WASHINGTON, D.C.-- The father of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus and others who've dedicated their lives to improving the nation's fire service were lauded Thursday night during the annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner.
Former Congressman Curt Weldon made it is mission to push the fire and emergency services agenda on Capitol Hill. A volunteer in Pennsylvania, he said it irked him that law enforcement was snatching up funding, while firefighters were left sitting on the sidelines.
Weldon realized to bring the issues to the forefront, and really get his colleagues to understand responders' contributions, he would have to step out of the box. And, he did just that.
"Sometimes it is not enough to be logical, you have to go beyond," he said.
With the assistance of Congressman Steny Hoyer, D-MD, Weldon requested firefighters to bring apparatus to Washington, D.C. Several hundred units answered the call, and paraded from RFK Stadium to the U.S. Capitol.
The blaring sirens at high noon got the attention of politicians and staffers. The fire caucus is now the largest bi-partisan group on Capitol Hill.
Former U.S. Sen. Paul Sarbanes recalled the apparatus incident, and someone saying: "Weldon and Hoyer have gone crazy."
He praised Weldon for his commitment, and extraordinary contributions.
Others honored during the annual dinner hosted by the Congressional Fire Services Institute included:
GARRY BRIESE
The former executive director of the International Association of Fire Chiefs received the CFSI/Motorola Mason Lankford Leadership Award.
During his 22 years at the helm, he focused on issues important to every fire department across the country. Briese realized the struggles faced by responders, and worked tirelessly to help them.
Among the programs established under his leadership were Fire Fighter Near Miss and National Stand Down. When Hurricane Katrina struck, Briese organized teams to lend a hand.
When he took the podium after receiving accolades, Briese, a former Marine, asked the crowd to rise and remember the brave soldiers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice while fighting for freedom.
Briese said firefighter safety is a personal issue. "We need to hold people accountable for crossing the line," he said. "Seatbelts must be worn all the time."
He also urged fire officials to find the money for physicals for each and every firefighter.
Jim Dalton
As the fire marshal for the Montgomery County Fire Department, Jim Dalton was instrumental in passing and implementing the nation's first smoke alarm ordinance. After retiring from active fire service duty, he went on to manage influential public education and awareness programs for the U.S Fire Administration and the International Association of Fire Chiefs, including "Partnerships Against Fire" and "Operation Life Safety." "We are honored to recognize Jim Dalton for his lifetime achievement in fire safety education with the first Dr. Anne W. Phillips Award for Leadership in Fire Safety Education," said Meri-K Appy, president of the Home Safety Council. "His relentless efforts to promote fire safety education and increase awareness for the importance of home fire sprinklers have been instrumental in advancing the public education movement and helping to reduce the toll of fire injures and deaths in our country."
Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firemen's AssociationThe organization received the first Paul S. Sarbanes award for its work in promoting highway scene safety.
Their effort gained momentum after one of their members, Joe Kroboth, was struck and killed by a vehicle in Maryland. The group keeps tabs on responders, police officers and others struck on the nation's highways on its website, ResponderSafety.com.
Earlier this year, they were successful in getting new safety vest standards approved. Members conduct training sessions throughout the country on the importance of correct positioning of apparatus while stopped on a highway for an operation.
