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NVFC Executive Director Attends Junior Fire Brigade Summit in Tokyo

Published Date: 03.22.2011

Heather Schafer, the Executive Director of the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), attended the Junior Fire Brigade Summit in Tokyo in mid-February, hosted by the Japan Firefighters Association. The visit was part of an ongoing effort between the two organizations to foster idea exchange and further the advancement of the fire and emergency services in both nations.

“Attending the Junior Fire Brigade Summit and meeting with members of the fire and rescue services in Japan was an amazing experience,” said Schafer. “The ability to reach beyond our own borders and learn about other nations and how they train, prepare, and work together is a tremendous benefit to us all. I learned a great deal from my visit to Japan and look forward to continuing the dialogue and information-sharing between our two countries.”

The two-day Summit drew junior program advisors from across Japan. Schafer gave a presentation on youth participation in the U. S. fire service and the NVFC’s National Junior Firefighter Program. Other presenters included a representative from the German Fire Brigade, who spoke about junior firefighter programs in Germany, advisors from local junior programs in Japan, and members of the Japanese government ministries. Attendees later formed work groups to discuss topics related to running a junior firefighter program, including finding funding, retention and recruitment, and training opportunities for youth. All of the guest speakers also participated in discussion panels to provide their thoughts and answer questions from attendees.

The Summit was the first time junior firefighter program advisors from across Japan had met together collectively. The Japan Firefighters Association received a grant that funded the entire cost of the summit, including all travel expenses for the participants.

“I would like to thank you for spending your valuable time and coming afar to participate in this junior fire forum,” said Mr. Toshifumi Akimoto, Chairman of the Japan Firefighters Association, in a letter to Schafer after the event. “I deeply appreciate your cooperation in helping us to hold and manage this forum, and shall be glad to take it as a turning point for building an even strengthened relationship with your country regarding junior and volunteer fire service.”

In addition to the Summit, the Japan Firefighters Association organized meetings between Schafer and fire chiefs in Kyoto and Osaka. Schafer also attended a search and rescue demonstration at the Osaka Fire Department and visited the National Tsunami Center and the Osaka Fire Prevention Safety Center. The Japan Firefighters Association presented Schafer with a traditional Japanese volunteer firefighter coat, called a “Happi Coat” in recognition of the spirit of collaboration between the U. S. and Japanese fire services.

Japan has a paid and volunteer fire department in every city, with approximately 200,000 paid firefighters and 800,000 volunteers. Paid firefighters are not permitted to volunteer as a firefighter, regardless of where they live or work.

There are 5,000 junior firefighter programs in Japan, and they support both the career and volunteer departments. The department works directly with the local schools to set up times to meet with students for training and education. All junior firefighters are provided a uniform, and activities include rehearsing drills that are similar to marching in a parade formation. Because of the threat of earthquakes and tsunamis, the topic of junior firefighting and disaster preparedness is brought up in the school curriculum at a very early age.

“I visited Japan just weeks before the devastating earthquake and tsunami hit, but I saw firsthand how prevalent disaster preparedness is throughout the country,” said Schafer. “I met with the leadership of the National Tsunami Center and the Osaka Fire Prevention Safety Center, and I was amazed at how cutting-edge Japan’s disaster preparedness centers are. My heart truly goes out to the people of Japan as they recover from this overwhelming tragedy.”

Japan has 100 fire prevention centers nationwide. These centers are free to the public and are designed to teach about fire and disaster preparedness. Schools regularly take advantage of these centers by organizing field trips for their students. The centers include simulations and interactive scenarios, some of which are on video and available for download from the center’s web site.

Schafer’s visit was the latest in several meetings between the Japan Firefighters Association and the NVFC. Delegations from the Japan Firefighters Association have visited the U.S. and met with representatives from the NVFC and local fire departments multiple times, most recently in October. NVFC Chairman Philip C. Stittleburg also attended an international fire service conference in Tokyo in 2008.

Click here to learn about the NVFC’s disaster relief fund for the Japan Firefighters Association.

Click here to read Heather Schafer’s blog about the recent earthquake and tsunami.

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