Legislation Document

WHEREAS, the Congressional Fire Services Institute (“CFSI”) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan policy institute designed to educate members of Congress about the challenges and needs of our nation’s fire and emergency services; and

WHEREAS, CFSI and Motorola Solutions have jointly sponsored the Mason Lankford Fire Service Leadership Award (“Award”) since 1998, to recognize exemplary leaders in public safety for their work to improve the delivery of fire and emergency services in the areas of prevention, mitigation, and response; and

WHEREAS, the Award embraces the importance of advocacy and leadership on behalf of all firefighters and emergency services personnel; and

WHEREAS, recipients of the Award must have made an exemplary impact at the national level through at least one of the following: leadership in promoting and supporting fire and emergency service and life safety issues, advancing the readiness of fire and EMS services at any level of government, strengthening fire safety through the development of fire prevention programs, or acting as a catalyst to improve fire and emergency services; and

WHEREAS, the Award is considered the most prestigious award in our nation’s fire service; and

WHEREAS, Steve Austin, a Delawarean and active member of the fire service for over 50 years, was honored on April 19, 2018, with the CFSI/Motorola Solutions Mason Lankford Fire Service Leadership Award at the 30 ^th Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Symposium and Dinner, hosted by CFSI and attended by over 1,500 fire service officials from across the country, including a large delegation from the Delaware volunteer fire service; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Austin has established a legacy that few in the profession have ever achieved; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Austin is a lifetime and active member of the Aetna Hose, Hook, & Ladder Company, Inc., of Newark, Delaware, still responding to emergencies as a Fire Police Officer; and

WHEREAS, on the state level, Mr. Austin served as President of the Delaware Volunteer Firefighters Association in 1999-2000 and continues to participate in DVFA activities; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Austin has made lasting contributions on the national level, where he has made his greatest impact on fire service and for which he earned the Award, serving as as Chair of the CFSI National Advisory Committee for 4 terms, Director of Government Affairs for the International Association of Arson Investigators for over 33 years, and Vice Chair of the National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications, as well as co-founding the Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firemen’s Association Emergency Responder Safety Institute, established to teach public safety personnel proper safety procedures when responding to roadside emergencies; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Austin has also been actively involved with several other organizations, including the National Fire Protection Association, the International Fire Service Training Association, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, the International Association of Fire Chiefs, and the Fire Service Based EMS Advocates, which he helped establish and continues to serve as Co-Chair of the Steering Committee; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Austin is only the third person in the history of the National Fire and Emergency Services Symposium and Dinner to receive both the Award and its precursor, the CFSI Fire Service Person of the Year, which he received in 1996.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the 149th General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the House of Representatives concurring therein, that the 149 ^th General Assembly recognizes Steven Austin’s exemplary dedication and service to both Delawareans and people nationwide, through his unparalleled and ongoing work with and creation of multiple fire and emergency service organizations.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the 149 ^th General Assembly extends heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Austin for earning the coveted CFSI/Motorola Solutions Mason Lankford Fire Service Leadership Award.

SPONSOR:	Sen. Bushweller & Sen. Ennis on behalf of all Senators
Rep. Carson on behalf of all Representatives