During the opening ceremonies of Firehouse Expo, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) introduced The Arthur J. Glatfelter Distinguished Service Award for Outstanding Contributions to Support and Further the Mission of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.
“Art was a true gentleman who cared deeply about the well-being of all fire service members, and he guided the Foundation’s efforts to serve the survivors of the fallen and help prevent future line-of-duty deaths,” said Chief Ronald J. Siarnicki, executive director of the NFFF. “The Board of Directors created this prestigious new award to recognize others who follow Art’s lead and demonstrate extraordinary service to the Foundation.”
Tony Campisi, President/CEO of Glatfelter Insurance Group and Troy Markel, President of VFIS, a division of Glatfelter Insurance Group, accepted the inaugural award in honor of Mr. Glatfelter.
In 1951, Mr. Glatfelter founded the Glatfelter Insurance Group in his hometown of Dallastown, PA, which grew to be one of the largest privately owned agencies in the United States. He founded VFIS in 1969 to fill a need for insurance coverage for the nation’s fire and emergency services.
Today, VFIS is the world’s leading provider of insurance coverage as well as education and training programs for the emergency services community.
Mr. Glatfelter was instrumental in establishing and building the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial in 1981, and he served on the Board of Directors of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation from 1995-2005. He generously donated time and resources to the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend and sponsored the broadcast of the Weekend for many years.
Understanding the needs to elevate recognition of fire service issues, Glatfelter worked tirelessly with Congressman Curt Weldon to establish the Congressional Fire and Emergency Services caucus. He was a founding director of the Congressional Fire Services Institute and served on the board of the Fire Equipment Manufacturers and Services Association.
As his final gesture of commitment, Art Glatfelter generously remembered the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation in his last Will and Testament.
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