NVFC Announces National Fire Service Award Winners

March 20, 2019
The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is pleased to announce the 2019 winners of its four national fire service awards.

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is pleased to announce the 2019 winners of its four national fire service awards. Wylie Donaldson, Jr., will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by Rosenbauer America; Brian McQueen will receive the Chief James P. Seavey Sr. Health and Wellness Leadership Award, co-sponsored by Ward Diesel and VFIS; Robert Dowd will receive the Junior Firefighter of the Year Award, sponsored by California Casualty; and the Westport Fire Department Explorer Post #774 will receive the Junior Firefighter Program of the Year Award, sponsored by California Casualty.

“We had a remarkable pool of nominees who demonstrate the meaning of excellence in the fire service, and we thank them all for their service,” said NVFC Chair Kevin D. Quinn. “We commend all of our award winners for the remarkable impact they have made on their departments, community, and the fire service. These recipients showcase outstanding commitment and service, and their inspirational work embodies the incredible spirit and contributions of the volunteer fire service.”

A special banquet to honor the recipients of the Lifetime Achievement, Chief James P. Seavey Sr. Health and Wellness Leadership, and Junior Firefighter of the Year awards will take place during the NVFC’s spring meeting on April 26, 2019, in Alexandria, VA. In addition, the Junior Firefighter of the Year will receive a $500 training/education stipend. The recipient of the Junior Firefighter Program of the Year will be presented with their award in their hometown so that all of their junior firefighters have the opportunity to attend.

Learn more about the NVFC’s awards program at www.nvfc.org/awards. Stay tuned to the NVFC web site, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Dispatch e-newsletter this spring for information and photos from the award presentations.

The recipients of the NVFC’s 2019 awards are as follows:

Wylie Donaldson Jr.

NVFC Lifetime Achievement Award

Award sponsored by Rosenbauer America

Wylie L. Donaldson Jr. joined the Odenton (MD) Volunteer Fire Company in 1952 at the age of 14, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, who was a founding member. Throughout his 66 years of continuous service, Donaldson has held every administrative and operational position in the Company, including president from 1968-1974 and chief from 1974-1989. Today, Donaldson remains an instrumental part of the company's success in his current role as vice president.

In addition, Donaldson has held leadership roles with the Anne Arundel County Volunteer Firefighters Association, including serving as president from 1998-99 and a volunteer representative to the Fire Advisory Board from 1982-1990. During his term as president, he followed a vision of bringing new life to the volunteer fire service and initiated a volunteer cadet program within the Anne Arundel County public school system. Most recently, Donaldson helped lead efforts to greatly enhance the Volunteer Length of Service Award Program (LOSAP) to reward volunteers for their service and provide a retention tool to retain active volunteers.

Donaldson is also an active participant with the Maryland State Firemen's Association (MSFA). He has served on many committees, most notably as Anne Arundel County's representative on the MSFA Executive Committee from 1998 until 2012. He presently serves as chair of the Convention Exhibits Committee and as one of the assistant treasurers, acting as the association's liaison to the Maryland Military Department and overseeing the administration of a $20 million loan program for MSFA member companies.

Brian McQueen

NVFC James P. Seavey Sr. Health and Wellness Leadership Award

Award co-sponsored by Ward Diesel and VFIS

On December 24, 2013, Brian McQueen, a very active member of his county’s fire service as a deputy fire coordinator, was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's B-cell lymphoma. It was soon determined that his cancer was due to his job as a volunteer firefighter. After doing more research on the subject, McQueen realized that cancer in the fire service was an epidemic, and he was spurred into action to help his fellow firefighters prevent occupational cancer as well as provide assistance for those that receive a cancer diagnosis.

In 2014, following his cancer treatments in New York City, McQueen met with two area chiefs and created the Believe 271 Foundation Inc., a nonprofit foundation aimed at assisting volunteer firefighters and their families in the battle with cancer. To date they’ve assisted 63 firefighters. In addition, McQueen developed a two-hour Cancer in the Fire Service training and awareness program that he conducts throughout his home state of New York and nationally. He has educated over 6,270 firefighters and their families from across the country. His mission is to get the message of occupational cancer out to as many families as possible, and he embeds his educational philosophy on occupational cancer throughout his training opportunities.

McQueen has also been actively involved in getting legislation passed relating to firefighter occupational cancer. He worked tirelessly to help get a presumptive law passed in New York that would provide volunteer firefighters with assistance in the event of a cancer diagnosis. The bill went into effect in January 2019. He also was a strong advocate on the national stage to get the Firefighter Cancer Registry Act introduced and passed in Congress. Signed into law in July 2018, this bill establishes a national firefighter cancer registry to be managed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

As a NY director to the NVFC, McQueen became co-chair of the NVFC’s Cancer Focus Area along with his close friend Jim Seavey of Maryland. From this partnership, and through Seavey’s leadership on the Cancer Committee of the International Association of Fire Chiefs Volunteer and Combination Officers Section (VCOS), the plan and design for the 11 Best Practices for Preventing Firefighter Cancer and the corresponding Lavender Ribbon Report became a reality. The report was unveiled on August 8, 2018, just weeks before Seavey’s untimely death from occupational cancer. McQueen carries on the work as part of an NVFC and VCOS team developing a webinar series and train-the-trainer program that will be taken across the nation in hopes of embedding the 11 Best Practices in every fire station in the United States.

Robert Dowd

Junior Firefighter of the Year Award

Award Sponsored by California Casualty

Robert Dowd grew up watching his father respond to calls as a member of the Syosset (NY) Fire Department, so it was not surprising when he joined the junior firefighter program and displayed a strong passion for the fire service. Soon thereafter, he stepped up to lead this group and make it a place where others wanted to spend their time. He rose quickly through the junior ranks: first as a secretary, then on to lieutenant, and then to captain, which is a position he holds today. His peers could see how excited he was to be a part of this program, and his leadership is considered to be the reason membership increased by 50% within his first year.

Based on Dowd’s commitment and dedication to the Syosset Juniors, he was asked to run for secretary of the Nassau County Junior Firefighters Association (NCJFA) and was elected in 2O17. Again, he rose quickly to become president of the association in 2018. During his term, he participated in the coordination of events such as the annual fire camp at the Fire Service Academy, visits to the FASNY Firemen's Home in upstate New York, and NCJFA monument clean up. He currently serves on the organization’s board of directors.

As a member of a committee that worked on an international exchange program between junior firefighter programs in the United States and Germany, Dowd participated in a week-long trip to Germany where he addressed 10 different junior companies about the fire service in the United States. In a two-hour meeting with the deputy director of the German Fire Service, Dowd spoke about the importance of having an exchange program and laid out a detailed plan for the program. Because of his efforts, a group of juniors from Germany will be attending the NCJFA’s fire camp this July.

Westport Fire Department Explorer Post #774

Junior Firefighter Program of the Year Award

Award Sponsored by California Casualty

Established in 2016, Westport (MA) Fire Department’s Explorer Post #774 was developed virtually from scratch with very little framework or funds and on an all-volunteer basis. The program seeks to inspire its members and mentor them with the goal of creating future leaders in the fire service.

The program has already grown to 16 active youth members and has a dedicated adult leadership staff with years of experience in the fire service to share. Youth members go through a comprehensive fire and EMS training curriculum. They become first responder certified and once certified are eligible to join the department’s Emergency Management Agency (EMA). Once they become part of the EMA, they are allowed to operate with ancillary duties during fire incidents that keep them outside of the "hot zone." EMA Explorers have provided more than 100 community service hours over the last 12 months to fire department incidents and trainings and have participated in various community events as volunteers for festivals, open house events, and department functions, both in their own community and communities nearby. Members learn important life skills, responsibilities, and accountability as well as an unmatched camaraderie that can only be experienced in the emergency services.

Each year, the Westport Explorers put on a week-long intensive training camp and have involved other Fire Explorer Posts from Massachusetts and nearby states. The training camp has included various agencies such as other local fire departments, the Bristol County Technical Rescue Team, State Forest Fire Control, and the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy. During these events, local Scouting facilities are utilized as accommodations, additional training sites, and programming of team-building challenges facilitated by specialized Scouting program directors and staff.

The program has also helped to shape a new internship program at Westport High School; youth members are allowed to continue their training and ride along at the department while obtaining school credits. Since launching in November, fire department interns have completed over 60 training hours in addition to their weekly Post trainings. Explorers also participate in local fire department musters and bring a new energy to these events.

“By all measures this program has been a great success,” explained Post advisor and Westport firefighter Ann Marie Peckham. “ln three years, the Westport Fire Explorer Program has grown into a valuable asset for the future health and growth of my department. It even inspired a nearby community to develop a program of their own.” Graduating Explorers in the program have gone on to the Massachusetts Call/Volunteer Firefighting Academy or EMT-basic school and have successfully taken the next step towards a career in fire and emergency medical services.

Award Sponsors

About the National Volunteer Fire Council

The NVFC is the leading nonprofit membership association representing the interests of the volunteer fire, EMS, and rescue services. The NVFC serves as the voice of the volunteer in the national arena and provides invaluable resources, programs, education, and advocacy for first responders across the nation. Learn more at www.nvfc.org.

About Rosenbauer America

Rosenbauer America is the world’s leading manufacturer of firefighting vehicles and equipment. With locations all over the globe, the North American operations are based in Lyons, South Dakota; Wyoming, Minnesota; and Fremont, Nebraska. Rosenbauer incorporates the international strength and innovation of a global company with top American manufacturing firms to build firefighters what they need to help keep their communities safe. For more information, please visit www.rosenbaueramerica.com.

About Ward Diesel Filter Systems

Automatic and vehicle-mounted, Ward Diesel NO SMOKE Systems offer diesel exhaust protection on scene, in the station – anywhere you need it. Building modifications are not required for installation and there are no mechanical pieces to be attached by the Firefighter when exiting and returning to the station. NO SMOKE is the only diesel exhaust removal solution on the market today that provides complete protection against harmful diesel exhaust both inside and outside the fire station. Visit us online at www.warddiesel.com or call 800-845-4665 to learn more.

About VFIS

VFIS is the largest provider of insurance, education, and consulting services to emergency service organizations such as fire departments, ambulance and rescue squads, and 911 centers. We have a long history of helping the emergency service community protect their assets and manage their exposure to loss. We pioneered the first tailored insurance package and formed a program for emergency service organizations. VFIS drafted the first specialized insurance policy in 1969 and continues to be the leader in the industry, insuring more emergency service organizations than any other provider. www.vfis.com

About California Casualty

Founded in 1914, California Casualty provides auto and home insurance to firefighters, peace officers, educators, and nurses in 44 states. The company routinely maintains a 99 percent customer service rating and a 96 percent claims rating. Learn more about their exclusive coverage and discounts at www.calcas.com

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