KS Representatives attend the Congressional Fire Service Institute (CFSI) Symposium in Washington D.C.
To the KSFFA Board and Members;
I would like to thank you for your support of Deputy Chief Novak and myself to attend the Congressional Fire Service Institute (CFSI) Symposium and Dinner. This was a wonderful opportunity for us and I believe that it was a beneficial trip for the firefighters of the state of Kansas.
Chief Novak and I were met there by Chief Rick Potter from Shawnee Fire Department. Retired KCKFD Chief John Paul Jones was also there and he joined us to speak with our representatives about Public Safety Broadband.
Our primary focus on this trip was to meet with the legislators that represent our State. We were able to have a very good “walk and talk” meeting with Senator Marshall. During our meeting with him, we discussed a number of items that directly affect the firefighters in Kansas. We were able to discuss the proposed bill “Honoring our Fallen Heroes” This bill would extend PSOB coverage to firefighters that die as a result of certain types of cancer. This legislation is crucial to support our firefighters and their families. We were also able to discuss with Senator Marshall the delays and cost overruns that have been created within the firetruck manufacturing process. This is an issue that is plaquing fire departments across the nation and is directly effecting our ability to keep adequate equipment in service to serve Kansas communities. Other topics that we discussed included AFG and SAFER Grant funding and updated codes and standards.
We also had the opportunity to meet briefly with Senator Moran. As you can imagine, our legislators are very busy and the Senator did not have but a few minutes to visit with us. However, we did get to spend about an hour with one of his senior staffers to discuss our issues. Again we covered the issues that are important to the firefighters of Kansas as with Senator Marshall.
We were unable to get meetings scheduled with the five congressional Representatives from Kansas. We did have time to stop by the offices of Congresswoman Davids and Congressman Estes. Again we were able to meet with senior staffers and share our issues. Congressman Estes arrived in his office while we were there so we did get a brief photo op with him.
The CFSI provided informational packets for us to share with our legislators that included pamphlets on issues that they determined were at the top of the fire service needs. Those issues included High Rise Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act, Fire Sprinklers in Tax Reform, AFG and SAFER Appropriations, Firestnet Reauthorization, and Up-to date Codes and Standards. We did present some of the information in the packet but overall we stuck to the issues that directly effect Kansas firefighters such as the Honoring our Fallen Heroes Act, the delays caused by firetruck manufacturers, and grant funding.
In addition to our meetings with our legislators, this was a great opportunity for us to meet with other fire service leaders from across the nation. The fire service is facing many of the same issues that we are regardless of our geography. Everyone is struggling with recruitment and retention. Everyone is struggling with keeping apparatus on the streets. Everyone is struggling with losing members to occupational illnesses.
After having attended this event, there are a few things that we have learned and would do differently. One is that we would start earlier trying to get actual appointments with ALL of our legislators. Because this trip hit our radar only a few weeks before our departure, we had difficulty getting appointments. We would also use the second day of the event to meet with legislators if necessary, since meeting with them was our primary objective.
Chad A. Womble
Assistant Chief
Kansas City Kansas Fire Department