NC State Firefighters' Association

South Atlantic Fire Rescue Expo’s 2024 keynote address will be delivered by Chief Frank Viscuso. He will also be giving a 4 hour version of his Step Up and Lead class. Don’t miss out, this is one not to miss!

Registration will open in early 2024!

Emergency responders face unique levels of risk, stress, and unpredictability every day. This can take a toll on your mental health.

Get the behavioral health support you need through the NVFC's Share the Load program. It offers a Directory of Behavioral Health Professionals, a 24/7 First Responder Helpline, and a toolkit for departments looking to support their members' well-being. www.nvfc.org/help

From the Board and Staff of the North Carolina State Firefighters’ Association, we wish each of you a Happy Thanksgiving.

We are thankful to be a part of a group that provides such a valuable service to the communities in our State.

Whether you are celebrating at home with your families or on shift with your work families, we hope you take a moment to pause and remember everything you have to be thankful for in your lives.

We at the NCSFA want you to know how thankful we are for each of you and for the important work you do for the communities you serve.

God bless each of you and may you stay safe and healthy during this Thanksgiving.

Thank you Veterans.

Phase 1 of Exhibitor Registration is Now Open!

During Phase 1, only SAFRE Exhibitors that exhibited in August of 2023 may sign up for space and they may only sign up for the same space they occupied during the previous SAFRE conference.

Join us August 7-10, 2024 at the Raleigh Convention Center for . With more than 5,000 attendees there is no better place to and !

Visit https://www.safre.biz/2024-exhibitor-registration/ to register during phase 1 and ensure you get the same space you had in 2023. Phase 2 will begin on February 2nd and space sells out quickly.

Visit https://sponsor.safre.biz for information on sponsorships.

Congratulations Jennifer Livers on being honored as the Piedmont North Carolina Firefighters’ Association Fire and Life Safety Educator of the Year!

Congratulations to Jennifer Livers for being honored as the Piedmont North Carolina Firefighters’ Association Fire and Life Safety Educator of the Year. Way to go!

Call for Presenters - 3 weeks left to submit!

All submissions must be made through the online form found here, https://www.southatlanticfirerescueexpo.com/2024-call-for-presenters-now-open/, and must be received by Friday, November 17, 2023.

- August 7-10, 2024

Our hearts are heavy with the passing of Retired Raleigh Fire Department Chief, John McGrath. Chief McGrath was a giant in the fire service and true leader. He was a champion for his firefighters and a true supporter for the fire service.

We are thankful for the years of support for our association, the South Atlantic Fire Rescue Expo and most of all for the friendship. Our thoughts and prayers with the McGrath family, as well as with his entire fire service family during this difficult time.

2015 Ford Expedition SPORT UTILITY 4-DR, 3.5L V6 DOHC 24V FFV.
The following comes with the vehicle.
Whelen CenCom Sapphire Siren
Whelen Light Bar
Westin Push Bumper Elite XD
Westin Winch Tray
Westin EW-12500 Winch w/ Controller & Synthetic Rope
D&R Truckstor Command Storage Box
Harris MDT Mount Base
GOLIGHT GT Wireless Scene Light
94,400 miles, is clean, mechanically sound and ready to roll! Contact Laura Newman by email if interested ([email protected]).

Tim Bradley, Executive Director of the North Carolina State Firefighters’ Association, is interviewed along with Insurance Commissioner & State Fire Marshal Mike Causey, as they discuss the impacts of making the elected insurance commissioner unable to serve as state fire marshal.
STORY:

Why are the state fire marshal, insurance commissioner positions being split? (WGHP) — In January, current insurance commissioner and State Fire Marshal Mike Causey will no longer be allowed to serve both roles. He will have to appoint someone else as state fire marsha…

The MOTION Science Institute at UNC-Chapel Hill has conducted research for nearly a decade to improve firefighter health and safety. With strong state, regional, and national support, they are conducting a research project to examine the health and wellness of retired career firefighters across the United States. Please consider sharing this project and flyer with retirees from your departments and colleagues across the U.S.

Details below:

Website: can be found here: https://exss.unc.edu/motion-science-institute/ryan-lab-group/retired-firefighter-research-study/

Contact information: [email protected]

October 03, 2023

To: All NC Fire Service Personnel

RE: Misinformation Concerning General Assembly Budget Negotiations

During the past two weeks some incorrect information was provided by another fire service group concerning the actions of the NC State Firefighters’ Association (NCSFA) regarding budget negotiations within the NC General Assembly. The information provided on social media and in newsletters indicated the NCSFA had opposed permanent funding of firefighter cancer insurance. It also indicated that this other group had saved the day by protecting the funding. These were baseless claims and lies. Just as passage of firefighter cancer was a top priority in 2021 for NCSFA, so was continual funding a priority in this year’s General Assembly session.

While the NC State Firefighters’ Association works tirelessly for every firefighter in North Carolina, it is the firefighters, both career and volunteer, that hold the success of the passage of firefighter friendly legislation, by speaking with and contacting their representatives.

Two years ago, the NC State Firefighters’ Association, working with the NC Association of Fire Chiefs, began collecting and analyzing data from the Department of Insurance concerning the Gross Premium Assessment (often called the Gross Premium Tax) and formulating a plan to permanently fund Firefighter Cancer Insurance from portions of proceeds previously going to the Volunteer Workers Comp Fund (VSWCF). Last Fall, the joint legislative Committee of NCSFA/NCAFC reviewed language to accomplish that, which was later provided to Senator Todd Johnson representing Cabarrus and Union Counties, and became SB 326, which passed the Senate this year with bipartisan support. That bill would have permanently funded Firefighter Cancer Insurance into the future, as well as fixed some issues with the Volunteer Safety Workers Comp Program (VSWCF).

This plan of action is well documented in legislative messaging from our organization. TO BE CLEAR, NCSFA DID NOT OPPOSE CANCER FUNDING IN ANY MANNER, AND THE GROUP PRESENTING THIS MISINFORMATION HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND ACTIONS TRYING TO SECURE PERMANENT FUNDING THROUGH SB 326.

The concerns the NCSFA had with the budget, as presented, were as follows:

- It did not include the language from SB 326 which would have permanently funded cancer and kept workers comp (VSWCF) reserves funded at an adequate level.

- It indicated the cancer pilot program worked, but then gave the Department of Insurance responsibility for managing it, who does not have the staff, and loses the quality management it had during the pilot program with over 115 claims.

- It continued to reduce the reserve funding for VSWCF and took responsibility away from the Fire and Rescue Commission, whose VSWCF Board had successfully managed the program for over a decade. It also limited the ability for local agents to work with departments, bringing into question how local departments would acquire this coverage.

- It removed the Commissioner of Insurance as State Fire Marshal, bringing confusion into the operation of fire service programs, and ended a system that has worked since the mid 1900’s.

The history and actions of the NC State Firefighters’ Association on these issues and working with the Chief’s Association are well documented. Just follow the facts.

The NCSFA continues to work toward a budget correction on these issues, whether now or in the short session of the General Assembly next year, and will seek passage of legislation that permanently funds Cancer Insurance for Firefighters and maintains a viable self-funded workers compensation program for volunteers.

Sincerely.

The Board of Directors of the NC State Firefighters’ Association

Critical Legislative Call to Action

To All Members of the NC Fire Service.

NOW!!!!! This is a critical call for assistance!!



We need you to take immediate action! Please call and follow up with an email to your NC Senate and NC House members as soon as possible. If you do not know
your member, you can look up your NC House and NC Senate member at this address: https://www.ncleg.gov/FindYourLegislators



The budget draft recently released for vote has several provisions we feel strongly will have a negative impact on the fire service. These were not discussed with the fire service beforehand, in fact they were not discussed publicly
at all, so this is the first opportunity we’ve had to react to them.





1) The Budget bill changes the provisions of our Firefighter Cancer Insurance Pilot Program to eliminate the use of an Insurance Company, making it a self-insured program administered by NCDOI. This sets us back on the process
established in the pilot for submitting claims, reporting, records, as well as the education programs we’ve managed to deliver. Please ask them to replace Section 30.4 in the Budget Bill with the provisions outlined in SB 326, a bill that passed overwhelmingly
in the Senate with bipartisan support, or to pass a technical correction bill to fix this mistake.

2) The Budget bill separates the position of Fire Marshal from the Commissioner of Insurance, making it an appointed position. This changes how numerous successful fire service programs have been managed for decades within OSFM.
Please ask them to eliminate Section 30.8 from the budget bill, or pass a technical correction to fix the mistake.

3) The budget bill does not contain any of the language funding cancer Insurance and Workers Compensation in SB 326 that we negotiated with the leadership of the Senate, and which passed with huge bipartisan support in the Senate.

4) The Workers Comp provisions in the budget bill do not allow the use of brokers or agents who are used to working with fire departments, and takes the responsibility for management of the fund away from the Fire and Rescue Commission.
Please ask them to replace Section 30.3 with the provisions negotiated in SB 326 switch passed overwhelmingly with bipartisan support.





Please call your NC Representative and NC Senator today and ask them to ‘fix’ this mistake in a technical corrections bill, as we know it is too late for a budget correction. Ask them to support the language in SB 326
for cancer coverage and to leave OSFM - Fire Marshall's office as it is today, so they can continue to administer our programs efficiently. Over 50,000 NC families depend on the cancer coverage and other benefit programs. Let them know you need their help
today.



In addition to your district representation, please contact the Leadership listed below with your message.
It is important to be kind and courteous but firm that our benefits are crucial to us and the welfare of the men and women in the fire service, as well as our families.



Senator Phil Berger

Senator Ralph Hise

Senator Brent Jackson

Senator Michael Lee

Senator Steve Jarvis



Speaker Tim Moore

Rep. Jason Saine

Rep. Dean Arp

Rep. John Bell

Rep. Donny Lambeth

Rep. Mike Clampitt



It’s time to take action to protect our fire service programs. Please call as soon as possible.

Representation - North Carolina General Assembly All residents of North Carolina are represented in the United States Senate by both Senators Ted Budd and Thom Tillis. Representation in the NC House, the NC Senate, and the US House is determined by district. Each resident of the state has one representative in each of those legislative bodies, det...

On September 11, 2001, 2,977 people were killed in a terrorist attack, 343 of them were firefighters. Countless survivors suffer illnesses from the attack ranging from physical and emotional trauma to cancers and so much more.

In honor, appreciation and remembrance of the sacrifices made on 09.11.01, The North Carolina State Firefighters' Association takes this moment to say thank you to all First Responders. Putting others before yourself each time you report for duty honors the memory of every first responder and brings pride to the communities you serve.

In 2017 the North Carolina Legislature marked today as North Carolina's First Responder's Day. Tim Bradley, Executive Director for the North Carolina State Firefighters’ Association, says, “After the attacks on 9/11/01 we vowed to never forget the sacrifices made that day by first responders. Having this day each year as a state holiday will help keep the recognition of that sacrifice alive and continue to honor those who serve their community with sacrifices every day.”

Chief Richard Pulley, President of the North Carolina State Firefighters’ Association, says, “By never forgetting, by continuing to serve our communities with honor and pride, and by leading by example, we will keep the memory alive of those who gave up so much on 09.11.01, many who made the ultimate sacrifice. Their courage and heroism will never be forgotten, and we honor them by continuing to do what needs to be done each and every day. The North Carolina State Firefighters’ Association is and we will to make the next generation even stronger.”

For information on local events honoring First Responder’s Day, contact your local fire department or police department.

#911 #2001 #343

The North Carolina State Firefighters' Association is pleased to announce the Call for Presenters.

All submissions must be made through the online form found here, https://www.southatlanticfirerescueexpo.com/2024-call.../, and must be received by Friday, November 17, 2023.

- August 7-10, 2024

Congratulations to everyone at Mount Airy Fire Dept who received their Advanced Firefighter Certificate last night from Chief Chris Davis, NCSFA Past President.

North Carolina firefighters exemplify pride and dedication to their profession like no others. We are thankful for the sacrifices you make each and every day to keep the communities you serve safe.

This Labor Day, no matter where you are and no matter what you are doing, please know that we are forever grateful for your service and your sacrifices.

Happy Labor Day
from the North Carolina State Firefighters' Association.

The Raleigh Fire Museum is planning an antique fire engine muster in conjunction with our second-Saturday museum opening on Saturday, October 14, 2023, and during Fire Prevention Week. Do you or does your FD want to bring an antique and participate? Complete this registration form: tinyurl.com/raleigh-muster

The location is the fire training center at 105 Keeter Center Drive, just south of downtown Raleigh. Visitor hours will be 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Antique apparatus will be parked on the upper drill pad, beside the museum building. Other attractions are also being planned. More information is forthcoming on that front.

Here's the fine print, for participating antique apparatus:

1. All trucks must be parked and in place by 9:00 a.m.
2. No trucks can leave the event area until after 2:00 p.m.
3. The truck owner, driver, or designated person must remain with their truck at all times, all day.
4. No pumping will take place at the event.
5. No competitions will be conducted at the event.
6. No alcohol is allowed at the event.
7. Registration forms must be submitted by midnight at October 8, 2023.
8. There is a 30 truck limit for this event.
9. All trucks must be equipped with wheel chocks and a fire extinguisher.

Want to participate? Complete this registration form: tinyurl.com/raleigh-muster

Have questions? Contact [email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kimberly Quiros, Chief of Communications
Phone: 202-887-5700 x119
Email: [email protected]

Submit Your Presentation Proposal for the 2024 NVFC Training Summit
Proposals due October 1

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is pleased to announce that it will host its signature annual conference, the NVFC Training Summit, on June 21-22, 2024, in Buffalo, NY. The NVFC is now accepting proposals from qualified instructors and speakers for presentations to educate first responders about critical issues in the fire and emergency services. Submit your proposal by October 1, 2023.

The NVFC Training Summit provides an opportunity to share ideas and best practices, network, and participate in training regarding key topics in the fire and emergency services. For 2024, breakout sessions will be offered in 3 tracks: Health, Safety, and Training; Recruitment and Retention; and Leadership. Sessions will be 90 minutes in length. Examples of relevant presentation topics include but are not limited to: effective training; fireground/response; physical health; behavioral health; fire and life safety education; working intergenerationally; diversity, equity, and inclusion; mentorship; family engagement; work/life/volunteer balance; recruitment; communication; management; long-term planning; data for the fire service; and finding funding and resources.

The NVFC values the different experience and perspectives of first responders nationwide. Find out more about the call for presentations, including more topic examples and how to write a successful proposal, in the Call for Presentations Guide. Questions? Join the NVFC’s training and education team, Rachel Buczynski and Maggie Mojab, at a drop-in virtual Q&A help desk. There are two opportunities to visit the help desk: Tuesday, September 12 at 2pm ET and Tuesday, September 26 at 2pm ET. No registration required; drop-in at any time during the scheduled hours here.

Applications must be submitted by October 1, 2023. A peer review team will evaluate all presentation proposals. Selections will be made based on quality, relevance, focus, practical application, and the presenter’s experience and credentials. Selected presenters will be notified by November 3, 2023. Find out more and submit your proposal at https://nvfc.swoogo.com/2024nvfcsummit/presentations.

The NVFC will cover travel expenses and provide a stipend for selected presenters. Teaching teams are welcome to apply, but only one instructor per course can receive travel reimbursement/stipend. Please note, while organizations and companies are welcome to apply to share their subject matter expertise, all courses must be educational in nature.

Learn more about the NVFC Training Summit at www.nvfc.org/summit. Read about the 2023 Training Summit – including a course agenda – here. View courses from our 2020 and 2021 Virtual Training Summits in the NVFC Virtual Classroom. Questions? Contact Rachel Buczynski, chief of training and education, at [email protected] or 202-887-5700 x130.

# # #

About the NVFC
The National Volunteer Fire Council (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 critical resources, programs, education, and advocacy for first responders across the nation. Learn more at www.nvfc.org.

2024 NVFC Training Summit This event is an opportunity to participate in valuable classroom training and share ideas and best practices with emergency responders from across the U.S. Choose from breakout sessions addressing key topics in three tracks: first responder health, safety and training; leadership; and recruitment a...

At the NCSFA’s 136th Annual Meeting and Annual Banquet the Board of Directors and membership honored several special award recipients.

Chief Leon Apple from Whitest Fire Department was the recipients of one of the five issued Valor Awards of the evening. Chief Apple's actions during a rescue on December 5th, 2022 were described as selfless and heroic.

Firefighter Ackery Harrelson, Chief Brian Wade, Assistant Chief Brandon Ward, and Captain Billy Youssef were also awarded Valor Awards during the Annual Banquet. It was said of them that they put duty to others before themselves.

Also awarded this year was the Firefighter of the Year Award to Town of Stanley Fire Department Assistant Chief Michael Hullet. Assistant Chief Hullet's nominator, Chief Eric Withers, said that Michael "... leads by example." He also said that Michael "...has provided for others under his command with personal funds for uniforms with no expectation of repayment so that those members can really feel like they are part of the team."

On behalf of the Board of Directors, staff and the membership of the North Carolina State Firefighters’ Association, congratulations to Chief Leon Apple, Firefighter Ackery Harrelson, Chief Brian Wade, Assistant Chief Brandon Ward, Captain Billy Youssef and Assistant Chief Michael Hullett on being recipients of the 2023 NCSFA Awards, all of this year's recipients are very much deserved.

Come work with us!

The NC State Firefighters' Association is Hiring a Receptionist/Administrative Assistant.

Information on the position can be found here: https://ncsfa.com/ncsfa-hiring-receptionist-administrative-assistant-2

Send resumes and cover letters to [email protected] by Sept. 8th at 5pm.

As we wrapped up our 136th Annual Meeting & 2023 South Atlantic FIRE RESCUE Expo we also swore in the 97th president of the North Carolina State Firefighters’ Association. Congratulations to Chief Richard Pulley. We look forward to the next year under your leadership.

This is what the Brotherhood is all about! Pipers and Drummers, from across the state, coming together to make the South Atlantic Fire Rescue Expo a musical success! We couldn’t do it without you and the support of your department!

Cary Fire Department
Mooresville Fire-Rescue
Town of Apex Fire Department
Roanoke Island Volunteer Fire Department
Town of Kernersville, North Carolina

Jeanine Shelley
Aaron Drake

Just one more day … www.safre.mobi

Just one more day … www.safre.mobi #JustOneMore #EveryFirefighterEveryday #2023SAFRE #NCFireEducation #FirefighterEducation #HotClasses #NCFirefighters #NCFire #WeCantWaitToSeeYou #firefighterlife #firefighting #firefighter_brotherhood #firefighterposts #firefighterfamily #firefightershelpingfirefighters #firefighterintraining #firelife #firerescue #fireexpo #volunteerfirefighter #careerfirefighter #fireservice #firefightersofinstagram #firefighting #firefightersofinsta #firefightersofig #firedepartment #firetruck #fullyinvolved #firedept #firstresponders

Congratulations Amber Mann! We know you’re off to do great things.

Congratulations to RIVFD Firefighter Amber Mann.
Last week Fire Chief Bill Walker presented Amber with her NC State Firefighters’ Association Scholarship Award in the amount of $8000.
Firefighter Mann came to the department over 4 years ago as a Junior member. Today she is certified as a NC Firefighter 1 & 2 and is in her junior year at UNC Pembrook.
Great job Amber. Again, congratulations on your fire service achievements. 🚒

NC State Firefighters’ Association.
https://www.facebook.com/NCStateFirefighters?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Apply Now for Canned Drinking Water from
Anheuser-Busch through Partnership with the
National Volunteer Fire Council

Wave 2 application to provide an additional one million cans of water to volunteer fire departments, bringing the total to 2.5 million cans in 2023

The application period is now open for the Emergency Drinking Water for Wildland Firefighters program, a partnership of Anheuser-Busch and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC). To be eligible, departments must respond to wildfires annually, be over 50 percent volunteer, and serve a population of 25,000 or less. This is the second application period in 2023; recipients from the first application period in March cannot apply.

The emergency drinking water is sourced from Anheuser-Busch’s breweries in Cartersville, GA, and Fort Collins, CO, which periodically pause beer production to can clean, safe drinking water to support disaster relief efforts in partnership with the American Red Cross and the NVFC. Since the Emergency Drinking Water for Wildland Firefighters program began in 2019, over nine million cans of water have been donated to nearly 2,500 departments. That amount of water equals over one million dollars in cost savings for local departments.

One million cans of water will be donated in this current round of applications. Eligible departments can apply for one pallet (2,352 cans) of water to help keep their firefighters hydrated during wildfire response and other department activities. Learn more and apply by August 15 at www.nvfc.org/water.