The Fire Emergency Manufacturers & Services Association and the Fire Apparatus Manufacturers Association held their annual meetings in Washington, D.C., this week. The purpose of the meetings was to encourage members to contact Congressional staffers in the Capital.

As part of the week, FAMA/FEMSA's Governmental Affairs Committee staged a stirring tribute to patriotism and then recognized several organizations and Congressional staffers for their support and their efforts with the FIRE Act Grants.

The committee also introduced a new award named in honor of the late Edward McCormack Jr., founder of the Massachusetts Training Academy and visionary behind the Fire Department Instructors Conference.

The Edward McCormack Jr. Spirit of Excellence Award was presented to Andrew Weis, subcommittee staff director, House Homeland Security Committee; and Joshua Dozor, policy director, White House Homeland Security Council. In presenting the awards, Rep. Curt Weldon (R-Pa.) commented that both men once worked in his office and his message to them today is the same as was then: "When you learn to work the system, it will work for you."

A former volunteer fire chief and longtime supporter of the fire service, Weldon also spoke on the history of the Congressional Fire Caucus and the Congressional Fire Services Institute. "Twenty years ago when we went to Congress, nobody understood what the fire service was all about," he said.

Today, that is less of a problem. On Thursday afternoon FAMA/FEMSA members called on Congressional offices and met with staffers. Some made appointments individually, while others visited offices in state groups. As part of the Illinois contingent, Dan Reese, Akron Brass; Bob Spangler, Federal Signal; Tom Darley, W.S. Darley; Larry Greenberger, Firehouse Magazine; and FIRE CHIEF Associate Publisher Greg Toritto and I had several appointments.

I was a little skeptical about spending time with just staffers, but after visiting with four of them, I was really impressed with these hard-working young adults. Actually, not having the Congressional leaders around gave us a chance to really discuss issues with the people who support and prepare the leaders. Three out of four staffers asked pointed questions about fire and EMS issues and the FIRE Grants process.

On Thursday evening, leaders of the fire service organizations and associations gathered at the James Madison Memorial Building to honor the 25th anniversary of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial. Returning families of fallen firefighters gathered to help at the weekend of remembrance for the survivors of the 107 firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2005.

"We're here to support each other and to support the new survivors who are here," said Cathy Hedrick, mistress of ceremonies for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and mother of a fallen firefighter.

NFFF Executive Director Ron Siarnicki introduced clip of the movie, Into the Fire, produced by Fireman's Fund Insurance Co. The documentary from Academy Award-winning director Bill Couturie will air on The History Channel on Oct. 13 and 22d. According to Siarnicki, "We have seen other fire movies out there, but nothing like what we really do." The program will be available for purchase and "every penny" raised will benefit firefighters and the NFFF.

Chief Robert Ojeda, San Antonio Fire Department, spoke of his father who was a firefighter and who died in a flood trying to rescue another person. "Each of us survivors, we have a date that we will never forget."

Fire Prevention Week kicks off for many fire departments this week. It's a week of education and prevention for communities, but it's also a remembrance of how dangerous firefighting, first response and emergency medical services really is. But how dangerous it is it begins and ends with you.

Janet Wilmoth, Editorial Director
janet@firechief.com