NVFC Announces 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award Winner

March 21, 2016

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award. Past Chief Donald Snyder of Wantagh, NY, was selected through a nationwide nomination process for his decades of outstanding dedication to the volunteer fire service. Chief Snyder will be recognized at a banquet during the NVFC’s Spring Meeting on May 6, 2016, in Alexandria, VA.

Don Snyder_LAA

Past Chief Donald Snyder

The Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by Rosenbauer America, honors an individual who has been a volunteer firefighter for at least 20 years and whose remarkable achievements in the fire service and community exemplify outstanding performance. As part of the award, Snyder will receive a trip to Alexandria to attend the award ceremony, a complimentary one-year membership in the NVFC, and a personalized award.

Snyder joined the Wantagh (NY) Fire Department in December 1951. The Wantagh Fire District is one of the largest in Nassau County, operating 25 pieces of apparatus across five stations and answering over 2,300 calls per year. Two years after joining, Snyder began his climb up the administrative ladder, serving as Captain and then Third Assistant Chief.  In 1962, he was elected as Chief of the department. After completing his term as Chief, he successfully ran for the Board of Fire Commissioners in December 1965, where he is presently in his 50th year of consecutive service. While on the board, he has served as Chairman 16 times. During his tenure, Snyder has built and renovated fire stations, maintenance buildings, communication facilities, and training facilities along with facilitating the replacement of countless pieces of equipment.

In addition, Snyder has served as Chairman of the Bylaws Committee for the past 61 years, Vice President from 1954-1956, Treasurer from 1965-1966, and Chaplain since 1996. In 1999, he was unanimously voted the position of Honorary President of Company No. 2. Additionally, he has received two unit citations, was honored by the Town of Hempstead for his achievement of 60 years of active service in 2011, and received the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York (FASNY) Fire Service Community Achievement Award in 2015.

Snyder has been a member of FASNY since 1966. He was a teacher and Athletic Director at Farmingdale (NY) High School during a career spanning over four decades. His coaching record remains one of the best in New York State history, and in 2012 he was inducted into the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame. Snyder has four children and has been a lifelong active member of his church.

Learn more about the NVFC’s awards program at www.nvfc.org/awards. Stay tuned to the NVFC web site and Dispatch e-newsletter in May for additional information about the 2016 award winners as well as photos from the awards banquet.

About the National Volunteer Fire Council
The NVFC is the leading nonprofit membership association representing the interests of the volunteer fire, EMS, and rescue services. The NVFC serves as the voice of the volunteer in the national arena and provides invaluable resources, programs, education, and advocacy for first responders across the nation. Learn more at www.nvfc.org.

About Rosenbauer America
Rosenbauer_Vector_2_ColorRosenbauer America is the world’s leading manufacturer of firefighting vehicles and equipment. With locations all over the globe, the North American operations are based in Lyons, South Dakota; Wyoming, Minnesota; and Fremont, Nebraska. Rosenbauer incorporates the international strength and innovation of a global company with top American manufacturing firms to build firefighters what they need to help keep their communities safe. For more information, please visit www.rosenbaueramerica.com.