The Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI) is a non-profit, non-partisan policy institute charged with educating Members of Congress on fire and life safety issues.

(Washington, DC) The Congressional Fire Services Institute's Board of Directors recently selected Meri-K Appy, President of the Home Safety Council, as the recipient of the 2006 CFSI/Motorola Mason Lankford Fire Service Leadership Award. The presentation will take place at the 18th Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner on April 6, 2006 at the Hilton Washington, in Washington, DC.

As President of the Home Safety Council, and previously as Vice President of Public Education for the National Fire Protection Association, Meri-K Appy has been a national leader in developing programs and public policy initiatives targeted at keeping people safe from fire and other unintentional injuries. Congressman Rob Andrews, a Co-Chairman of the Congressional Fire Caucus and sponsor of children's sleepwear legislation, praised the achievements of Appy, saying, "Ms. Appy has been a strong advocate of my efforts and has advanced many initiatives of her own, both at the National Fire Protection Association and Home Safety Council, to address sleepwear safety and fire safety in general."

With funding from the Department of Homeland Security and the FIRE Act, Ms. Appy leads a coalition to develop fire safety materials for adults who struggle with literary and are considered at high risk to fire and other injuries. During her career she has spearheaded many efforts to provide local fire departments with the tools and technical support they need to enhance public education efforts, most recently through the Home Safety Council's Expert Network. She is actively involved in CFSI as a member of the CFSI National Advisory Committee, providing guidance and information to help educate members of Congress on the importance of prevention and education in protecting local communities against fire and other dangers.

"Meri-K certainly has made outstanding contributions to public safety as a tireless advocate for prevention and education," said William Jenaway, President of the Congressional Fire Services Institute. "The CFSI Board of Directors takes pride in presenting her this award for her 25 years of service in support of the fire and emergency services and life safety initiatives."

Named after the late J. Mason Lankford, Jr., and sponsored by CFSI and Motorola, Inc., the award recognizes an individual who has been proactive at the local, state or federal government level to raise the awareness and support of fire/emergency services and life safety issues. Lankford was a catalyst in the formation of the Congressional Fire Services Institute and Congressional Fire Services Caucus, founded by Congressman Curt Weldon in 1987.

For additional information about the 18th Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner, please visit the CFSI website at www.cfsi.org.

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