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CRS report on FY2009 Appropriations request for DHS 2007 NVFC Annual Report Now Available Online D Block Hearing Examines Failures, Plans for Future NEMSAC Holds Inaugural Meeting ICC Now Accepting Nominations for 2008 Fire Service Award IAFC Foundation's Scholarship Application Deadline: June 1 DHS Awards $844 Million to Secure Nation’s Critical Infrastructure Focus on EMS During National EMS Week, May 18-24 Homeland Security Opportunities e-publication: MAY 2008
CRS report on FY2009 Appropriations request for DHS The Congressional Research Service report is a guide to the issues, scope and funding levels for the department and related spending. Source: GAC 2007 NVFC Annual Report Now Available Online The National Volunteer Fire Council’s (NVFC) 2007 Annual Report is now available for download. The report provides a summary of the NVFC’s activities throughout 2007, including sections on NVFC programs such as Fire Corps, the Heart-Healthy Firefighter Program, and the National Junior Firefighter Program, as well as legislative efforts, EMS initiatives, and more. Find out what the NVFC is doing for you and download the report now. Source: NVFC D Block Hearing Examines Failures, Plans for Future Earlier this month, the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet held a hearing with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to analyze the 700MHz spectrum auction. One major component of the auction was an area of spectrum known as the D Block, an important area of focus for the volunteer emergency services. If sold, the D Block would utilize 10MHz of spectrum specifically for public safety and the development of an interoperable communications system. Read full article. Source: NVFC NEMSAC Holds Inaugural Meeting The newly formed National EMS Advisory Council (NEMSAC) met for the first time April 24 and 25 at Department of Transportation headquarters in Washington, DC. Read full article. Source: NVFC ICC Now Accepting Nominations for 2008 Fire Service Award The International Code Council (ICC) is calling for nominations for the 2008 ICC Fire Service Award, which will be presented at the ICC Annual Conference and Final Action Hearings in September. This award is given to a member of ICC whose service, professional abilities and leadership have been exemplary in the development of the ICC Fire Code and have served as an example to all fire prevention and fire protection professionals. The award is in honor of Robert W. Gain, a founder of the Uniform Fire Code and distinguished member of the organizations promulgating the fire code. Deadline for nominations is June 16. Learn more and download application. Source: NVFC IAFC Foundation's Scholarship Application Deadline: June 1 Fairfax, Va., May 15, 2008... Fire and emergency-service professionals who want to further their professional education can apply for educational scholarships with the International Association of Fire Chiefs Foundation (IAFCF). The Foundation provides financial assistance to emergency-services personnel for study at college level or above. The IAFC Foundation awards grants once a year, ranging from $500 to $5,000. The deadline for application is June 1, 2008. The IAFC’s Federal Military section will sponsor one of this year’s awards, which will be given to a qualified applicant who is a member of the IAFC Federal Military Section or is with a federal or military department. Funding for this Federal Military Section Scholarship is made possible from the proceeds of the sale of the IAFC Federal Military section commemorative coin. If you would like to purchase these coins, contact Chief John Wentzel at jwentzel@iafc.org. The first annual Garry L. Briese Scholarship will also be awarded this year. This scholarship fund was created and endowed last year with the generous support from the Motorola Foundation and contributions from other IAFC Foundation supporters. “I am impressed with the depth and breadth of our applicants,” said Chief William Askenstedt, IAFC Foundation board member and member of the selection committee. “I’m proud to be associated with professionals who not only support their community, but make the extra effort to advance their education.” Scholarship funds must be used to support tuition to a recognized institution of higher education. Other scholarship eligibility criteria are: -Demonstrated proficiency within the fire service Last year, 13 first responders received a total of $21,500 in awards from the IAFC Foundation; unfortunately, many other highly qualified applicants had to be turned away due to lack of adequate funding. “This is the time for our current fire-service leaders to give back to our profession by educating and preparing the next generation of leaders,” said Chief William D. Killen, IAFC Foundation board member and past IAFC president. “Please consider making a contribution to the IAFC Foundation Scholarship Program or sponsoring a scholarship.” For more information on how to support the Foundation or apply for a scholarship, contact Judy Kirk at jkirk@iafc.org or call 703-537-4830. Applications are available for download on www.iafc.org under Resources > Download Documents or at www.iafcf.org. Source: IAFC DHS Participates in National Level Exercise For several days last week, DHS participated in the National Level Exercise (NLE 2-08) that merged the objectives of U.S. Northern Command's Ardent Sentry 2008 exercise, FEMA’s National Continuity Program's Eagle Horizon 2008 exercise, and FEMA’s Disaster Operation's Hurricane Preparedness Exercise. Source: DHS DHS Awards $844 Million to Secure Nation’s Critical Infrastructure DHS on Friday announced more than $844 million in grant awards as part of its Infrastructure Protection Activities (IPA) grant program, representing an increase of 29 percent from last year. Secretary Chertoff made the announcement at Union Station in Washington, D.C., where some of the grant funds are targeted to improving the security of the rail transit system. These grants will strengthen security at ports, enhance transit, trucking, and intercity bus systems, and will be used to prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from terrorist attacks, major disasters, and other emergencies. In a press statement, the secretary noted that, with this round of grant awards, the department will have provided roughly $3 billion in grants for securing the nation’s critical infrastructure and transportation systems. “As capabilities mature, we’re encouraging state and local governments and the private sector to prioritize [Improvised Explosive Device] prevention and protection, communications capabilities, information sharing, and regionally based security cooperation,” he said. The following list shows the grant programs and amounts being awarded: More information about this is available at: http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1210954542145.shtm. Source: DHS 2008 Firewise Leadership Awards: Call for Nominations: Awards promote local, regional, state efforts to reduce wildfire risk The national Firewise Communities Program is calling for nominations for its third annual awards program to recognize outstanding efforts to promote a cooperative approach to reducing the loss of lives, property, and resources in the wildland/urban interface. The Firewise Leadership Awards are open to individuals and organizations conducting wildland fire mitigation activities in residential developments in the wildland/urban interface. Eligible Firewise efforts may include, but are not limited to: •Innovations in engineering •Two Regional Level Awards – Impact in more than one state The national Firewise Communities program is an interagency program designed to encourage local solutions for wildfire safety by involving homeowners, community leaders, planners, developers, firefighters, and others in the effort to protect people and property from the risk of wildfire. For more information, visit www.firewise.org. Source: FireCorps Focus on EMS During National EMS Week, May 18-24 This week is National EMS Week, a time to celebrate and honor those serving in the emergency medical field. Brought to you by the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), this event brings together local communities and emergency medical personnel to publicize safety and honor the dedication of those who provide the day-to-day lifesaving services on the medical front line. Hundreds of grassroots activities coast-to-coast have been planned around this year’s theme, "EMS: Your Life is Our Mission." This statement was chosen to recognize the commitment that emergency medical personnel make to the communities they serve. This dedication to their mission provides round-the-clock care to communities across the nation. There are many ways Fire Corps volunteers can help their community’s first responders, both firefighters and emergency medical personnel. For example, the Ingleside (TX) Fire Corps program is working to promote the Vial-of-Life project, a program which encourages individuals to post their medical information on their refrigerators in order to assist emergency personnel in administering proper medical treatment. Fire Corps programs can participate in National EMS Week by recognizing outstanding emergency medical responders on their department web site or hosting an open-house to educate the public about your EMS services. The ACEP has created EMS Week Fact Sheets you can distribute during your EMS Week activities. You can customize the sheets with your department’s logo and contact information. Refer to the ACEP’s 2008 EMS Week Planning Guide and Ideas for a Successful EMS Week to find tips and activity ideas. Topics include hosting an open house; working with the media; joining one of the many national events held around the country; reaching out to special populations such as the elderly, children, and those with limited English proficiency; and more. EMS Week is supported by a network of partner organizations including the National Volunteer Fire Council and the International Association of Fire Chiefs. Learn more about National EMS Week.
Source: FireCorps Homeland Security Opportunities e-publication: MAY 2008 Dear Colleague, The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the newest federal agency, spends millions of dollars each year. Much of that spending is used to purchase goods and services that are vital to the functioning of the Department and the security of our nation. I am certain that many of your constituents have expressed an interest in learning how to do business with DHS, but have been frustrated in their attempts. I routinely hear complaints from business owners whose experiences have led them to believe that that are shut out of the process. I am committed to working diligently to resolve this situation. Notwithstanding these efforts, a part of the solution rests with providing business owners with the kind of critical information that can aid their success. Our monthly e-publication, Business Opportunities at DHS, should be serve as a solid resource for you and your constituents. You can retrieve this month’s newsletter by visiting: http://homeland.house.gov/SiteDocuments/20080520152618-13141.pdf Sincerely,
Source: Homeland Security The United States Fire Administration (USFA) has received notice of the following firefighter fatality: Name: Joseph R. Mixon Rank: Training Captain Age: 51 Gender: Male Status: Career Years of Service: 23 Date of Incident: 05/12/2008 Time of Incident: 1230hrs Date of Death: 05/13/2008
Fire Department: Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service Department Address: 1808 Seventh AVE N., Birmingham, AL 35203 Fire Department Chief: Ivor J. Brooks Fire Department Website: http://www.informationbirmingham.com/Fire/
Incident Description: Captain Mixon was on duty the morning of Monday, May 12th, when he took ill and left for home at approximately 1230hrs. Mixon went to the doctor with upper respiratory type symptoms and after being examined returned to his residence. Captain Mixon suffered a CVA at approximately 0030hrs on Tuesday morning the 13th and was transported to the hospital where unfortunately he passed away later in the day.
Funeral Arrangements: Viewing 05/15/2008 from 1800-2100hrs @ Westwood Baptist Church, Forestdale, AL. Services, 05/16/2008 @ 1100hrs at Westwood Baptist Church. Memorial Fund Contact and Address: In honor of Training Captain Joseph R. Mixon, C/o Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service Department, 1808 Seventh AVE N., Birmingham, AL 35203
Tribute is being paid to Training Captain Joseph R. Mixon at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/
Source: USFA
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