It is both interesting and reassuring to what lengths NVFC will go to in securing staffing talent. When Heather Schaffer passed away suddenly on March 15, 2021, then Deputy Director Sarah Lee stepped in and was later confirmed as Chief Executive Officer leaving her old position open and a national search began. On May 27th, Dr. Candice McDonald accepted the Deputy CEO position and starts in July. Dr. McDonald comes to NVFC from NASA managing staff, projects, budgets, and contracts. She also has two decades of volunteer fire service as a firefighter, EMS chief officer, instructor, and fire inspector. She has a background in social work and is a substance abuse counselor, bringing experience and skills to the NVFC Share the Load Program. Having a background in marketing, Dr. McDonald is also an adjunct instructor at her local community college teaching marketing and homeland security. Talk about women in the fire service.
Then we move to a very sad subject in the passing of Dave Finger, NVFC Chief of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs. Dave passed on June 3, 2022, after a 2-plus year battle with pancreatic cancer. Dave joined NVFC in 2005 and quickly impacted the legislative presence of NVFC on Capitol Hill and is well known as one of the “good guys.” Dave was just 44 years old leaving behind a wife and two young children. His cancer journey blog can be viewed at caringbridge.org/visit/davefinger.
Now NVFC starts a national search for another replacement while using a contracted lobbyist Andy Quinn until that process results in a new hire. Fire service politics do not take a holiday even when losing one of our own.
Individual membership in NVFC has just reached an all-time high of 28,051. They continue to encourage individuals and departments to join offering numerous benefits detailed at nvfc.org/join-nvfc.
Hopefully, I can make this same comment for Missouri someday but for right now, Congratulations to Kansas on surpassing the 500-member mark for individual NVFC members. There are currently only four other states in the 500+ group including Maine, Maryland, North Carolina, and Texas. States with over 500 NVFC members will have their annual state NVFC dues waived.
COVID Testing Sites
NVFC is partnering with Color to promote fire departments becoming COVID-19 testing sites. FFAM departments will receive $250 for participating, $50 for every month their site is sending tests, and $5 for every test at their site. For more information, contact Lori at lori@nvfc.org
By the time you are reading this, the two-day Health and Safety Training Summit in Orlando, FL, will have concluded. I hope to have summary topics and links in the next magazine edition.
Want to host a Wildfire Home Assessment training in your area? Part of NVFC’s WFAP program is training that teaches fire departments operating in a wildland-urban interface to conduct home safety checks for their residents. Anyone interested in hosting a course can contact Lori at lori@nvfc.org regarding this free training opportunity but you must be an FFAM member department.
The American Psychological Association has recognized NVFC as an organization committed to changing the culture around mental health in the workplace and combating the stigma!
The 2022 Edition of NVFC Firefighter Strong print-edition newsletter for individual NVFC members should be hitting the mailboxes soon. If you would like print copies for your meetings or events, please contact Lorraine Higgins at Lorraine@nvfc.org
NVFC released two new PSAs to help recruitment efforts. One focuses on the fire service family, and the other focuses on why volunteers do what they do. These are free to everyone so please feel free to use and share these within your networks!
Women in Fire has contracted with NVFC to work on several joint initiatives related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. This is in line with our strategic plan and a great way to work closely with our fire service partners.
Thank you for your time and for allowing Rob and me to serve on your behalf.
FFAM
