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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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Smoke Alarm Recommendations Issued by IAFC Fire and Life Safety Section OSHA Seeks Input for Emergency Response and Preparedness Standard NFPA Research Foundation Needs your Input for Study on Firefighter Respiratory Exposure Secretary Chertoff Announces Resignation of Deputy Secretary Jackson Chief Medical Officer Emphasizes Need for Community, Individual Readiness in Response to Disasters
Smoke Alarm Recommendations Issued by IAFC Fire and Life Safety Section Fairfax, Va., Sept. 18, 2007... A smoke characterization study finalized earlier this year is prompting the International Association of Fire Chief’s (IAFC) Fire and Life Safety Section (FLSS) to issue recommendations to fire departments concerning the use of smoke alarms. The study, conducted by Underwriters Laboratories and the National Fire Protection Association’s Fire Protection Research Foundation, identifies differences and advantages to the two types of alarms in detecting smoke. Both ionization and photoelectric detectors are currently marketed to the public for residential installation. FLSS recommends that dual alarms using both technologies be installed for maximum protection. “We recognize that many departments in the United States have residential safety programs where they offer and install alarms at no charge. We suggest departments continue their programs with the alarms they have on-hand, but we recommend that they upgrade to the dual-technology devices when it’s time to restock,” said Chief Steven Westermann, IAFC President. “Life safety is an integrated strategy. Use the information in the FLSS position paper as part of your education plan to your community. Offer this as part of a comprehensive residential fire-protection program that includes integrating family-escape plans, proper usage of smoke alarms and installation of residential sprinkler systems,” added Westermann. FLSS presents its detailed recommendations in a position paper, which was reviewed and approved by the IAFC board of directors during their meeting in August. To view the position paper, go to www.iafc.org/flss. For further questions, contact FLSS staff liaison, Joelle Fishkin at jfishkin@iafc.org or 703-537-4843.
Source: IAFC OSHA Seeks Input for Emergency Response and Preparedness Standard The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is asking stakeholders for help determining what action the agency should take to further address emergency response and preparedness. Should OSHA take any action at all? According to an article by Katherine Torres on the Occupational Hazards website, OSHA published a Request for Information in the Sept. 12 Federal Register to decide what action, if any, the agency should take. “Elements of the health and safety for emergency responders are currently regulated by OSHA, primarily under six standards,” OSHA Administrator Edwin Foulke Jr. told Torres. “Some of these standards were promulgated decades ago and none were designed as a comprehensive emergency response standard. Emergency responders often encounter significant hazards while on the job, and this agency wants to ensure it is doing everything possible to keep these vital employees safe and healthy while at work.” According to Torres, current OSHA standards do not reflect all of the major improvements in safety and health practices that already have been accepted by the emergency response community and incorporated into industry consensus standards. OSHA is inviting the public to submit comments either electronically at www.regulations.gov, or by sending or hand delivering three copies to the OSHA Docket Office, Room N-2625, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave., N.W., Washington, DC 20210. To read the full article, click here: link
Source: Disaster Resource Guide NFPA Research Foundation Needs your Input for Study on Firefighter Respiratory Exposure The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Research Foundation is conducting a study on firefighter respiratory exposure. The purpose of the study is to help clarify best field practice guidance for when to use, and remove after using, SCBA and other respiratory equipment in order to lessen or prevent harmful respiratory exposure. The Foundation requests your help to obtain some basic information about your fire department, such as when your firefighters remove their SCBA at a fire scene and if your department utilizes guidelines or procedures to protect against adverse respiratory exposure. The Foundation's Information Collection Form takes only a moment to complete. The results of this data collection and study will help first responders avoid exposure to adverse atmospheres. A final summary report is scheduled for completion in December. The Information Collection Form is available at www.nfpa.org/RespExpStudy. Your feedback is sincerely appreciated and will help improve safety for firefighters and other emergency responders. For more information on the NFPA REsearch Foundation, visit www.nfpa.org.
Source: NVFC USFA Releases 2006 Firefighter Fatality Report The United States Fire Administration (USFA) has released the 2006 Annual Report on Firefighter Fatalities. The report examines the circumstances surrounding all on-duty firefighter deaths. This information is used to help identify ways to reduce the number of future firefighter fatalities. Heart-attack remained the leading cause of on-duty fatalities in 2006. Fifty of the 106 on-duty deaths, or 47%, were attributed to heart attack. This is the same percentage of firefighters who died of heart attack in 2005, when 55 of the 116 on-duty deaths that year were attributed to heart-attack. “The total number of on-duty firefighter deaths has been declining since 2004, but heart attack remains the number one cause of these deaths. We will continue our important work to educate firefighters on their heart-health risks and teach them the steps they can take to prevent cardiac events,” said Maggie Wilson, Director of Health and Safety.
Source: NVFC The IAFC and the USFA Develop Report on Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Firefighters and EMS Responders Fairfax, Va., Sept. 24, 2007... The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) announce the release of The Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Fire Fighters and EMS Responders. This new report is based on a comprehensive literature review of fatigue and sleep deprivation in other industries (primarily the transportation and medical fields) and features applications to the fire and emergency services as appropriate, along with useful mitigation strategies. A resource section is included. “This is an in-depth culmination of available sleep-deprivation research that, if taken seriously, should keep the fire chief awake at night,” said IAFC President Chief Steven P. Westermann. “The research can apply to any busy station, volunteer or career, with any of the traditional schedules, not just the newer 48/96 schedule. The report ends by providing several recommendations, not the least of which is how to spot sleep deprivation.” This program is a result of a partnership between the IAFC and USFA, with assistance from the faculty of Oregon Health & Science University. In addition to the report, a self-guided, computer-based training program has been developed. “We were pleased to work closely with the IAFC on this initiative,” said Chief Gregory B. Cade, U.S. Fire Administrator. “We have long known the stresses long-term operations place on all firefighters. The impact of sleep deprivation is an important issue to the health and safety impacts on members of the fire service and the residents they protect.” The Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Fire Fighters and EMS Responders and related training materials are available on the IAFC website at www.iafc.org/sleep. Information about this program may also be found on the USFA website at www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/research/safety/sleep_deprivation.shtm.
Source: IAFC Secretary Chertoff Announces Resignation of Deputy Secretary Jackson In a message to employees, Secretary Chertoff announced today the resignation of Deputy Secretary Michael Jackson, effective Oct. 26. He noted that Jackson has served the department as its chief operating officer since January 2005, and is the longest serving deputy secretary in the department. The secretary went on to describe some of his many contributions, saying that he “has devoted enormous energy, talent, and thought to making it a stronger, more integrated, and mature organization. He is a remarkable chief operating officer, my most trusted counselor, and a close personal friend.” Jackson’s contributions to homeland security predate his position at DHS. As Deputy Secretary at the Department of Transportation, he helped to stand up the Transportation Security Administration and managed the recovery efforts for the nation’s aviation industry after 9/11. In closing, the secretary said, “Our homeland is more secure and better prepared as result of Deputy Secretary Jackson’s tireless service, and on behalf of all Americans, I offer him our deep gratitude.”
Source: DHS Chief Medical Officer Emphasizes Need for Community, Individual Readiness in Response to Disasters Acting Assistant Secretary for Health Affairs and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jeffrey Runge told a conference in Charlotte, N.C., on Sept. 14 that the department is working on a number of new technologies to better detect and protect against the possibility of biological and chemical attacks. But these technologies are no substitute for individual citizens and communities planning for and practicing their response to such attacks, he said. In remarks at the Mid-Atlantic Human Patient Simulation Network Conference, Runge said that research through the department’s Science and Technology Directorate and U.S. Fire Administration has produced a prototype handheld device that can detect whether a patient has been exposed to various chemical, biological, or industrial toxins. The tool is designed to be used at triage points by first responders, EMS, or other health professionals following a potential terrorist attack, thus easing the burden on hospitals, he noted. In addition, he said the department is addressing protocols that will help determine the physiological impacts on first responders after they have managed a disaster scene. While these technologies will undoubtedly help the public and first responders in disaster situations, Runge said that they are being supplemented by the department’s public Ready Campaign, which is designed to inform and encourage citizens and communities about the need to prepare plans for disasters, whether caused by terrorism or nature. Noting that September is National Preparedness Month, Runge said the medical community has a special responsibility to reinforce the message of preparedness to patients. Medical practitioners, he said, should participate in community planning and exercises to ensure that those who need help with evacuation, or a safe place to shelter, have a plan that is easy to implement. In his remarks and at an earlier press conference with Charlotte Mayor Patrick McCrory, Runge praised the efforts of the city of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County for working diligently in developing and practicing a preparedness plan. “The advanced simulation center in Charlotte is one of those good investments, raising the level of preparedness throughout the region,” he said. Source: DHS The United States Fire Administration (USFA) has received notice of the following firefighter fatalities: Name: Leonard Bailey Fire Department: Elizabeth Volunteer Fire Co. Incident Description: Early in the morning, Fire Chief Bailey was Funeral Arrangements: Pending Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Pending Tribute is being paid to Fire Chief Leonard Bailey at Name: Bryon Wayne Johnson Fire Department: Sedgwick County Fire District #1 Incident Description: A tractor trailer rig took a wrong turn and had Funeral Arrangements: Pending Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Pending Tribute is being paid to Lieutenant Bryon Wayne Johnson at
Source: USFA |
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