"Leadership Saves Lives … So Everyone Goes Home" — that was the theme of the 18th Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner and Seminars, hosted by the Congressional Fire Services Institute. Read it again, chief. Perhaps next year's theme could be: "Only You Can Prevent Firefighter Fatalities."

More than 2,100 attendees participated in this year's seminars and dinner. Fire service personnel from across the country flooded Congressional offices on Wednesday and Thursday before attending the dinner. Even better news? Never before have I seen so many Congressional leaders in the audience seeking out their constituents.

The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation announced that Motorola has donated $1 million over the next four years to the foundation. I don't think Motorola's donation was about fallen firefighters. It's about helping fallen firefighters' survivors to move forward after their tragic loss.

Obviously, the big news of the evening came from DHS Under Secretary Michael Jackson. President George W. Bush had nominated David Paulison as undersecretary for federal emergency management at the Department of Homeland Security, and DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff had appointed Coast Guard Vice Admiral Harvey Johnson as FEMA's deputy director and chief operating officer. (Gee, thanks Mr. President for finally confirming what the fire service has suggested and expected for three years.)

In introducing Paulison, USFA Deputy Director Charlie Dickinson said, "Here's someone who doesn't just talk the talk, he lives it. He's a state-certified paramedic, too. He would kneel at your side, and if he knew you were trapped on the third floor of a burning building, he'd come in for you. That's what FEMA is receiving."

David Paulison responded to the standing ovation with, "I always feel like I'm coming home. I will promise you that I will work hard. I will make this entire nation proud of FEMA once again. We've got good people in FEMA, and they put in an ungodly number of hours.

"It's important that you build a relationship with your local partners," Paulison cautioned. "There's not an option for failure. We cannot let any differences stand in the way of our goal."

As the dinner continued, the ever-eloquent Senator Joe Biden of Delaware spoke of how "Katrina blew away the illusion that we were prepared."

"Why haven't we done more?" Biden demanded. "I believe it's because your politicians don't trust the American people or know who you are. I don't think the people I work with — in both parties — trust you."

Biden said that while Paulison would probably say FEMA funding was fine, he announced, "It's time to change our priorities on every single recommendation of the 9/11 Commission and fund it now. So help me, God!"

The dinner also featured some well-deserved awards. The CFSI/Motorola Mason Lankford Fire Service Leadership Award was presented to Meri-K Appy, president of the Home Safety Council. Appy was selected in recognition of her 25 years of service and leadership in developing programs and policy initiatives to keep people safe from fire and other injuries. In accepting her award, Appy said, "Every life we save is somebody's child." Much deserved to a fine lady.

California Congresswoman Jane Harman, one of three CFSI Legislators of the Year, in her acceptance referenced the 900MHz deadline of 2009 and adamantly said it was too long. "It aches in my heart that on 9/11 you were in the buildings and you couldn't hear the helicopters above."

The Home Safety Council's Safety Education Hero Award was presented to Lt. Peggy Harrell, Plano (Texas) Fire Rescue Services, for her public education efforts. FIRE CHIEF will feature an interview with Harrell in our May Size-Up.

The last speaker of the evening, New Jersey Congressman Rob Andrews, is usually a dynamic speaker. This year, he spoke of a firefighter who was injured and how his fellow firefighters looked after him for years after his injury. Unfortunately, Andrews ended up preaching to the choir. Instead of ending the dinner with a "go forth and be safe," he made an impassioned plea that "Katrina is fading from a sense of urgency."

Good point, Congressman, but give your impassioned plea to your fellow Congressional leaders. The CFSI dinner attendees are well aware that cries of "hero!" after 9/11 are fading as fast as the initial commitment of big bucks. Pretend your speech was a dry run for your buddies in Congress. Just do it.