”

“Congratulations Pete!”

The 85^th Annual Conference of the Eastern Division of the International Association of Fire Chiefs was held in Trevose, PA on June 1, 2012. Here is a complete roster of those elected and installed during the conference.

Chief Pete Mellits, PRESIDENT – Maryland

Chief Jon Holcombe, 1st VICE PRESIDENT – New Jersey

Chief Paul Whorrall, 2nd VICE PRESIDENT – New York

Chief Mark Showmaker, Immediate Past President - Pennsylvania

Chief William Walton, Jr., INTERNATIONAL DIRECTOR – Delaware

Chief Bill Betts DELAWARE DIRECTOR

Chief Paul Sterling, MARYLAND DIRECTOR

Director James Yates, NEW JERSEY DIRECTOR

Chief Harold Phillips, NEW YORK DIRECTOR

Chief Hanne Stahl, PENNSYLVANIA DIRECTOR

Chief William Askenstedt, SECRETARY/TREASURER – New Jersey

The Eastern Division of the International Association of Fire Chiefs represents Fire and Emergency Services Leaders from the states of Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and the District of Columbia.

The mission of the Eastern Division is to support the goals and objectives of the International Association of Fire Chiefs by serving as the liaison between the IAFC and the Division’s member states. The Eastern Division will do this by professionally consolidating regional issues and opinions, providing valuable and necessary input to the IAFC, and disseminating pertinent information from the International Association of Fire Chiefs to the Division's member states.

The Eastern Division supports the IAFC mission “To provide leadership to career and volunteer chiefs, chief fire officers and managers of emergency services organizations throughout the international community through vision, information, education, services and representation to enhance their professionalism and capabilities”.