Mission Statement

We are a division of the International Association of Fire Chiefs and therefore we operate under the following IAFC Mission Statement: Provide leadership to career and volunteer chiefs, chief fire officers and managers of emergency service organizations throughout the Great Lakes region, through vision, information, education, services and representation to enhance their professionalism and capabilities.

The Great Lakes Division

Our Division represents the states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin. The board of directors is comprised of a State Representative from each of the six states who are elected to three year terms. The "Executive Officers" are elected by the membership at large and includes the president and vice president who serve two year terms. There has been a long-standing "handshake agreement" that the vice president is elected from each state on a rotational basis to ensure that one state does not dominate the board on a long term basis. There is also an understanding among the members that normal progression is that the vice president is elected to the position of president upon completion of his term.

Our International Director, the person who represents our Division on the International Board, is elected to a three year term as is our Secretary/Treasurer. Both of these positions are elected from the membership at large.