Wednesday, May 8th thru Friday, May 10th

Indian River Delegation Attends 25th Annual Congressional Fire Service Institute (CFSI).

During the period of Wednesday May 8th thru Friday, May 10th, the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company permitted five (5) officers or members to attend a premier training opportunity in Washington, DC for fire service practitioners whose responsibilities include enhancing the volunteer fire service in and for the State of Delaware as well as obtaining some professional development courses.

The five member delegation will obtain and/or enhance their knowledge, skills and abilities to train and assist our organization in further operational needs.

The National Fire Partners Showcase is a unique opportunity for members of the CFSI National Advisory Committee, federal agencies, and other organizations to display educational information about their programs and initiatives to make the fire and emergency services safer and better prepared.

Exhibitors, presentations and discussions include:

• National Fallen Firefighters Foundation

• MedicAlert Foundation

• National Institute of Standards and Technology

• Science and Technology Directorate, Department of Homeland Security

• Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Department of Transportation

• United States Forest Service

• Emergency Responder Safety Institute

• Physiological Health Assessment System for Emergency Responders (PHASER) program

• International Association of Fire Chiefs

• NVFC/Cardioviva complimentary cholesterol screenings

VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN ADDRESSES THE 25th ANNUAL NATIONAL FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES DINNER

The Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI) was honored that United States Vice President Joe Biden delivered the keynote address at the 25th Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner.

A former Chairman of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus and President Emeritus of the Delaware Volunteer Firefighter’s Association, Vice President Biden is considered one of most highly respected and knowledgeable political leaders in the country on first responder issues. While serving in the Senate, he was a leading voice for the fire service on a number of issues, including the AFG/SAFER grant programs. As Vice President, his commitment has remained steadfast, particularly on the issue of building a nationwide interoperable public safety wireless broadband communication network.

"We are truly honored to have the Vice President once again speak to the National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner", said CFSI board member Louis J. Amabili. "I have known the Vice President for nearly 40 years. Both in my home state of Delaware and across the nation, the Vice President has earned the respect of all firefighters for his unwavering support and deep understanding of the fire service's mission to keep our communities safe."

US Congressmen Thomas R. Carper, US Representative Carney and US Senator Coons Discusses Emergency Response Services with Delaware Firefighters.

Prior to the Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI) Annual Dinner in Washington Thursday, leaders of the Delaware Volunteer Firefighter’s Association (DVFA) met with United States Congressmen Thomas R. Carper, as well as United States Representative John Carey and United States Senator Chris Coons to discuss issues related to emergency-response services.

DVFA and many Delaware fire company representatives were visiting Capitol Hill to meet with members of the Delaware Congressional delegation in the morning and afternoon hours as well as attending their annual Congressional Fire Service Institute dinner.

Representative Carney believes his discussions with the Delaware firefighters was informational for all parties and included a tour of the Capitol facilities’ including House of Representative Chambers and brief photo sessions.

Senator Coons said his meeting with Delaware’s volunteer firefighters allowed for a constructive conversation on issues important to our state’s public safety, including new technology and appropriate funding levels. Coons said ...it’s imperative that first responders are equipped with the resources they need to respond to a wide range of emergencies...".

US Senator Thomas R. Carper (Delaware) was a speaker at the dinner event.

The primary objective of CFSI was taken from their website and illustrated below:

http://www.cfsi.org/mission.cfm

"....to educate Members of Congress about fire and life safety issues."

Whether you are a firefighter, emergency services responder, manufacturer or fire service leader, the United States Congress is more aware of your concerns because of the Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI).

Established in 1989 as a nonprofit, nonpartisan policy institute, CFSI is designed to educate members of Congress about the needs and challenges of our nation's fire and emergency services so that the federal government provides the types of training and funding needed by our first responders.

Members of Congress often turn to CFSI for its knowledge that penetrates the inner workings of Capitol Hill and the various facets of the fire and emergency services - from culture of the fire service and various associations that represents different disciplines to the technology and training being developed by industry. Because of our nonpartisan nature, CFSI is a proven source for accurate and objective information on fire service issues. That is why CFSI has achieved unparalleled success in consensus building...not only on Capitol Hill, but among fire service organizations as well.

For CFSI, success is built around education.

Each year, we provide a series of educational activities, mostly through hands-on training programs, to sensitize Congress about the challenges facing the fire service. We offer basic training programs in structural and wildland firefighting and special briefing to discuss pending fire service legislation. We publish white papers for Congress to share with them the consensus position of the fire service on federal fire programs and legislation.

Our motto is simple: "So That First Responders Never Stand Alone."

Although you often find yourself alone performing dangerous work, CFSI stands in your place on Capitol Hill working to insure that your actions and needs are being heard by federal legislators. 

 Attached is a link to the Delaware Volunteer Firefighter’s Association for reference purposes:  http://www.dvfassn.com/