Location: 114th

(March 22, 2016) – The Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI) and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) have selected the Fire Department Safety Officers Association (FDSOA) as the recipient of the 2016 Senator Paul S. Sarbanes Fire Service Safety Leadership Award.

The award will be presented at the 28^th Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner on May 5^th, 2016 in Washington, DC. Named after retired-Senator Paul S. Sarbanes of Maryland, a strong advocate for our nation’s firefighters and rescue personnel during his 36-year career in Congress, the award recognizes organizations for their outstanding contributions to firefighter health and safety. State Farm Insurance and VFIS serve as the corporate supporters of the award program.

Established in 1989, FDSOA is being recognized for its work to promote safety standards and practices in the fire, rescue, and emergency services community.  For 28 years, FDSOA has sponsored the Apparatus Specification and Maintenance Symposium that has brought together manufacturers, fire officers, and emergency vehicle technicians.  The results of these forums have contributed to significant improvements in apparatus safety performance.

Under new leadership, FDSOA recently completed a revision of its education and certification programs for Incident Safety Officers (ISO) to reflect current best practices for ISOs.  These revisions exceed the Job Performance Requirements of the completely rewritten edition of NFPA 1521: Standard for Fire Department Incident Safety Officers Professional Qualifications.

CFSI President Bill Jenaway and NFFF Chairman Dennis Compton issued a joint statement recognizing FDSOA for its work.  “Through partnerships, leadership and dedication, FDSOA recommitted itself to its core mission of education.  They are developing new programs and enhancing existing programs that are providing essential training to safety officers.  FDSOA is truly committed to the 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives, and that is reflected in its work.  Our two organizations look forward to honoring the Fire Department Safety Officers Association on May 5^th.”

Please click here for additional information about the 28^th Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner and Seminars Program.  Approximately 2,000 fire and emergency services leaders throughout the nation are expected to attend the annual program.  In addition to the dinner and seminars, attendees will schedule meetings with their members of Congress to discuss important fire and life safety issues.

Contact:  Bill Webb (CFSI) 202-371-1277

Ron Siarnicki (NFFF) 410-721-6212