ARVADA, Colo. — The American Association of Special Districts (AASD) and the National Association of Emergency and Fire Officials (NAEFO) have forged a partnership to elevate the federal voice of America’s special districts providing emergency services, expand delivery of governance resources to district leaders, and altogether strengthen the ties among all special districts.
AASD and NAEFO’s affiliation is the first of its kind among national organizations serving special districts and is rooted in collaboration to align relevant efforts and support each other’s common goals. The organizations anticipate increased capacity to serve and represent more special districts as a result of this partnership.
Chiefly, NAEFO Members are now able to access AASD’s developing core governance resources for special district leaders, in general; coalition engagement/development efforts; and tap into the growing AASD Professional Network. AASD Emergency Services & Public Safety members will benefit from enhanced federal advocacy resources; representation on a wider set of issues emergency services district issues in Washington, D.C.; and an additional platform to connect and network with fellow emergency service district chiefs, administrators, managers, and board members.
“The American Association of Special Districts is excited to partner with the National Association of Emergency and Fire Officials to strengthen the ties among all special districts and enhance our abilities to best serve our local government leaders,” said Sara Carroll, AASD President. “Our affiliation advances AASD’s mission to unite, strengthen, and advance all special districts. We look forward to closely collaborating with NAEFO to expand America’s fire, ambulance, and emergency 911 districts access to governance education, district networking, and coalition development resources.”
The AASD-NAEFO affiliation agreement allows new AASD Emergency Services & Public Safety Members (including fire protection, ambulance, and 911 communications districts) to enjoy dual AASD-NAEFO membership and benefits, and new NAEFO State Members will receive limited benefits of AASD Associate Special District Organization Membership. The outcome of this national partnership will, in the years ahead, lead to more emergency services districts leaders’ exposure to best practices to take on common district challenges, receive tools for good governance and optimal community services, and build a force of fire, ambulance, and 911 district leaders to effectively advocate in their state capitals and in Washington, D.C.
“As emergency services districts, we cannot take on the wide challenges facing special district governance ourselves and must strengthen ties with our fellow special district stakeholders to achieve shared policy goals – from the local to the federal level,” said Bruce Suenram, NAEFO President and Hamilton Rural (Mont.) Fire District Chair. “Whether it is water infrastructure for firefighting or intergovernmental collaboration issues: this partnership with AASD will build NAEFO’s capacity to achieve federal advocacy priorities and provide grassroots solutions for our state and district members. NAEFO is excited for this opportunity to bring the nation’s fire, ambulance, and 911 districts together with fellow districts.”
More than 6,000 special districts provide fire protection services according to 2022 U.S. Census of Governments; however, the figure is undercounted. AASD and NAEFO estimate the total number of fire protection, ambulance, and emergency 911 communications is closer to 6,800 in total. The organizations share goals of enhancing the federal governments’ understanding special districts providing emergency services to tens of millions of Americans every day.
AASD is ecstatic to welcome six new organizations as Associate Special District Organization Members, with full access to the AASD Professional Network, among other benefits: Illinois Association of Fire Protection Districts, Missouri Association of Fire Protection Districts, Montana Fire Trustees Association, Oregon Fire Districts Boards Association, Texas State Association of Fire and Emergency Districts, and the Washington Fire Commissioners Association.
Special districts are stronger when they collaborate on shared issues and advance with a unified voice. AASD and NAEFO look forward to a solid, supportive collaboration for the years ahead.
The American Association of Special Districts is led by a multi-disciplinary team that shares a passion for advancing the special district sector of local government and best serving their communities. AASD provides programs to develop special districts’ capacities to advocate with all levels of government officials and policymakers; connects professional and governance service providers with special districts to enhance their services; and works to develop recognition and understanding of district services at county, state, and federal levels.Learn more at www.americasdistricts.org.
The National Association of Emergency and Fire Officials is a forward-thinking national organization that speaks with a unified voice for emergency services officials for the purpose of influencing policies, regulation and legislation relating to emergency services issues at the national level. In addition, elected officials and State Associations of emergency services organizations are kept informed of national emergency services issues. Visit www.naefo.org for more information.
For more information on this partnership and how to get involved with AASD and NAEFO, contact Cole Arreola-Karr, AASD Executive Director, at contact@americasdistricts.org.