Industry News

CHANGE OFCOMMAND ATNFFF

After hearing the recent retirement announcement of Chief Ron Siarnicki as executive director of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF), one fire chief said, “Chief Ron Siarnicki has demonstrated the highest degree of dedication and professionalism and leaves a phenomenal legacy with the work he and his team have done for the NFFF.” Many individuals who consider Chief Siarnicki to be the strongest advocate for firefighter safety and health expressed similar sentiments.

As announced in November, Chief Siarnicki will serve as executive director until a new executive director is appointed in early 2023, following a national search conducted by the NFFF Board of Directors. He will remain a full-time employee of the NFFF until December 2023 and then serve as a consultant to the new executive director as needed.

Chief Siarnicki was hired as the NFFF executive director in July 2001 after retiring as chief of the Prince George’s County Fire Department (MD). Throughout the past 21 years, Chief Siarnicki has dedicated himself to honoring American firefighters who have fallen in the line of duty, supporting their families, and working to reduce preventable firefighter death and injury.

The criteria for inclusion at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial have expanded during Chief Siarnicki’s tenure as executive director. However, one thing has remained constant. Chief Siarnicki personally reviews the details of every firefighter’s death before confirmation of inclusion. This equates to more than 2,600 firefighter fatality reports Chief Siarnicki has reviewed since July 2001. While others in the fire service also review firefighter fatalities, Chief Siarnicki is in the unique position of also getting to know those firefighters posthumously through conversations with their family members.

Shortly after becoming executive director, Chief Siarnicki discussed with other fire service leaders the importance of addressing firefighter safety proactively rather than reactively. This forethought led to the expansion of the NFFF’s mission in 2004 to include working to reduce preventable firefighter fatalities and injuries. It also was the catalyst for the historic 2004 Firefighter Life Safety Summit, commonly called the “Tampa Summit.” This summit resulted in two of Chief Siarnicki’s many lasting legacies: the Everyone Goes Home Program and the 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives. Chief Siarnicki has witnessed firsthand the impact of line-of-duty deaths on family members, firefighters, and entire communities. His actions over the past two decades demonstrate his commitment to the families of fallen firefighters — and to preventing the addition of more names to the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial. Find out more about Chief Siarnicki by watching his videos on NFFF’s Legacies in Leadership profiles, including how he became NFFF’s executive director two months before September 11 here: www.legaciesinleadership.com/author/rsiarnicki.

FIRE EXPO MAY19 & 20, 2023 - BECOME AN EXHIBITOR TODAY!

Become an Exhibitor today and join the world’s leading manufacturers and representatives of Fire, Emergency Medical Services, Rescue, and Public Safety Equipment at the 2023 FIRE EXPO on May 19 and 20, 2023, at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg, PA!

Benefits of participating in FIRE EXPO include visibility of your products and services by thousands of fire and EMS professionals, face-to-face networking with attendees who are qualified to purchase, cost-effective platform to meet customers and prospects across two days, opportunities to see what other manufacturers and suppliers are doing in the industry, and more.

We are excited to offer new special features to include trainings, live demos, chances to win giveaways in each exhibit hall, and speakers! Our goal is for exhibitors and guests to have an amazing experience and that includes having the opportunity to see a variety of products, services and apparatus in all areas of the show.

Visit www.lcfa.com/fire-expo for more information, to register, and to view the 2023 layout. For questions and more information, please reach out to expo@lcfa.com or 717-581-5469 ext. 222 or choose option 3.

We hope to see you at the 2023 FIRE EXPO!

FIRE EXPO is sponsored by the Lancaster County Firemen’s Association, a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization. All proceeds from the exhibition are used to support Lancaster County firefighters and emergency services personnel with education, training, and related programs and services.

Gettysburg National Battlefield

- Fire News photos by Shane Shifflett

Fire Expo at CenterSquare FC in Blue Bell

On October7, 2022, Perkiomen Township Fire Company’s allvolunteercrew took Tanker66 down Skippack Pike to Blue Bell fora Fire Expo hosted by Centre Square Fire Company. It was great to see so many families out and involved as we kicked off Fire Prevention Month. We had a great time showing off Tanker 66 and seeing all of the otherapparatus and activities. Thanks for the invite and fora great event. - Fire News photos by Ted Hodgins