The NVFC is pleased to offer this monthly email to our state associations and other stakeholders to help you more effectively and easily communicate national fire and emergency service messages to your members. Here are resources and tools for May 2018.
NVFC Spring Meeting and Awards: The NVFC held its spring board meeting on April 20-21. Attached is a press release that provides a wrap-up of the meeting, as well as a photo of the NVFC Board of Directors. Board members have also been emailed the press release and additional photos. Also attached is a press release and photos regarding the 2018 NVFC award winners.
Mental Health Awareness Month: Many emergency responders suffer from behavioral health issues such as PTSD, anxiety, addiction, depression, or suicidal thoughts. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and now is a good time to let responders know of the help available through the Share the Load program (www.nvfc.org/help). An article about the program is attached, as are suggested social media posts. You can download social media graphics, flyers/print ads, and web ads (link to www.nvfc.org/help) via Dropbox at: http://bit.ly/2r3yRQ7. You can also utilize a shareable animated video at https://youtu.be/OOdX0GgO7zY and a shareable video infographic at https://youtu.be/wNQlDjykj-0.
Stress Management Webinar: Most people are impacted by stress in their daily lives, and that is especially true for fire and emergency personnel. In conjunction with Mental Health Awareness Month, the NVFC is hosting a webinar on May 17 at 4pm EDT on Understanding and Managing Stress. Learn more and register here: http://bit.ly/2JvmIeq. Attached is a suggested social media post to share with your audience.
Globe Gear Giveaway: The deadline to apply for four sets of new turnout gear through the 2018 Globe Gear Giveaway is June 1. To be eligible, departments must be over 50% volunteer, serve a population of 25,000 or less, be located in the U.S. or Canada, and the department or individual applying on behalf of the department must be a member of the NVFC. More information is available at www.nvfc.org/programs/globe-gear-giveaway/, and I’ve included suggested social media posts to help with promotion.
Georgia-Pacific Bucket Brigade Gants: The application period for the 2018 Georgia-Pacific Bucket Brigade grants is open through July 6. Fire departments located within 30 miles of a Georgia-Pacific facility can apply for a grant to help fund needed gear and equipment. A press release with details is attached, along with suggested social media posts. Georgia-Pacific has facilities in 32 states; a full list of locations is available at www.gp.com/about-us/locations.
National EMS Week: May 20-26 is National EMS Week, and the campaign coordinators have sent a press release and sample social media posts that can be used to promote the event. I have attached these to this email. The web site for the campaign is www.emsstrong.org.
Arson Awareness Week: May 6-12 is Arson Awareness Week, and this year’s theme is reducing arson at vacant and abandoned buildings. The social media hashtag for the event is #arsonawareness. USFA provides resources and outreach materials to help promote this event: http://bit.ly/2FwMQTS
NVFC Membership: Think your members or colleagues would benefit from the NVFC’s valuable resources, programs, and member benefits? Encourage them to join the NVFC with new web ads that you can post on your association web site and link to www.nvfc.org/BeYourBest. Access these and other membership outreach resources, including flyers and a newsletter article, by logging into the NVFC site and clicking on Member Resources – State Member Resources. If you need additional items to promote membership, contact Alyssa Dara, Membership Manager, at adara@nvfc.org or 202-887-5700.
Conferences: Help share information about NVFC’s valuable resources and programs at your 2018 conference or meeting. Contact Lorraine Higgins at lhiggins@nvfc.org or 202-887-5700 to request NVFC materials to distribute at your conference.
Coming Up: For your planning purposes, here are upcoming events that tie into NVFC programs and initiatives. Specific items to help with promotion will be sent at the beginning of the designated month.
- Safety Stand Down takes place June 17-23. Resources are available at www.SafetyStandDown.org. The Safety Stand Down Quiz Sweepstakes will launch in May.