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Sunday November, 6 – Wednesday, November 9, 2016
Renaissance Charlotte Suites Hotel and Conference Center
2800 Coliseum Drive, Charlotte, NC

Dear NVFC:

In November, NFPA will host the second annual Responder Forum in Charlotte. Our inaugural program in 2015 was a tremendous success, and we are excited to raise the bar even higher, and impact the fire service more so, in our second year.

Later this spring, leaders of three Responder Forum work groups will present white papers on civil unrest, data and smart firefighting to NFPA Chairman of the Board Ernest Grant and President Jim Pauley at NFPA’s annual Convention & Expo in Las Vegas. The Responder Forum scholarship candidates have been brainstorming, discussing, researching, reviewing and writing about these emerging topics since last fall’s Responder Forum meetings in Indianapolis, and are ready to present their research recommendations to be considered by NFPA technical committees. This collaborative, forward-thinking approach – and the invaluable leadership skills that were further developed these past six months – is really what sets the Responder Forum apart from any other fire services program out there. The 2015 scholarship recipients came together last fall for a few days of meetings and realized in the months that followed that taking a deep dive on important issues – while working remotely – requires great cooperation, determination, aspiration and a passion for effecting change in the fire service. We are pleased with the efforts of the class of 2015, and look forward to sharing Responder Forum workgroup observations and recommendations with you this summer via NFPA Xchange.

At this time, we would like to invite the NVFC to nominate three new scholarship recipients to participate in the 2016 Responder Forum program. They will join your 2015 nominees and continue the discussion about emerging topics. We ask that you recommend your rising stars and emerging leaders who will help NFPA build a bridge from research to practice by partaking in the November meetings and working hard in the months that follow. Scholarship candidates should be outside-the-box thinkers that offer fresh perspective, a noteworthy work ethic, strong communications skills, a deep understanding of the fire service, and new ideas. Forum member commitment includes pre-event conference calls and readings, event attendance, active participation onsite and post-event, and a commitment for three consecutive years. Participants are required to partake in conference calls, email communications, and NFPA Xchange dialogue to keep the conversation going.

The organizations represented at Responder Forum are:

  • International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC)
  • International Society of Fire Service Instructors (ISFSI)
  • International Association of Women in Fire and Emergency Services (IWomen)
  • International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF)
  • National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC)
  • National Association of Hispanic Firefighters (NAHF)
  • Metro Chiefs National Association of State Fire Marshals (NASFM)
  • International Association of Black Professional Firefighters (IABPF)
  • North American Fire Training Directors (NAFTD)
  • NFPA Fire Service Section (FSS)
  • International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI)
  • United States Fire Administration (USFA)

Please send along the names and contact information for your organization’s three suggested 2016 scholarship recipients and the reasons that you believe they will add value to the Responder Forum, and help us meet the evolving fire and safety needs of society. Make your recommendations by June 6th so that we can then reach out to our newest scholarship recipients.
This year’s Responder Forum entails two-and-a-half days of meetings, with the group arriving on Sunday, November 6th. NFPA covers each scholarship recipient’s travel expenses including air and ground transportation, lodging, registration costs, and meals.

Thank you for your time and attention. If you have any questions regarding the Responder Forum, please contact the NFPA.

Best regards,
NFPA