Executive Directors Blog
Bill Webb has served as Executive Director of the Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI) since 1995. Established in 1989, CFSI is a nonprofit, nonpartisan policy institute designed to enhance Congressional awareness about the concerns and needs of the fire and emergency services. In his capacity, Bill works closely with members of Congress and fire service leaders on developing federal legislation to improve the readiness of our nation's fire and emergency services.
Previously, he served in the first Bush Administration as Director of Advance at the U.S. Departments of Education and Labor, traveling across the country and abroad organizing events for the Secretaries.
Let's Continue to Speak With One Voice
In 2008, the Congressional Fire Services Institute organized a Fire and Emergency Services Showcase on the National Mall. Local area departments participated in the event, showcasing state of the art equipment and apparatus for members of Congress, Read More »
On the same day Congress voted to raise the debt ceiling, my 82-year old mom had surgery to replace both her knees. For me, the similarities between these two events are as evident as the $14.2 trillion dollar debt that threatens the future of our e Read More »
WRITING: CHOOSE EACH WORD CAREFULLY AND BE CONCISE
Not long ago, I was asked to edit a letter that a number of organizations were going to submit to Congress on a very important issue. Rather than taking a perfunctory glance and offering a few minor tweaks, I offered some significant changes that I Read More »
For the past 16 years, ever since I became Executive Director, I have had a dilettantes understanding of the need for additional broadcast spectrum for public safety. I use the term "dilettante" because one needs to have been in an emergency situat Read More »
CONSENSUS IS THE KEY TO OUR SUCCESS
"Legislation has been put on the fast track." That’s not a term Congress often uses anymore. These days with partisan politics deeply imbedded in our political systems, it’s a small wonder that the wheels of Read More »
It looks like Congress will approve $390 million in FY2010 for the FIRE Act, which is a 30% reduction in funding from FY2009. Is that because of the economy being in the tank or could this be the start of a downward trend in FIRE Read More »
RECOGNIZING LEADERSHIP AND THE WILLINGNESS TO CHANGE
On April 2, 2009, the Congressional Fire Services Institute will host the 21st Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner in Washington, DC. While the event is our major fundraiser for the year, the dinner serves an equal Read More »
WORKING TOGETHER TO SUSTAIN FEDERAL SUPPORT FOR FIRE AND SAFER: We All Have Important Roles to Play
Last week, I received an email from Billy Goldfeder on the two St. Louis rigs that collided while going through an intersection en route to an emergency. As Billy said, there was something positive that came out of this video - n Read More »
THE CHANGING OF THE GUARD IS APPROACHING: Establishing New Contacts to Advance Our Agenda
Earlier in the week, I attended a party for Dan Kaniewski, who served as Special Assistant to the President for Homeland Security. Dan was one of the first interns I brought aboard CFSI shortly after I became Executive Director i Read More »
CIVILITY DEFINE US: Maintain the Course
If asked, most Americans would say they want a divided government, one in which neither political party has total control of the House, Senate and White House. They want a government in which different ideas can be debated openly and both Read More »
Two Weeks and Counting: Bracing for the Results of the Mid-Term Elections
You walk into a sports bar in Philadelphia and you'll probably hear folks talking about the Eagles or Phillies. In Chicago, the topic of conversation will be the Bears, Blackhawks or Bulls. But if you walk into a sports bar on Capitol Hill, Read More »
WHAT TO EXPECT IN WASHINGTON IN 2011? Be Prepared for Major Challenges
As of September, 2010, the federal debt was $13,433,710,591,905. . .give or take a few dollars. To erase the debt, every American would have to cut a check for $43,468 - from every newborn in hospital nurseries to every senior rounding the fina Read More »
If I Could Only Moderate a Presidential Debate
May 2008
In 1992, I served at the U.S. Department of Labor as a special assistant to the Secretary of Labor. My job was to accompany the Secretary around the county to events, both official and political Read More »