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U.S. Fire Administrator Gregory Cade presented the President's Volunteer Service Award to the National Volunteer Fire Council's (NVFC) Executive Committee on Friday, July 20 during the Committee's semi-annual meeting. This national honor recognizes the volunteer service of these nine fire service leaders.

Established in 2003 by the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation, the President's Volunteer Service Award is given to individuals, groups, and families who have met or exceeded requirements for volunteer service and have demonstrated exemplary citizenship through volunteering. As one of thousands of Certifying Organizations participating in the award program, the NVFC confers the award to recognize the outstanding achievements of its volunteers.

"The NVFC has a long history of volunteer service, and more than one million volunteers selflessly serve their communities each year by serving as volunteer fire, EMS, and rescue personnel," said Cade. "The NVFC Executive Committee selflessly devotes their time not only to the organization, but also to each of their communities where they have spent as many as 50,000 hours over the course of their lives making our communities stronger and safer."

The Executive Committee is comprised of four Officers and seven Board members. The current Committee consists of Chairman Philip C. Stittleburg (WI), First Vice Chair Norman E. Hoeft (NE), Second Vice Chair Jack Carriger (OR), Secretary/Treasurer Allen Metheny (DE), Jeff Cash (NC), Pat Hlavaty (TX), Robert Kilpeck (VT), James Monihan (DE), Phil Sayer (MO), Paul Wilcox (MI), and Jim Williams (NY).

As part of the award package, the Executive Committee members received a pin during Friday's meeting. They will also receive a letter of congratulations from President George W. Bush and a personalized certificate.

To be eligible to receive the President's Volunteer Service Award, individuals, families, and groups must submit a record of their annual volunteer service hours to participating Certifying Organizations, such as the NVFC. The NVFC will then verify the service and deliver the award. Eligibility for individuals and groups is based on required hours, which vary by age. To nominate a volunteer for the President's Volunteer Service Award, send an email to nvfcoffice@nvfc.org that includes the persons contact information, a detailed description of their service, and the number of hours volunteered.

For more information about the President's Volunteer Service Award or how to become a certifying organization, visit www.presidentialserviceawards.gov. For more information about the NVFC, visit www.nvfc.org.