In this issue:
- NVFC Updates Legislative Priorities at Annual Fall Meeting
- NVFC Board Establishes Initiative to Promote Volunteer Firefighter Training
- Contact FCC in Support of Nationwide Communications System
- John Doster Receives 2008 NVFC Lifetime Achievement Award
- NVFC Health and Safety Committee Holds Inaugural Meeting
- NVFC Named Fit-Friendly Company by American Heart Association
- NVFC Meeting Features Wide Range of Speakers
- Focus on Retention and Recruitment: Reduced Cost Health Insurance Bill Signed Into Law in NY
- NEMSAC Held Third Meeting in Washington, DC
- U.S. Fire Administration Launches Blog
- FIRE 20/20 gives new “Why I Chose Fire” diversity recruitment video to Fire Departments at no cost
NVFC Updates Legislative Priorities at Annual Fall Meeting
At its annual fall meeting in Grand Rapids, MI, from September 24-27, the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) Board of Directors added new items to its list of legislative priorities and updated others. The board voted to pursue several pieces of legislation that would help volunteer fire departments and individual volunteer firefighters pay for gasoline and diesel fuel, including the SAVES Act, which was introduced in July by Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) and Representative Jason Altmire (D-PA), and would create a grant program to reimburse volunteer fire departments for up to 75 percent of the difference between the price they currently pay for fuel and the cost of fuel in 2007. The board also voted to support an increase in the federal mileage reimbursement rate for volunteers, which is currently 14 cents per mile.Read full article.
NVFC Board Establishes Initiative to Promote Volunteer Firefighter Training
On September 27 at its annual Fall Board meeting in Grand Rapids, MI, the NVFC Board of Directors voted to develop an initiative to help volunteer fire departments meet training requirements based on NFPA professional qualification standards. The NVFC initiative will focus on helping volunteer departments struggling to meet basic training requirements.Read full article.
Contact FCC in Support of Nationwide Communications System
The ongoing effort to build a nationwide wireless broadband network for public safety is expected to culminate in a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) decision by the end of this year. Last year’s FCC auction failed to sell the public safety portion of the spectrum, known as the D Block, to a commercial bidder. The “go it alone” approach to emergency communications has proven time and time again to be ineffective. With a successful D Block auction, the public safety community will be on course to finally have a modern, interoperable communications system that will benefit all first responders.Read full article.
John Doster Receives 2008 NVFC Lifetime Achievement Award
John Doster is the recipient of the National Volunteer Fire Council’s (NVFC) 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award. This prestigious national award, which is sponsored by Scott Health and Safety, is presented annually to a volunteer firefighter whose remarkable achievements in the fire service and community exemplifies outstanding performance.Read full article.
NVFC Health and Safety Committee Holds Inaugural Meeting
The National Volunteer Fire Council’s (NVFC) new Health and Safety Committee met for the first time during the NVFC Fall Board Meeting, which was held in Grand Rapids, MI, from September 24-27. The Committee was created at the NVFC Spring Board meeting in April and furthers the NVFC’s focus on protecting first responders.Read full article.
NVFC Named Fit-Friendly Company by American Heart Association
The American Heart Association (AHA) has recognized the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) as a “Start! Fit-Friendly Company.” This program recognizes employers who go above and beyond when it comes to their employees’ health. Alan Baronoskie, AHA Senior Manager, Strategic Alliances and Health IT, made the announcement during the Chairman’s Luncheon at the NVFC Fall Board Meeting in Grand Rapids, MI on September 26. The NVFC will also be featured in the listing of AHA Fit-Friendly Companies in the October 27 issue of Forbes magazine.Read full article.
NVFC Meeting Features Wide Range of Speakers
The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) held its annual Fall Board Meeting from September 24-27 in Grand Rapids, MI. The event featured speakers from a variety of organizations with an interest in the volunteer fire service: Read full article.
Focus on Retention and Recruitment: Reduced Cost Health Insurance Bill Signed Into Law in NY
This summer, New York Governor David Patterson signed into law a bill supported by the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York (FASNY) that creates the opportunity for volunteer responders to obtain low-cost health insurance. Effective in January 2009, the new law will make health insurance benefits available to volunteers at a reduced cost and may help aid recruitment shortages in some departments and districts. Read full article.
NEMSAC Held Third Meeting in Washington, DC
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) hosted the third meeting of the National Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council (NEMSAC) on October 2-3 in Washington, DC. The NEMSAC is a 26-member panel of EMS experts chosen by Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters to advise NHTSA’s Office of EMS on standards, guidelines, benchmarks, and data collection. National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) Kentucky Director Ken Knipper is one of the panel members representing the volunteer EMS discipline. Read full article.
USFA Launches Interactive Blog
The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) launched an interactive blog on its web site at www.usfa.dhs.gov. The blog will serve as a tool for the fire service to share comments, ideas, and success stories about fire prevention, preparedness, and response in America. In turn, USFA will post videos, outreach materials, and other helpful tools while charting feedback. Read full article.
FIRE 20/20 Offers Diversity Recruitment Video to Fire Departments
FIRE 20/20, a nonprofit organization helping fire and EMS departments to recruit and retain qualified, diverse, inclusive, and safe firefighters and paramedics, has made their targeted recruitment video called “Why I Chose Fire” available to fire departments and college fire science programs at no cost. Read full article.
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