NVFC Report
I think we have arrived at the calm after the storm regarding OSHA. Well at least for now the thunder and lightning have subsided for Missouri regarding OSHA’s New Emergency Response Rule Update. There is one and what I hope to be the final installment regarding this topic in this edition of your FFAM magazine. At least I hope that 4 of 4 wraps things up for now so please check it out.
Moving on to other NVFC business. The 2024 NVFC fall meeting theme is Fueling the Future: Inspiring Volunteer Excellence. The fall meeting will be held in Kansas City, Missouri, September 18-20. Missouri is assisting NVFC but not hosting the meeting. Special thanks to our own Grant Oetting and Josh Koepke for their assistance in securing and coordinating transportation during the week for NFVC directors, staff and guests. Your President Larry Jennings and State Fire Marshal Tim Bean will be part of the opening ceremonies at 10:00 am, September 19th.
NVFC continues to secure and renew grants at a very rapid pace.
For the 9th consecutive year, The Motorola Foundation has awarded NVFC a grant in the amount of $30,000. This award supports NVFC’s initiative to provide free online and in-person training to develop leadership skills, behavioral resiliency, and more.
For the 2nd time in two consecutive years, the PHMSA Supplemental Public Safety Sector Grant was awarded in the amount of $739,486 to continue Hazmat training with NVFC and their Partner in Training (PIT CREW).
The Chemtrec awards were just released and provided $10,000 to each of the 6 volunteer fire departments to assist with hazmat incident response and preparedness.
NVFC has been awarded a Fire Prevention & Safety Grant in the amount of $497,000 and with this NVFC will:
- Maintain the Behavioral Health Provider Directory and PHFD resources.
- Provide training for behavioral health professionals as well as fire service leaders, to aid in fostering a psychologically healthy fire department culture.
- Offer a train-the-trainer and incorporate new training to improve the resilience of first responders.
- Expand the number of resources developed, vetted, and available for families of first responders struggling with mental well-being.
The State Farm Good Neighbor Firefighter Safety Program was launched and within a few weeks had 500 applications and had to close registration. This $500,000 grant will award $10,000 to 50 departments for assistance with firefighter safety. They hope to do more in the future.
The new NVFC Electric Vehicle (EV) Training program was launched and within a few weeks had to close registration due to a response that was beyond all expectations. They shifted to prioritize training sites and locations to get the most out of the grant that was funded by the GM Foundation. Hopefully, there will be a second offering of these classes in the future.
In other news, the 2024 US Fire Administrator’s Summit on Fire Prevention and Control has been announced and will be held in Emmitsburg, MD, on October 8. If interested in attending onsite or remotely, more details and registration can be found at the NVFC or USFA websites.
NERIS
The time has nearly arrived. It is important that we don’t lose sight of what is coming in the next 90 days. NERIS will replace NFIRS and is launching very soon. Beta testing has been completed and refining of those findings is underway.
NVFC’s 2025 Training Summit will take place in Salt Lake City, Utah, on June 20-21, 2025. NVFC is expecting this to be another sell-out experience. Register here: nvfc.wufoo.com/forms/2025-nvfc-training-summit-preregistration/
In case you missed it, AFG/SAFER/USFA was reauthorized with the bill signed by President Biden. NVFC Chairman Steve Hirsch and our Legislative Chair Pat Thompson, NVFC Director Kentucky were fortunate enough to be invited to the White House to witness the signing.
Uniform Guidance Update
If your state association or department is the recipient of federal grants you may be interested in the upcoming changes to the Uniform Guidance. Read more here ceoupdate.com/changes-coming-soon-federal-grant-requirements.
The second edition of What to Expect, A Guide for New Firefighter Families is being released. This guide is designed to help new fire and EMS recruits along with their spouses/significant others, children, parents, siblings, and other family members adjust to the volunteer fire service lifestyle. More information on the NVFC Website.
Likely not a surprise, but now confirmed by declassified documents, the People’s Republic of China has been actively working on information operations targeting US disasters including threatening response and recovery operations. A document recently unclassified by FEMA on July 9th detailed numerous instances of their activity. I will only bullet point three of the many that FEMA just declassified just to provide some significance to all of this:
- In August 2023, US social media company MetaUSPER took down an extensive network of Chinese government-affiliated fake social media accounts that was labeled as the “largest known cross-platform covert influence operation in history.” The company removed over 7,000 accounts, 900 pages, and 15 groups across multiple social media platforms used to target audiences in several countries including the US, Taiwan, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
- According to the analysis conducted by Microsoft’sUSPER Threat Analysis Center (MTAC), over 100 fake social media accounts that overlap with China’s Spamouflage network conducted a coordinated influence campaign spreading disinformation about the August 2023 wildfire in Maui, Hawaii.
- February of 2023, PRC officials and Chinese news outlets amplified conspiracy theories and false messaging about the derailment of a cargo train transporting chemicals in East Palestine, Ohio. High-level Chinese officials posted messages on multiple social media platforms accusing the US Government of fearmongering over Chinese spy balloons while trying to cover up or ignore the disaster in Ohio using the hashtag #OhioChernobyl.
Good thing we have warriors manning the walls (screens) both day and night to manage these bad actors. On a more pleasant topic. If you are not an NVFC Member and want more information on the many benefits or are ready to join for just $21, it goes up to $24 on January 1, 2025, go to nvfc.org/join-nvfc/
Thank you for your time plus allowing Rob and I to serve on your behalf with NVFC.
FFAM
