May 24, 2023 “It has been unity that provided the foundation for fire service influence, strength, and relevance” Chief Dennis Compton told the crowd at the CFSI.
Source Susan Nicol
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Delivering a United Message.
While the sun has set on the 33rd annual CFSI National Fire and Emergency Services Symposium and Dinner, that theme needs to continue as personnel fight for Congressional support of vital programs.
“Whether it’s been adequate staffing; prevention and public education; health – wellness – and safety…including occupational disease and psychological and emotional needs; apparatus and equipment; technology; research; data management; access to federal grants; support for the United States Fire Administration and National Fire Academy; and on and on…we have done our best when we have collaborated to deliver united messages to those who control access to funding and other resources,” Master of Ceremonies Chief Dennis Compton told the crowd.
“A united fire service doesn’t mean that we are in lockstep every day on every issue. What it does mean is that we are able to come together and identify our important overreaching issues and work in unity to address them.”
Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI) Executive Director Bill Webb said he was pleased with the attendance at the annual gathering.
“Our numbers were up. All the presenters said the seminars were well-attended,” Webb said adding that many groups went to Capitol Hill to meet with their representatives.
While the Senate has passed a measure to secure funding for the U.S. Fire Administration as well as SAFER and AFG grant programs, the House is still considering it.
Compton said firefighters are taught the importance of unity on the first day of training.
“It has been unity that provided the foundation for fire service influence, strength, and relevance – no matter what we faced. But with that said, we must always strive to do better in providing unified messaging at the federal level – and we will.”
U.S. Congressman Bill Pascrell Jr., D-NJ, said when he got to D.C. he knew what the fire service needed. He had watched people selling baked goods to raise money for equipment.
He said the legislation that provides federal money to departments is the “most important program in the federal government.”
A number of individuals who’ve dedicated their lives to bettering the fire and emergency services were lauded for their contributions.
Dr. Daniel Madrzykowski, of UL’s Fire Safety Research Institute, was the recipient of the Mason Lankford Fire Service Leadership Award.
He was the first researcher ever to be recognized, officials noted.
Madrzykowski spoke of his early meetings with various chiefs, engineers and firefighters that sparked his interest in studying fires. He thanked many for their contributions.
He said he was proud that chiefs changed standard operating guidelines based on the results of the research. And, he was quick to add that more work needs to be done to reduce the losses caused by fires.
The Colorado Springs Fire Department was lauded for its innovative EMS program developed to meet the changing needs of residents.
Chief Randy Randolph said the community response effort, a team approach, keeps people in their homes. Assisting them with basic medical needs has resulted in fewer 9-1-1 calls.
The program now includes a mental health aspect as well.
Peg Paul was presented with the Dr. Anne W. Phillips Award for Leadership in Fire Safety Education.
Paul, with the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition, said the honor was special as it coincides with the 50th anniversary of “America Burning.” Phillips was part of the panel that wrote the document.
When it was written, fire sprinklers did not exist. However, Paul noted that one of the recommendations in the report spoke of their importance.
“Sprinklers save lives,” she said, thanking people for continuing to spread the word about their importance.