The Congressional Fire Services Institute’s Board of Directors selected the Honorable James M. Shannon, President of the National Fire Protection Association, as the recipient of the 2014 CFSI/Motorola Solutions Mason Lankford Fire Service Leadership Award. The presentation will take place at the 26th Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner on May 1st at the Washington Hilton, in Washington, D.C.
Established in 1998 and co-sponsored by CFSI and Motorola Solutions, the Mason Lankford Fire Service Leadership Award recognizes individuals who have been proactive at the local, state and federal government levels to improve and advance fire/emergency services and life safety issues. Representing a cross section of the fire and emergency services, previous recipients include chiefs, instructors, career and volunteer leaders and public safety advocates.
A former member of Congress and Attorney General for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Mr. Shannon has served as NFPA president for the past 12 years. In June, he will retire from this position following a remarkable 23-year career with the organization.
Under Shannon’s leadership, NFPA has made many significant contributions to the fire service at the federal level, helping raise greater awareness in Congress about the challenges and needs of our local first responders. In 2002, NFPA conducted a study in conjunction with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to assess the needs of our nation’s fire and emergency services. The study, “A Needs Assessment of the U.S. Fire Service”, was used extensively by the major fire service organizations on Capitol Hill in meetings and in testimony to advocate for support of federal legislation and programs that benefited the fire service. Two subsequent studies were also conducted by NFPA under Shannon’s leadership, further justifying the need for federal support of our nation’s fire and emergency services.
Shannon has also been a tireless advocate for the fire service at the state and local levels. He spearheaded the Coalition for Fire-Safe Cigarettes, which became the vehicle for approving fire-safe cigarette legislation at the state level. Within three years of the Coalition’s formation in 2006, all 50 states had approved fire-safe cigarette legislation, leading to significant reductions in the number of cigarette-related deaths.
“Jim Shannon has been a strong leader for our nation’s fire and emergency services on so many issues,” said CFSI President William F. Jenaway. “Through his efforts and actions - including testifying before Congress, committing NFPA’s resources and staff expertise to many national efforts and federal initiatives, and publically advocating for important public safety initiatives such as fire-safe cigarettes and fire sprinklers - communities across our nation have benefited. The CFSI Board of Directors looks forward to honoring Jim for his many achievements on May 1st.”
For additional information about the 26th Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner and Seminars Program, visit the CFSI website at www.cfsi.org. This event benefits the mission of the Congressional Fire Services Institute, a nonprofit, nonpartisan policy organization designed to educate members of Congress about fire and life safety issues.