Emmitsburg, MD (July 31, 2019) - Over the past 14 years Chief Denny Compton has been a member of the Board of Directors of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF). For more than 11 of those years he has served as the Chairman.  At the NFFF board meeting earlier today, Chief Compton announced that he is stepping down as the Board Chairman effective August 18, 2019.   

Under Chief Compton’s leadership the NFFF has seen unprecedented growth in programs for our families, a deeper involvement in the reduction of firefighter line-of-duty deaths, and the overall professionalism and stature of the organization.  “I have depended on Denny’s counsel and friendship in leading this organization for over a decade,” said Chief Ron Siarnicki, NFFF Executive Director.  “Though he is leaving the organization, the legacy he leaves will have a longstanding impact on the organization for generations.”  Referring to his work with the Foundation as a “labor of love”, Chief Compton thanked the NFFF Board, Advisory Committee, Staff and Volunteers for the honor of serving alongside them.    

Upon Chief Compton’s announcement, the board acted to select a new Chairman.  By unanimous vote, Mr. Troy Markel was elected to take over as the Board Chairman.   

Mr. Markel first joined the Foundation as an Advisory Committee Member in 2006, becoming a member of the Board in 2012.  Mr. Markel most recently served as the Board Secretary and the Chair of the Finance and Fundraising Committee.  Troy is also a former board member of the First Responder Center for Excellence, an affiliate organization of the NFFF.  “I couldn’t be more pleased to pass my leadership responsibilities along to such a capable and dedicated member of the board,” said Chief Denny Compton.  “As a cherished member of the fire service and a talented executive, Troy has a proven record of commitment to the Foundation and service to America’s Fallen Firefighters and their families.”   

Troy Markel (NFFF photo)

Mr. Markel is the President of VFIS, a subsidiary of Glatfelter Insurance Group in York, Pennsylvania.  He joined VFIS in 1990 as a Length of Service Awards Program (LOSAP) Sales Executive.  Shortly afterwards, he quickly learned each of the programs within VFIS, including the property & casualty and accident & sickness programs.  In 1998, he became a Regional Vice President.  His responsibilities included managing twenty-nine states within the VFIS program aimed at insuring and providing risk management solutions for emergency service organizations throughout the United States and Canada.  “I am honored to be selected as the Board Chairman and humbled by the confidence placed upon me by my fellow board members,” said Troy Markel.  “I want to thank Chief Compton for his many years of dedicated leadership and all he’s done in service to the organization.”  

 

About the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation:
The United States Congress created the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to lead a nationwide effort to honor and remember America's fallen firefighters.  Since 1992, the nonprofit Foundation has developed and expanded programs to honor fallen fire heroes, assist their families in rebuilding their lives, and reduce firefighter deaths and injuries. For more information on the NFFF and its programs visit www.firehero.org. 

MSA, DuPont, and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) have teamed up again to help volunteer fire departments obtain much-needed gear through MSA’s Globe Gear Giveaway. This annual program began in 2012 and has provided 255 sets of gear to 45 departments to date. In 2019, another 13 departments will each receive four new sets of gear. The first 500 applicants also received a one-year NVFC membership, courtesy of MSA.

The first two recipients of the MSA’s 2019 Globe Gear Giveaway are the Aguila (AZ) Volunteer Fire Department and Jacobstown (NJ) Fire Company.

Aguila (AZ) Volunteer Fire Department

Aguila Volunteer Fire Department (AVFD) is a small, rural department located in the AZ desert. The department is called upon to handle many, if not all, emergencies that arise in the area. It is the only protection for fire suppression, EMS, hazmat, and wildland fires and responds to small aircraft and railroad incidents. The department is also responsible for two smaller surrounding communities with mutual aid approximately an hour away. Four women and nine men make up AVFD’s 13-person crew. However, the department only has 12 sets of gear available – all of which are more than 10 years old and not compliant with recommended safety standards. The department is unable to afford new gear for its members due to budget constraints.

“Safety is our number one priority,” said Assistant Fire Chief Roger Zdrojewski. “Our volunteers need to be prepared and ready for any hazards that may arise in the district. To do this means decent, safe, and compliant turnout gear. The addition of four new sets will help immensely in keeping our firefighters safe and able to help our community to the best of their ability.”

Jacobstown (NJ) Fire Company

Jacobstown Volunteer Fire Company is the primary fire department in North Hanover Township, NJ. It serves a population of 7,500 people over 17 square miles and responds to approximately 200 calls each year. Recent community outreach has helped the department’s recruitment efforts, and membership is at record-breaking numbers. Responders are currently required to complete Firefighter I to operate as interior firefighter. The local fire academy recently added Firefighter II, so members are now encouraged to pursue Firefighter II training and certification, which will become a requirement in the near future. Many of its members also cross over between fire and EMS, providing a consistent, high level of service for residents.

The company has 35 sets of gear for its 27 firefighters; however, all but three of those sets will be over 10 years old within the coming year and out of compliance according to national standards.

“This turnout gear will help provide the highest level of protection to our members working on interior fires,” said Deputy Chief Robert Gancarz. “New members often receive the oldest gear and gear that is not fit specifically to them. While necessary due to budgetary and equipment restraints, this is not best practice. More times than not members continue to use this older and often well-worn gear after training is complete. This period may last years until the budget is able to support new gear purchases.”

Additional MSA Globe Gear Giveaway awards will be made monthly throughout 2019. Stay tuned to the NVFC web site, Dispatch newsletter, and Facebook page, as well as the Globe Facebook page, for additional information and announcements.

 

 

About MSA

Established in 1914, MSA Safety Incorporated is the global leader in the development, manufacture and supply of safety products that protect people and facility infrastructures. Many

Members of the Washington State Fire Training Academy (FTA) recently attended the kick-off meeting for our training water treatment upgrades. The FTA discussed the potential of running Recruit Academy 2019-03 and other training alongside the planned construction activities. Unfortunately, unforeseen equipment delivery lead times will delay the start of the project until September 9, 2019. This means that Recruit Academy 2019-03 along with other scheduled training will not be available for the remainder of the year. The construction timeline will require the system to be out of service for the majority of the work and therefore no alternative workarounds will be available.

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