It wasn’t business as usual at the annual meeting of the National Volunteer Fire Council recently.
The organization made what officials are calling a monumental decision by establishing a separate EMS section.
“The NVFC has been very involved in EMS issues for many years. We have a voice with many agencies including NHTSA,” said Ken Knipper, chairman of the EMS committee.
Knipper said EMS has been part of the NVFC mission statement since 1992 when the committee was established.
Creating a separate section will only strengthen its stature.
In a prepared statement, NVFC Chairman Philip C. Stittleburg said: “This is a historic decision for the council. EMS has long been an integral part of the NVFC’s mission, and this new section will give the emergency medical services an even stronger voice on the national level as well as within the council.”
Knipper, who has served as EMS chair since 1995, said he appreciates that federal officials and others have encouraged the volunteer input.
“They have asked us to share our insight,” he said. “Over the past few years, our involvement has grown significantly.”
The new section, which has been in the making for more than a year, will have its own by-laws and operational procedures.
Knipper and Jerry Johnston, NAEMT past president, sit on the NVFC executive committee, and keep them informed of various issues.
The former fire chief of Silver Grove Vol. Fire Co., in Kentucky, Knipper said he is honored to represent the volunteers at the federal level. He believes the NVFC involvement will continue to increase as there are a multitude of issues facing crews across the country.
He added that during the recent NVFC meeting he told colleagues: “We have become an integral part of all EMS projects and involved with many other EMS organizations, medical groups, federal and state agencies, and those who have the same interest in improving patient care as we do. With involvement at such a high level, we’ve inherited a great responsibility and must make a greater commitment to properly represent those we serve.”
Susan Nicol | News Editor
Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.
