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Policy Makers : CFSI Dinner |
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The Fire Service’s Best and Brightest Gather at Annual CFSI Dinner The fire service's best and brightest gathered Thursday, March 29th, at the 19th Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner in Washington, D.C. The dinner paid tribute to former Pennsylvania Congressman Curt Weldon, founder of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus (CFSC) and a life long champion of fire and emergency services causes. Held at the Washington Hilton by the Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI), the night also saw several awards handed out in recognition of various areas of achievement, from firefighter safety to leadership in fire education. Meri-K Appy, President of The Home Safety Council, presented the Dr. Anne W. Phillips Award for Leadership in Fire Safety Education to Jim Dalton, Director of Public Fire Protection for the National Fire Sprinkler Association and the Fire Marshal for the Montgomery County Fire Department. Dalton was instrumental in passing and implementing the nation’s first smoke alarm ordinance. Congressman Weldon was also honored for his dedication to fire safety issues, receiving the 2007 CFSI Legislator of the Year award. A former volunteer fire chief from Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania, Weldon formed the CFSC shortly following his election to office in 1987. It quickly became, and remains, the largest caucus in Congress, with over 340 members on Capitol Hill. Since the Congressional Fire Services Caucus’ inception, Weldon has collaborated closely with fellow Congressman Steny Hoyer (D-MD) to design and raise awareness of fire service issues among members of Congress. Among other congressional notables at the event were Senator Joe Biden (D-DE), Congressman Charlie Dent (R - PA), and Congressman Bill Pascrell Jr. (D - NJ). Dr. Anne W. Phillips Award Named after Dr. Anne Wight Phillips, the award honors her outstanding achievements as a champion of fire safety education and celebrates her role as a leader whose exemplary work in fire safety education has had a lasting impact on the nation's safety. As a member of the National Commission on Fire Prevention and Control, Phillips authored the 1973 Minority Report, an appendix to America Burning, pushing the Commission to recognize the important role of prevention in reducing fire injury and death. Throughout her life, Dr. Phillips has demonstrated an unwavering dedication to fire prevention and preparedness, as the basis to strengthening fire safety education across the country. By naming the award in her honor, the Home Safety Council aims to keep the work and spirit of Dr. Phillips alive well beyond her lifetime by celebrating those who follow her example to move the field of fire safety forward. About Home Safety Council The Home Safety Council (HSC) is the only national nonprofit organization solely dedicated to preventing home related injuries that result in nearly 20,000 deaths and 21 million medical visits on average each year. Through national programs, partnerships and the support of volunteers, HSC educates people of all ages to be safer in and around their homes. The Home Safety Council is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization located in Washington, DC. For more information on the Congressional Fire Services Institute, please visit http://www.cfsi.org. |
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