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Five Alaska Fire Chiefs signed the Statement of Support February 11th, 2009 in Juneau, Alaska. Left to right: Warren Cummings Fire Chief for the City of Fairbanks Fire Department, Jeff Tucker Fire Chief for North Star Volunteer Fire Department, Command Chief Master Sergeant Dennis Hogan Alaska Air National Guard Command Chief, Brigadier General Thomas Katkus Assistant Adjutant General Alaska Army National Guard, Douglas Schrage Deputy Fire Chief Anchorage Fire Department, Eric Mohrmann Fire Chief Capital City Fire and Rescue, Rocky Ansell Safety Officer State of Alaska Division of Forestry

Warren Cummings, Jeff Tucker, Doug Schrage, Eric Mohrmann, Rocky Ansel all signing Statement of Support

Juneau, AK – Representatives of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) in Alaska signed Statements of Support for the National Guard and Reserve on February 11, 2009. The President of the Alaska Fire Chiefs Association, Deputy Chief Doug Schrage, hosted the signing event at the bi-annual meeting in Juneau, Alaska.

“Like the National Guard and Reserve, the Alaskan emergency services rely heavily on the availability of volunteers in service to our communities and nation. By signing our statement of support, we mean to show our gratitude both to those in service and those employers who enable them.” Deputy Chief Doug Schrage states, he was one of five representatives who signed a “Statement of Support”.

Representations of the International Association of Fire Chiefs join with thousands of America’s employers in pledging:

• To fully recognize, honor and enforce the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act (USERRA). 
• To assure their managers and supervisors will have the tools they need to effectively manage those employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve.
• To continually recognize and support our country’s service members and their families in peace, in crises and in war.

Representation from the State of Alaska Division of Safety, City of Fairbanks Fire Department, Anchorage Fire Department, Capital City Fire Rescue, and North Star Volunteer Fire Department signed the Statement of Support for their volunteers who serve in the National Guard and Reserve.

The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) is the voice of fire and emergency service leaders around the world. Established in 1873, the IAFC is a powerful network of nearly 13,000 chief fire and emergency service officers who are the world’s leading experts in firefighting, emergency medical services, terrorism response, hazardous materials, natural disasters, search and rescue, and fire prevention and education.

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) is a Department of Defense agency established in 1972. The mission of ESGR is to gain and maintain employer support for Guard and Reserve service by recognizing outstanding support, increasing awareness of the law, and resolving conflicts through mediation. ESGR volunteers provide free education, consultation, and if necessary mediation for employers of Guard and Reserve employees.

As the 1.3 million members of the National Guard and Reserve continue to perform an increasing number of unique missions that require extraordinary actions on the part of everyday citizens, ESGR will continue to be the informational agency for the employers of America’s citizen warriors. More information about ESGR Employer Outreach Programs and volunteer opportunities is available at www.esgr.mil or by contacting Tom Bullock, Chief, Employer Outreach, of the National ESGR Committee, at 703-696-1386, or email tom.bullock@osd.mil.