NVFC partners with DRONERESPONDERS to help America’s Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services

by Americas - Projects

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), the non-profit membership association representing the interests of the volunteer fire, EMS, and rescue services, has announced a partnership with DRONERESPONDERS – the world’s fastest growing program supporting public safety – to help coordinate, cooperate, and co-promote efforts to enhance the use of drones in the pursuit of public safety.

Drone Operations

The memorandum of understanding outlines the key initiatives under which the NVFC and DRONERESPONDERS will collaborate together to assist America’s volunteer fire, EMS, and rescue services in adopting and perfecting the use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) to help save lives.

“Our members are increasingly interested in learning more about how they can use drones to enhance their ability to serve the public,” said Steve Hirsch, chair of the NVFC. “At the same time, we are also hearing concerns from members about privately operated drones interfering with their operations. Our partnership with DRONERESPONDERS will focus on both of these issues, providing information to the volunteer emergency services about drone operations, and educating public safety and the public in general about the benefits and challenges associated with drone use at emergency scenes.”

Aerial First Responders

The partnership works towards the common goal of enhancing public safety and furthering the capabilities of emergency responders. DRONERESPONDERS was created to unite aerial first responders, emergency managers, and search and rescue specialists to maximize drone operations for public safety. With volunteers comprising 65 percent of the nation’s fire service, it is important to educate this segment of the emergency responder community on this growing technology. It could also benefit departments struggling to meet staffing needs by helping them be more effective and efficient in their operations.

“Volunteer firefighters are the backbone of our nation’s fire service, providing life-safety services across most smaller towns and rural communities in the U.S.,” said Charles Werner, director of DRONERESPONDERS and retired fire chief from Charlottesville, VA. “Drones represent an amazing new capability to help these departments conduct a wide-array of operations, ranging from search and rescue missions to structure fires to HAZMAT incidents.”

Drones For Good

Werner says DRONERESPONDERS and the NVFC will work together to provide resources to help volunteer fire departments adopt and implement Drones For Good™, a program designed to utilise unmanned aviation capabilities in disaster response.

ASFP to partner with British Coatings Federation

by Projects

After spending the last 40 years running its administrative operations via the offices of Association Group Management (AGM) Ltd in Bordon, the Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) is to appoint the British Coatings Federation (BCF) as its new secretariat service provider.

The move is due to the ASFP’s significant growth in recent years and its need for full-time administrative support for its ever-broadening training and member support programmes. The decision will involve transferring the ASFP’s entire secretariat and administration function to the BCF’s headquarters in Coventry with the aim of completing this process in the next few months.

The organisations have agreed to part by mutual consent to enable each to further develop their own services and operations. The move offers the ASFP opportunity for continued growth in all aspects of its operations and will enable the organisation to continue to provide appropriate support for its expanding membership.

Other considerations such as location, meeting facilities and business management were also major factors in the ASFP’s choice of new service provider. The new arrangement offers the benefit of access to in-house meeting facilities along with further efficiencies in accounting, administrative and customer relationship management systems, as well as enhancements to the website and media interfaces.

The new partnership also offers the opportunity to develop greater synergy between the two organisations, allowing both to pool their shared expertise in matters relating to fire safety.

Although the Coronavirus outbreak may impact on short-term growth, the ASFP believes the change remains essential in protecting the Association’s current position, while also future proofing for the anticipated growth in membership and services in the coming years.

Commenting on the move, ASFP CEO Niall Rowan told Fire Safety Matters: “The ASFP’s strong growth in recent years, coupled with our significant expansion into training, means that the Association’s interests can be better served by an organisation that’s situated in a more central location, much nearer to our membership base and closer to ASFP officers. The BCF offers outstanding facilities and the opportunity to develop a more synergistic relationship going forward. We’re sure members will notice that the services we offer will develop significantly with the excellent support available from the BCF.”

Rowan added: “I would like to thank Association Group Management Ltd for their long and dedicated service and their continued loyalty and support, which has enabled the ASFP to develop into the thriving organisation it is today. We wish them every success in the future.”

Sourcewell and FireRescue GPO partner up to meet procurement needs

by Featured NewsProjects

Sourcewell, a co-operative purchasing organisation providing solutions across the US and Canada, has teamed up with the Western Fire Chiefs Association (WFCA), founder of FireRescue GPO in an attempt to meet the cooperative procurement needs of the nation’s fire service, as well as enhance FireRescue GPO’s ability to aid the fire service.

“With this new partnership, we will significantly grow our fire service and public safety contracts to provide even more options to our public safety community,” said Sourcewell’s Manager of Contact Administration, Tom Perttula.

Revenue generated through FireRescue GPO is shared with the fire chiefs’ associations across the country including the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IFAC), its divisions and state fire chiefs’ associations.

Future solicitations include public safety technology and communications, critical care and resuscitation equipment as well as public safety body armour. “This partnership leverages the power of scale to our co-operative procurement program,” said Chief Jeffery Johnson, CEO of the Western Fire Chiefs Association. “Providing a more effective and comprehensive purchasing experience for our members.”

Knox partners with National Fallen Firefighters Foundation

by Featured News

As part of Knox’s continued commitment to reducing firefighter risks, the company has formally established a partnership with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF).

The two organisations share “many important synergies” alongside the ambition to reduce the risks that firefighters face daily. The partnership includes a donation to the NFFF, as well as a donation earmarked for the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend held annually in Emmitsburg, MD. Included in the tribute to those being honoured are Honour Guard and Pipe Band Units from across the nation.

Joni Trempala, president of the Knox Company, commented: “In the development of each rapid access product, increasing firefighter safety has always been one of the Knox Company’s primary objectives. The opportunity to be a partner with the NFFF and to provide support is a small way for us to demonstrate our respect and honour for those that have died in the line of duty; while providing some comfort to their surviving family members.”

Chief Ronald J. Siarnicki, executive director of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, added: “The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation thanks the Knox Company for their generous donation and support. They have been supportive of firefighter safety for more than 40 years and we welcome their participation with the Foundation.”