– The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) and the Volunteer & Combination Officers Section (VCOS) of the International Association of Fire Chiefs have been selected as the 2022 recipients of the Senator Paul S. Sarbanes Fire Service Safety Leadership Award. NVFC and VCOS are being recognized for their publication of the Lavender Ribbon Report. READ
– Syri Harris and her future husband Walter met in elementary school. Years later, when Walter died in the line of duty fighting an intentionally set house fire in Detroit, his young wife and co-parent became a single mom of six boys overnight. As Syri dealt with this immeasurable tragedy, the resulting arson trial thrust her—and her children—directly into the public eye, shining an unwelcome spotlight on their very private pain. In Episode 4, Syri talks about how she moved beyond outsiders’ expectation for her to be the “ideal” firefighter widow—and closed her circle as the protective “mama bear” when being the perfect public face no longer served her. Syri shares how she and her family navigated the public and private aspects of their grief journey and honored the dreams they shared with Walter, even after he was gone. READ
– Two New Haven firefighters who were responding to a reported hotel fire, died in an apparatus crash on February 14 , 1959. READ
– The Natchez Rhythm Club fire was the second deadliest building fire in the U.S. when it took 209 lives in 1940. Of course it made headlines, but it faded quickly from the spotlight. It’s a major disaster most people have never heard about. The case has been made it has been overlooked because the fire occurred in a Black community in the deep South. Still, future fire protection engineers are now learning from this tragedy. This episode of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation’s Safety INsight looks closely at important lessons still relevant 82 years later. READ
– Carol Jones had sought a challenging career that would fulfill her desire to help others, make a difference in her community, and to be a part of something extraordinary. She found that path when she followed in her own father’s footsteps to become a career firefighter in Fort Worth, Texas. Over a decade later, she married Fire Chief Louis Jones of Roswell, New Mexico—only to lose him four years later in a tragic event when he was shot and killed in the line of duty. After NFFF honored her husband during National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend, Carol decided to “pay it forward” by escorting other families during the annual event that honors the fallen, which she does continue each year. She also provides peer support and promotes NFFF’s goals at various events. After tragedy, Carol has found great satisfaction assisting others in their time of need. READ
– This discussion features Lt. Joe Gaffney (Retired), who recalls a Worcester residential structure fire that resulted in the LODD of Jon D. Davies Sr. on December 8, 2011. » Watch the Webinar READ
– Three firefighters from the Cranston Heights Fire Company died after a Wilmington apparatus crash on January 15, 1926. READ
– Researchers and fire service practitioners met virtually last year for the 4th National Fire Service Research Agenda Symposium resulting in the National Fire Service Research Agenda Report with nearly 300 recommendations. READ
– The National Firefighter Life Safety Summit 2022 Planning Committee has postponed the Summit due to the current impact of the coronavirus pandemic on fire departments across the country. A new date for the Summit will be announced in the upcoming weeks. READ
– After the Grit Growth & Grace seminar series for widows, Mary Kury and Linda Herbert had an instant bond and were both from the Buffalo area. Mary recalls how amazing is was to be able to meet in person at the 2021 Winter Retreat. READ
We are working hard to provide important resources, workshops, and timely information to help both firefighters and our Fire Hero Families stay connected and well during these unprecedented times. These new resources can be found here on our website, shared through E-mail, and through our social media channels.
