In this issue:
- NVFC Lifetime Achievement Award Nominations Due August 1
- NVFC Supports SAVES Act to Reduce Fuel Costs for Volunteer Fire Departments
- Pennsylvania Passes Income Tax Credit for Volunteer Firefighters/EMS Personnel
- NVFC Supports Changing International Residential Code to Require Fire Sprinklers
- NVFC Represents United States at International Conference
- NVFC Releases New Components of National Junior Firefighter Program
- Wildland Fire Update
- NVFC Partners with ADT, AKC to Promote Pet Fire Safety
- New Guide Addresses Public Health Emergency Response
- Support Those Who Support the Voice of the Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services
- Calendar of Events
NVFC Lifetime Achievement Award Nominations Due August 1
Nominate an outstanding volunteer firefighter for the 2008 National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) Lifetime Achievement Award. Nominations must be received by August 1.
Read full article.
NVFC Supports SAVES Act to Reduce Fuel Costs for Volunteer Fire Departments
The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) has endorsed the Supporting America’s Volunteer Emergency Services (SAVES) Act, which provides federal assistance to volunteer fire departments struggling with the high cost of gasoline and diesel fuel. The SAVES Act, which was introduced by Senator Robert Casey (D-PA) in the Senate (S. 3237) and Representative Jason Altmire (D-PA) in the House (H.R. 6461), would create a federal grant program to allow volunteer fire departments to recoup 75 percent of the difference between the prices they are paying for gasoline and diesel today compared with the prices in their region of the country in 2007.
Read full article.
Pennsylvania Passes Income Tax Credit for Volunteer Firefighters/EMS Personnel
The State of Pennsylvania has adopted legislation that would create a one-year, $100 income tax credit for volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel. The measure will give volunteer emergency responders in the state approximately $4.5 million in total. By contrast, the services provided by Pennsylvania’s volunteer firefighters save the state’s tax payers more than $2 billion each year.
Read full article.
NVFC Supports Changing International Residential Code to Require Fire Sprinklers
The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) recently adopted a resolution supporting a change to the International Residential Code (IRC) to require fire sprinklers in new single-family homes (IRC Proposal RB64-07/08). The IRC is the model code governing residential construction in 46 states plus the District of Columbia.
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NVFC Represents United States at International Conference
National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) Chairman Philip C. Stittleburg represented the United States in the first International Volunteer Fire Service Conference in Tokyo, Japan, from May 13-18. The conference, which was held in conjunction with the 60-year anniversary of the establishment of local authority over firefighting systems in Japan, brought together volunteer fire service leaders from a number of countries, including representatives from North America, Asia, Europe, and Australia.
Read full article.
NVFC Releases New Components of National Junior Firefighter Program
The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), with support from the Dunkin’ Brands Community Foundation and Spartan Motors, Inc., has released several new resources for the National Junior Firefighter Program. These include an interactive database, monthly e-newsletter, and social networking page. Thanks to support from the Dunkin’ Brands Community Foundation, $100,000 in scholarships and grants will also be presented Thursday during Firehouse Expo in Baltimore, MD.
Read full article.
Wildland Fire Update
The 2008 wildfire season is proving to be a formidable challenge for firefighters. Still early into the season, fires have raged in Colorado, North Carolina, Virginia, and California, where they continue to cause destruction. More than 2,000 fires have occurred in California since June 20, of which 33 are still active. Thousands of firefighters are battling the blazes that as of July 20 have destroyed 947,151 acres and 123 homes. Robert Roland, a volunteer firefighter from the Anderson Valley Fire Department in Northern California, also died as a result of fighting the fires.
Read full article.
NVFC Partners with ADT, AKC to Promote Pet Fire Safety
The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) partnered with the American Kennel Club (AKC) and ADT Security Services in a proactive effort to help save the estimated 500,000 pets affected in home fires each year. The three organizations held a news conference and satellite media tour on July 15 to alert the public of the importance of pet fire safety and to remind people to include pets in their emergency plans. The television and radio coverage reached an audience of over 26.5 million viewers and listeners.
Read full article.
New Guide Addresses Public Health Emergency Response
The United States Department of Health and Human Services has released, Public Health Emergency Response: A Guide for Leaders and Responders. The guide is the third in a series that specifically addresses the unique needs of first responders and public officials.
Read full article.
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
Below is a list of events that the NVFC will be attending, as well as nationally recognized dates which the NVFC would like to acknowledge.
Firehouse Expo
July 22-27, 2008
Baltimore, MD
National Junior Firefighter Scholarship and Grant Presentation
July 24
Baltimore Convention Center
Fire-Rescue International
August 14-16, 2008
Denver, CO
National Firefighter Health Week
August 18-22
National Preparedness Month
September 2008
NVFC Fall Meeting
September 24-27, 2008
Grand Rapids, MI
Fire Prevention Week
October 5-11
FDSOA Annual Safety Forum
October 27 – 31, 2008
Rosen Plaza Hotel, Orlando, Florida
Contact: membership@fdsoa.org
Join the NVFC and support the voice of the volunteer. Find out more and join online at www.nvfc.org.
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