Update: CFSI also opened nominations for the Paul S. Sarbanes Fire Service Safety Leadership Award. Criteria include: recognition of the Life Safety Initiatives; being an advocate for firefighter health and safety; leadership in promoting and supporting firefighter health and safety initiatives at the local, state or national level; reaching out to other organizations and developing partnerships to further the cause of firefighter health and safety; and engaging government leaders at all levels to establish programs that enhance firefighter safety.
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The Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI) is now accepting nominations for its Mason Lankford Fire Service Leadership Award. Sponsored jointly by CFSI and Motorola, the award recognizes individual leadership in advancing fire and life safety initiatives.
If you're like me, you didn't know Mason Lankford. CFSI says he was a native of Texas and served in various fire service capacities there, including Tarrant County (TX) Fire Marshal. When Congressman Curt Weldon (PA), founder of the Congressional Fire Service Caucus, sought Congressional support for a fire caucus, Mason recruited the Texas delegation, including then House Speaker Jim Wright, who was a pivotal player in the successful launch of the Fire Caucus in 1987
Criteria for the award include forming positive working relationships with government leaders and promoting fire/emergency service and life safety issues to improve the safety of the fire and emergency services and the public they serve. Previous winners include Steve Edwards, Meri-K Appy, R. David Paulison, Hal Bruno and Garry Briese.
Political involvement at all levels is something that isn't always stressed enough in the fire service, but it's critically important to ensuring the staffing, funding and safety of the fire service. If you know someone who deserves recognition for their efforts in these areas, nominate them today!
The award presentation will take place on April 29th at the 22nd Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner in Washington, DC. For additional information about the dinner and nomination information for the Mason Lankford Fire Service Leadership Award, visit the CFSI
Web site and look under the Awards section. The nomination deadline is March 26, 2010.
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