VCOS

Four Awards Sponsored by VCOS and its Corporate Sponsors
You must be an IAFC member to be nominated for any of the following VCOS award but you do not have to be a VCOS member. 

John M. Buckman III Leadership Award, sponsored by Provident Insurance and VCOS
The John M. Buckman III Leadership Award recognizes a chief officer of a volunteer or combination department who stands out on the local and/or regional level as a true professional who has demonstrated leadership, integrity and outstanding moral values within the fire service. In addition to the actual award, Provident will pay for the winner’s travel and lodging expenses to attend the award ceremonies at the VCOS Symposium in the Sun. Symposium registration costs will be picked up by the VCOS. 

Emergency Vehicle Safe Operations Achievement Award, sponsored by VFIS and VCOS
The Emergency Vehicle Safe Operations Achievement Award, designed to support the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and the USFA initiatives to reduce firefighter injuries and deaths as a result of vehicle accidents, recognizes emergency service organizations which have experienced no accidents for a one-year period. The organization must have at least one member who is an IAFC member and must also demonstrate a functioning vehicle safety program. The organization which is selected as the winner of the award will have all transportation and hotel expenses paid by VFIS for one member of the organization to attend Symposium in the Sun and VCOS will pay for that member’s conference registration.

Retention and Recruitment Award, sponsored by VFIS and VCOS
The Retention and Recruitment Award recognizes success and excellence in the retention and recruitment of emergency service organization members. The program will distinguish the application of state-of-the-art management activities and personnel initiatives that result in the increase and retention of members. The individual submitting the entry must be a member in good standing of the IAFC and the program must have been in place for one full year. The organization which is selected as the winner of the award will have all transportation and hotel expenses paid by VFIS for one member of the organization to attend Symposium in the Sun and VCOS will pay for that member’s conference registration.

Training Officer Award, sponsored by TargetSafety and VCOS
The Training Officer Award, open to fire chiefs, training officers and others whose focus is on fire service education, recognizes those who make a difference in the community by demonstrated dedication to the safety of their department. The award winner will receive conference registration to Fire-Rescue International, roundtrip airfare to the event and a three-night stay at a conference hotel from TargetSafety. The winner will be notified by July 1, 2011. 

Four Scholarships Available from VCOS
You must be an IAFC and a VCOS member to submit an applicaiton for a VCOS-sponsored scholarship. 

Two $1500 Scholarships Available for Attendance at Fire Rescue International (FRI)
VCOS will award two $1,500 scholarships to attend Fire-Rescue International. This scholarship program was developed to promote leadership through learning among volunteer and combination officers. Scholarships will be awarded based on the applicant’s description of how the department or the attendee will benefit from FRI attendance. Applicants for the scholarships must be members of the IAFC, but do not have to be VCOS members. The winners will be awarded the scholarship checks at the conference.

Two $1500 Scholarships Available for Attendance at Symposium in the Sun
VCOS will award two $1,500 scholarships to attend Symposium in the Sun. This scholarship program was developed to assist IAFC/VCOS members who would benefit by the first-class educational training offered at Symposium but cannot afford to attend. Scholarships will be awarded based on the applicant’s description of how the department or the attendee will benefit from attendance at Symposium in the Sun. Applicants for the scholarships must be members of the IAFC and the VCOS. The winners will be awarded the scholarship checks at the conference.

Scholarship Available from Sponsor
The Gasaway Consulting Group is sponsoring a $1,500 Emerging Leader Scholarship to assist with registration and travel expenses to Symposium in the Sun. This scholarship program seeks to assist in the development of an up-and-coming new leader of a volunteer or combination fire department. Applicants do not need to be IAFC or VCOS members. The winner will be awarded the scholarship check at the conference.