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Round 1 of the FY 2008 AFG Awards NVFC Announces Winners of National Junior Firefighter Scholarships FEMA under Fire Again for Shaky Aid Distribution NVFC, Johns Hopkins Research Project Receives FEMA Grant NVFC Lifetime Achievement Award Nomination Deadline is August 1 Number of People with Diabetes Increases to 24 Million
Round 1 of the FY 2008 AFG Awards The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today the first round of Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 Assistance to Firefighters Grants, awarding 126 grants totaling $11.6 million to fire departments within the United States. Click Here to view the Awards. Source: FEMA NVFC Announces Winners of National Junior Firefighter Scholarships The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), in partnership with the Dunkin’ Brands Community Foundation, has selected 10 outstanding junior firefighters to receive a $5,000 scholarship through the National Junior Firefighter Scholarship and Grant Program. The departments of each of the scholarship recipients will also receive a $5,000 grant to support their junior firefighter programs. In total, the program has awarded $100,000, thanks to support from the Dunkin’ Brands Community Foundation. “We are thrilled with the number of high quality applications we received,” said NVFC Executive Director Heather Schafer. “The Scholarship Review Committee faced a difficult task, but ultimately selected 10 applicants who serve as truly inspirational and outstanding examples of what it means to be a junior firefighter. These 10 individuals have gone above and beyond in their commitment and dedication to their programs, and they exemplify the future of the fire and emergency services. We are proud to partner with the Dunkin’ Brands Community Foundation to award these scholarships.” Currently in its inaugural year, the scholarship and grant program has been an enormous success, and hundreds of junior firefighters applied for the competitive scholarships. In addition, the number of juniors and departments registered for the National Junior Firefighter Program has more than doubled since the scholarship application period opened. “Throughout the country, Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins stores are great supporters of the fire departments that protect our communities,” said Paul Leech, co-chair of the Dunkin’ Brands Community Foundation. “With these scholarships, the Dunkin’ Brands Community Foundation is recognizing 10 youths who have shown amazing dedication to serving their communities and being part of the next generation of fire service leaders.” Click Here to Learn More Source: NVFC FEMA under Fire Again for Shaky Aid Distribution The Federal Emergency Management Agency is once again facing harsh criticism, as a new report is questioning the agency’s ability to effectively distribute relief supplies. With the flooded Midwest now facing disaster, what help will FEMA give? According to an article on the CNN website, the report by Department of Homeland Security Inspector General Richard Skinner slammed FEMA, saying field employees still rely on ad hoc computer systems and, in some instances, paper forms to order and distribute goods. Cots, tarps and other items donated by outside agencies and charities are not easily integrated into FEMA’s supply chain, the report added. “As a result, FEMA may be hindered in its ability to perform disaster response in an effective and timely manner,” the report said. CNN says the report was compiled before the Midwest floods earlier this month. However, CNN reports that FEMA has responded to the report, saying it already had identified the same shortcomings, had taken steps to upgrade its logistics systems and was on track to improve other systems in the coming months and years. To read the full article, click here: http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/06/18/fema.disaster.aid/index.html Source: Disaster Resources Guide NVFC, Johns Hopkins Research Project Receives FEMA Grant The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded a $1 million grant to the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (JHSPH) to complete a three-year research project in collaboration with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC). The goals of the project are to identify modifiable barriers to implementing wellness and fitness interventions among firefighters and fire departments and to develop and test a pilot intervention. Read full article.
NVFC Lifetime Achievement Award Nomination Deadline is August 1 Nominate an outstanding volunteer firefighter for the 2008 National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) Lifetime Achievement Award. Nominations must be received by August 1. Read full article.
Leadership Update: Senate Confirms Duke as Under Secretary for Management and Johnson as FEMA Deputy Administrator The U.S. Senate on Friday confirmed Elaine Duke as the department’s Under Secretary for Management and Vice Adm. (Ret.) Harvey Johnson as FEMA Deputy Administrator. In separate statements, Secretary Chertoff said he was pleased with the Senate’s confirmation of both Duke and Johnson. Commenting about Duke, the secretary said, “Time and time again, Elaine has demonstrated her ability to lead this department with sound management decisions. She is a consummate businesswoman with an undaunted dedication to our mission … I am grateful for Elaine’s service to her country and this department. I look forward to working closely with her as the department continues to mature and develop, and in preparing for a sound transition in 2009.” The secretary’s complete statement about Duke is available at: http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1214597976795.shtm. Regarding Johnson, the secretary said, “Thanks to his tireless dedication and leadership, FEMA is a greatly improved agency as demonstrated by its response to the California wildfires last year and this summer's devastating floods in the Midwest … I am grateful for Admiral Johnson's service to our homeland and congratulate him on this well deserved confirmation.” The secretary’s complete statement about Johnson is available at: http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1214600335101.shtm. Source: FEMA Number of People with Diabetes Increases to 24 Million Courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention In addition to the 24 million with diabetes, another 57 million people are estimated to have pre-diabetes, a condition that puts people at increased risk for diabetes. “These new estimates have both good news and bad news,” said Dr. Ann Albright, director of the CDC Division of Diabetes Translation. “It is concerning to know that we have more people developing diabetes, and these data are a reminder of the importance of increasing awareness of this condition, especially among people who are at high risk. On the other hand, it is good to see that more people are aware that they have diabetes. That is an indication that our efforts to increase awareness are working, and more importantly, that more people are better prepared to manage this disease and its complications.” Diabetes is a disease associated with high levels of blood glucose resulting from defects in insulin production that causes sugar to build up in the body. It is the seventh leading cause of death in the country and can cause serious health complications including heart disease, blindness, kidney failure, and lower-extremity amputations. Among adults, diabetes increased in both men and women and in all age groups, but still disproportionately affects the elderly. Almost 25 percent of the population 60 years and older had diabetes in 2007. And, as in previous years, disparities exist among ethnic groups and minority populations including Native Americans, blacks, and Hispanics. After adjusting for population age differences between the groups, the rate of diagnosed diabetes was highest among Native Americans and Alaska Natives (16.5 percent). This was followed by blacks (11.8 percent) and Hispanics (10.4 percent), which includes rates for Puerto Ricans (12.6 percent), Mexican Americans (11.9 percent), and Cubans (8.2 percent). By comparison, the rate for Asian Americans was 7.5 percent with whites at 6.6 percent. The data are an update of diabetes prevalence estimates last reported two years ago and now published in the 2007 National Diabetes Fact Sheet developed by CDC in collaboration with multiple agencies under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and other federal agencies. CDC also is releasing estimates of diagnosed diabetes for all counties in the United States. Derived from the agency's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (BRFSS) and census data, the estimates provide a clearer picture of areas within states that have higher diabetes rates. Nationally, the data indicate increased diabetes rates in areas of the Southeast and Appalachia that have traditionally been recognized as being at higher risk for many chronic diseases, including heart disease and stroke. “These data are an important step in identifying the places in a state that have the greatest number of people affected by diabetes,” said Dr.Albright. “If states know which communities or areas have more people with diabetes, they can use that information to target their efforts or tailor them to meet the needs of specific communities.” CDC, through its Division of Diabetes Translation, funds diabetes prevention and control programs in all 50 states, as well as the District of Columbia and eight U.S. territories and island jurisdictions. The National Diabetes Education Program, co-sponsored by CDC and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), provides diabetes education to improve the treatment and outcomes for people with diabetes, promote early diagnosis, and prevent or delay the onset of diabetes. For more information on diabetes, please visit www.cdc.gov/diabetes. To access the National Diabetes Fact Sheet and county-level estimates of diagnosed diabetes, click on the "data and trends" link at the left.
Source: CFSI FEMA Coordinates Federal Response to California Wildfires Continues to assist flooded Midwest states, receives praise for response efforts FEMA is coordinating the federal response to widespread wildfires in California after President Bush on Saturday declared that the state is eligible for emergency disaster assistance. The president's action opens the door for federal aid to supplement state and local response efforts in counties directly affected by the wildfires, which began June 20 and continue to burn. FEMA Administrator David Paulison will be traveling to California this week to conduct a first-hand assessment of the damage from the fires that have burned approximately 560 square miles, destroyed more than 50 buildings, and forced the evacuation of hundreds of people, according to various news reports. Under the president's declaration, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize, and provide equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the fires. The California counties most directly affected include Butte, Mendocino, Monterey, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Shasta, and Trinity. More information about this is available at: http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=44432. Meanwhile, FEMA is continuing to assist communities in the Midwest hard hit by massive flooding from the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. As an example, FEMA community relations specialists are visiting people in all counties in Iowa where federal disaster assistance is authorized. Specialists are speaking with residents, faith and community leaders, as well as emergency managers, and providing answers to questions about disaster assistance. "We want to make sure that all affected citizens know what FEMA can do for them and how to register for assistance," said Bill Vogel, Federal Coordinating Officer for FEMA's response in Iowa. More about this is available at: http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=44424. FEMA's response to the flooding in the Midwest has gained praise from state and local officials in affected states. In an article from the Associated Press, Iowa Lt. Gov. Patty Judge said FEMA had staff on the ground soon after the flooding began. In this same article, East St. Louis City Disaster Services Coordinator Rocco Goins credited FEMA with being proactive about possible levee breaches in the area and dispatching inspectors before the floodwaters arrived. He indicated that FEMA was very much on top of the situation. The latest on how FEMA is responding to the Midwest flooding and the California wildfire is available at www.fema.gov Source: FEMA The United States Fire Administration (USFA) has received notice of the following firefighter fatalities: Name: George E. Crocker Rank: Fire Chief Age: 32 Gender: Male Status: Volunteer Years of Service: 9 Date of Incident: 06/22/2008 Time of Incident: 0800hrs Date of Death: 06/22/2008
Fire Department: Pine Level Volunteer Fire Department Address: 110 W. Main St., Pine Level, NC 27576 (USNG: 17SQV49883343) Fire Department Chief: Pending
Incident Description: Fire Chief Crocker was found deceased in bed the morning of 06/22/2008. Within the previous 24hrs, Chief Crocker responded to one mutual aid fire and three EMS calls. The cause of Chief Crocker’s death is still to be reported.
Incident Location: 131 Buchanan Ln. Clayton, NC 27520 (USNG: 17SQV33005261) Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Memorial contributions may be made in the name of Fire Chief George E. Crocker to the N.C. Fallen Firefighters Foundation, 2501 Blue Ridge Road, Suite 150, Raleigh, NC 27607.
Tribute is being paid to Fire Chief George E. Crocker at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/ Name: Jeff Powers Fire Department: Southern Marin Fire Protection District Incident Description: Deputy Chief Jeff Powers collapsed at 1220 hours while talking to colleagues at the Sausalito Fire Department. Firefighters attempted to revive Powers in the ambulance, but were unsuccessful. Chief Powers passed away in the hospital emergency room. An autopsy will be performed. Funeral Arrangements - Pending Name: Gary L. Studer Fire Department: Whitehouse Fire Department Incident Description: While working at the Whitehouse fire station, Captain Studer’s partner found him unconscious at 0130hrs in his bunk on 6/20/2008. He was transported to St. Luke’s Hospital where he died due to complications related to a stroke. Funeral Arrangements: Visitation will be held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, July 1, 2008 and 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday July 2, 2008 at Peinert Funeral Home, Whitehouse, Ohio. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 3, 2008 at the fire station. Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Pending Tribute is being paid to Captain Gary L. Studer at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/ Name: Michael MacDonald Incident Description: On Friday, 06/27/08, Firefighter MacDonald was battling a fire on the north rim of the Grand Canyon National Park when he was bitten by an insect and taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. On Sunday, 06/29/08, he suffered anaphylactic shock from the antibiotics and was being flown to the Flagstaff Medical Center in Arizona. Approximately one quarter mile from the hospital, the helicopter collided with another medical-transport helicopter killing Firefighter MacDonald. Name: Robert Leland Knight Rank: Fire Chief Age: 42 Gender: Male Status: Volunteer Years of Service: 18 Date of Incident: 07/05/2008 Time of Incident: 1747hrs Date of Death: 07/05/2008
Fire Department: Teague Volunteer Fire Department Address: 400 Cedar St., Teague, TX 75860 (USNG: 14R QA 5761 0242) Fire Department Chief: Assistant Chief Tim Hedrick
Incident Description: Fire Chief Knight was conducting fire suppression activities in front of an upholstery/auto body shop. While advancing a hoseline, the front brick wall collapsed, entrapping Knight. Chief Knight was extricated and transported to East Texas Medical Center but did not survive his injuries.
Incident Location: 509 Elm Street, Teague, TX 75860 (Grid: 14R QA 5775 0219) Funeral Arrangements: Visitation on 07/08/2008 from 1800-2000hrs at Bowers Funeral Home, 900 U.S. HWY 84, Teague, TX 75860 (14R QA 5710 0426,www.bowersfuneralhome.net). Funeral services are at 1000hrs on 07/09/2008 at the First Baptist Church of Teague, 209 N 6th Avenue, Teague, TX 75860. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery.
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: A memorial fund has been established in the name of Fire Chief Robert Leland Knight at Citizens National Bank Teague, 420 Main St, Teague, TX 75860; (254) 739-2558 (http://www.cnbteague.net/index.jsp). In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Teague Volunteer Fire Department, 400 Cedar Street, Teague, TX 75860, or to the First United Methodist Church, 420 Walnut Street, Teague, TX 75860. Visit www.bowersfuneralhome.net to sign the memorial guestbook or leave a message for the family.
Tribute is being paid to Fire Chief Robert Leland Knight at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/ Name: Robert Roland Rank: Firefighter Age: 63 Gender: Male Status: Volunteer Years of Service: <1 Date of Incident: 07/02/2008 Time of Incident: 1200hrs Date of Death: 07/03/2008
Fire Department: Anderson Valley Volunteer Fire Department Address: 14281 HWY 128, PO Box 398, Boonville, CA 95415 (USNG: 10S DJ 6838 1761) Fire Department Chief: Colin Wilson
Incident Description: Firefighter Robert Roland was taken to Ukiah Valley Medical Center after he became fatigued and short of breath while helping to lay water hoses at the Oso fire near Philo. Roland passed away in the Intensive Care Unit from a cause still to be reported at 0400hrs the following morning.
Incident Location: Mill Creek watershed, near Philo, CA (USNG: 10S DJ 59 31). Funeral Arrangements: A private ceremony will be held 07/08/2008. Once the multiple fires in the area are controlled, the fire department will plan a memorial event to honor Firefighter Roland.
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: In memory of Firefighter Robert Roland, C/o Anderson Valley Volunteer Fire Department, 14281 HWY 128, PO Box 398, Boonville,CA 95415.
Tribute is being paid to Firefighter Roland at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/ Name: Richard L. Kear Rank: Firefighter Age: 58 Gender: Male Status: Paid-on-Call Years of Service: 16 Date of Incident: 07/07/2008 Time of Incident: 2008hrs Date of Death: 07/07/2008 Address: 7200 Wyandot SQ., PO Box 66, Harpster, OH 43323-9700 Fire Department Chief: Doug Reinschell Incident Description: Firefighter Kear was operating a fire department engine enroute to a vehicle fire when for a reason still under investigation by state police, the apparatus left the roadway and crashed. Kear was ejected from the vehicle and seriously injured. Another firefighter onboard the apparatus reportedly crawled out of the engine and began first aid until EMS units arrived. Firefighter Kear was airlifted to the hospital but did not survive his injuries. Funeral Arrangements: Pending Memorial Fund Contact and Address: In honor of Firefighter Richard L. Kear, C/o Pitt Township Volunteer Fire Department, 7200 Wyandot SQ., PO Box 66, Harpster, OH 43323-9700
Source: USFA |
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