News

NVFC Spring Board Meeting Wrap-Up

Published Date: 04.14.2011

Board holds elections, addresses topics including legislation, EMS, and international relations 

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) held its annual spring board meeting on April 3-6, 2011, in Alexandria, VA. The NVFC Board of Directors consists of representatives from 49 state fire associations and meets as a whole twice a year. Forty-two states were in attendance at the 2011 spring meeting.

The meeting marked the 35th anniversary of the NVFC. “It’s really exciting to reach our 35th anniversary and look back at how much the organization has grown since it began in 1976,” said NVFC Chairman Philip C. Stittleburg. “It is the hard work and dedication of our board of directors that has enabled us to be so successful and accomplish all that we have. When I look at the challenges in the volunteer emergency services that this organization has met and overcome in the past, I have no doubt that we will continue to rise to meet any challenges that come before us now and in the future.”

NVFC Board of Directors

The NVFC board meeting featured many historic elements, including the election of EMS/Rescue Section officers, educational sessions, the creation of an International Relations Committee, and more. The NVFC also held elections for its Officers and Executive Committee, made important legislative decisions, and presented its prestigious annual awards for excellence in the fire and emergency services.

During the meeting, the NVFC held its Officer and Executive Committee elections. Terms of office are two years. The 2011-2012 NVFC leadership is as follows:

Chair – Phillip C. Stittleburg (WI)
First Vice Chair – Jeff Cash (NC)
Second Vice Chair – Jack Carriger (OR)
Secretary/Treasurer – Allen Metheny (DE)
Elected Members of Executive Committee – Mike Bird (MA), Pat Hlavaty (TX), Suzie Hill Koklich (AK), Kevin Quinn (RI), Bob Timko (PA)
Appointed Members of Executive Committee – Jerry Johnston (IA; liaison from NAEMT), Bob Kilpeck (VT; liaison from NVFC Foundation), Ken Knipper (KY; liaison from EMS/Rescue Section), John Lyman (RI; liaison from Legislative Committee)

Members of the NVFC Executive Committee (L-R): Knipper, Lyman, Bird, Quinn, Koklich, Metheny, Carriger, Cash, and Stittleburg

In addition, the EMS/Rescue Section announced the results of its first officer elections. The Section was created in 2010 and was led by appointed officers until the elections could take place. Click here to view the results.

The board also made several legislative decisions, including adopting positions on several pieces of legislation and policy. Click here to learn more.

Nineteen NVFC committees met to discuss topics ranging from membership and bylaws, to homeland security and legislation. Several groundbreaking decisions were made at the meeting, including the following:

• The Health and Safety Committee expanded the scope of its mission to include training as a vital component as well as more thoroughly incorporate the NVFC’s B.E.S.T. Practices for volunteer firefighter health and safety.
• The board voted to create an International Relations Committee. The committee will have the mission to promote a positive exchange of ideas within the international Fire, Rescue, and EMS community and will represent the U.S. volunteer Fire, Rescue, and EMS services worldwide to promote professional, health and safety, and B.E.S.T. Practices in the volunteer Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Services.
• The 1-800-FIRE-LINE Committee was renamed the Recruitment and Retention Committee to enhance its ability to address the critical issues relating to retention and recruitment in the volunteer emergency services.

The 2011 NVFC Award winners

On April 5, the NVFC held its annual awards banquet to honor the recipients of the NVFC’s Lifetime Achievement Award, Fire Prevention Award, Junior Firefighter of the Year Award, and Junior Firefighter Program of the Year Award. Click on the award titles to learn more about the 2011 recipients. The NVFC also honored U.S. Representative Bill Pascrell, Jr. with the Legislator of the Year Award. Click here to learn more.

For the first time, the NVFC held a series of educational sessions and roundtables to expand the board’s knowledge regarding several critical topics. All sessions featured topic experts and included a question and answer component.

The NVFC gathered together an impressive roster of EMS leaders for a roundtable discussion on EMS issues and initiatives. Moderated by the NVFC’s EMS/R Section Chair Ken Knipper, the participants included Drew Dawson from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Dan Manz of the National Association of State EMS Officials, and Terry Markwood of the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians. One of the key focuses of the discussion was the EMS Education Agenda for the Future. Click here to learn more.

L-R: Carriger, McDonald, Bernard, Austin, and Andrews

The NVFC also held a roundtable session on building capacity in a department. Facilitated by the NVFC’s Second Vice Chair Jack Carriger, the panelists included Paul Andrews from Go Forward Media, Steve Austin from the Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firemen’s Association, Eric Bernard from the Montgomery County Volunteer Fire Rescue Association, and Fire Corps State Advocate Candice McDonald. The session explained how innovative outreach efforts can have a significant impact on retaining and recruiting volunteers. The discussion focused on social media, marketing, reputation management, and out-of-the-box recruitment ideas.

In addition, the board participated in a volunteer leadership session presented by attorney Ben Tesdahl. The session focused on board fiduciary obligations, governance, and other legal issues.

Chairman Stittleburg and Sarah Yerkes from the International Code Council (ICC) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOU) between the NVFC and ICC. This is the second MOU between the two organizations and strengthens the partnership. The NVFC and ICC are currently collaborating on the Sound the Alarm campaign, a rural fire prevention and smoke alarm installation campaign that is being piloted in Alabama, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee.

Bob Jacobs, General Manager for Duracell, provided an update on the Power Those Who Protect Us partnership between the NVFC and Duracell. Through the program, Duracell is donating millions of batteries to volunteer fire departments across the country as well as conducting an outreach and awareness campaign to promote the volunteer fire services. Click here to learn more.

The board also heard from Cathie Patterson, Branch Chief of FEMA’s AFG Program, regarding updates on the AFG, SAFER, and FP&S grants. The AFG program, which has now reached its 10 year anniversary, has a new web site at www.fema.gov/firegrants. Improvements to the program continue to be made based on fire service feedback.

Click on the links in this article or visit www.nvfc.org to learn more about the NVFC spring meeting.

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