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NVFC Expands Executive Committee, Creates Health and Safety Committee
| NVFC Chairman Philip C. Stittleburg (right) swears in new Executive Committee members Ken Knipper and Robert Timko (standing, left to right). |
The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) expanded its Executive Committee and created a new Health and Safety Committee during its annual Spring Meeting in Arlington, VA, April 2-6. The changes reflect the organization’s focus on EMS and health and safety within the emergency services.
The NVFC’s Executive Committee is comprised of the organization’s four officers, five elected members from the Board, the Chair of the Legislative Committee, and the President of the NVFC Foundation. Two new positions were added to the Executive Committee at the Board’s Fall Meeting to further incorporate EMS more thoroughly into the organization. These new members are the Chair of the EMS Committee and a representative from a national EMS organization as determined by the Executive Committee.
During the Spring Meeting, Ken Knipper, Chair of the EMS Committee, was sworn in as a member of the Executive Committee. Jerry Johnston, President of the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT), was also named to the Executive Committee. NAEMT has taken a leadership role in the EMS community with a focus on advocacy, education, and research.
“It is a real pleasure to me to be involved in the NVFC and I look forward to working with you,” Johnston told the NVFC Board. “EMS is EMS, it doesn’t matter the color of your truck. It is about saving people,” he continued. He noted how this move will help facilitate collaboration and information-sharing between NAEMT and the NVFC on matters of mutual interest.
A special election was also held to fill the Executive Committee position left open with the passing of Phil Sayer, the NVFC’s Missouri Director. The Board elected Robert Timko, the NVFC’s Alternate Director from Pennsylvania, to serve the remainder of the term.
In addition to expanding the Executive Committee, the Board voted to create a Health and Safety Committee. The NVFC has always been active in promoting and implementing initiatives to keep first responders healthy and safe. This includes launching the Heart-Healthy Firefighter Program in 2003 to proactively combat the leading cause of line-of-duty firefighter deaths – heart attack. The new Health and Safety Committee furthers the NVFC’s focus on protecting first responders.
The mission of the Health and Safety Committee is to provide insight on issues and policies relating to health and safety of volunteer firefighters and emergency personnel. The Committee will assist by:
- Serving as reviewers for the many health and safety documents the NVFC receives to review from organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety, National Fire Protection Association, International Association of Fire Chiefs, and many others.
- Provide input into the Heart-Healthy Firefighter Program.
- Provide input into new and existing safety issues.
- Serve as a sounding board and develop ideas for new programs.
- Attend various health and safety conferences to which the NVFC is invited.
- Work closely with other fire service organizations to collaborate on issues pertaining to health and safety.
“Health and safety has always been a priority of the NVFC,” said NVFC Chairman Philip C. Stittleburg. “With the amount of time we already spend on these issues, it is fitting that we create a Committee that can devote its full attention to health and safety. The creation of this Committee only strengthens our dedication to protecting first responders.”
Learn more about the NVFC and its initiatives at www.nvfc.org.
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Kimberly Ettinger
Director of Communications
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David Finger
Director of Government Relations
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