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Governmental Affairs Committee |
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GAC Resources For GAC documents, announcements, and information please click here to visit the microsite. Home Day 2007 Toolkit To download the Home Day 2007 Click Here Upcoming Events
HELP THE GAC!
Dear FAMA/FEMSA member: In January, you received an e-mail from the FAMA/FEMSA Governmental Affairs Committee (GAC) asking you to complete a survey that will help the GAC and its consultants learn what congressional relationships FAMA/FEMSA member companies have established. This information is essential to the GAC’s work to increase FAMA/FEMSA’s dialogue with federal government agencies in an effort to educate key officials on the important role our industry plays in providing equipment and services to the nation’s first responders. To help us enhance these efforts, we once again ask you to take a few moments to complete the enclosed survey. Specifically, this survey will help the GAC compile a comprehensive list of FAMA/FEMSA members’ locations and the congressional senators and representatives for those locations, an important step in establishing an educational network with the members of Congress and the administration. Please note that the survey can be conveniently completed online here. We also ask that the survey be completed as soon as possible. We have tried to keep this survey as simple and straightforward as possible. We thank you in advance for your assistance in this important effort. Sincerely, FAMA/FEMSA Governmental Affairs Committee
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A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM THE U. S. FIRE ADMINISTRATION (USFA) NVFC Continues Preparedness Efforts Six Years After 9/11 Kennedy, Kerry, Tierney Announce $49,000 in Federal Funding to Marblehead Fire Department GAO Study Says Homeland Security Failed to Perform Half the Time FM Global’s New Fire Prevention Grant Provides Support for Organizations Working to Combat Fire NFPA Report Finds More Fires But Fewer Deaths in 2006 DHS ADOPTS 11 NFPA STANDARDS FOR EMERGENCY RESPONDERS
A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM THE U. S. FIRE ADMINISTRATION (USFA) On September 10, 2007, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the A combination nationwide Web cast, teleconference, and television The broadcast is intended to serve as both a discussion on the NRF and The presentation, entitled “A Discussion on the National Response It will be presented by Mr. Dennis Schrader, Deputy Administrator of “This is a great opportunity for America’s fire service to receive a The presentation can be accessed, as noted, by the following information: Distribution Methods: Dish TV Network Access Instructions: Locations with Dish TV receivers can tune to Channel 9602 at the allotted Those wishing to access the discussion via the Internet Web cast can go to Submitting Questions: Questions can be submitted during the broadcast by sending an e-mail to: Those viewing the Web cast at the Vodium Web site will be able to submit Individuals will also be able to call toll free with questions during the 1-800-527-4893 “We at the United States Fire Administration are pleased to be hosting
Source: USFA NVFC Continues Preparedness Efforts Six Years After 9/11 Six years have passed since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) joins with the rest of the country in commemorating the tragic events of that day. Since the 9/11 attacks, the NVFC has remained committed in its efforts to increase disaster preparedness and awareness in the United States. "Today, we remember those who died in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001," said NVFC Chairman Philip C. Stittleburg. "Our thoughts and prayers are with their surviving families and friends." "Six years later, the NVFC remains committed to honoring the victims by working to improve national preparedness. We can’t change the past, but we will do everything within our power to ensure that history doesn’t repeat itself." In August 2002, the NVFC released a 119-page report entitled "The Role of the Volunteer Fire Service in the September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attacks." It was the first report that focused on the actions of thousands of volunteers who responded on that tragic day and the days afterward. Read the report. The NVFC works closely with other emergency service groups, federal officials, and members of Congress to strengthen national preparedness. For more information on those efforts, please visit www.nvfc.org.
Source: NVFC Kennedy, Kerry, Tierney Announce $49,000 in Federal Funding to Marblehead Fire Department BOSTON, MA- Senators Edward M. Kennedy and John Kerry and Congressman John F. Tierney today announced that the Marblehead Fire Department has received a federal grant of $49,000 under the Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. The funding will be used for operations and safety equipment. "This grant award will allow us to purchase radios designed to withstand the hazardous environments that firefighters must operate in. Using the most current technology, these radios will greatly enhance our firefighters' ability to communicate with each other as well as those from surrounding communities. We appreciate the continued support of the Senators and Congressman Tierney in helping Marblehead receive these vital grants. Firefighters safety is our top priority and this assistance from the federal government will have a positive impact on the safety of the members of our Department," said Chief Barry Dixey of the Marblehead Fire Department.
Source: FAMA GAO Study Says Homeland Security Failed to Perform Half the Time The Government Accountability Office says that in its four years of existence, the Department of Homeland Security has failed to meet even half of its performance expectations. But officials at the DHS disagree with the findings. The Associated Press’ Eileen Sullivan says AP has obtained a draft report from the GAO showing the conclusions of the congressional auditors. That report, Sullivan says, measures the DHS’s progress in 14 mission and management areas. The DHS’s primary mission is to prevent another terrorist attack and to minimize the damage should an attack take place. However, maritime security is the only area in which GAO auditors saw significant improvements, Sullivan says. But the DHS has disagreed with the findings, particularly with the way the GAO measured and defined progress. Auditors identified 171 performance expectations and found that the department had achieved fewer than half of them. The report also found that while the department has had success developing plans, it has not always been able to carry out the programs, such as the department’s efforts to identify places where people illegally enter the United States. To read the full article, click here: Link
Source: Disaster Resource Guide FM Global’s New Fire Prevention Grant Provides Support for Organizations Working to Combat Fire For organizations and agencies working to prevent the frequency and severity of fire in their communities but that also face ongoing budget constraints that can hamper their best efforts, relief may be in sight. FM Global, one of the world's largest business property insurers, has created a new Fire Prevention Grant Program so fire departments – as well as national, state, regional, local, and community organizations – can more effectively prevent fire, the leading cause of commercial and industrial property damage. Funding from the new program is available to support a wide variety of fire prevention, preparedness and control efforts including, arson prevention and investigation; pre-fire planning for commercial, industrial and institutional facilities; fire prevention education and training initiatives; and fighting fires in sprinklered buildings, to name a few. "At FM Global, we believe the majority of fire damage can be prevented and we are dedicated to helping those who share the same philosophy," said Michael Spaziani, the manager of the program. "Working together, we can make a difference in preventing fire loss, rather than simply responding to the incident after it occurs." For more information or to apply for a Fire Prevention Grant, please visit www.fmglobal.com/grants. The new grant program replaces FM Global's former arson grant fund, which, since 1974, has contributed millions of dollars to help fire services and related agencies prevent arson worldwide.
Source: NVFC NFPA Report Finds More Fires But Fewer Deaths in 2006 Fire departments in the United States responded to an estimated 1.6 million fires during 2006. These fires caused 3,245 civilian deaths and 16,400 injuries, according to a National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) report released September 10. The number of fires increased slightly by about 3% from 2005 to 2006 while fire deaths fell 12% and fire injuries were down by 8%. The total number of people that died from fires in 2006 (excluding firefighters) was the lowest since NFPA began collecting this data in 1977. NFPA’s study, Fire Loss in the United States During 2006, offers a detailed account of fire loss in 2006 and an analysis over time based on this new information. The annual snapshot of fire loss in the United States showed that every 19 seconds a fire department responded to a fire somewhere in the U.S. Someone died every two hours and 42 minutes from a fire, and someone was injured every 32 minutes. A fire occurred in a structure every minute, in a residence every minute and 16 seconds, and in a vehicle nearly every 2 minutes. Direct property loss from fires in 2006 was roughly $11 billion, an increase of 6% from 2005. Learn more and read the full report on the NFPA web site at www.nfpa.org. NFPA has been a worldwide leader in providing fire, electrical, building, and life safety to the public since 1896. The mission of this international nonprofit organization is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating consensus codes and standards, research, training and education.
Source: NPFA DHS Releases National Preparedness Guidelines DHS on Friday announced publication of two important tools to strengthen, organize, and synchronize national preparedness efforts: (1) the National Preparedness Guidelines, which establish a vision for national preparedness and provide a systematic approach for prioritizing preparedness efforts across the nation; and (2) the Target Capabilities List, which describes the collective national capabilities required to prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from terrorist attacks, major disasters, and other emergencies. “The National Preparedness Guidelines and Target Capabilities List are the culmination of extensive efforts to define the specific plans and capabilities our nation must possess in order to address catastrophic threats,” said Secretary Chertoff. “These documents will help focus policy, planning, and investments at all levels of government and the private sector in order to strengthen our collective capabilities and better prepare for major incidents.” Publication of the Guidelines and Target Capabilities List fulfills a major component of Homeland Security Presidential Directive 8, “National Preparedness,” and establishes a framework for understanding what it means for the nation to be prepared for all hazards. More information about this is available at: http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1189720458491.shtm.
Source: DHS DHS ADOPTS 11 NFPA STANDARDS FOR EMERGENCY RESPONDERS WASHINGTON, D.C. - The National Fire Protection Association and the U.S. "It is enormously important that first responders have the tools and The documents adopted will provide direction and allow officials to make "The threat of fire in any home, school, or business is a reality. To The 11 newly adopted standards are: * NFPA 1000, Standard for Fire Service Professional Qualifications The adoption of NFPA standards reflect the continuing support of a DHS previously adopted 14 NFPA standards that remain in use today. They * NFPA 1600, Standard on Disaster/Emergency Management and Business All NFPA safety codes and standards are developed through a process
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology NFPA has been a worldwide leader in providing fire, electrical,
Source: DHS
The United States Fire Administration (USFA) has received notice of the following firefighter fatalities: Name: Jerry W. Stucker Fire Department: Loss Prevention Department, Dow Corning Corporation Incident Description: Firefighter Stucker passed away from an apparent Funeral Arrangements: click here Memorial Fund Contact and Address: The family has asked that any Tribute is being paid to Firefighter - EMT Jerry W. Stucker at Name: Kelly Page Fire Department: City of Lowell Fire Department Incident Description: Firefighter Page had worked a number of calls Funeral Arrangements: Wake, 09/20/2007, 1400-2000 hours at Fay McCabe Memorial Fund Contact and Address: A scholarship fund will be Tribute is being paid to Firefighter Kelly Page at Name: William D. McDaniels, Sr. Fire Department: Mocanaqua Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 Incident Description: Fire Police Captain McDaniels responded to a Funeral Arrangements: Mayo Funeral Home Inc., 77 N. Main St., Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Condolences may be sent to the Tribute is being paid to Fire Police Captain William D. McDaniels, Sr.
Source: USFA |
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