News

Registration Now Open for the 30th Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Symposium and Dinner

Registration is now open for the 30th Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Symposium and Dinner, hosted by the Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI) on April 18-19, 2018 in Washington, DC. Attended by approximately 1,500 fire and emergency services leaders from across the country, the event is the largest and most prestigious gathering of fire service officials, featuring important seminars and opportunities for interaction with federal policy makers.

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30th Annual Symposium and Dinner Additional Sponsorship Opportunities

Now you can make a positive difference for CFSI by becoming a sponsor of the National Fire and Emergency Services Symposium and Dinner. Each year, we offer a number of sponsorship opportunities. Ranging in values, they offer a number of unique benefits that will capture the attention of our 1,500 guests. Take a look at the complete list of sponsorship opportunities we are now offering for our 2018 program and let us know which appeals to you. If you have questions, do not hesitate to give us a call at 202-371-1277.

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CFSI to Host Silent Auction at Firehouse Expo

With the support of many vendors, CFSI will host a Silent Auction at Firehouse Expo that will feature an array of exciting gifts. The auction will begin on the morning of Thursday, October 19th and conclude at 12:30 pm on Saturday, October 21st. Unlike traditional silent auctions, this event will display the items at the vendors’ booths. This way, trade show attendees can learn about the innovative equipment, services and technologies that our supporters are providing to our nation’s firefighters and emergency services personnel.

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A Special Tribute to Louis J. Amabili From Our US Fire Administrators

We offer our thoughts and prayers to the Amabili family on the death of such an extraordinary man in Louis J. Amabili. When you perform a duty for over 70 years, it’s out of passion and dedication to a meaningful cause. For Lou, the cause was the health and safety of our firefighters. While Lou will be missed, his contributions and legacy will remain forever embedded in the pages of our most impactful document – AMERICA BURNING – and in the counsel he offered to so many of us throughout the years.

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CFSI Mourns the Loss of Louis J. Amabili, CFSI Board Member and Legendary Fire Service Leader

Louis J. Amabili, a member of the CFSI Board of Directors since 1994, passed away earlier today following an illness. A member of the Delaware fire service since 1947, Lou gained national recognition in the fire service when President Richard Nixon appointed him to serve on the National Commission for Fire Prevention and Control in 1970, which produced the landmark report, AMERICA BURNING.

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House Approves Firefighter Cancer Registry Act

(September 13, 2017) – On Tuesday, September 12th, the House approved by voice vote H.R. 931, the Firefighter Cancer Registry Act. The bipartisan legislation, introduced by Congressman Chris Collins (NY-27) and Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. (NJ-9), creates a specialized national registry to provide researchers and epidemiologists with the tools and resources they need to improve research collection activities related to the monitoring of cancer incidence among firefighters.

Studies have indicated a strong link between firefighting and an increased risk of several major cancers, including colon, lung, melanoma, mesothelioma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, non-melanoma skin cancer, prostate, rectal, testicular, stomach, multiple myeloma and brain cancer. The heightened risk of cancer among firefighters has been attributed to their frequent exposure to a range of harmful toxins.

Unfortunately, studies examining cancer risks among firefighters have been limited by the availability of important data and relatively small sample sizes that have an underrepresentation of women, minorities, and volunteer firefighters. As a result, public health researchers have been unable to fully examine and understand the broader epidemiological cancer trends among firefighters. A specialized national cancer registry would expand access to vital epidemiological data and improve research outcomes.

The bill will now be sent to the Senate for consideration.

2018 National Fire & Emergency Services Symposium & Dinner Call For Seminar Proposals

The Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI) is announcing an official Call for Proposals for the 2018 National Fire and Emergency Services Symposium.  The Symposium will be held in Washington, DC on Wednesday, April 18, 2018, in conjunction with  the 30th Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner.

Seminar proposals must meet the following criteria to be considered:

  • Seminars should focus on federal policy or issues that are national in scope, and have a positive impact on the nation’s fire and emergency services.  Seminars intended solely to promote for-profit programs and activities that specifically benefit an organization will not be considered.
  • Seminars are limited to 50 minutes in length.
  • Where applicable, proposed panelists and moderators should represent a diversity of national organizations and fire service disciplines.
  • Proposals must be submitted to CFSI no later than October 6, 2017.  Proposals can be submitted here.  

Proposals must include the following information:

  • Seminar title;
  • Seminar description and objectives (minimum 200 word narrative);
  • Names of panelists and moderators with biographical information (minimum 200 words per biography);
  • Statement explaining how the proposed seminar aligns with CFSI’s mission to advance the readiness and response capabilities of all first responders;
  • Statement explaining how the applicant will help CFSI promote the seminar and the 2018 National Fire and Emergency Services Symposium and Dinner;  
  • A primary point of contact for the submission, including name, phone number, and email address.

All proposals will be reviewed by CFSI’s staff and the Programmatic Subcommittee of CFSI’s National Advisory Committee.  Incomplete proposals will not be considered.  Applicants must agree to work with CFSI to finalize participants, produce relevant materials, and promote the seminars series.  CFSI reserves the right to make changes to panelists and seminar content.

Questions regarding the Call for Proposals should be directed to Sean Carroll, CFSI’s Director of Government Affairs, at [email protected] or (202) 371-1277.  

Senate Passes Firefighter Grants Reauthorization

(August 3, 2017) – On August 2nd, the Senate approved S. 829, the AFG and SAFER Reauthorization Act, by unanimous consent.  The legislation, which was unanimously approved by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on May 17th, reauthorizes the Assistance to Firefighters (AFG), the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER), and Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) grant programs through Fiscal Year 2023.  Additionally, the legislation removes a “sunset” provision in the current authorizing statute that would eliminate the programs on January 2, 2018.

S. 829 was introduced by Senator John McCain (AZ) and Senator Jon Tester (MT), both co-chairs of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus.  Senator Susan Collins (ME), chair of the Fire Caucus, and Senator Tom Carper, a fellow Fire Caucus co-chair, are original co-sponsors of the legislation.

“We are very grateful to the Senate for taking action to reauthorize these critical, life saving programs that have had such an immense impact in communities across the entire nation,” said Bill Webb, Executive Director of the Congressional Fire Services Institute.  “The passage of S. 829 is the result of a cooperative and unified effort by the national fire service organizations, as well as persistent grassroots engagement by fire service leaders throughout the country.  We strongly urge the House to approve the Senate bill as soon as they return from the August Congressional recess.”  

On July 12th, the House Science, Technology and Space Committee’s Subcommittee on Research and Technology conducted a hearing on reauthorizing the AFG, SAFER and FP&S grant programs.  Unfortunately, the House adjourned for a five-week district work period before the subcommittee could take action on any legislation.  The House is scheduled to return on September 5th.