Bi-Weekly Update

• Check Out CFSI Week-In-Review
• November was Firefighting Month for Congressional Staff: Over 150 staff participated in firefighter training program and rode with area fire departments

Check Out CFSI Week-In-Review

Get the latest CFSI updates from Executive Director Bill Webb. Just click here to be directed to this weeks video. If the link doesn't work copy and past the following into your browser: http://www.cfsi.org/govt_affairs/govt_video.asp

November was Firefighting Month for Congressional Staff: Over 150 Staff Participated in Firefighting Training Program and Rode with Area Fire Departments

Each year, the Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI) offers congressional staff unique opportunities to gain a better understanding about the role of our nation’s fire and emergency services.  On November 6, over 70 Congressional staff exchanged their regular business attire for attire worn by our nation’s firefighters and rescue personnel to experience a day of actual training at the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute (MFRI).

Co-sponsored by CFSI and MFRI, the Congressional Firefighter Training Program is an abridged one-day training program, staffed with professional instructors who guide the participants through a series of training evolutions.  It gives the participants hands-on experience in firefighting to enrich their understanding about the important role of federal programs in training and equipping our nation’s first responders.

On the evening of November 29, over 70 congressional staff – some of whom participated in the training program – spent an evening with local area fire departments responding to emergencies in rescue vehicles.  The CFSI Congressional Ride Along Program has been another very successful program in fulfilling our mission to educate Congress about the fire and emergency services.  With the support of fire departments from the District of Columbia, Arlington County (VA), Fairfax County (VA), Prince George’s County (MD) and Montgomery County (MD), the Ride Along attracted the largest number of participants since the inception of the program in the early 1990’s.

“Ours is a unique role in Washington, DC providing an array of programs that can have a profound impact in educating and changing perceptions about the fire and emergency services on Capitol Hill,” said CFSI Executive Director Bill Webb.  “We certainly extend our thanks and appreciation for the continued support of MFRI and the participating fire departments of these programs.”

For additional information about CFSI and how to support our mission, please visit our website at www.cfsi.org.  Established in 1989, CFSI is a nonpartisan, nonprofit policy institute designed to educate Congress about the mission and challenges of our nation’s fire and emergency services.