Serving the Mission

by Steve Heide,
Finance Director, Chino Valley Fire District, Chino Hills, California

None Like It Hot

In my last article, I touched briefly on our public service roles as finance officers. As I write this, today’s weather forecast is calling for a high temperature near 100 degrees in Chino Hills where my office is located. Here in the Inland Empire area of southern California, this is about average for this time of year. Understandably, people often associate the heat with extreme fire danger and I suppose somewhat logically, people who know that I work for a fire district will sometime ask me if I’m aware of the status of large-scale, active fire incidents taking place in California, particularly during extended events in southern California.

When it becomes quickly apparent that I know very little, if anything, about what’s going on with any particular incident, that’s usually the first and the last time that I’m asked such a question by that friend or acquaintance. I have to admit that it was initially somewhat ego bruising for me to have to acknowledge that I didn’t have any special intelligence or inside information regarding large scale emergency events. Over time, when meeting new people and the subject of work would come up in conversation, I would jokingly say something along the lines of, “In my finance role for a fire district, I am responsible for putting out fires, just not with a fire engine, hose and water.”

Now for those of you who’ve experienced the devastating effects of fire or other disaster-type events, it’s not my intent to make light of the very real impact of such tragic incidents on life and property. Rather, I wanted to bring focus the important role that each of us plays as municipal finance officers in support of timely and efficient service delivery for our cities, counties, special districts or other forms of local government. We play a critical part in fulfilling the mission of our governments, whether it be in support of the delivery of regular everyday services, or in the case of emergent situations which require a swift call to action.

Small Missions Are Important Too

So that brings me back to CSMFO. As a preeminent resource for promoting excellence in government finance, and in case you’re somehow not already aware, the dates for our 2020 annual conference are approaching. With over 50 educational break-out sessions in the planning stages, plus full and half-day pre-conference training opportunities on the Tuesday preceding our regular Wednesday to Friday conference schedule, there will be ample opportunity for some great training on important and timely issues and challenges facing local government finance professionals.

I’m proud of the good work that takes place in my district every day, and I am thankful for my small part on our district’s team. CSMFO plays a vital role in helping to position our members for maximum success in fulfilling their important roles in local government public service and I am thankful for the high quality training, networking and educational opportunities available to me as a CSMFO member. In my opinion, the wealth of resources available through CSMFO help to equip our members to effectively fight the proverbial fires facing our organizations on a regular basis.

To quote Walt Disney,

“First, think. Second, believe. Third, dream. And finally, dare.”

By now, your calendar should already be marked for CSMFO’s 60th Annual Conference – Yesterday, Tomorrow and Finance – taking place January 28-31, 2020 at the Disneyland Hotel. Conference registration will open in mid-September, and if you dare, you’ll want to register early to ensure your spot for CSMFO 2020 in Anaheim, particularly if you’ll be staying overnight at a conference hotel. We are anticipating our discounted hotel room blocks to sell out quickly. Be on the lookout for additional conference registration information soon.

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Steve Heide is the Finance Director, Chino Valley Fire District, Chino Hills, California.

Over 30 years of professional finance experience, having worked in government and private industry in a variety of finance positions with progressive levels of responsibility. Previous positions in public accounting, healthcare and non-profit/government.

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