SEATTLE- Public Safety GPO (a program of NPPGov) and Washington Fire Chief’s Association, leaders in the Public Safety cooperative purchasing and the Fire Service , today announced a direct partnership to continue the efforts both started together decades ago to provide open, fair and competitive cooperative options to their members. Washington Fire Chief’s Executive Director Wayne Senter has been working directly with Bill DeMars, the Executive Director of Public Safety GPO, to establish a plan which supports the GPO’s vendors and enhances the use of cooperative agreements within the State of Washington. “Washington Fire Chiefs are excited to continue the partner directly with Public Safety GPO to offer our members departmental and individual discounts which will not only save them money but will also directly help our association financially. We feel a direct relationship with GPO was in the best interest of our members and the fire industry. Said Senter”
This relationship will provide the Washington Fire Chief’s with over 100 publicly procured agreements for products and services used by the Fire Service every day, along with a discount program to their individual members from over 20 vendors such as AT&T FirstNet. “After a decades long indirect relationship with Washington Fire Chiefs (WFC), Public Safety GPO looks forward to working directly with WFC and its Executive Board to support their member departments and individuals. We feel that cooperative purchasing is an open and competitive tool which should not be hindered by exclusive relationships with associations and partners. The Public Safety Team is looking forward to growing our WFC relationship along with the relationship of other State Fire Associations! Said DeMars”
About Public Safety GPO
Public Safety GPO is a program of NPPGov providing public safety departments access to publicly solicited contracts from vendors who supply goods and services. Contracts are created through a public RFP process by a Lead Public Agency that allows members to “piggyback” on the contract, eliminating the need to complete their own RFP process. Public Safety GPO staff and legal counsel facilitate this process and provide necessary documentation and support.
About Washington Fire Chiefs
Washington Fire Chiefs was formed in 1975 and it has served as the Fire Chiefs association for the State of Washington representing over 1200 members. The Washington Fire Chiefs organization consists of 7 Executive Board Members who act as the voice for Washington Chiefs for both instate and national issues. They are also tasked with understanding and managing key issue for the Fire Service within the State such as: Line of Duty Deaths, Professional Development, Funding Issues and Recruitment.