VFIS News

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is pleased to announce the winners of its annual fire service achievement awards, which recognize fire service volunteers who have gone above and beyond in service to their department and community. The 2024 recipients are Stephen Austin, Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by Lincoln Financial Group; Chief John Swan Sr., Chief James P. Seavey Sr. Health & Wellness Leadership Award, co-sponsored by VFIS and Ward Diesel Filter Systems; Joseph Val...

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is accepting nominations for its annual fire service achievement awards. Recognize the contributions of a lifetime volunteer firefighter, a pioneer in health and wellness, an outstanding junior firefighter, or a successful junior firefighter program. Nominations are due by 5 pm EST on January 19 for the following awards. Lifetime Achievement Award This award recognizes a volunteer firefighter who has served at least 20 years and has made a major...

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is now accepting nominations for its Annual Fire Service Achievement Awards. NVFC recognizes the contributions of a lifetime volunteer firefighter, a leader in health and wellness, an outstanding junior firefighter, or a successful junior firefighter program.  Nominations are due by 5 pm EST on January 20, 2023 for the following awards: Lifetime Achievement Award - Sponsored by Lincoln Financial Group This award recognizes a volunteer firef...

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is pleased to announce the winners of its 2022 fire service achievement awards. Steven Klein will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by ADT, Chief John Buckman III will receive the Chief James P. Seavey Sr. Health and Wellness Leadership Award, co-sponsored by VFIS and Ward Diesel Filter Systems, Kaylee Gianforte will receive the Junior Firefighter of the Year Award, sponsored by California Casualty, and the Rowlett Explorer Post One wil...

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is pleased to announce the winners of its 2021 Annual Fire Service Achievement Awards. NVFC’s awards recipients Theodore Schroll Jr. will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by ADT, Robert James will receive the Chief James P. Seavey Sr. Health and Wellness Leadership Award, co-sponsored by VFIS and Ward Diesel Filter Systems, Paige Davis will receive the Junior Firefighter of the Year Award, sponsored by California Casualty, and t...

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) has announced that they recognize achievement in the volunteer fire and emergency services through its annual awards program. Nominations for the Lifetime Achievement Award, Chief James P. Seavey Sr., Health and Wellness Leadership Award, Junior Firefighter of the Year Award, and Junior Firefighter Program of the Year Award are due by January 29, 2021. The NVFC annual awards program features: NVFC Lifetime Achievement Award: Sponsored by ADT, this a...

The 17th Annual Truman Legacy Symposium was held on May 5-7, 2019. Each year, the symposium focuses on a different area of interest or action taken by former President Harry Truman. This year, the symposium dealt with the former President’s legacy on Fire Prevention, Fire Safety and Historic Preservation and the 1947 National Conference on Fire Prevention report in which he was a leader. Countering rising fire incidents In early 1947, President Truman invited representatives from every f...

VFIS is pleased to announce that the Honorable Scott Perry of Pennsylvania in the House of Representatives has added the VFIS 50th anniversary celebration as a historic event to the Congressional Record. “In 1969, Mr. Glatfelter, a well-established insurance agent, recognized a need for specialized insurance coverage for firefighters – a coverage based on their motivations, their aspirations, their needs and the risks they were willing to assume to protect others,” says the pr...

The Congressional Fire Services Institute’s Board of Directors has chosen Chief Russ Sanders to receive the 2019 CFSI/Motorola Solutions Mason Lankford Fire Service Leadership Award. The official award presentation will take place during the 31st Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner on April 25, 2019 in Washington, D.C. Public Safety And Prevention VFIS Executive Vice President Dr. Bill Jenaway noted, “Russ Sanders has distinguished himself on so many levels and in s...

In partnership with the Congressional Fire Services Institute and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, VFIS is proud to sponsor the Senator Paul S. Sarbanes Fire Service Safety Leadership Award annually. The award is designed to honor organizations that provide outstanding contributions to firefighter safety and wellbeing. This year, co-recipients have been selected, and these incredible organizations are set to formally receive their award at the 31st Annual National Fire and Emergency...

VFIS and the IAFC's volunteer-combination officer section are pleased to announce Avon (Connecticut) Fire Department as the 2018 VCOS-VFIS Illness and Injury Prevention Award recipient. The Avon Fire Department has successfully undertaken and implemented a comprehensive health and wellness program for all members. It begins with compliant annual physical exams, and includes physical performance qualifications which determine which job tasks each member can and should perform. Wellness and fitn...

Volunteer firefighters and emergency service personnel put their lives on the line every day in their mission to serve and protect families, neighbors and country. It’s their passion and selflessness that inspired VFIS founder, Arthur J. Glatfelter, to create the first-ever specialized coverage for volunteer firefighters fifty years ago. Today, VFIS continues to see it as its purpose to provide meaningful benefits and protections to the nation’s first responders. Serving Fire Depar...

This year, the award was given to Chief Jake Rhodes of the Kingman Fire Department in Kingman Arizona. It was presented during the 2018 International Association of Fire Chiefs annual conference in Dallas, Texas. Chief Rhodes was selected as the award recipient after he successfully implemented a bold new medical and physical program that helps deliver on the promise of making sure that everyone across his organization is mentally and physically fit for the long haul. Health and Wellness Progr...

Vina’s endless commitment to the fire service industry stems from the untimely death of her husband, Captain John Drennan, from burns sustained while battling a fire in Manhattan, in a building that was not equipped with fire sprinklers. Following the loss of her husband, Vina became a compassionate advocate and supporter for fire safety. She became an active part of the NFFF and the FDNY Foundation and her passionate presentations about the situation surrounding her husband’s death...

At the recent International Association of Fire Chiefs conference in Dallas, Texas, the Center for Public Safety Excellence conducted its annual professional credentialing and designation process. This program is voluntary and designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate their excellence across seven measured areas including: education, experience, professional development and contributions, association membership, involvement in community and technical competence while identifying a plan...

Don Cox, VFIS Education Specialist, shares active shooter preparedness tips and assessment tools in EMS World. Here’s a shocking fact: In the U.S., there was approximately one mass shooting per day in 2017. Preforming Risk Assessments Regularly preform risk assessments that include: Identifying vulnerable areas within your organization and community, and recommending ways to reduce them Supplying the latest information/tips/ training methods to your members Developing partnerships...

Development of the fire industry guide was supported by VFIS and Provident Agency The National Fire Service Resource Guide covers topics like health & safety, fire service awards, governance etc. The National Fire Service Resource Guide is a one-stop reference source designed to provide fire and EMS departments with quick information regarding topics of importance to the fire and emergency services. The guide includes a compilation of available resources and tools t...

VFIS will showcase their new trailer safety program" at FRI 2009 New program incorporates practical evaluation VFIS developed its "Emergency Services Trailer Operations and Safety Program" to educate responders on safe trailer operations. This hands-on course includes information on trailers; the tow vehicle; brake requirements; tow hitch, ball, and coupler assembly; inspecting the vehicle; loading the trailer; and driving with a trailer. After classroom discussion,...