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Goshen fire chief leads state associationGOSHEN, Sep 20, 2010 (Goshen News - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Dan Sink, a 29-year Goshen firefighter who has served as the department's chief the past five years, was elected president of the Indiana Fire Chiefs Association last month. The commitment to serve on the fire chief association executive board is a four-year commitment, he said, as the candidate serves in vice president roles before taking the top job for one year. And the past president has an important role, planning the annual summer emergency response conference. "We try to foster quality legislation and quality education for Hoosier firefighters," Sink said. The fire chief organization sponsors an emergency responders conference, which is attended by firefighters, paramedics and EMTs, in August in Indianapolis. That conference also includes training, networking and visiting with vendors. The fire chief organization recently organized the Indiana Fire Alliance, Sink said, that joins members of the fire chiefs association, Volunteer Firefighter Association, Indiana Firefighter Association and the professional fire union. The alliance was created to help the fire organizations speak with one voice on major issues, Sink said. He explained that he also serves with the state Homeland Security organization in a leadership position. "It's been a great learning experience for me," he said of the state service. "We learn a lot from other departments. It is nice to represent the city -- be an emissary for the city of Goshen." Sink explained he joined the Goshen department at age 22, hired by Chief Duane Stoner. Sink will mark 29 years on Nov. 6. Sink had served as captain of the paramedics under Chief Greig Weaver and Chief Larry Gill made him chief paramedic. The previous fire chief, John Alheim, promoted Sink to assistant chief and he remained on a shift until 2004. Sink was named Goshen's chief in 2005 when Alheim stepped down. The department now has three battalion chiefs, one on each shift, he said. The assistant chief now works week days like the chief. To see more of the Goshen News, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.goshennews.com/. Copyright (c) 2010, Goshen News, Ind. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For more information about the content services offered by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services (MCT), visit www.mctinfoservices.com, e-mail [email protected], or call 866-280-5210 (outside the United States, call +1 312-222-4544). |