CFSI citations awarded at annual dinner
The following awards were presented at the Ninth Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner, sponsored by the Congressional Fire Services Institute, held on April 30, 1997, in Washington, D.C.
The Honorable Steny Hoyer (MD)–CFSI Legislator of the Year. Hoyer, a former chairman of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus and current cochairman, sponsored major fire service legislation.
VFIS, Inc.–CFSI Fire Service Organization of the Year. The organization has strongly supported the CFSI since its inception.
Anthony R. O`Neill–CFSI Fire Service Person of the Year. He is vice president of government affairs for the National Fire Protection Association and vice chairman of the CFSI National Advisory Committee. During the 104th Congress, he served as the fire service point person during key meetings with the Clinton Administration and Congress to discuss natural disaster legislation, advancing the position of the fire service in connection with the legislation.
Cory Snyder–Congressional Fire Services Caucus Special Recognition. This 12-year-old from Bowie, Maryland, raised $25,000 for the Bowie Volunteer Fire Department for the purchase of a CairnsIRIS(TM) thermal imaging device. He had seen a national television show that featured the device and felt that his fire department should have one. He and his brother, age 10, and sister, age 8, conducted a door-to-door campaign to raise the funds for the purchase of the thermal imaging system for the department.
Some 1,600 national fire and emergency services leaders attended the April dinner. Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich was keynote speaker. A moving, spontaneous component of the program involved a tribute to the Grand Forks (ND) and East Grand Forks (MN) fire departments. The towns are separated by the Red River. About 36 firefighters lost their homes to flooding waters and subsequent fires while they were out performing emergency services, according to Michael Eversole, events coordinator for the CFSI. At the urging of Reverend Pierce Damewood of Prince George`s County, Maryland, attendees were encouraged to donate to a fund for the firefighters. Approximately $7,500 was raised. VFIS, Inc. matched the amount, bringing the fund to $15,000. The International Association of Fire Fighters and the International Association of Fire Chiefs each pledged $10,000, bringing the total of the money raised to $35,000.
