Czech Association of Fire Officers (Česká Asociace Hasičských Důstojníků) was established during their preliminary assembly on 15 August 1996 and then has been registered similar to a civil corporation with the Ministry of the Interior.

One of the principle aims of Czech Association of Fire Officers, (CAFO) is the creation of a professional viewpoint of Chief Fire Officers and Deputy Chief Fire Officers to the fire protection field in Czech Republic and in Europe. In this way, CAFO can influence matters including development of fire brigades and fire safety, technical skills, training and fire engineering. Activities completed so far, should lead to more efficient, economic and effective provision of resources. This policy of collaboration will have a positive effect in mitigating the loss and damage to life, property and the economy of the nation by fire and other emergencies.

CAFO is a member of FEU since September 1996, but few years before that, a number of CFO and DCFO attended FEU meetings as observers and contributed to FEU work. As a result of this process, officers adopted FEU ideas and prepared the foundation for a national association.

CAFO council is represented by a president, two vice-presidents, secretary, treasurer and representative from each region (maximum 8). There are two types of CAFO meetings. An assembly is held once a year and requires all members to be present. The second, is a council meeting and is held once every three months and requires only selected members to be present.

CAFO has taken a part in some national and European programs like ”Survey of the career of professional fire-fighters in Europe” and the ”Leonardo da Vinci” project, which is a European fire vocabulary and a Survey of national fire systems across the continent.

1. Name and address of the Association

1. Official name: Czech Association of the Fire Officers (hereinafter “CAFO”)
2. CAFO is active on the whole territory of the Czech Republic
3. Address: CAFO, Výškovická 40, 700 44 Ostrava-Zábřeh, Czech Republic

2. Aims ANd Objectives of CAFO

1. AIMS

1. The primary aim of CAFO is to create an platform where experts from the professional fire protection field in the Czech Republic (Chief Fire Officers of District and Municipal Fire Rescue Departments - FRDs and their Deputies) can voice an expert opinion on matters effecting fire protection in the state authorities. These include local authorities, the Government and the Parliament of the Czech Republic. The focus of these efforts is the recognition that fire protection is a sophisticated system of prevention and intervention which is the nation’s primary defence in emergency situations. Through this collaboration, optimum improvements will be achieved in management, organisational structures, training, legislation, fire-fighting equipment and human resources. In turn, the most effective, progressive and economical results will be achieved to minimise the losses to property, the economy and the community, as a whole which would normally result from the outbreak of fires and other emergency situations.

2. With the geographical-political position of the Czech Republic and its efforts to join the European Union a stated priority. It is good policy to form a recognisable national association ( CAFO ) which reflects other Professional Fire Officer Associations based in other European States. It is anticipated, that as a member of the FEU, CAFO can contribute to the wider debate in Europe and assist with the establishment of safer communities across the continent.

1. OBJECTIVES

1. To prepare proposals for the state authorities, local authorities, the Government and the Parliament of the Czech Republic, regarding the level of fire protection, legislation, technical equipment, financial resources and organisational structures, of it’s Fire and Rescue Brigades.
2. To provide practical experience, knowledge and advice to the respective authorities when making specific decisions. To promote technical experience to the mass media to raise the profile of fire protection and to achieve recognition and acknowledgement of the value of fire-fighters‘ work for the community.
3. To comment on the issues of the labour relations from the employers and the directors of the District and Municipal FRDs point of view.
4. To propose amendments to, and comment on new legislation which effects fire protection, utilising practical experience, knowledge, engineering, research and development.
5. To support, develop and improve the level of international and cross-border co-operation among Fire Brigades.
6. To organise conferences, seminars and discussion workshops on the current topics of fire protection and to analyse the outcomes.
7. To contribute to the education of new fire officers, including the development of specialist courses which enhances the professional status of Fire Protection.

8. To abide by the Articles of FEU and contribute to the meetings and work of the association.
9. To support, help and initiate the formation of any other activities that CAFO may consider should be part of it’s jurisdiction.

2. MEMBERSHIP

1. All Directors (Chief Fire Officers) of Fire and Rescue Brigades of administrative districts and statutory cities (Prague, Brno, Ostrava, Pilsen) and their deputies (Deputy Chief Fire Officers) may become ordinary members. In addition, they can become directors of the institutions of the fire protection (schools, vocational schools, Technical Institute of Fire Protection). Membership in CAFO is voluntary.

1. A CFO or DCFO who applies in writing will become a member of CAFO. He remains a member so long as he complies with the requirements of the Articles of the association, pays the membership fees and commits himself to take an active part in the activities of CAFO.
2. Ordinary members of CAFO pay the annual membership fee as agreed by the Assembly. The fee to be paid is the same even if they become members part way through a membership year.

1. Each ordinary member has a right to a single vote, regardless of their position and function in CAFO. If voting results in a tie, the President of CAFO has the casting vote.
2. Membership in CAFO is terminated by resignation, death, ceased membership or loss of the position of CFO (DCFO).

1. Membership of any member whose activity is contrary to the aims and objectives or the Articles of CAFO, may be ceased by the Assembly of the association.
2. Repeated membership must be approved by two thirds of the votes of the present members.

3. Each ordinary member who is retiring from the position of CFO (DCFO) may become a honorary member of CAFO. The acceptance has to be approved by the Assembly.

3. ORGANIZATION

1. CAFO is represented by Assembly, Council and President of CAFO.

1. The Council of CAFO consists of a President, two Vice-Presidents, Secretary and Treasurer and one representative of each of the eight regions of the Czech Republic. The Capital City of Prague is equal to a region.

1. The Council of CAFO manages the activities of the association and acts on behalf of membership between the Assembly meetings.

1. The Council of CAFO meets regularly, at least once in three months.
2. Council members are elected for two years which may be prolonged by the Assembly for the following two years, except the Secretary whose position is not connected to a specific time period.
3. Council of CAFO

1. calls the Assembly meetings;
2. leads the committees of CAFO, appoints members of committees;
3. ensures the activities of CAFO, based on the budget approved by the Assembly;
4. prepares membership cancellation proposals and submits them to the Assembly;
5. is responsible for all relations with FEU;
6. appoints three members of Council of CAFO as representatives to the General Council of FEU.

1. The Council of CAFO appoints the Secretary of the association.

3. Secretary is obliged to:

1. prepare papers for the Assembly meetings and to organise the meetings;
2. stay in contact with chairmen of the committees and to transmit information from the Council to the committees and vice versa;
3. implement the orders of the Council;
4. do the administrative work of CAFO;
5. stay in contact with FEU and transmit mutual requirements both ways.

3. The President of CAFO acts on behalf of the association and processes all matters, including proposals and suggestions on behalf of the association to outside authorities and institutions.
4. The Vice-Presidents represent the association in the absence of the President. One is responsible for legislation and fire protection, the other for operations.
5. The Treasurer is responsible for managing the finances of the association including income provided from the membership fees, and out goings which include presents, donations and sponsors‘ contributions. The Treasurer prepares fiscal documents for the supervising commission.
6. Elected representatives of the regions convey the requirements of ordinary members to the Council and vice-versa. In turn they inform the members about activities of the Council and CAFO as a whole.
7. The Assembly is the supreme body of CAFO.

1. The Assembly meets at least once a year and then only on the basis of the requirement that at least one third of members of the Council are present.
2. The Assembly elects once in every two years a new President, two new Vice-Presidents and a Treasurer. Regions elect their representatives to the Council.
3. The Assembly elects the supervising commission consisting of three members. Members of the commission may not be members of the Council. The supervising commission is elected every two years and holds the responsibility of controlling the economics of CAFO. The Commission submits progress reports to the Assembly.
4. The Assembly has a quorum of more than one half of ordinary members.
5. The Assembly:

1. approves and amends the Articles and address of CAFO;
2. approves the rules of elections and proceedings of CAFO;
3. forms the committees;
4. approves the budget of CAFO, including the rights of signature on behalf of CAFO;
5. approves the annual balance sheet and the report of the supervising commission;
6. discusses and approves the business plan of CAFO and the reports of the supervising commission, regarding the previous reporting period;
7. sets the amount of the annual membership fee;
8. based on a proposal from the Council decides on the cancellation of membership;
9. approves the honorary members of CAFO and approves the installation of the prominent members of CAFO;
10. approves the dissolving of CAFO and settles all economical matters, for this approval of two thirds of all ordinary members is required.

4. COMMITTEES

1. It is based on the resolution of the Assembly that the committees are structured. External experts may contribute to the work of the committees however, non/members of CAFO must be appointed by the Council.
2. The Chairman of the committee must always be a member of CAFO.

4. CLOSING CLAUSES

1. These Articles were approved at the preliminary Assembly meeting of CAFO, held on 15^th August 1996;
2. These Articles become enacted at the date of registration of CAFO by the Ministry of Interior of the Czech Republic (9^th September 1996);
3. These Articles were amended by the resolution of the Assembly of CAFO, held on 26^th September 1997.