CFSI Events Bring Together Leaders for America's First Responders A silent auction in Baltimore and a special DVD offer continued the work of the Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI) to bring together fire service leaders and key congressional and administration officials to meet the needs of America's local first responders. The 10th Annual CFSI Silent Auction at the Firehouse Expo at the Baltimore Convention Center offered turn-out gear, airline tickets, hotel packages, sport memorabilia and educational resources to raise funds for the CFSI. CFSI also is making available a commemorative package of its recent 25th Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner with posters, commemorative coins and a DVD of the key speeches during its annual dinner and workshops, including the dinner keynote speech by Vice President Joe Biden. For more information on the DVD and package, click here. On July 9, the BuildStrong Coalition released the post-event report from the National Thought Leaders Forum which was co-hosted by the CFSI at the 25th Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner. The report focuses on the importance that model building codes play in protecting property, lives, and reducing the cost of natural disasters. The report can be downloaded by clicking here. A highlight of the BuildStrong Coalition’s programs was a panel workshop which addressed the vital role that strong building codes play in mitigating the costs of natural disasters. It featured Bill Jenaway, President, Congressional Fire Services Institute; Debra Ballen, General Counsel and Senior Vice President of Public Policy, Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety; Henry L. Green, President, National Institute of Building Sciences; James A. Rossberg, P.E., Managing Director, Engineering Programs of American Society of Civil Engineers; Jim Salek, Vice President of Underwriting, USAA; Michael Lingerfelt, Chair of the Disaster Assistance Committee, American Institute of Architects; Tami Torres Fillyaw, Senior Vice President of Outreach and Communications, Federal Alliance for Safe Homes. Other speakers included Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla, the original House sponsor of the Safe Building Code Incentive Act. The legislation would encourage states to adopt and enforce model building codes that meet minimum life safety standards. Qualifying states would be eligible for an additional four percent in post-disaster grants from Federal Emergency Management Agency. The Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner is the culmination of a two-day program that also included a seminars series and opportunities for fire service leaders to meet with their members of Congress. The seminars covered a broad range of federal policy issues of importance to the nation's fire service. The 2014 Dinner and related events are being planned for April 30-May 1. This newsletter will include more information on the 2014 Dinner when it is available. The Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner is the culmination of a two-day program that also included a seminars series and opportunities for fire service leaders to meet with their members of Congress. The seminars covered a broad range of federal policy issues of importance to the nation's fire service. The 2014 Dinner and related events are being planned for April 30-May 1. This newsletter will include more information on the 2014 Dinner when it is available. To receive updates on legislation CFSI is tracking through Congress, including the Safe Building Codes Incentive Act, click here.