National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) News

The application period for the FY 2009 FP&S grants is now open FP&S grant application period deadline is October 23, 2009 The Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) FY 2009 Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) Grant application period is now open. Help your department apply for funds to support important programs including Fire Corps activities. The application deadline is October 23. FP&S grants support projects that enhance the safety of the public and fire...

Fred G. Allinson has been given the NVFC's Lifetime Achievement Award Award presented at NVFC Board Meeting The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) bestowed its 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award to Fred G. Allinson, a volunteer firefighter from Washington State. With a distinguished record of service, including six years as NVFC Chairman and 39 years as a volunteer firefighter, Allinson's accomplishments exemplify outstanding performance. The NVFC Lifetime Achievement Awar...

The NVFC urges you to vote to retain a provision requiring fire sprinklers in new residential construction Join ICC by October 14 to be eligible to vote Vote to retain a provision in the International Residential Code (IRC) requiring the installation of fire sprinklers in new residential construction at the International Code Council's (ICC) Code Development Hearings on October 28 in Baltimore, MD. You must join the ICC by October 14 in order to participate in the vote....

As part of Fire Prevention Week the NVFC is issuing tips on preventing kitchen fires, burns and injuries New tips aim to increase fire safety in the kitchen It's Fire Prevention Week, and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) and Fire Corps have joined forces with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), firefighters, and safety advocates nationwide to increase awareness about fire safety. This year's campaign focuses on burn awareness and prevention. Visit th...

The NVFC, with the Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins Community Foundation, has awarded grants to ten junior firefighter programs Ten outstanding applicant programs selected to win grants The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), in partnership with the Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins Community Foundation, has selected 10 outstanding junior firefighter programs and Explorer Posts from departments nationwide to receive a $5,000 grant through the NVFC National Junior...

A fire and rescue search team operating in severe flooding NVFC support fund designed to help first responders affected by severe weather incidents FEMA has announced that 17 counties in Georgia have received federal disaster designations due to the devastating floods and severe weather. When tragedies like this strike, we must remember that the firefighters and EMS personnel relied upon to respond are also victims. The National Volunteer Fire Council's (NVFC) Volunteer Fir...

U.S. Fire Administrator Kelvin Cochran will address the NVFC Board of Directors at their Fall Meeting Fire Administrator Cochran will speak during general session U.S. Fire Administrator Kelvin Cochran will address the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) Board of Directors on Friday, September 25 during the NVFC Fall Board Meeting in Coralville, IA. Cochran will be speaking during the General Session, which is open to all meeting attendees. Cochran was confirmed by...

A hurricane-damaged home - Fire Corps is calling for an increase in hurricane preparedness Fire Corps highlights dangers of US hurricane season It's National Preparedness Month, and each week Fire Corps is releasing information regarding a particular preparedness topic. September is not only National Preparedness Month, but it is also in the peak of hurricane season. In recent years, tragedies like hurricanes Katrina and Rita have emphasized the need for prepared...

The NVFC has released guidelines to improve health and safety procedures amongst volunteer firefighters New guidelines aim to improve volunteer firefighter health and safety The health and safety of our nation's volunteer fire service is a primary concern for the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC). Each year, first responders are killed or injured due to factors that could have been avoided with the proper safety and health precautions. To help keep firefighters and em...

A new online survey gathering data from first responders will aid the design of incident command software Results will inform new geointelligence system under development by DHSThe National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) has partnered with ElanTech to create an online survey to gather critical data from first response emergency personnel nationwide. The survey results will influence the design of an advanced new incident command software application in development by the Depa...

Arriving on-scene: US firefighters can expect a reduction in AFG funding Reductions in firefighter funding grant program passed The House and Senate versions of the FY 2010 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Appropriations Act both contain sizable reductions in funding for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program. Both the House - passed bill (H.R. 2892) and Senate - passed bill (S. 1298) would provide $390 million in funding for AFG - a $175 million decrease f...

Pet Fire Safety Day is designed to help reduce the tragic incidence of fire-related pet deaths July 15 event intended to reduce fire-related pet deaths at home Pet Fire Safety Day is July 15, and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) has partnered with ADT Security Services and the American Kennel Club to educate pet owners about potential risks when pets are left home alone as well as provide the public with fire prevention and home safety measures to ensure the...

The NVFC has created an online resource center for firefighters to use during National Firefighter Health Week Online resource to encourage better firefighter health National Firefighter Health Week is August 17-21, and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) has released an online resource center to help you plan your activities and focus on your health. This year's theme: "It takes a healthy heart, mind, and body to do what you do - Keep It Strong," encourages first re...

The NVFC Lifetime Achievement Award recognises outstanding volunteer firefighter performance National award recognises volunteer firefighter achievement Nominate an outstanding volunteer firefighter for the 2009 National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) Lifetime Achievement Award. Sponsored by Scott Health & Safety, this prestigious national award annually recognizes an individual whose remarkable achievements in the fire service and community exemplifies outstanding perform...

More than 1,200 US businesses and organizations have joined the 2009 National Preparedness Month Coalition Over 1,200 US businesses and organizations have supported the 2009 NPM Coalition The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced on June 19 that more than 1,200 national, regional, tribal, state and local businesses and organizations, including the National Volunteer Fire Council, have pledged their support and joined the 2009 National Preparedness Month (NPM)...

Fire Corps advises homeowners to test their smoke alarms as part of Home Safety Month June is Home Safety Month, providing a perfect opportunity for Fire Corps teams to reach out to the public and work to reduce instances of unintentional home injury in the U.S. The campaign's theme this year is "Hands on Home Safety," which asks the public to take some simple, hands-on steps to create a safer home environment from the five leading causes of home injury - falls, poison...

CSU has partnered with the NVFC to offer scholarships to NVFC members Online course format makes learning achievable even for those with busy schedules Have you been wanting to get your Bachelor's or Associate's Degree but felt the economic climate and demands on your time made it impossible? Or were you hoping to attend college in the fall but faced concerns about financing your higher education? The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) and Columbia Southern University (...

DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano has cited firefighter input as a reason to reduce funding for AFG program Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano cited input from firefighters as a major reason that the President's budget request proposes reducing funding for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program from $565 million to $170 million. The President is also asking Congress to increase funding for the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Re...

Fire service organizations have reacted strongly to anti-sprinkler state legislative efforts Stand together to better protect firefighters and public Citing the fact that more than 90 percent of fireground firefighter deaths occur in one- and two-family homes, leading fire service organizations have warned against state-by-state legislative efforts, orchestrated by homebuilders, which are designed to prohibit communities from requiring residential fire sprinklers in new h...

The AFG awards provide around $510 million to fire departments and other EMS organisations nationally The Department of Homeland Security has posted the FY2009 Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) Program Guidance on the AFG website. The application period is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, April 15, 2009, at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). Applications for these grants must be received by Wednesday, May 20, 2009, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). Nation...

Members of the Common Voices Coalition accepting the award Award given in recognition of oustanding contributions to firefighter health and safety The National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA), the longest-tenured fire sprinkler advocacy organization in the U.S., announces its Common Voices advocates' coalition received the Senator Paul S. Sarbanes Fire Service Safety Leadership Award. Named after retired Senator Paul S. Sarbanes of Maryland, the award - presented by th...

The application period for the 2009 National Junior Firefighter Program grants is now open Ten $5,000 grants available to departments The application period for the 2009 National Junior Firefighter Program grants, sponsored by the Dunkin' Brands Community Foundation, is now open.  Ten $5,000 grants will be awarded to departments nationwide whose junior firefighter or Explorer Post programs demonstrate exceptional innovation, creativity, and community impact. The grant...

Baskin Robbins is partnering with the NVFC to raise money for fire departments across the US Be a hero on 31 cent scoop night! Help your neighborhood raise money for your local fire service organization during Baskin-Robbins 31 Cent Scoop Night. For the third annual event, Baskin-Robbins is partnering with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) and their National Junior Firefighter Program and will donate $100,000 to the cause. Locally, Baskin-Robbins is providing an...