The North Carolina State Firefighters’ Association is seeking candidates for the positions of
Chief Operating Officer (COO)
and
Chief Finance Officer (CFO)
About the NCSFA:
The North Carolina State Firefighters’ Association is a member driven organization that excels in communicating the needs of fire and emergency services in our state, engaging politically, training our members, and being responsible stewards of the financial resources.
The North Carolina State Firefighters’ Association, founded in 1887, was incorporated under the laws of the State of North Carolina in 1889 as the North Carolina State Firemen’s Association. The name was changed by the legislature in 2016 to bring the name more in line with the definitive work of the membership. Throughout its long and active history, the Association has been respected and recognized as a major voice of the Fire Service. Its current membership totals approximately 1,246 fire departments and 53,000 fire service personnel. It has served its membership consistently since its founding in 1887.
That focus has never changed and is still a primary purpose for the organization today. Everything the NCSFA does today is to improve the lives of those served by the Association.
In 1889 the NCSFA held their first convention with the idea of stimulating interest among firefighters and citizens in the fire service. They held competitions and training at conferences, the annual get together of the membership. Raleigh was the location of the first conference and has hosted many since, serving as the location of the first South Atlantic FIRE RESCUE Expo in 2009.
In 1891 the NCSFA helped establish the Disabled Firemen’s Act which became known as the Firemen’s Relief Fund when it was established as Public Law in 1907 by the General Assembly, Chapter 831 of the 1907 Session Laws. The original title was “An Act to Create a Firemen’s Relief Fund; and to Increase the Efficiency of the Fire Departments in the Several Cities and Towns of North Carolina”. It is interesting to note that this law only applied to cities and towns and exempted any insurance company from the tax that had 50% of its business in North Carolina. The uses allowed in the original act are very similar to some of the clauses today in the Relief Fund Statutes, except that “destitute” was not used, simply referred to as “keeping firemen out of the alm’s houses” (county homes) as inmates, or for them to be dependent upon charity. It is also interesting to note that Chapter 868 of the 1907 Session Laws also created the elected position of Insurance Commissioner by the people, a position that later in the mid-20th century was given the responsibility of State Fire Marshal.
Over the years the NCSFA created a scholarship program that provides 45 scholarships per year. The NCSFA developed insurance coverage for line-of-duty injuries and deaths and the accidental death and dismemberment program which covers all members 24 hours a day 7 days a week. The Association works hard to fight for fire service benefits in the General Assembly, and has worked on funding for grants, relief funds, workers compensation, and pension benefits across the years. The Association works with the Office of State Fire Marshal, the North Carolina Association of Fire Chiefs, and other partners to promote safety in the workplace and training for the membership.
An annual conference of the Association’s membership is held in or around August of each year. During this conference the Association officers are elected, activity reports are given, annual awards are presented and scholarship awards recipients are recognized. Four delegates, who are authorized to vote on any official conference business including the election of officers, represent each member fire department at the annual conference. Current topics of interest to the fire service are presented at the workshops. A Past President’s luncheon is held each year at the conference to honor former association presidents and encourage fellowship. The lunch is a time for sharing of ideas to improve the Association. Members of the group meet to discuss old times and enjoy the fellowship with old and new friends. A 25/50 Year Pin ceremony is conducted during the business session at conference to recognize service accomplishments.
The membership of the Association may consist of any rated and certified fire department or fire marshal’s office upon payment of the required annual dues as required by the Bylaws. In addition to the Fire Department itself, all individual members of the fire departments shall be members of the Association. Also, county fire marshals, on active status, are entitled to be members of the Association upon payment of the required annual dues. The amount of the membership dues is set by the annual conference and are payable annually.
Day to day activities of the Association staff involve receiving and responding to relief fund requests, membership questions, handling of benefits, lobbying and advocating for firefighter issues, and assisting fire chiefs with managing their rosters.
For Additional Information and Position Overview:
Chief Operating Officer December 2025
Chief Finance Officer December 2025
To Apply:
Please submit the following to Barry A Overman, Executive Director, NCSFA, 323 West Jones Street, Suite 401, Raleigh, NC 27603.
- Resume, including work history, education and training, personal information, and 3 verifiable references.
- Submit a cover letter summarizing education and experience related to this position.
- Resumes and cover letters must be submitted and received at the office by January 15, 2026.
- The Board will invite successful semi-finalists to interview and/or skill evaluations following the completion of the application period, with final interviews as needed.
- Direct inquiries to Barry A Overman, 919-821-2132.
