The Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI) and National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) have selected Skidmore College First Responder Health and Safety Laboratory (FRHSL) as the recipient of the 2024 Senator Paul S. Sarbanes Fire Service Safety Leadership Award.

The award will be presented at the 34th Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner in Washington, DC, on April 29, 2024. Named for retired Senator Paul S. Sarbanes of Maryland—a strong advocate for our nation’s firefighters and rescue personnel during his 36-year career in Congress—the annual award recognizes organizations for outstanding contributions to firefighter health and safety.

Established in 2007, the First Responder Health and Safety Laboratory (FRHSL) is a nationally renowned research facility that conducts scientific research to study the dangers faced by the fire service and develop and test interventions to mitigate these dangers. With a focus on translating research for practical application, FRHSL works in collaboration with many national fire service organizations, including the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, International Association of Fire Fighters, International Association of Fire Chiefs, National Volunteer Fire Council, and other organizations to advance its mission.

CFSI President Jim Estepp and NFFF Board Chair Troy Markel issued a joint statement recognizing the Skidmore College First Responder Health and Safety Laboratory. “Research is the cornerstone of progress in firefighter health and safety. Through its many studies and reports, FRHSL has increased the fire service’s knowledge of reducing the number of deaths and injuries in the fire and emergency services. We look forward to recognizing them for their achievements at the National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner on April 29.”