January 10, 2023

Top Stories

Congress Closes out the Year by Passing Omnibus and National Defense Authorization Act

In December two major pieces of legislation were signed into law: the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (P.L. 117-263) and the Consolidated Appropriations Act (P.L. 117-328). Each of these laws contain provisions that affect the fire and EMS services. Read article.

Application Period for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant is Now Open

The application period is now open for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG), which provides funding to fire and EMS departments for necessities such as gear, equipment, vehicles, and training. Find the Notice of Funding Opportunity, the application workshop schedule, and other tools to help with your grant application on the AFG web site. You can also take the NVFC course Grant Writing for the Fire and Emergency Services to get tips for writing a successful grant narrative. 

Register for the NVFC Regional Wildland Symposium – Travel Stipends Still Available!

The NVFC is hosting a Regional Wildland Symposium on March 17-18 in Box Elder, SD, to provide classroom training and opportunities for idea exchange addressing key topics in wildland fire mitigation and response in the Plains region. Registration is now open. To help more people attend, the deadline to apply for a $600 travel stipend has been extended to January 20. Apply now!

Nominate Outstanding Volunteers for the NVFC’s Fire Service Achievement Awards

There is still time to nominate outstanding members of your fire/EMS department or junior firefighter program for the NVFC’s 2023 achievement awards. Recognition categories include lifetime achievement, health and safety leadership, junior firefighter of the year, and junior firefighter program of the year. But hurry – nominations are due January 20. Learn more and nominate now.

MSA, DuPont, and NVFC Enhance Firefighter Safety through Globe Gear Giveaway

Thirteen fire departments received much-needed new personal protective equipment in 2022 thanks to MSA and DuPont’s Globe Gear Giveaway, in partnership with the NVFC. In the spirit of keeping first responders safe and protected, the giveaway awarded four sets of state-of-the-art turnout gear and four new helmets to selected departments. In addition, the first 500 applicants received a complimentary membership to the NVFC, courtesy of MSA. Read article.

NVFC Welcomes New Staff Members

Three staff members have joined the NVFC in the last few months. Please join us in welcoming the newest members of our team:
·   Cierra Orlyk, communications coordinator

·   Ryan Woodward, chief of legislative and regulatory affairs

·   Rachel Buczynski, chief of training and education.  

Read article. 

Is Immersive Learning in Your Future?

The past decade has seen periodic changes in fire service training curriculum, driven by new knowledge and skills based on research and field experience. Today we have seen a quantum leap in delivering training by the introduction of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) systems as tools for fire service training. Because this training environment is virtual, and the student is exposed to minimal risk, there is the potential to chip away at the 8,000 plus injuries that occur during training each year. Read article.

Take Action to Protect Against Firefighter Cancer

Cancer is one of the biggest health threats facing firefighters, but there are actions you can take to protect yourself and your crew. January is Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month, a time to learn about what you and your department can do to lessen exposure risks and prevent job-related cancer. Use these resources and tools to help. Read article.

NVFC First Responder Helpline: Assistance When You Need It Most

Being a firefighter or EMS provider can be tough, especially for volunteers balancing work, life, family, and volunteer commitments. The NVFC First Responder Helpline provides support and assistance to NVFC members and their household family for a variety of behavioral health issues and work-life stresses. A short video is now available that highlights this important resource. Share this in your department to let others know it is available. Find it on YouTube and Vimeo.

Share Your Community Home Safety Check Success Story

Vision 20/20 is updating their Fire Department Home Safety Visits How-to Guide originally published in 2014. The new guide will focus on successful case studies from diverse fire departments across the U.S., highlighting peer-to-peer guidance and practical tips on how to access high-risk homes to install free smoke alarms and educate residents. If your department has leveraged this knowledge and strong relationships to access homes and families in need, please share a summary of your story for consideration for inclusion in the guide. Read article.

Community Risk Reduction Week: Getting Ahead of the Call

The best emergency is one that never happens, and fire departments can play a big role in helping community members prevent emergencies through fire prevention and community risk reduction programs. Taking place January 16-22, Community Risk Reduction Week raises awareness of the importance of these initiatives and provides resources to help. Additional resources can be found from Vision 20/20 and in the NVFC Virtual Classroom.

NVFC Welcomes New Corporate Partner Wendell’s Mint

The NVFC is pleased to welcome Wendell’s Mint as a Champion Member. They will also be providing the challenge coins for the NVFC’s 2023 events, including the Regional Wildland Symposium, Training Summit, and board meetings. Wendell’s Mint proudly manufactures U.S.-made custom challenge coins at competitive prices. Utilizing state of the art minting and painting processes and an experienced in-house design team, Wendell’s Mint delivers best in class quality and never charges for artwork or multiple colors. Learn more. 

Be Aware of Scams!

The NVFC does not conduct fundraising campaigns by phone and does not have a PAC. If you are approached by someone claiming they are requesting donations on behalf of the NVFC or any other group, find out the name of the organization that is calling and vet that organization first. This can be done through reputable sources such as the IRS web site, Charity Navigator, or GuideStar. 

Firefighter Cancer Awareness & Prevention

January is Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month. Join the NVFC and expert panelists to learn more about what types of cancer most commonly affect firefighters, why firefighters face an increased risk of cancer, and what actions you and your department can take to reduce risks and prevent job-related cancer. The discussion will take place on January 25 at 2pm ET. Watch the event on the NVFC’s Facebook page or register to attend on Zoom.

Surviving the Job: Preventing Firefighter Cancer

Cancer is a serious threat facing today’s fire service, but there are easy and low-cost ways you can lower your risks. These include the 11 best practices for firefighter cancer prevention as outlined in the Lavender Ribbon Report. This course will explain how to incorporate these life-saving practices into your daily routines in order to reduce your exposure risks and protect yourself and your fellow firefighters from occupational cancer. Take it free for a limited time in the NVFC Virtual Classroom.