NFHC, Author at National Fire Heritage Center

National Fire Heritage Center Support

The National Fire Heritage Center thanks you for your past support of our mission. We are thankful that you have enabled us to collect over 30,000 archive documents and want you to know that through an agreement we made this year with Internet Archives, in about two years, they will have scanned and entered these documents into their online library in the NFHC section.

We have kept items we consider prime archives of the history of America’s fire services and disciplines. We are also building relations with the Fire Museum Network to facilitate transfer of non-archival items we receive so they can be properly displayed in participating museums.

Our headquarters had to be moved. We are thankful for the opportunity to have our office, some storage space, access to a conference room and exposure to traffic coming to the Allegheny Museum in Cumberland. Our new address is 3 Pershing Street Suite 307, Cumberland MD 21502 and our phone number is (301) 876-3454. Our budget for our office and storage is $900 a month, all utilities included.

Our board had a successful meeting in October where we completed our strategic plan for the next 5 years. Projects we have targeted to initiate in 2025 that are the focus of our new donor categories to sustain our finances. They include:

Building museum relations
Launching a research journal
Virtual training for archivists on fire services history
Growing archive collection management
Promoting fire history awareness via the NFHC blog and website

We look forward to hearing your response to our plans and your questions about how you can best support our efforts. Do you have research to be submitted? Do you have information to share through our blog? Who could you nominate for the Hall of Legends, Legacies and Leadership and the Ben Franklin Writers Award. Will you be listed in our Who’s Who directory? We are thankful for your past and future contributions that sustain our efforts.

Regards,

Lynn White, President

Dick DeVore, Archivist and Executive Director

NFHC Elects Barkley to Board of Directors

The National Fire Heritage Center (NFHC) is pleased to announce the election of Kevin Barkley Sr. of Galway, NY, to its Board of Directors. With his diverse fire service leadership experience, the Saratoga County resident strengthens the NFHC’s mission of preserving and promoting America’s fire protection legacy.

As the nation’s premier archive for fire protection history, the NFHC safeguards a vast collection of irreplaceable documents and artifacts. These perishables include art and artifacts, audio recordings, books, charts, maps, photographs, reports, and videos that chronicle the evolution of the fire protection industry. Barkley’s expertise will be instrumental in enhancing the center’s ability to protect these vital resources and ensure their accessibility for future generations of researchers, firefighters, and the public.

Dr. Lynn White, President of the NFHC, remarked on the appointment: “Kevin brings to the board an understanding of the importance of the history of volunteer, municipal, industrial, and military fire protection. His lifetime dedication to fire services and disciplines has been supported by his wife, Irene, who is an avid fire incident photographer, and his family. His son and stepson have followed in his footsteps with a commitment to keep his knowledge alive in their work.”

Dr. White emphasized, “Kevin’s extensive network of peers nationally and internationally will be valuable in our efforts for the next five years to improve archive skills and use of our archives by volunteers and professionals in a broad scope of fire protection responsibilities.”

Kevin Barkley and Galway Fire Department firefighter Arnold — Chief Barkley and Galway Firefighter J. Arnold

Barkley’s fire service career spans more than five decades. He began as a member of the Galway Volunteer Fire Company in 1974, rising through the ranks to serve as chief, assistant chief, president, and vice president. Concurrently, he joined the Naval Nuclear Laboratory in West Milton, NY in 1975, retiring after 49 years of service as Assistant Fire Brigade Leader and Senior Emergency Engineering Preparedness Specialist.

Since 1989, Barkley has been involved with Saratoga County Officer of Emergency Services, where he is a Deputy Fire/Hazmat Coordinator. He is also a respected instructor at major national fire service events, including the FDIC, Fire RESCUE EAST and WEST, New York State Fire Chiefs, Industrial FireWorld Conferences, and International Fire Chiefs Association.

Barkley expressed his enthusiasm for the new opportunity: “I’m honored to join the NFHC board and contribute to preserving our rich fire protection history. With my media and planning background, I look forward to helping the NFHC advance its crucial mission.

He noted that when he enlisted as a volunteer firefighter in 1974, he thought he would be the first one in my family in emergency services, but he soon learned that it was a family tradition. “My great, great grandfather was the Fire Chief of Amsterdam (NY), while my great uncle was a firefighter there.

The NFHC has an engaged board of directors representing the diverse sectors of fire protection fields across the nation. Together, they work to guide the NFHC into the future, ensuring that the history of the fire protection disciplines are preserved for generations to come.

Saratoga County FC-4 Operations Chief Barkley with his support crew from Saratoga Springs Fire Department/HAZMAT

Chief Barkley, Senator Tedisco — Chief Barkley and Supervisor with New York State Senator Tedisco

National Fire Heritage Center Holds 18th Annual Meeting at New Headquarters

CUMBERLAND, MD—OCTOBER 19, 2024—On a beautiful autumn Saturday in Western Maryland, the 18th annual meeting of the National Fire Heritage Center (NFHC) convened at its new headquarters in the Allegheny Museum. Directors gathered both virtually and in person, with representatives traveling from as far away as Texas and Washington State to conduct the nonprofit organization’s business.

NFHC annual meeting — Officers and directors gathered for the 2024 annual meeting in Cumberland.

The NFHC was established in response to a pivotal 2003 study by the U.S. Fire Administration, which highlighted the urgent need to collect, preserve, and provide access to the historical records of the fire service and fire protection disciplines across the United States. Since its formation in 2006, the NFHC has dedicated itself to preserving and celebrating the rich history of fire protection and fire department organizations.

The meeting commenced at 9 a.m., with the president, Dr. Lynn White, calling the session to order. The directors addressed several key business matters, including the election of a new director, Kevin Barkley, and the approval of the operating budget.

In the annual financial report, VP for Operations and Treasurer Willie Shelton, Jr. emphasized the organization’s need for donations to strengthen its capabilities. “As an all-volunteer organization, we keep our operating expenses to a minimum, allowing us to use the dollars coming in to maximize the preservation of fire department history,” Shelton noted. Donations of any amount can be made to support the NFHC’s mission by clicking this link.

Executive Director Dick Devore reported on the recent relocation of the NFHC from its original facility in Emmitsburg, MD. This move represented a significant undertaking due to the extensive size of the collection and reflects the organization’s commitment to preserving and promoting fire protection history. The new headquarters will enable the NFHC to better fulfill its mission of preserving fire service and protection histories for future generations.

A highlight of the meeting was an update from Liz Rosenberg of the Internet Archive, who discussed the exciting new agreement between the NFHC and the online archive. Over the past few months, Executive Director Devore has collaborated with the Internet Archive to select records for scanning and digitization. This initiative will see substantial portions of the NFHC’s print, photo, and ephemera collections digitized over the next two years. This expanded platform will enhance the organization’s outreach and educational capabilities, making its extensive collection readily accessible to scholars, researchers, collectors, and the general public.

Additionally, Glenn Dorner and Don Bathurst provided updates on the status of the Ben Franklin Fire Writer’s Award and the Hall of Legends, Legacies, and Leaders.

The directors also approved the group’s five-year strategic plan to guide its actions. Following a productive discussion on concrete action steps associated with the plan, Executive Director Devore led a tour of the new NFHC headquarters.

The annual meeting concluded with a renewed commitment to preserving the history of fire departments and the fire protection industry.

Firefighter Hay’s Commitment to Fire Department and Community

In the spirit of community and dedication, The National Fire Heritage Center is sharing this inspiring story about a remarkable volunteer firefighter, Bob Hay, who works at Lowe’s. His story is a powerful reminder of the extraordinary contributions made by volunteer firefighters across America and the dedication it takes to balance such demanding roles.

Firefighter Hay is a member of the Port Chester Fire Department in New York. Balancing the requirements of a demanding job with Lowes, he dedicates countless hours of service to the fire department and the community as a volunteer. His commitment illustrates how one person can make a significant impact while going above and beyond in community service.

We are pleased to reshare his story. Click the link to read the Lowe’s blog post, “Hardware to Hose: Lowe’s Associate Doubles as a Firefighter.”

Thank you, Firefighter Bob Hay, for your military and fire department service.

Call for Nominations for Benjamin Franklin Fire Writer’s Award

The National Fire Heritage Center (NFHC) is pleased to announce the opening of submissions for the annual Benjamin Franklin Fire Writer’s Award (BFFWA). This prestigious, peer-reviewed recognition honors excellence in publications that document the history of the fire service and fire protection industry.

Established to recognize current and past authors, the award acknowledges the contributions of those who have preserved the history of America’s fire service through books, magazines, newsletters, and various media formats.

Benjamin Franklin, the father of America’s Fire Service, left a lasting legacy of written works. He inspired writers to document their beliefs, observations, and support for both public and private initiatives. Through the BFFWA, the NFHC encourages today’s fire writers to continue this tradition.

The NFHA invites nominations for printed, digital, or electronic books and periodicals. A panel of three judges will assess the submissions based on six specific criteria. Additionally, a bonus score will be awarded for the work’s merit and its contribution to the preservation of America’s fire service history.

Submissions are due October 15, 2024. For complete details on the nomination and evaluation criteria, visit this page on the NFHC website.

The Benjamin Franklin Fire Writer’s Award upholds the NFHC’s mission to recognize and preserve the invaluable contributions of fire service writers throughout history. By participating, authors play a crucial role in keeping the stories and achievements of the fire service alive for future generations.

Chief Michael Louis Kuk was last year’s honoree for “Army Firefighter in Vietnam, 1970-1971.”

Additional Information on Making a Submission

For complete details on making a submission or to review the committee’s scoring process see the attached Word documents.

BFFWA-2024-submission-process-2024 Download

BFFWA 2024 scoring instructions Download

For further information or media inquiries, please contact:

Glenn Dorner, Chair of the Benjamin Franklin Award Committee, glenn.dorner@fireheritageusa.org

NFHC Update from President White

As a long-time supporter of the National Fire Heritage Center’s mission, I want you to know what we have accomplished this year and our plans for continuing our dedicated volunteer efforts to preserve the history of America’s fire services and disciplines. Your continued support is vital to our success.

Internet Archive

The board had been exploring how we might collaborate with other organizations to be more effective in archive management. We learned in August 2023 that we needed to move to a new location by July 1, 2024. We are pleased to share that the Internet Archives, whose mission is to become the world’s largest online library, entered an agreement with us in January and completed packing and moving 80% of our archives (over 700 boxes) for them to scan and place in their online library “free” of charge. We chose items of significant historical value and items designated to stay in our possession to move to our new location, the Allegheny Museum in Cumberland, MD. We will be hosting our first board meeting there on October 19th.

Strategic Plan

We will continue to receive donations of archive materials and will work with Internet Archives to transfer annually the items that are best shared through their online library. Many items are donated that are not documents and are best preserved and shared through fire museums. We transferred some items to the West Virginia Fire Museum, returned items individuals had loaned and chose to have them returned. We will be presenting at the Fire Museum Network Conference in October to explore how we might best share future items donated to NFHC that need to be placed in a museum. Watch our newsletter and a new NFHC blog to be announced soon for updates on archives received, archives available on the Internet Archives website, and items forwarded to a museum.

New Strategic Plan

To guide our transition from focusing on a place to “store” archives to new ways to preserve our archives, we will be finalizing our new strategic plan at the October board meeting. Our initiatives as they are drafted now include:

Advocacy

• Engage policymakers to promote preservation.

• Establish guidance for digital archives.

• Raise public awareness through campaigns.

Capacity

• Recruit and retain archivists.

• Expand the collection and ensure adequate storage facilities.

• Develop a sustainable staffing plan.

Connectivity/Synergy

• Develop partnerships with fire service organizations and museums.

• Foster a volunteer network.

• Promote NFHC’s work through media channels.

Discovery

• Support research initiatives on fire protection and fire service disciplines history.

• Promote scholarly use of NFHC’s collections.

Education

• Develop educational programs for schools and museums.

• Create online resources for broader engagement.

Engagement

• Build relationships with fire service professionals and educators.

• Host public events and exhibitions.

Impact

• Measure the NFHC’s contribution to preservation.

• Develop recognition programs for contributors to fire protection and fire service disciplines history.

Infrastructure

• Maintain and improve physical and digital infrastructure.

• Secure funding for facility expansion.

Outreach

• Develop marketing and outreach strategies.

• Increase presence at fire service and historical conferences.

Research

• Support and publish research on fire protection and fire service disciplines history.

• Collaborate with academic institutions.

Support

• Secure financial support through grants and donations.

• Promote fiscal responsibility.

Long-Term Sustainability

• Develop a sustainable funding model.

• Invest in staff retention and development.

Support Our Mission

To achieve what we have done this year, our moving, rental, and operating expenses have been $9,209, while our donations have been $4,503. We have $57,000 in designated funds and about $3,500 in our checking account. We’ve been so busy with archive management that we have not sent you renewal notices this year.

I encourage you to go to fireheritageusa.org and donate before the end of September to update your Who’s Who status or to donate any amount you wish to support our mission. As a 501c3 organization, you can claim your donations as a tax deduction. Also, remember that NFHC donations are a wonderful way to provide memorials to fallen fire service friends and to honor people who have influenced your career.

We appreciate your past support and look forward to what you can donate to help us transition into a new era of fire heritage preservation and sharing.

Dr. Lynn White, President

The passing of Dr. Paul Davis, the founder of the Firefighter Combat Challenge

The National Fire Heritage Center (NFHC) is saddened to hear of the passing of Dr. Paul O. Davis, a visionary leader who founded the Firefighter Combat Challenge. The challenge is a competition that promotes firefighter fitness. In 2021, Dr. Davis received a well-deserved honor: induction into the NFHC’s Hall of Legends, Legacies, and Leaders.

Me made immeasurable contributions to firefighter safety, health, and fitness. As we reflect on his legacy, our thoughts are with his family, friends, and colleagues.

Here is the announcement from the firefighter challenge.

KPLC-TV Interview: A Firefighter in Vietnam

LAKE CHARLES, LA — July 11, 2024 — As part of the KPLC-TV Hometown Heroes series, the Lake Charles, LA television station interviewed Chief Michael Kuk about his job as a combat firefighter in Vietnam. Click the YouTube image to watch this coverage from 2023.

He recently received the Benjamin Franklin Award from the National Fire Heritage Center, and here’s additional coverage on that from KPLC-TV

Former Fort Johnson Fire Chief receives award for book on Army firefighters during Vietnam War (kplctv.com).

NFHC Honors Chief Kuk With Benjamin Franklin Writers Award

CUMBERLAND, July 12, 2024 — The National Fire Heritage Center (NFHC) proudly announces that Michael Louis Kuk, Chief Emeritus, author of an “Army Firefighter in Vietnam, 1970-1971,” has received the 2023 Benjamin Franklin Writers Bronze Award. This prestigious honor acknowledges authors who have made outstanding contributions to preserving the written history of America’s Fire Service.

President Robby Trahan of the Southwest Louisiana Mutual Aid Association presents Chief Michael Kuk (left) with the Benjamin Franklin Award. Chief Trahan commands the Ward 1 Fire Protection District 1 in Lake Charles.

Chief Kuk’s remarkable book offers a vivid and compelling account of his experience as a combat firefighter in Vietnam, serving with the U.S. Army. Through its compelling narrative, readers gain insights into how a small contingent of soldier-firefighters stationed in a combat zone tirelessly supported the war effort.

“It wasn’t a glamourous war-hero position,” Chief Kuk writes. “But it required bravery and courage to face and overcome other hazards the war could present. A misstep would result in serious injury and/or death if these soldier-firefighters did not perform to the highest standard so required.”

The work offers “the fire service a unique perspective of military firefighting in a combat zone, a subject that has not been previously explored. The book resonates with readers, shedding light on the sacrifices and challenges faced by these unsung heroes.”
U.S. Army Lt. Col. Glenn Dorner

The chair of the NFHC review panel, Retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Glenn Dorner, commended the author’s work for offering “the fire service a unique perspective of military firefighting in a combat zone, a subject that has not been previously explored. The book resonates with readers, shedding light on the sacrifices and challenges faced by these unsung heroes.”

With nearly half a century of firefighting experience and having served as the Senior Fire Chief for the Department of Defense/U.S. Army, Dr. Kuk brings unparalleled expertise to this subject. He holds a Ph.D. and has authored over 100 peer-reviewed articles and 18 books.

Ben Franklin, recognized as the “Father of the American Fire Service,” left behind a rich legacy of written works that encouraged writers to express their beliefs and observations. Building upon this historical tradition, the NFHC strives to inspire today’s fire writers to create valuable historical narratives for future generations.

“We are delighted to present this well-deserved recognition to Dr. Kuk,” remarked Lt. Col. Dorner. “His book not only honors the heroic actions of soldier-firefighters in Vietnam but also contributes significantly to preserving America’s fire service history.”

NFHC Reflects on the Life of John Sonny Scarff, III

July 12, 2024

The National Fire Heritage Center (NFHC) sadly notes the passing of John “Sonny” Scarff, III, a globally recognized leader in the fire protection field. With a career spanning seven decades, Sonny, who was 88, made invaluable contributions to fire suppression and corporate fire safety, especially during his long tenure at Marriott Corporation.

Sonny’s journey began as a dedicated volunteer firefighter during his teenage years with the Carroll Manor Volunteer Fire Department in Adamstown, MD. in the 1950s. After serving in the U.S. Air Force, where he piloted B-25 bombers, he embarked on a distinguished fire suppression career with the Washington, D.C. Fire Department.

Due to his intense interest in being associated with busier fire departments, Sonny became affiliated with the Chillum-Adelphi Volunteer Fire Department in Prince George’s County, Maryland. While also working for the DCFD, he was afforded the opportunity to become a career fire officer with the CAVFD, where he excelled through the ranks, becoming known for his passion for training and devotion to advancing technologies that only later became commonplace elsewhere.

“Sonny was a unique and special individual in that he came up all the way from the bottom as a firefighter and then stepped into the highly powerful, complicated and sophisticated world of international business. . .”
Retired Montgomery County Fire Marshal Mike Love

In 1974, Sonny’s commitment to life safety led him to join the Marriott Corporation, where he served until his retirement in 2012. As the Vice President of Fire, Life Safety, and Security Design for the global enterprise, he exemplified excellence in the industry. His exceptional leadership and expertise in fire and safety earned him industry-wide recognition.

John Scarf Marriott Corporation — *When Vice President Scarff started, Marriott had 13 properties; today, it has over 8,000. (Photo Credit: Marriott Corp.)*

Retired Montgomery County, MD, Fire Marshal Mike Love remembered this remarkable career in an interview with Firehouse Magazine, stating: “Sonny was a unique and special individual in that he came up all the way from the bottom as a firefighter and then stepped into the highly powerful, complicated and sophisticated world of international business. . .”

Sonny’s commitment to the NFHC was unwavering, and he and his wife, Robin, were long-time supporters of the organization. Lynn White, President of the NFHC, expressed her gratitude for their invaluable contributions to the profession and the National Fire Heritage Center. “His legacy as a fire service leader and industry pioneer will continue to inspire generations to come and reduce fire losses in the hospitality industry.”

A celebration of life will be held at the Brunswick Volunteer Fire Department on Aug 3, 2024, from 1 to 5 p.m.

Captain Scarf Chillum-Adelphia Fire Department — *Captain Scarff with Chillum-Adelphia’s Engine 341, working a high-rise fire on a mutual aid call in Montgomery. Captain Scarff is in the left-most window.*