Taken for Granted
I’m in Monterey, Calif., for the joint meeting of the Fire & Emergency Manufacturers & Services Association and the the Fire Apparatus Manufacturers Association. FEMSA currently has 147 company members, 60 of which attended this meeting.
I’ve been a member of the FEMSA board for the past three years, and it‘s interesting to see the proactive stance fire equipment manufacturers have taken to secure grants for fire departments in need. FAMA and FEMSA have made a joint effort to raise awareness of fire service needs on Capitol Hill. FIRE Grant funding has become an annual tug of war, and FEMSA and FAMA have opted to pull harder, educating not only Congressional leaders, but more importantly the political staffers behind them.
Now you can argue that manufacturers are pushing for money to benefit their own businesses, but the majority of these manufacturers have a one trait that sets them apart from other industries — they have a passion for this industry, making them not so different from the rest of the fire service brotherhood.
There‘s something about being involved with the fire industry that sucks you in. Perhaps that‘s why you see sales people leave one company and appear at a competitor. You can walk away from this industry, but you‘ll always wander back. Even retired chiefs and officers finds ways to cling to the fabric.
If there‘s one message that came through loud and clear from the meetings this week, it‘s that the fire service needs to know who their congressional leaders are and it must educate those leaders and their staffers on the challenges facing fire departments.
How? Invite your state and federal leaders to your department. Ask them to ride on your fire trucks in parades. Invite them to present awards in your department. Involve them in Fire Prevention Week activities. Ask them to cut a ribbon for your new station or fire apparatus. Engage and woo your politicians.
Why? Because when an issue is raised at the state or national level, you want your political representatives to think to call his or her local chief. Face time is an investment in the future.
Oh, and if you‘re lucky enough to get a FIRE Grant, don‘t forget to say thanks to your politicians.
Grants are win for the manufacturer, the benefactor and politician — and ultimately for your department. That‘s teamwork.
October 5th, 2007 at 4:36 pm
We have produced an online Fire Risk Assessment Tool which is currently being used by a number of UK Companies.
I would like to invite you to trial, to see if its would be relevent for the US.
Free trial of course, if your interested, please contact me, or www.sales@frao.co.uk
Regards, Steve
October 5th, 2007 at 5:56 pm
While I may agree that the equipment manufacturer’s may benefit from grant funds used to buy equipment, my response would be…so what! The funding is given primarily to those departments who demonstrated a need, not to manufacturer’s who make the equipment to fill that need. If both benefit, great! What’s ultimately important is that the funding remain available for those who need it. If the manufacturers assist in supporting the funding, I, for one, am most appreciative.
October 9th, 2007 at 12:20 pm
Hi Janet
I wanted to let you know about a great way for first responders to receive new tires. Michelin is giving away free sets of tires to 50 firefighters/EMTs. To nominate your favorite first responder simply fill out a quick form online at www.michelinman.com. There is no restriction on who you can nominate, so pick your firefighter brother, your EMT colleague, or any other first responder that has touched your life. The nomination process end in 7 weeks on Nov. 23rd. I encourage you to tell your readers about this great opportunity. let me know if you need more info.
Thanks,
Sharona Edry
Sharona_edry@nyc.cohnwolfe.com
Phone: 212-798-9786
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