The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) held its annual spring board meeting in Alexandria, VA, on May 10-11. Representatives from 42 state associations attended to conduct Council business, meet with committees, hear guest speakers, and hand out the NVFC’s 2013 fire service awards. Elections were also held for the Council’s officers and Executive Committee and several partnerships were introduced.
Many board members arrived early to attend the Congressional Fire Services Institute’s (CFSI) National Fire & Emergency Services Dinner and Seminars as well as spend time on Capitol Hill to encourage their congressional representatives to support legislation important to the volunteer fire service. The NVFC partnered with Cardioviva, a natural health probiotic, to provide free cholesterol screenings during the seminars and distribute nutrition and lifestyle education to emergency responders. NVFC officers, board members, and staff then attended the dinner, which featured keynote speaker Vice President Joe Biden.
The NVFC board meeting featured many highlights, including a Recruitment and Retention Roundtable, the introduction of several partnerships, and the election of officers. Thirteen committees met on issues including legislation, standards, health and safety, and volunteer advocacy. Meetings were also held for the NVFC Foundation and the EMS/Rescue Section. The NVFC’s International Relations Committee held its inaugural meeting and updated the board on the Council’s international efforts.
The NVFC welcomed its first International Member in February when Associazione Edelweiss joined, and the board approved the NVFC’s attendance at the Intershutz conference in Hanover, Germany, in June 2015. Recruitment and retention present ongoing challenges for the volunteer fire and emergency services, and a roundtable was held to provide the board with tips and ideas for addressing the challenges. Panelists included David Jacobowitz, NY Director to the NVFC and Immediate Past President of the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York; Margaret Wilson, Director of the SAFER Grant Program at the Department of Homeland Security; and Dr. William Jenaway, Vice President of VFIS and Chief of the King of Prussia (PA) Fire Department. Roger Bair, NVFC’s Ohio Director and Chair of the Recruitment and Retention Committee, moderated.
After the roundtable, Wilson provided the board with an update on the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program and changes that are being made. Chief Hank Clemmensen, President and Chairman of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), spoke to the board about current IAFC initiatives and ways the two organizations can expand their collaboration in the future. Ken Willette, Division Manager, Public Fire Protection at the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) also addressed the board and provided updates on collaborative initiatives including guides to help volunteer departments implement NFPA standards and a sweepstakes to be held in conjunction with International Fire/EMS Safety and Health Week.
