When I started going through my notes from last week’s Congressional Fire Services Institute 22nd annual seminars and dinner, I noticed a definite change in speakers from years past. There were new, younger voices at the podium and in leadership positions.
Has there been a time when so many former fire and EMS personnel have filled DHS and FEMA leadership positions? FEMA Director Craig Fugate was an EMS chief, U.S. Fire Administrator Kelvin Cochran and Deputy Administrator Glenn Gaines served as fire chiefs, and FEMA Grant Asst. Administrator Elizabeth was a firefighter/paramedic. These new faces not only represent America’s first responders, but they bring common sense to the federal government.
The result of such common sense includes new SAFER grant guidelines that make it easier to put money to work quickly. FEMA has waived the matching requirement and cap. These changes, according to keynote speaker and DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano, mean fire departments can keep firefighters.
Napolitano was noticeably more comfortable and relaxed than she was when I saw her speak at FRI last year.
“The first people on the ground are the local first responders,” she said from behind the fire truck–style podium. “How can we help so that America’s first responders can do their job to the fullest?” By installing the right people in leadership positions, she answered.
While Napolitano naturally praised America’s fire service, she was believable when she said that the fire service is the nation’s defense. “You are the faces of homeland security in this country,” she said. “I may have the title of ‘Homeland Security,’ but if you ask the people that [question], they will say you are. … You have an accurate picture of what is happening in our communities. You are the foundation of the Homeland Security architecture that we have in this country. You are the people on the ground.”
Napolitano said that 72 new hazmat fusion centers will help departments on that first line of defense. “If you locate together— state, local, tribal and first responders — you are better able to discuss threats that could materialize.”
Working collectively was a theme throughout the event. Kevin O’Connor — recipient of the 2010 Mason Lankford Award — was described as a “skillful leader who works tirelessly to find common ground.” A firefighter and EMT in Maryland, O’Connor entered the political arena in 1991 through Firefighters Union 1311 and moved up the ranks of the IAFF, becoming assistant to the general president in 2000.
“Clearly, it is an honor to receive the Mason Lankford Award, but most important is that we need to work collectively,” O’Connor said.
The evening’s showstopper for me, however, was Rep. Rob Andrews (D-N.J.). “What if the country was run like a fire company?” He compared how fire departments respond to the needs of its community and vice versa, the country could learn from fire departments.
I did jot down one more observation: Many attendees left early, in spite of the dinner ending by 10:30 p.m. I suspect that younger generations do not sit still well, preferring to network with their peers. Perhaps it’s time to rethink the presentations to allow even more opportunities for networking.
