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Governmental Affairs Committee |
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US FIRE GRANT SUPPORT GAC Resources For GAC documents, announcements, and information please click here to visit the microsite.
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FEMA Partners with NOAA in Sponsoring Hurricane Preparedness Week Nationwide Emergency Mobile Telephone Alert System Soon to Be Realized Fire/EMS Safety, Health, and Survival Week is June 22-28 National Men's Health Week is June 9-15
Department of Homeland Security Application Period for Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Services (SAFER) Grants Now Open – Available Funds Increased Under the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2008, Congress appropriated $190 million for SAFER Grants. The grants are competitive but the increase of funding in FY2008 provided by the Congress is more than 60% higher than the FY2007 level -- equally increasing the applicant’s chance for success. Beginning May 27, 2008, at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) began accepting applications for SAFER Grants. The deadline for receipt of the SAFER Grant applications will be 5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on June 27, 2008. The applications are automated and accessible from www.firegrantsupport.com. The SAFER Grants are administered by the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency.
FEMA Partners with NOAA in Sponsoring Hurricane Preparedness Week FEMA last week partnered with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to sponsor National Hurricane Preparedness Week. Held May 25-31, the week was designed to remind the public, particularly those in coastal areas, to begin preparing now for this year's hurricane season, which began on June 1. FEMA External Affairs developed a calendar to highlight seven preparedness themes — one for each day of Hurricane Preparedness Week. The calendar is posted on the Hurricane Season 08 Web page with links to brief video interviews with FEMA Administrator Paulison and other senior FEMA leadership describing FEMA initiatives related to the daily preparedness themes. The calendar with video links is available at: http://www.fema.gov/hazard/hurricane/hu_season08.shtm. In one such video clip, Eric Smith, Associate Administrator for FEMA's Logistics Management Directorate, describes the improvements that have been made in coordinating the movement of supplies with other partners in times of disasters, and in hiring more people with the technical expertise to make FEMA more responsive. "I'm confident that whatever scenario we face this summer, we'll be able to meet it," he said. Before the start of Hurricane Preparedness Week, FEMA Administrator Paulison and NOAA Administrator Conrad Lautenbacher participated in a news conference announcing NOAA's forecast for the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season and urging residents to make their emergency plans now, before a storm threatens. NOAA's forecast projects a near normal or above normal hurricane season in the Atlantic Basin this year. Its Climate Prediction Center outlook calls for considerable activity, with a 65 percent probability of an above normal season and a 25 percent probability of a near normal season. For 2008, the outlook indicates a 60 to 70 percent chance of 12 to 16 named storms, including six to nine hurricanes and two to five major hurricanes (Category 3 or above). An average season has 11 named storms, including six hurricanes, of which two reach major hurricane status. NOAA made no predictions on whether, where, or when any of the storms would make landfall. More information about this is available at: http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=43644.
Nationwide Emergency Mobile Telephone Alert System Soon to Be Realized May 30, 2008 (WASHINGTON) – Today, House Homeland Security Chairman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) and Subcommittee on Emergency Communications, Preparedness and Response Chairman Henry Cuellar (D-TX) applauded the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for taking steps to support a nationwide emergency alerts and warnings system for State and local partners. On May 14, the Homeland Security Subcommittee dealing with emergency communications, Chaired by Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-TX), raised concerns about the Federal government’s lack of attention to developing effective alert and warning capabilities across cell networks that State and local emergency managers could harness.
Source: Homeland Security
Fire/EMS Safety, Health, and Survival Week is June 22-28 The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) has partnered with the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) to promote the 2008 Fire/EMS Safety, Health, and Survival Week, scheduled for June 22-28. The theme for the week is “Committed to Long-Term Results,” which encourages long-term investments by both chiefs and firefighters to enhance their health and safety. The ultimate goal is to institute a strong culture of health and safety within the fire and emergency medical services.
Learn more about this year’s program and access planning resources developed by the IAFC Safety Health and Survival Section. Learn more about health in the fire and emergency services through the NVFC’s Heart-Healthy Firefighter Program. Also stay tuned to the Heart-Healthy Firefighter web site and E-news for more information regarding the second annual National Firefighter Health Week, to be held from August 18-22. Learn more about the NVFC/USFA Emergency Vehicle Safe Operations Initiative.
National Men's Health Week is June 9-15 Men have a life expectancy about five years shorter than women’s, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Men also have a higher death rate than women from the top 10 overall causes of death. This is in part because men are less likely than women to seek medical care, resulting in delayed detection of health problems. National Men’s Health Week was created to heighten the awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys. First established in 1994 by a bill passed by Congress and signed by President Bill Clinton, National Men’s Health Week is observed each year during the week ending on Fathers’ Day. The week is organized by the Men’s Health Network, an organization committed to improving health and wellness in men. Anchored by a large health education and screening program in Congress, National Men’s Health Week is observed across the country with screenings, health fairs, media appearances, and other health education and outreach activities. The leading cause of death in men – and firefighters – is heart attack, which accounts for 27% of all male deaths, according to the CDC. Male firefighters and the male family members of firefighters can take action now to adopt a healthy lifestyle, reduce their risk of heart and other diseases, and increase their life expectancy. The National Volunteer Fire Council’s Heart-Healthy Firefighter Program provides resources, information, and tools to help first responders – both male and female – eat right, get fit, and enjoy a long and healthy life. Find out more about National Men’s Health Week. Learn more about heart-health and maintaining a healthy lifestyle with the Heart-Healthy Firefighter Program.
Source: NVFC The United States Fire Administration (USFA) has received notice of the following firefighter fatality: Name: Russell Thomas Topping Rank: Firefighter Age: 28 Gender: Male Status: Volunteer Years of Service: Unk Date of Incident: 05/31/2008 Time of Incident: 1845hrs Date of Death: 05/31/2008 Address: PO Box 43, Barnsdall, OK 74002-0043 Fire Department Chief: B.J. Dildine Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Pending
Tribute is being paid to Firefighter Russell Thomas Topping at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/
Source: USFA |
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