---

James Rebholz, ESGR National Chairman and the Honorable Gregory B. Cade, US Fire Administrator (USFA Photo)

James Rebholz, ESGR National Chairman and Dr. Cortez Lawrence, Superintendent of the Emergency Management Institute (USFA Photo)

United States Fire Administrator and Superintendent of the Emergency Management Institute sign Statements of Support for the National Guard and Reserve

(Emmitsburg, MD) Mr. James Rebholz, ESGR National Chairman, announced that the Honorable Gregory B. Cade, United States Fire Administrator, signed a Statement of Support for the National Guard and Reserve on December 9, 2008. In addition to the signing by Cade, Dr. Cortez Lawrence, Superintendent of the Emergency Management Institute, also signed a Statement of Support.

The United States Fire Administration (USFA) and the Emergency Management Institute (EMI) join with thousands of America’s public and private employers in pledging:

To fully recognize, honor and enforce the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act (USERRA).

To assure their managers and supervisors will have the tools they need to effectively manage those employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve.

To continually recognize and support our country’s service members and their families in peace, in crises and in war.

“This is a significant event not only for the USFA and EMI, but for all federal and state Department of Public Safety employees. The first responder employment segment is one of the largest employers of National Guardsmen and Reservists in the country,” said Rebholz. ”I am asking all of America’s public employers to reaffirm that their current human resources policies are a leading examples of compliance with Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA).”

“The USFA and EMI join a cadre of Fortune 500 companies, national employer associations, state and federal agencies in publicly demonstrating support for our armed forces,” added Rebholz. “By signing the Statement of Support, Chief Cade, and Dr. Lawrence are sending a clear message to Public Safety Departments across the nation to join with the USFA and EMI to ensure that while their employees are serving their country they do not have to worry about their civilian jobs.”

As an entity of the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency, the mission of the USFA is to foster a solid foundation in prevention, preparedness, and response by providing national leadership to local fire and emergency services. When Congress passed P.L. 93-498, the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act, in 1974; it established the United States Fire Administration (USFA) and its National Fire Academy (NFA). Since that time, through data collection, public education, research and training efforts, USFA has helped reduce fire deaths and making our communities and our citizens safer.

“The men and women of America’s fire service are known for their unwavering dedication to their fellow citizens in every community across this nation,” said U.S. Fire Administrator Greg Cade. “Among our firefighters, there are a great number that take their dedication to an exceptional level. These special firefighters are dedicated to protecting this nation and our way of life as members of the National Guard and Reserves. These men and women are not only worthy of our admiration, but also our unwavering support as they accept and carry out their duties as members of their own National Guard and Reserve units.”

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) is a Department of Defense agency established in 1972. The mission of ESGR is to gain and maintain employer support for Guard and Reserve service by recognizing outstanding support, increasing awareness of the law, and resolving conflicts through mediation. ESGR volunteers provide free education, consultation, and if necessary mediation for employers of Guard and Reserve employees.

As the 1.3 million members of the National Guard and Reserve continue to perform an increasing number of unique missions that require extraordinary actions on the part of everyday citizens, ESGR will continue to be the informational agency for the employers of America’s citizen warriors. More information about ESGR Employer Outreach Programs and volunteer opportunities is available at www.esgr.mil or by contacting Tom Bullock, Chief, Employer Outreach, of the National ESGR Committee, at 703-696-1386, or email tom.bullock@osd.mil.