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    1. Careers & Education

    Scuttlebutt 4/21

    April 19, 2021
    NVFC Training Summit Goes Virtual
    Nvfc Summit 6054a1947455f

    NVFC Training Summit Goes Virtual

    In response to ongoing pandemic-related safety concerns, the National Volunteer Fire Council will hold its 2021 Training Summit virtually on May 21, 2021.
    The agenda includes eight breakout sessions and one general session. All of the sessions will focus on critical topics that affect the volunteer fire and emergency services. Attendees can register for individual courses or for the full day of free training.
    For more information, visit nvfc.org/summit.
    Mike Duyck 1

    Metro Chiefs Honor Oregon Chief

    Mike Duyck, who was the chief of Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue in Tigard, OR, for more than 30 years, earned the Metropolitan (Metro) Fire Chiefs Association’s Russell E. Sanders Lifetime Achievement Award.

    A 33-year veteran of the fire service, Duyck is a past president of the Metro Chiefs and of the Western Fire Chiefs Association and served on the International Association of Fire Chiefs board of directors. He serves as chair of Oregon’s State Interoperability Executive Council and is a member of the Department of Homeland Security Executive Committee for the Public Safety Advisory Committee for FirstNet Authority.

    Duyck holds numerous certifications in emergency operations and is an Oregon-certified paramedic. He completed the National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer (EFO) Program and is designated as a Center for Public Safety Excellence Chief Fire Officer (CFO).

    For more information, visit nfpa.org.

    Scuttlebuttcairns 603e7300a5204
    Free MSA Cairns XF1 Fire Helmet
    Three active U.S. volunteer firefighters who are National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) members will receive a personalized MSA Cairns XF1 fire helmet courtesy of MSA and the NVFC in 2021.
    The jet-style design of the Cairns XF1 fire helmet reduces snag hazards, provides a personalized fit, and houses its own integrated light module. The soft goods are removable, washable and replaceable, which helps firefighters to align with cancer awareness programs as written by the Firefighter Cancer Support Network.
    For more information, visit nvfc.org/helmet.
    Ab Water Can Stack 5f45819aacf91

    Keeping Wildland Firefighters Hydrated

    Anheuser-Busch and the National Volunteer Fire Council teamed up for the third year to provide critical hydration to volunteer fire departments that respond to wildfires through the Emergency Drinking Water for Wildland Firefighters program.
    Anheuser-Busch pledged to donate 1.5 million cans of drinking water to help to keep wildland firefighters hydrated as they protect and strengthen the communities that they serve. Since the program began to operate in 2019, more than 3.2 million cans of water have been distributed to more than 520 departments in 47 states.
    To apply for the emergency drinking water, departments must be located in the United States, annually respond to wildfires, be more than 50 percent volunteer and serve a population of 25,000 or fewer. Departments in declared emergencies because of wildfire also will be able to request water outside of the application period to help with their immediate wildfire response needs.
    For more information, visit nvfc.org/water.

    Courageous Kids Climbing
    Scuttlebutt Photo For Courageous Kids 60401b64b74f5
    BME to Sponsor First Responder Climbing Competition
    Boise Mobile Equipment (BME) will sponsor the first-ever first responder climbing competition on June 12, 2021, at The Commons Climbing Gym, in Boise, ID. The event is a fundraiser for Courageous Kids Climbing, which is a nonprofit that provides free opportunities for individuals who have special needs, physical or developmental, to experience the various forms of rock climbing. First responders who have rope rescue skills will set up a haul system to share the climbing experience with participants.
    First responders who are interested in participating in the climbing competition may contact Event Coordinator Jeff Riechmann at [email protected].
    Wildfire Mitigation Awards
    Wildfire Mitigation Awards
    The Wildfire Mitigation Awards committee named three individuals to receive 2021 Wildfire Mitigation Awards. The recipients earned the highest commendation for innovation and leadership in wildfire mitigation.
    The honorees are Marshall Turbeville, who is the fire chief of the Northern Sonoma County Fire Protection District in Geyersville, CA, and a battalion chief for CAL FIRE; Courtney Haynes, who is a wildfire mitigation specialist for the West Region Wildfire Council in Montrose, CO; and Jessica Kirby, who is the acting open-space management supervisor for the Snyderville Basin Recreation District in Park City, UT.
    The 2021 Wildfire Mitigation Awards will be presented at the Wildland-Urban Interface Conference in Reno, NV, Nov. 14–15, 2021. The nomination period for the 2022 Wildfire Mitigation Awards is open.
    For more information, visit stateforesters.org/mitigation.
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    Virtual Fire Apparatus Conference

    The Fire Department Safety Officers Association (FDSOA) will hold its 2021 Fire Apparatus Conference virtually on May 18–19, 2021. Presentations will be given from leading apparatus and equipment manufacturers to help emergency vehicle technicians to stay on top of trends and industry changes despite the restrictions on travel and department budgets. 

    The FDSOA worked in cooperation with Darley and the Fire Apparatus Manufacturers’ Association to develop the program.

    For more information, visit fdsoa.org.  

    This Month in Fire History

    April 1, 1853, Cincinnati, OH—First salaried fire department established

    April 4, 1949, Effingham, IL—St. Anthony Hospital fire kills 74

    April 6, 1968, Richmond, IN—Marting Arms sporting goods store explosions kill 41

    April 10, 1917, Eddystone, PA—Eddystone Ammunition building explosion kills 133

    April 15, 2013, Boston—Bomb explosions at Boston Marathon kill three, injure hundreds

    April 17, 2013, West, TX—Explosion at fertilizer plant kills 15, including 10 first responders

    April 18, 1906, San Francisco—The Great San Francisco Earthquake fire kills more than 3,000

    April 19, 1993, Waco, TX—Religious group complex fire kills 75

    April 19, 1995, Oklahoma City—Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building bombing kills 168

    April 23, 1940, Natchez, MS—Rhythm Club fire kills 209

    Courtesy of NFPA

    About the Author

    Firehouse Staff

    Content written and created by Firehouse Magazine editors. 

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