Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation in Volunteer Staffed Departments - NVFC

A Chicago native, Alisa Arnoff is a founding member of the Chicago law firm of Scalambrino & Arnoff, LLP, which will celebrate its 30th anniversary this year. Ms. Arnoff concentrates her practice in the areas of employment and labor law, representing privately and publicly held companies throughout the country. She has a keen interest in fire and emergency services, after an unexpected invitation to speak at Fire-Rescue International (FRI) in 2010 on a landmark United States Supreme Court case impacting firefighters. Since then, Alisa has spent much of her time providing training to various departments and at various fire/EMS conferences on personnel matters such as reducing discrimination, harassment, retaliation and bullying in fire/EMS; properly conducting investigations; introducing new company officers to the vagaries of employment law; and how to be an effective witness. Alisa also counsels firefighters throughout the country, particularly female firefighters, in connection with systemic issues that still impact fire/EMS.

John M. Buckman III served as a German Township Fire Chief managing volunteers for 35 years. He is most proud of the title “pawpaw.” Leslie his wife has spent 29 years together. He currently serves as Education Coordinator for the International Association of Fire Chief Volunteer and Combination Officers Section. He is the Director of Government and Regional Outreach for IamResponding. He served as the Indiana Fire Academy Director for 15 years. He served as President of the International Association of Fire Chief in 2001-2002.

He has authored over 150 articles in various publications. In 1996 he was selected by Fire Chief Magazine as Fire Chief of the Year in 1996. He has published 4 books and 7 photography books. He received the Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels Meritorious Service Award. The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2022 he received the Jimmy Seavey Health and Wellness award presented by the NVFC. and the Presidents Award from the International Society of Fire Service Instructors.

He was one of the founders of the Volunteer and Combination Officer Section (VCOS) and the National Fire Academy Alumni Association. He has contributed to several “ribbon reports” published by the VCOS. He was asked to be one of the editors for the original Lavender Ribbon Report published by the VCOS and NVFC in 2019. In 2021 he along with Brian McQueen spearheaded the update for the Lavender Ribbon Report. He is a principal author of the Yellow Ribbon Report and the updated updated Training Volunteers white paper published by the National Volunteer Fire Council and the Volunteer and Combination Officers Section.