The post Austin, Sullivan awards inaugural General Joseph F. Boyd Leadership & Visionary Award appeared first on Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firefighters Association.
]]>Austin, Sullivan awards inaugural General Joseph F. Boyd Leadership & Visionary Award
At the 125th Annual Convention Banquet, Director Steve Austin, PP, and Jack Sullivan were awarded the inaugural General Joseph F. Boyd Leadership & Visionary Award. Director Austin was recognized for his distinguished service and visionary leadership in advancing fire service and safety in CVVFA. Jack Sullivan was recognized for his outstanding dedication to responder safety and leadership in the pursuit of Everyone Goes Home.
This award was named after General Joseph F. Boyd, a solider and railroader, who helped to create the organization-- now known as Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firefighters Association. After the Shippensburg Methodist Church fire in July 1901, General Boyd took action to address differences in couplings and began to advocate for one standard. This award was created to honor his vision, leadership and legacy and is presented to those who lead the same way: seeing what the fire service needs next-- and building it.
The awards themselves reflects the history of the organization. The base is a cut of a 1890s barn beam with a 1909 railroad spike and a 1930s-50s brass hose coupler on top.
Congratulations to two insanely deserving individuals.
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]]>The post CVVFA Members Steve Austin and Jerry Daniels recognized by New Castle County Fire Police Association appeared first on Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firefighters Association.
]]>New Castle County Fire Police establish award honoring CVVFA Legends Steve Austin and Jerry Daniels
On July 13, 2026, Stephen Austin and Jerry (Hoppy) Daniels, were honored by the New Castle County Fire Police Association (NCCFPA) at their monthly meeting meeting, hosted by Minquas Fire Company in Willmington, DE through the establishment of an award that recognizes exceptional dedication, leadership, and contributions to safety and training within the emergency services community.
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]]>The post 125th Anniversary Convention Agenda – Register Today! appeared first on Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firefighters Association.
]]>125th Anniversary Convention Agenda – Register Today!
We are excited to open registration for the CVVFA 125th Anniversary Convention. Register now to be a part of this historic milestone celebration being held at a state of the art facility designed to improve roadway safety initiatives.
Venues
- Primary Meeting Space: RIDC/PennSTART updated conference room at the Westmoreland Innovation Center.
- Additional Meeting & Banquet Space: East Huntingdon Township Fire Company 120 Fire Department Road, Tarrs, PA, United States, 15688. I will work with Joe Chornock to finalize and sign the official facility contract as well as catering.
- Memorial Service Location: Officially confirmed at Mt. Lebanon United Methodist Church (981 Route 31, Tarrs, PA 15688).
- Fairfield Inn & Suites Pittsburgh New Stanton, 107 Bair Blvd, New Stanton, PA 15672
Book Here by 6/29/2025 for discounted Room Rate of $119 per night.
Tentative Event Agenda (subject to change)
Wednesday, July 29
- Mid-Day: Conditional on Leadership Arrival – Catered lunch with vendors, featuring a PennSTART Overview presentation highlighting regional facility opportunities.
- Afternoon: Executive Session.
- Evening: Catered Picnic and Vendor Showcase.
Thursday, July 30
- Morning: Business Meeting at PennSTART (Catered Breakfast included).
- Late Morning: Annual Memorial Service at Mt. Lebanon United Methodist Church.
- Keynote Address: Deputy Chief John Storey, Jr. (North Strabane Fire Department).
- Afternoon: Operation Lifesaver Class for Law Enforcement(Catered).
- Note: This class will run concurrently with the afternoon session of the CVVFA Business Meeting.
- Evening: Operation Lifesaver Class for Firefighters (Catered).
- Special Addition: We are currently working to schedule a 2-hour Train-the-Trainer session with Jack Sullivan during the convention framework.
Friday, July 31
- Morning: President’s Council. We are exploring a strategic expansion of the Council to formally include key public safety partners heavily engaged in training and outreach at PennSTART, specifically the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) and Operation Lifesaver.
- Featured Speaker (Moved Up): Craig Shuey, COO of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, will address the President's Council regarding the long-term vision for PennSTART.
- General Session: PennSTART Overview & National Partnerships – Peter Castelli, PennSTART Executive Director.
- Afternoon: Finalization of remaining Business Meeting items and official adjournment prior to the evening festivities.
- Evening: Annual Banquet hosted at the East Huntingdon Township Fire Company, the banquet speaker is Steve Hirsch, National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) Chair.
Saturday, August 1: Emergency Scene Showcase
A high-impact morning field program at the PennSTART track facility:
- Discipline Rotation Stations: Attendees will rotate through six specialized stations (Fire, EMS, Towing, Hazmat, Law Enforcement, and SSP/DOT) focusing on the specific operational roles and safety needs of each discipline at a crash scene.
- Integrated Simulation: Following a brief refreshment break, all disciplines will reconvene outside for a full TIMA setup and live simulated crash scene demonstration.
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]]>The post Support the 125th Anniversary Edition of the 2026 Convention Program Book appeared first on Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firefighters Association.
]]>Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firefighters Association is excited to celebrate our 125" Annual Convention
New Stanton, Pennsylvania, hosted by PennSTART and RIDC Westmoreland from July 29" to August 1ªt, 2026
While the main membership resides in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and Delaware,
CVVFA has members residing throughout the United States. Each year, the association looks forward to collaborating with our members and local departments.
Please help us celebrate this occasion by becoming a sponsor of our convention program. With your help,
we can make this convention one that everyone remembers for many years.
Please review the order form on the back of this letter and select the size of sponsorship you would like to have placed in our convention program. Your sponsorship shows support for all the states represented by the CVVFA and its members.
Artwork Must be "camera ready." You may e-mail your artwork to bobrfire17@gmail.com and to sdehaven11@gmail.com.
We would prefer the copy to be in PDF format and title the file with your agency, business or department name.
Please mention in the subject line e-mail that it is for the 2026 CVVFA program book.
We would ask that your ad information along with your check and request form be returned to the address below by the deadline of June 1, 2026. Any ad copy received after that date may not get published.
On behalf of the CVVFAPublicity Committee, Officers and members, we would like to thank you for your generous support of Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firefighters Association and the Fire and Emergency Services in your communities.
CUMBERLAND VALLEY VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION
125" ANNUAL CONVENTION /AD BOOK
SPONSORSHIP ORDER FORM
Hosted by PennSTART and RIDC Westmoreland
July 29"h thru August 191, 2026
March 2026
__________________________________________. (Department/organization/business) like to place the following size sponsorship ad
in the 125th Annual Convention program book.
*!Outside back cover - SOLD •. *Inside back cover - SOLD *Inside front cover - SOLD
*Full page (7.5" x10") - $100.00 *½ page (7.5" × 5") - $60.00
¼ page (3.75" × 5") - $35.00. *Business card (3.75" × 2.5") - $15.00
- Address: ___________________________________________________________________
- Authorized signature: ________________________________________________________
- E-mail address: ______________________________________________________________
- Phone # ____________________________Cell
- All ad materials must be received by June 1, 2026. Sponsorships should be submitted as
camera ready artwork. Sponsorships should be emailed in PDF format to bobrfire17@gmail.com AND to sdehaven11@gmail.com .
When e-mailing to me, please name your file, example: 2026 CVVFA ad book/name of business/organization/FD and mention in the subject line that it is for the 2026 Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firefighters Association sponsorship/ad book. - Please make checks payable to CVVFA and mail to:
Bob Romig, Publicity Manager
Cumberland Valley VFA
620 Portofino Drive
Poinciana, FL 34759-3659
Please contact Bob Romig at 863-427-4717 or bobrire17@gmail.com with any questions or concerns
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]]>The post CVVFA Director Cumberland Named to MFCA’s Hall of Fame appeared first on Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firefighters Association.
]]>CVVFA Director Cumberland Named to MFCA's Hall of Fame
Congratulations to CVVFA Director and Past President Bob Cumberland, for being named to Maryland Fire Chiefs Association’s Hall of Fame. The MFCA Hall of Fame is a recognition of distinguished service to the MFCA and an individual department or county fire or rescue service.
Chief Cumberland, from Westminster Volunteer Fire Department, is one of five individuals recognized this year for their hard work and dedication.
CVVFA appreciates his dedication not only to MFCA but also our organization. Congratulations!
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]]>The post CVVFA Director Joe Chornock Recognized by Mission BBQ appeared first on Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firefighters Association.
]]>CVVFA Director Joe Chornock Recognized by Mission BBQ
Recently, CVVFA Director Joseph Chornock was highlighted by Mission BBQ in thier Stories of Service video series. Click the above link to watch the video. Congratulations Joe!
Joe Chornock has spent 48 years serving in the fire service, quickly moving up the ranks from paramedic-firefighter and into leadership. He worked on creating the Germantown Volunteer Fire Department and became its first Battalion Chief. After moving to Pennsylvania, Joe decided to return to the fire service and he has started over at the lowest rank, a Probie. “As a probationary member, you have to prove yourself. You have to do all of the things before you can actually go into a burning building,” Joe said. Today, he is happy to share his knowledge with a new generation of firefighters. “That’s what it’s all about is helping others.”
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]]>This course prepares responders to manage these risks using updated Traffic Incident Management (TIM) protocols, EV-specific tactical positioning, and hands-on RealScene XR scenario operations.
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]]>CVVFA to provide EV Training in Metro Philadelphia Area
Emergency Responder Safety at Roadway Incidents Involving Electric Vehicles (EVs)
Saturday, January 17, 2026, 12:00 - 3:30 PM Brookhaven Fire Company, 2 Cambridge Road, Brookhaven, PA 19015
Electric vehicles (EVs) introduce unique hazards that directly impact roadway safety and incident duration. Beyond the high-voltage risks, EVs present challenges in "silent" movement, extended on-scene times due to battery cooling, and complex towing logistics that increase responder exposure to moving traffic.
This course prepares responders to manage these risks using updated Traffic Incident Management (TIM) protocols, EV-specific tactical positioning, and hands-on RealScene XR scenario operations.
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Identify EV propulsion types and high-voltage components to assess immediate scene risks.
- Apply "Time = Risk" principles to EV incidents, recognizing how extended cooling and rigging times affect exposure.
- Establish "Acoustic Safety" protocols to prevent struck-by injuries from silent, energized vehicles.
- Execute safe fire attack strategies that account for limited highway water supply logistics and lane preservation.
- Conduct hazard assessments for "Stranded Energy" in collisions and compromised battery packs.
- Perform safe disablement and extrication, accounting for vehicle lurching risks.
- Use RealScene XR simulations to practice apparatus positioning for long-duration events.
- Integrate multi-agency operations (Fire/EMS/Police/Towing) to protect tow operators during complex loading procedures.
Instructor: Todd Leiss, Deputy Director of Training Emergency Responder Safety Institute.
Format: In-person, Instructor-Led, VR-Assisted
Duration: 3 hours (Includes RealScene XR Application)
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]]>The post <strong>New Book Release by Past President Dr. Candice McDonald</strong> appeared first on Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firefighters Association.
]]>New Book Release by Past President Dr. Candice McDonald
The CVVFA is proud to announce the release of a groundbreaking new book authored by one of our very own past presidents and long-standing member, Dr. Candice McDonald. Her new title, Successful Volunteer Retention and Recruitment in the Fire Service, is now available from Fire Engineering Books.
About the Book:
Fire departments across the nation are facing an unprecedented challenge—recruiting and retaining dedicated volunteers. This book is designed to meet that challenge head-on. Drawing on real-world experience, compelling case studies, and research—including some of the very work supported by CVVFA—Dr. McDonald delivers an essential resource for fire service leaders at every level.
Inside, readers will find practical and proven strategies to:
- Launch effective recruitment campaigns tailored for today’s candidates
- Build supportive workplace cultures that improve retention
- Develop mentorship and career development programs
- Bridge generational divides and strengthen team cohesion
- Overcome organizational barriers with sustainable solutions
Whether you are a fire chief, recruitment officer, HR specialist, or community advocate, this book provides the tools and actionable insights needed to build and maintain a strong, future-ready volunteer fire service.
CVVFA’s Continued Commitment:
This publication also reflects the continued efforts of CVVFA to provide thought leadership and real solutions to issues impacting the volunteer fire service. Dr. McDonald’s work reinforces the mission we all share—ensuring that volunteer fire departments not only survive, but thrive.
Get Your Copy Today:
Visit the publisher’s website to order your copy or learn more: Successful Volunteer Retention and Recruitment in the Fire Service – Fire Engineering
Please join us in congratulating Dr. McDonald on this tremendous achievement and in continuing the important work of strengthening our volunteer fire service!
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]]>The post One Million Hours of Online Training Delivered by the RSLN Platform appeared first on Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firefighters Association.
]]>One Million Hours of Online Training Delivered by the RSLN Platform
CVVFA and ERSI Celebrate Over 1 Million Hours of Training on the RSLN Platform
The Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firefighters Association (CVVFA) and the Emergency Responder Safety Institute (ERSI) are proud to announce a major milestone in responder safety education: the Responder Safety Learning Network (RSLN) has officially surpassed 1,000,000 hours of training delivered to emergency responders across the country. Even more impressively, the platform is rapidly approaching 1,000,000 first time module completions, underscoring its widespread impact and continued relevance.
A Legacy of Learning Since 2012
Launched in 2012, the RSLN has grown into a cornerstone of traffic incident management and responder safety training. Over the past 13 years, it has evolved to meet the changing needs of the emergency services community, offering free, accessible, and high-quality online training to responders of all disciplines.
Most Popular Modules: Blocking and Advance Warning
Among the 50 modules currently available, the Blocking module remains the most popular, helping responders understand how to safely position apparatus to shield incident scenes. Close behind is the Advance Warning module, which emphasizes the importance of early notification to approaching motorists—critical for reducing secondary crashes and protecting personnel on scene.
New Additions: NFPA 1550 and Wildland Modules
The RSLN continues to expand its offerings with the recent addition of the NFPA 1550 module, which updates and replaces the previous NFPA 1500 content. This module reflects the latest standards in responder safety and health. Also new are the Wildland Modules, designed to address the unique challenges faced by responders operating in wildland and wildland-urban interface environments.
Looking Ahead
With over a million hours of training already completed and nearly 180,000 registered learners engaged, the CVVFA and ERSI remain committed to advancing responder safety through education. The RSLN’s continued growth is a testament to the dedication of emergency responders nationwide who prioritize safety, professionalism, and lifelong learning.
To explore the full catalog of modules or begin your training, visit the Responder Safety Learning Network.
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]]>President - John Gonzalez
1st Vice President - Todd Leiss
2nd Vice President - Tonya Hoover
The post Announcement of 2025/2026 CVVFA Officers appeared first on Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firefighters Association.
]]>Announcement of 2025/2026 CVVFA Officers
Congratulations to the newly elected 2025/2026 CVVFA Officers who were installed during the 124th CVVFA Convention Banquet on Friday August 1 in Newport, PA.
President - John Gonzalez
1st Vice President - Todd Leiss
2nd Vice President - Tonya Hoover
Treasurer - Joseph Bynum
Assitant Treasurer - Elise Elderkin
Recording Secretary - Deb Laudenslager
Assistnt Recording Secretary - Deb Watson
Membership Secretary - Jim Watson
Director - Steve Austin
Director - Bob Cumberland
Director - David Lewis
Director - Justin Gearhart
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