Serving Delaware’s First Responders Since 1921 DVFAOffice

As the legislature came to a close on June 30, 2023, we were able to see tremendous support for the fire service this year. With this support, we were able to receive significant increases in each category in the grant in aid process plus an additional $50,000 for each company. Moving forward, we should be seeing an increase in our Medicare and Medicaid per run billing. We had $4.6 million added towards the pension liability to bring down our cost. The state joined New Castle and Sussex county governments by putting money aside to do a study to show the needs of the fire service statewide. Combined, it was at $700,000.

The Rescue Tool Replacement program has been replenished with funds to continue with Fire Prevention Programs, additional training and Cardio Kinetics as well ($115,000).

We also will be seeing additional support to the fire services. Such as the add-ons to the Delaware State Fire School, maintenance repairs to the Fire Marshal's Office, and money to completing projects such as the 800 MHz radios and PFAS removal and their replace- ments. That is over $10 million budgeted for Capital Improvements alone.

As we continue to report, the state is moving to a Kiosk system to do Background Checks. The system unveiling was postponed until sometime in August. As we receive new information including the operation and nine locations of the Kiosk we will get it out to you.

Anyone that is wishing to serve on committees, please send the email to me as soon as possible so the incoming administration can appoint the 2024 committee list prior to the conference. Send them to Norm912@aol.com.

We are now in the conference season; with this, we are asking you to register for the events and the seminars in a timely manner. This is a time that we not only gather for business meetings, but we highlight and honor our own. We will also have a lot of good speakers this year for seminars. Some seminars will include our Pension and Benefits seminar, The DVFARound Table, Avery important Delaware State Fire School Update, a seminar on Recruitment and Retention, and Dr. Candice

McDonald will be teaching a seminar on CHANGE. There will be a Delaware State Fire Seminar on EVcars. With these amazing seminars, The National Volunteer Fire Council will be sponsoring four seminars; Behavioral Health, Creating a Physiologically Healthy Fire Department, Fit for Duty, Fit for Life, and Leadership for the Fire and Emergency Services. Please check out DVFASSN.com to see how to register.

Like it was done during the pandemic, the DVFAhas started to put out bulletins. This allows the leadership to stay informed up and down the state. If you would like to be included in these bulletins, and have not received the first one, please contact this office.

If you have any questions or need any help please don't hesitate to reach out. Stay safe and I will see you at the conference.

Norman ‘Jay’Jones Jr Executive Manager DVFA Norm912@aol.com