News

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) held its Fall Board Meeting in Coralville, IA, from September 23-26. The NVFC Board, which is comprised of representatives from 49 state fire associations, meets as a whole twice a year to discuss issues concerning the volunteer fire service and make important decisions for the Council.

 

During the meeting, U.S. Fire Administrator Kelvin Cochran addressed the Board for the first time since assuming his position on August 27. He discussed his priorities for the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) over the next few years, which include promotion of residential fire sprinklers, developing a vulnerability assessment model for fire departments, increasing USFA’s role in directing non-wildland federal firefighting efforts, educating the fire service about the importance of participating in the National Fire Incident Reporting System, professional development to help fire departments prepare for the oncoming wave of retirements within the leadership ranks by baby boomers, enhancing USFA’s activities and educational offerings in the field of emergency medical services, working to develop better tools to demonstrate the impact of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant programs, and a short-term recalibration of AFG to target funds towards improving capabilities for responding to large-scale disasters.

 

The NVFC’s top legislative priority is the funding and effectiveness of AFG and during the question and answer period that followed Administrator Cochran’s remarks, a number of NVFC board members expressed concern about potentially shifting the focus of the program away from bringing all fire departments up to a baseline level of readiness. NVFC Chairman Philip C. Stittleburg will meet with Cochran again in October to further discuss issues pertaining to volunteer firefighters.

 

Other highlights of the Board meeting included nineteen committee meetings on a wide range of topics including legislative, EMS, volunteer advocacy, health and safety, and standards; the Chairman’s Luncheon; and the NVFC Foundation Auction.

 

The NVFC presented the 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award to Fred Allinson. With a distinguished record of service, including six years as NVFC Chairman and 39 years as a volunteer firefighter, Allinson’s achievements in the fire service exemplify outstanding performance and dedication. The Award is sponsored by Scott Health and Safety.

 

Also at the meeting, the Board paid tribute to two past NVFC Chairmen who passed away recently. Fred Williams, the second Chair of the NVFC, died in June. “He was a wonderful man of real dedication and a wonderful sense of humor. He will be missed,” said Stittleburg.

 

Jim Monihan, who served as NVFC Chairman from 1979-1991 and remained an active member of the Executive Committee until his death, was fondly remembered by the Board. “Jim led the Council from its infancy to a group that achieved national status. That will always be his legacy,” Stittleburg said.

 

The NVFC thanks the Coralville Fire Department, host of the NVFC Award Presentation and Foundation Auction, and all of the Fall Meeting Sponsors: California Casualty, International Code Council, Iowa Fire Chiefs Association, Iowa Firemen’s Association, Lighthouse Uniform Company, Scott Health and Safety, and VFIS. The next NVFC Board Meeting will be held April 27-May 1 in Alexandria, VA. Stay tuned to the NVFC web site for information.