elected by the IFSTA Validation Conference delegates. Up to one third of the board members may be appointed to the board at the recommendation of the executive director and the board chair. Board members serve three-year terms. The chair is elected by simple majority of the board. The chair presides over all board and general assembly meetings. It is also the duty of the chair to appoint all standing and ad hoc committees. The vice chair is appointed by the chair from the board membership. The vice chair serves as chair of the administrative committee and the delegate selection committee and assists with other duties as assigned by the board. The executive director is an employee of Oklahoma State University who is approved by the board. The executive director is empowered to act autonomously for the executive board in questions of policy that are of concern to the association until such time as the board can give those questions due consideration. The IFSTA Delegate Selection Committee The Delegate Selection Committee selects delegates for technical input. This committee consists of three board members and two conference delegates; the committee is chaired by the vice chair of IFSTA. The committee reviews applications, and the delegates are selected based upon technical expertise and demographics. IFSTA Technical Committees Serving on an IFSTA technical committee is prestigious in the fire service community, and delegates are acknowledged leaders in their fields. This unique feature provides a close relationship between the International Fire Service Training Association and other fire protection agencies, which helps to correlate the efforts of all concerned. IFSTA technical committees meet and work at the conference addressing the current standards of the National Fire Protection Association and other standards-making groups as they apply to IFSTA-validated manuals. Committee members also received drafts of manual throughout the year and electronic meetings are held on a regular basis, in between the two in-person meetings. Committee members are technical experts who review all manual drafts (produced by the FPP editorial staff) and verify that the content is valid. Committee members are not paid, and IFSTA or Fire Protection Publications only reimburses them for their expenses associated with attending January meetings. Committee members participate because of their commitment to the fire service and its future through training. The History of IFSTA In 1933, newly hired Oklahoma A&M Fire Training Coordinator W. Fred Heisler and Stillwater Fire Chief J. Ray