E-Update Archive
E-update: August 11, 2009
August 11, 2009
In this issue:
The Senate confirmed Kelvin J. Cochran as Administrator of the U.S. Fire Administration by voice vote on Friday, August 7. The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) endorsed Cochran’s nomination for U.S. Fire Administrator and supported a quick confirmation process. Read full article.
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IRS Letter Indicates That LOSAP Does Not Qualify for Volunteer Responder Incentive Protection Act
VRIPA set to expire next year; NVFC working on extension
The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) has obtained a copy of a letter from the Internal Revenue Service to a member of Congress, whose name was withheld, that seems to indicate that length of service award program (LOSAP) payments are not considered “qualified benefits” under the Volunteer Responder Incentive Protection Act (VRIPA). VRIPA was enacted in 2007 and prohibits the federal government from taxing certain benefits provided to volunteer emergency responders by state or local units of government, including any tax benefits and up to $360 per year of any non-tax benefit. LOSAPs are pension-like programs for volunteer emergency responders. Read full article.
NVFC Recruiting First Responders for Survey on Communications Needs
Results will inform new geointelligence system under development by the Department of Homeland Security
The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) has partnered with ElanTech to create an online survey to gather critical data from first response emergency personnel nationwide. The survey results will influence the design of an advanced new incident command software application in development by the Department of Homeland Security and ElanTech. Read full article.
NVFC Partners with FASNY to Offer New Member Benefit
The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is pleased to announce that all NVFC State, Department, and Personal Members are now eligible to join the FASNY Federal Credit Union. In this time of economic uncertainty, NVFC members can now utilize the FASNY Federal Credit Union’s services and wide range of money-saving deposit and lending products. Read full article.
NVFC Announces Winners of National Junior Firefighter Scholarships
The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), in partnership with Baskin-Robbins®, has selected 10 outstanding junior firefighters to receive a $5,000 scholarship through the National Junior Firefighter Program. This was the second year that the program has honored ten exceptional applicants with scholarships. Read full article.
NVFC Members Win Columbia Southern University Scholarships
All NVFC Members Receive Tuition Discount
The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) recently partnered with Columbia Southern University (CSU) to award scholarships to two NVFC members to attend CSU. The recipients were selected based on a competitive application process open to all NVFC members. James Longbrake of Ponder, TX, was awarded a two-year scholarship towards a bachelor’s degree program and Brian McNevin of Commerce, TX, received a two-year scholarship towards an associate’s degree program. Both scholarships were donated by CSU and include tuition and books. Read full article.
National Firefighter Health Week is August 17-21
National Firefighter Health Week is August 17-21, and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) encourages all first responders to take this opportunity to focus on your health and wellness. This year’s theme, “It takes a healthy heart, mind, and body to do what you do – Keep It Strong,” asks firefighters and emergency personnel to make permanent positive changes for their total health – heart, mind, and body. Through its Heart-Healthy Firefighter Program, the NVFC has released resources and tools to help you and your department achieve your National Firefighter Health Week goals. Read full article.
NVFC Members Receive Discount to Firehouse Central 2009
National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) members receive a discounted admission rate to Firehouse Central 2009. NVFC Personal Members will receive a $30 discount and Department Members will receive a $50 discount to the event, which takes place October 26-30, 2009, at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, GA. Read full article.
National Junior Firefighter Program Department Grant Applications Due August 15
Apply Now for One of Ten $5,000 Grants
There is still time to apply for a 2009 National Junior Firefighter Program grant. Ten $5,000 grants, made possible by the Dunkin’ Donuts & Baskin-Robbins Community Foundation, will be awarded to departments nationwide whose junior firefighter program or Explorer post demonstrates exceptional innovation, creativity, and community impact. The grant application and criteria are available on the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) web site at www.nvfc.org/juniors. Applications must be received by August 15. Read full article.
2009 Fire Corps Award of Excellence Nominations Due September 4
Does your department have an outstanding Fire Corps program you would like to recognize? Nominate this remarkable team for the 2009 Fire Corps Award of Excellence. Sponsored by the International Fire Service Training Association and the Oklahoma State University Fire Protection Publications, the Fire Corps Award of Excellence annually honors a Fire Corps program whose achievements in the fire and emergency services and the community exemplify outstanding performance. Read full article.
USFA Resource Provides Status of Novelty Lighter Legislation
The United States Fire Administration (USFA) has an interactive web resource that provides the status of state and federal legislation that limits or prohibits the sale of novelty and toylike lighters. The resource, which includes a clickable map, is available at www.usfa.dhs.gov/noveltylighters. The USFA, National Volunteer Fire Council, and other national organizations support initiatives to ban the sale and distribution of these dangerous lighters. Read full article.
Ethanol Emergency Response Training Now Available
Safety is the top priority of America’s ethanol industry and those who transport and bring ethanol to the marketplace. It is with this commitment in mind that the Ethanol Emergency Response Coalition (EERC) has compiled and released the Complete Training Guide for Ethanol Emergency Response to help prepare ethanol producers, transporters, and first responders who may experience or come in contact with an ethanol-related emergency. Read full article.
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Whenever I visit fire departments and talk to senior members, they all seem to say the same thing: "The fire service is not the way it used to be." They may have a point. It's not just the ever-changing technology and regulations. The biggest change seems to be in the decay of the brotherhood of firefighters. Read more... | |||||||
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Support Those Who Support the Voice of the Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services
The NVFC relies on the assistance of its corporate and association partners to be able to provide a voice for the volunteer fire and emergency services in Washington. We encourage you to look at a list of our Corporate Members and support them with your business.
Calendar of Events
View a listing of events the NVFC is attending as well as additional dates the NVFC would like to recognize.
Join the NVFC and support the voice of the volunteer. Find out more and join online at www.nvfc.org.
