General guidelines for visiting with members of Congress and their staff

Discussion guidelines

  • Tell them who you are and introduce your company with a brief description/profile of the company and where you are located in the state and/or district.
  • Thank the representative/senator for past and future support of the fire service, first responders, and the Fire Grants program
  • Tell them why you requested the meeting: to talk about key FAMA/FEMSA priorities that are also critical to the success of your business and its employees in the district.
    • The importance of the Fire Grants program to the nation’s first responders
    • The important role the U.S. Fire Administration plays in protecting the American public
    • The importance of the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Program
    • Clarity and communication within the grant process
  • Talk about how your products help first responders—in other words, educate them on how important your products are to first responders.
  • Tell them something positive about how your company is helping the state and/or congressional district, be it retaining jobs, expanding jobs, or social/first responder outreach
  • If the meeting does not take place in your facility, invite them to visit your facility in the near future.
  • If you have a specific issue affecting your company, brief them on it.
  • Thank them for their time. You know they are busy and have many demands on their time.  You look forward to following up on the items you discussed.
  • Give the person you are meeting with time to ask questions at any point. Give and take is always better.
  • Be brief, courteous and respectful of their hectic schedule. They seldom get thanked for their support of various programs.

Time

Congressional district office                        20 to 30 minutes
Manufacturing plant                                       1 to 1½ hours

Leave behind

  • Handout on FAMA/FEMSA 2010 legislative priorities
  • Company annual report and/or company brochure
  • “10 Key Facts about the Fire Service and Industry”

 

Follow up

Provide a follow-up letter expressing the importance of the Fire Grants program and the U.S. Fire Administration to the nation’s 1.1 million first responders and thanking them for the meeting.

Remember

    • Be brief
    • Be courteous
    • Be informative
    • Be a future resource