Untitled Document
Czech Association of Fire Officers
Czech Association of Fire Officers (Česká Asociace Hasičských Důstojníků) was
established during their preliminary assembly on 15th of 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, a secretary,
a treasurer and representative from each region (maximum 8). There are two types
of CAFO meetings. The first one is an assembly which is held once a year and requires
all members to be present. The second one, is a council meeting which is held
once every three months and requires only selected members to be present.
CAFO has taken 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.
Address :
Czech Association of Fire Officers
Výškovická 40
700 44 OSTRAVA - ZÁBŘEH
CZECH REPUBLIC
Tel: +42069378498
Fax: +42069378433
e-mail: cahd@ctvmo.cz
Articles of the Czech Association of Fire Officers
1. Name and Address of the Association
1.1. Official Name: Czech Association of Fire Officers (hereinafter "CAFO")
1.2. CAFO is active on the whole territory of the Czech Republic
1.3. Address: CAFO, Výškovická 40, 700 44 Ostrava-Zábřeh, Czech Republic
2. Aims and Objectives of CAFO
2.1. AIMS
2.1.1. The primary aim of CAFO is to create a platform where experts from the
professional fire protection field in the Czech Republic 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 minimize 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.
2.1.2. CAFO is a member of Federation of the European Union Fire Officers Association
(hereinafter "FEU") and participate on their activities.
2.2. OBJECTIVES
2.2.1. 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'sFire and Rescue Brigades.
2.2.2. 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-fighter´s work for the community.
2.2.3. To propose amendments to, and comment on new legislation which effects
fire protection, utilisation practical experience, knowledge, engineering, research
and development.
2.2.4. To support, develop and improve the level of international and cross-border
co-operation among Fire Brigades.
2.2.5. To organize conferences, seminars and discussion workshops on the current
topics of fire protection and to analyze the outcomes.
2.2.6. To contribute to the education of new fire officers, including the development
of specialist courses which enhances the professional status of Fire Protection.
2.2.7. To abide by the Articles of FEU and contribute to the meetings and work
of the association.
2.2.8. To support, help and initiate the formation of any other activities
that CAFO may consider should be part of its jurisdiction.
3. MEMBERSHIP
3.1. The membership in CAFO is voluntary.
3.1.1. Member of Fire Rescue Brigade of Czech Republic in officer´s rank may
become the regular member of CAFO.
3.1.2. Applicant becomes the regular member after approval at the Assembly of
CAFO.
3.2. Regular member of CAFO commits himself to take an active part in the activities
of any committees CAFO and pay the annual membership fee as agreed by the Assembly.
3.3. Each regular member has a right to a single vote, regardless of position
and function in CAFO.
3.4. Membership in CAFO is terminated by resignation, death, ceased membership
or loss of the officer´s rank.
3.4.1. Membership of every member whose activity is contrary to the aims and
objectives or to the Articles of CAFO, may be ceased by the Assembly of the
association.
3.4.2. Repeated membership must be approved by two thirds of the votes of the
present members.
3.5. Each regular member (hereinafter "member"), who is retiring from the functionary
rate may become a honorary member of CAFO. About honorary membership, except
pension or disability retirement, the acceptance has to be approved by the Assembly.
4. ORGANIZATION
4.1. CAFO is represented by the Assembly, the Council and the President of
CAFO.
4.2. The Assembly is the supreme body of CAFO.
4.2.1. The Assembly meets at least once a year and then only on the basis of
the required by at least one third of regular members or the Council of CAFO.
4.2.2. The Assembly creates delegates, that are voted according to key determined
by the Council CAFO. In case key 1:1 the vote is unperformed.
4.2.3. Once per four years the Assembly votes the President of CAFO. At the
same time members of committees vote theirs leaders who are consequently confirmed
by the Assembly of CAFO.
4.2.4. The Assembly of CAFO further elect a three person supervising committee
of CAFO whose members can not be members of Council of CAFO. Functional period
of the supervising committe of CAFO is four years and their task is an economy
audit of CAFO. Supervising commission of CAFO submit a report to the Assembly
relating to economy audit on their meetings. One of the members of the supervising
committee is elected a chairman. About this election they inform the Assembly
of CAFO. The members of the supervising committe CAFO have right to participate
in meetings of the Council CAFO.
4.2.5. The Assembly has a quorum of more than one half of regular members.
4.2.6. The Assembly:
a) approves and amends the Articles and registered office of CAFO;
b) approves the rules of elections and proceedings of CAFO;
c) form committees and confirm its leaders;
d) approves the budget of CAFO and rules of economy, including the rights of
signature on behalf of CAFO;
e) approves the annual balance sheet and the report of the supervising committee
of CAFO;
f) discusses and approves the business plan of CAFO and the report of the Council
of CAFO regarding the previous reporting period;
g) sets the amount of the annual membership fee;
h) approves the entrance of new members of CAFO;
i) based on a proposal from the Council decides on the cancellation of membership;
j) decides about the honorary membership of CAFO and appreciate prominent members
of CAFO;
k) approves the dissolving of CAFO and settles all economical matters, for this
approval of two thirds of all regular members is required.
4.3. The Council of CAFO consists of the President , leaders of committees
and secretaries.
4.4. The Council of CAFO manages the activities of the association and acts
on behalf of membership between the Assembly meetings.
4.4.1. The Council of CAFO meets regularly, at least once in three months.
4.4.2. The Council of CAFO:
a) summons the Assembly meetings;
b) creates the key for election of delegates for Assembly of CAFO;
c) votes the vice President from the Council of CAFO;
d) leads the committees of CAFO, appoints members of committees;
e) ensures the activities of CAFO, based on the budget approved by the Assembly;
f) accept requests of applicants for membership in CAFO and submits it to the
Assembly of CAFO;
g) accept proposals of honorary membership and submits it to the Assembly of
CAFO. Register pensioners who are honor members.
h) prepares membership cancellation proposals and submits them to the Assembly;
i) is responsible for all relations with FEU;
j) appoints three members of Council of CAFO as representatives to the General
Council of FEU;
k) appoints the Secretaries and quantify theirs obligations;.
4.5. The President of CAFO acts on behalf of the association and processes all
matters, including proposals and suggestions on behalf of the associations to
outside authorities and institutions.
4.6. Funding of CAFO
4.6.1. Funding activities of CAFO are covered from membership fees, and out
goings which include presents, donations and sponsors´ contributions;
4.6.2. Other funding sources for certain selected and approved events are covered
from contributions of Ministry of Interior
5. COMMITTEES
5.1. On the basis of the resolution of the Assembly of CAFO committees are
constituted. External experts may contribute to the work of the committees however,
who are with their agreement appointed to committees by the Council of CAFO.
6. CLOSING CLAUSES
6.1. These Articles were approved at the preliminary Assembly meeting of CAFO,
held on 15th August 1996;
6.2. These Articles become enacted at the date of registration of CAFO by the
Ministry of Interior of the Czech Republic (9th September 1996);
6.3. These Articles were amended by the resolution of the Assembly of CAFO,
held on 26th September 1997;
6.4. These Articles were amended by the resolution of the Assembly of CAFO,
held on 20th November 1998;
6.5. These Articles were amended by the resolution of the Assembly of CAFO,
held on 24th November 2000;
6.6. These Articles were amended by the resolution of the Assembly of CAFO,
held on 19th April 2000;
Ing. Jiří Horáček v.r.
President of CAFO
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