As we once again approach the fall driving season, it is my honor and pleasure to share some really great news with you. The Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firemen's Association (CVVFA) has received a grant from the Department of Homeland Security. We will now be once again expanding our training efforts through the Responder safety Learning Network.

One of the issues which we have been pursuing involves the creation of a standardized course for training folks to become fire police personnel. Our research has shown that a wide range of coursework is out there across our nation. As you might imagine, the fire police movement is most active in the northeast.

Our allies in this training effort come from Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania. Steve Austin has also identified a growing fire police movement in Florida. A few years back, my traveling buddy Jack Peltier and I got to meet two of these fine groups. We were treated to two fine examples of dedicated people working to keep their fellow emergency responders safe on the highways of the Sunshine State.

As a matter of fact Steve and the CVVFA are out front leading the charge for the proposed National Fire Protection Association highway safety operations standard. It is a credit to the hard work and dedication of our association that we have been able to raise the visibility and importance of highway safety issues.

CVVFA the U.S. Fire Administration and the Justice Department have partnered to study the issue of emergency vehicle visibility. This is another example of how we are working to broaden our influence by partnering with other groups who have an interest in the issues which we have been championing for a long time now. According to U.S. Fire Administrator Ernie Mitchell, "…USFA is committed to reducing emergency vehicle crashes and responders being struck on the roadway … We are grateful for DOJ's support of this important study which will benefit both the fire service and law enforcement."

Let me ask you to think back to the success which our organization experienced thanks to the highway safety team on the Ohio Turnpike. Our message is being put forward on a 24/7 basis at all of the rest areas in Ohio. We are looking to spread this message to other states. It is our belief that the best way to reach others is to broaden and deepen our message. The grant from the government will allow us to do this.

Finally, I would like to share with you the fact that we continue to receive excellent feedback on the work we are doing. Regardless of the venue, people will come up to our booth and share their experiences with us. Many have been the times when our team has learned a great deal from the people we are striving to educate. Like I have said on many occasions, it is hard to say what we did on any single day which advanced our critical mission. However, when people come up and tell you how well you are doing, it sure feels good.

Rest assured that we will continue to do our best for the people working on our highways and byways to provide critical emergency assistance. We can do nothing less.