Last week some members traveled to our nation’s capital to participate at the annual Congressional Fire Service Institute Symposium. The event's activities entail a breakfast on Capitol Hill for the PA Congressional Delegation, meeting privately with our local congressional members, and attending the annual CFSI dinner.

WGFC Past President and life member Steve Red Flegal coordinates the Breakfast On The Hill which is sponsored by the Firefighters Association of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Career Fire Chiefs and the Pennsylvania Fire and Emergency Services Institute. All seventeen of the PA Congressional Delegation were invited to stop by during the several hour event to hear the various issues the fire service in PA has concerns with.

Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan, PA-6 district was an early attendee and heard concerns about reduced funding for The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) and the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) programs along with other concerns on High rise Sprinklers Incentive, Codes and Standards and Honoring Our Fallen, just to name a few of the topics discussed.

Assistant Chief Tyler Simpson along with first responders Jack Wharry, Tom Glass and Cecil Depot -- as well as other Chester County Chiefs -- visited many of the offices of Congressmen who did not make the breakfast to speak with staffers and leave them a packet of information regarding the fire service's concerns.

Thursday night culminated with the 35th Annual Congressional Fire Services' Institute Dinner. This year’s theme was “Get Involved. Stay Engaged." The keynote speaker was DC Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly who gave a high level overview of the recent aviation accident in the Potomac River.

It is critical that the fire service's voice continues to be heard at the federal, state, and local level with elected officials and their staff. We are exceptionally proud the West Grove Fire Company plays such an active role in these efforts.