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Start Planning Now for National Preparedness Month Maryland Governor Pushes for Statewide Communication System NVFC Federal Legislative Update Fire Alarm Systems: What do the Codes Say? Department of Justice Making Progress on Hometown Heroes PSOB Cases NVFC Lifetime Achievement Award Nomination Deadline is August 1 President, FEMA Administrator Survey California Wildfire Damage FEMA is Different Today, Official Says
CONGRESSIONAL FIRE SERVICES INSTITUTE ELECTS NEW BOARD MEMBER:Chris Neal to join CFSI Board of Directors (Washington, DC) The Congressional Fire Services Institute Board of Directors has elected Chris Neal as its newest board member. Currently serving as Director of Fire Protection Publications at Oklahoma State University, Mr. Neal fills a board vacancy following the retirement of Arthur J. Glatfelter from the CFSI board in December 2007. In addition to his role as Director of Fire Protection Publications, Chief Neal is the Executive Director of the International Fire Service Training Association (IFSTA). Source: CFSI More than 1,200 Join National Preparedness Month Coalition: DHS Ready Campaign and Citizen Corps actively engage individuals and businesses More than 1,200 national, regional, state, and local businesses and organizations have pledged their support and joined the 2008 National Preparedness Month Coalition. Sponsored by the department’s Ready Campaign, National Preparedness Month helps to raise awareness and promote action by Americans, businesses, and communities to prepare for emergencies. Source: DHS Start Planning Now for National Preparedness Month September is National Preparedness Month and Fire Corps has updated its online National Preparedness Month Resource Center to help local Fire Corps programs and citizens start preparing now. The Resource Center provides valuable information on a variety of preparedness topics, including hurricane and other weather-related disasters, terrorism, fire safety, and preparedness for individuals with disabilities. Launched in 2004, National Preparedness Month is celebrated each September to encourage Americans to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses, and schools. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Ready Campaign, the month is an opportunity to increase public awareness about the importance of preparing for emergencies and to encourage individuals to take action. This year’s theme focuses on important preparedness steps individuals should take, including getting an emergency supply kit, making a family emergency plan, being informed, and getting involved. Fire Corps developed the National Preparedness Month Resource Center to provide tools, resources, and materials that Fire Corps teams can utilize to help ready themselves and their community for emergency situations. Access the Fire Corps National Preparedness Month Resource Center online at www.firecorps.org. Fire Corps is a member of the National Preparedness Month Coalition, which is comprised of over 1,300 organizations that have partnered together to support and promote the initiative. Learn more about National Preparedness Month at www.ready.gov. Source: Disaster Resources Guide Maryland Governor Pushes for Statewide Communication System In an attempt to better organize both state and local emergency response, Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley has unveiled the state’s ambitious plan to build a single communications network for first response. The Associated Press’ Brian Witte is reporting that the system will take five to eight years to construct. It will eventually involve building five towers and two fiber optic connectivity projects and connecting 911 centers and hospitals statewide. “Today we’re talking about one radio system that we can communicate with all of our partners in municipal, county and state government,” Terrence Sheridan, the superintendent of the Maryland State Police, told Witte. However, Witte says it’s still unclear how much the new system will cost. O’Malley estimates the price could be between $400 million and $1 billion, with the money coming from federal, state and local sources over at least several years. While the overall project will take years, Maryland Transportation Authority Police, the Maryland State Police and the SHA will be the first agencies linked into the new system. To read the full article, click here: http://www.examiner.com/a-1481924~Md__gov__pushes_for_statewide_communication_system.html
NVFC Federal Legislative Update The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) reports on the status of legislation critical to the volunteer fire and emergency services. Read full article.
Fire Alarm Systems: What do the Codes Say? By Bruce Johnson Fire alarm systems and smoke alarms are life safety systems that save countless lives each year, both civilians and firefighters. The International Residential Code requires interconnected, hardwired smoke alarms in all new construction (Section R313) and the International Building Codeand International Fire Code (Section 907.2) call for manual or automatic fire alarm systems in most commercial buildings with high life occupancy or other hazards. In addition to new construction, the International Fire Code also has provisions for fire alarm systems and smoke alarms in existing structures (Section 907.3). Read full article.
Department of Justice Making Progress on Hometown Heroes PSOB Cases The Department of Justice (DoJ) hosted a conference call on June 24 to give stakeholder organizations an update on the processing of Public Safety Officer’s Benefits (PSOB) claims under the Hometown Heroes Survivor’s Benefits Act. At the time of the call, DoJ had received 310 Hometown Heroes applications, of which 146 had been approved, 92 denied with 69 cases still pending. Thirty-nine claims that were initially denied are currently pending appeal. Out of 14 cases that have been ruled on so far, 12 have been approved. 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.
President, FEMA Administrator Survey California Wildfire Damage Administrator Paulison accompanied President Bush to California last week, meeting with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and surveying the damage done so far by wildfires that have been raging in the state since last month. Source: FEMA 1979 – The reorganization into the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) became complete when President Jimmy Carter’s Executive Order 12148 transferred several authorities from the Department of Defense (DOD), the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the General Services Administration (GSA). Civil defense authority was transferred from the DOD, federal disaster assistance administrative authority was brought over from HUD, and federal preparedness was transferred from GSA. Source: DHS FEMA is Different Today, Official Says The Federal Emergency Management Agency has been busy dealing with response to the Midwest floods and the California wildfires this summer. Is this the same agency that came under fire for its response to Hurricane Katrina? The Associated Press is reporting that FEMA Deputy Administrator Harvey Johnson testified before a US Senate panel on disaster recovery last week, saying the agency is not the same as the one that dealt with Katrina. “Following emergency management officials from states affected in recent months by disasters and who had generally positive things to say about FEMA, Johnson said the change in FEMA since August 2005 has been obvious,” AP reports. The reason for the change? Johnson gave credit to FEMA administrator R. David Paulison with pushing for change and seeing progress in areas such as building partnerships between federal, state and local officials. But despite the improvements, Johnson testified that many challenges remain, including building up and better training FEMA’s workforce. To read the full article, click here: http://www.wlox.com/Global/story.asp?S=8693453
Source: Disaster Resources Guide The United States Fire Administration (USFA) has received notice of the following firefighter fatalities: Name: Ryan T. Barker Rank: Firefighter Age: 25 Gender: Male Status: Volunteer Years of Service: Pending Date of Incident: 07/08/2008 Time of Incident: 1800hrs Date of Death: 07/08/2008
Fire Department: West Hill Fire Department Address: 471 W Hill RD., Elmira, NY 14903 (USNG: 18T UM 4590 6443) Fire Department Chief: Joe Sullivan Incident Description: Firefighter Barker was operating fire apparatus and returning from a propane gas-grill fire, with exposures, that had been successfully mitigated. As the apparatus came down a hill on West Hill Road A, at approximately 3,550 linear and 270 vertical feet from the crest, it came into a left-hand zigzag curve where the apparatus left the right side of the roadway coming to its final resting position having struck one or more trees. Barker was reported to have been ejected from the vehicle. The cab area of the apparatus was heavily damaged; the water tank separated from the vehicle and was several feet further down the road in the opposite lane of travel. Firefighter Barker, the only department member onboard the apparatus, was transported by Erway Ambulance to Arnot Ogden Medical Center in Elmira but did not survive his injuries. The cause of the accident is still under investigation by the Chemung County Sheriff's Office. Incident Location: West Hill Road A, between Northcrest and Vanderhoef Roads in Big Flats (USNG: 18T UM 4483 6536). Funeral Arrangements: Pending Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Pending Name: Joe Pat Jordan Rank: Firefighter Age: 71 Gender: Male Status: Volunteer Years of Service: 32 Date of Incident: 07/02/2008 Time of Incident: Pending Date of Death: 07/04/2008
Fire Department: Pickton-Pine Forest Volunteer Fire Department Address: 4624 FM 269, Pickton, TX 75471 Fire Department Chief: Mark Sustaire Incident Description: Firefighter Jordan was responding as a passenger in fire apparatus to a reported MVA when he went into cardiac arrest. The apparatus was pulled to the side of the road and CPR was initiated on Firefighter Jordan. He was revived and transported to the local hospital where he never regained consciousness. He was removed from life support and succumbed to his injuries on July 4, 2008.
Funeral Arrangements: 07/07/2008
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Pickton-Pine Forest Volunteer Fire Department, 4624 FM 269, Pickton, TX 75471
Tribute is being paid to Firefighter Joe Pat Jordan at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/
Name: Johnny Bajusz Rank: Firefighter Age: 69 Gender: Male Status: Volunteer Years of Service: 25+ Date of Incident: 01/16/2008 Time of Incident: 0950hrs Date of Death: 07/18/2008
Fire Department: Layton Volunteer Fire Department – Monroe County Fire/Rescue Address: 68260 Overseas Highway, P.O. Box 624, Long Key, FL 33001 (USNG: 17R NH 1871 4555) Fire Department Chief: Sandy Maclaren
Incident Description: Firefighter Bajusz was responding to a recreational vehicle fire (connected to a mobile home (charging), electrical contributing to ignition) on Conch Key in his personally owned vehicle when on Grassy Key (Overseas Highway MM 59), after pulling over to the right portion of his lane of travel, Bajusz attempted a U-turn and was struck by another vehicle coming up from behind (large utility truck). Bajusz suffered serious injuries with ongoing complications and remained in the hospital for just over six months. Firefighter Bajusz asked to be taken to his home where, the following day, he passed away from his injuries.
Incident Location: Grassy Key, Overseas Highway MM 59 (USNG: 17R NH 0545 3903) Funeral Arrangements: Pending, July 28th (or 29th), time pending, @ Trauma Star Hanger – Marathon Airport, 10100 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL (USNG: 17R MH 9487 3449) Memorial Fund Contact and Address: In honor of Firefighter Johnny Bajusz, C/o Layton Volunteer Fire Department – Monroe County Fire/Rescue 68260 Overseas Highway, P.O. Box 624, Long Key, FL 33001
Tribute is being paid to Firefighter Johnny Bajusz at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/ Name: Ryan Hummert Rank: Firefighter/Paramedic Age: 22 Gender: Male Status: Career Years of Service: 1 Date of Incident: 07/21/2008 Time of Incident: 0530hrs Date of Death: 07/21/2008
Fire Department: Maplewood Fire Department Address: 7601 Manchester Rd, Saint Louis, MO 63143-2811 Fire Department Chief: Terry Merrell Fire Department Website: http://www.cityofmaplewood.com/fire.aspx
Incident Description: Firefighter/Paramedic Hummert responded to a vehicle fire, an older model pickup truck, on Zephyr Place. As Hummert got out of his fire apparatus, he was shot and killed by a gunman inside of a nearby residence. Two police officers were also shot and wounded, one critically. As the residence used by the gunman was being surrounded by law enforcement personnel, it also caught fire and was reportedly destroyed. Status of the gunman at this writing has yet to be reported.
Incident Location: South Big Bend Boulevard and Zephyr Place (USNG: 15S YC 3315 7768) Funeral Arrangements: Pending
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Donations in honor of Firefighter/Paramedic Hummert may be mailed to: Backstoppers, 10411 Clayton Road, Suite 5A, St. Louis, MO 63131
Tribute is being paid to Firefighter/Paramedic Ryan Hummert at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/
Name: David Meron Rank: Fire Police Officer Age: 58 Gender: Male Status: Volunteer Years of Service: 5+ Date of Incident: 07/20/2008 Time of Incident: 2314hrs Date of Death: 07/20/2008
Fire Department: Hoosick Falls Fire Department Address: 3 Griffin AVE., PO Box 312, Hoosick Falls, NY 12090-0312 (USNG: 18T XN 3469 5024) Fire Department Chief: Ted Senecal, Jr. Incident Description: After having responded to two alarm calls in quick succession and once released from duty, Fire Police Officer Meron was found @ 2314hrs unconscious and unresponsive in his vehicle at the entrance to the parking lot of the firehouse. CPR was initiated and Fire Police Officer Meron was transported to theMedical Center but all efforts to revive Meron were unsuccessful. Funeral Arrangements: 07/24/2008 - Calling hours 1500-2000hrs at Robson & Reifurt Funeral Home, 72 Main Street, Hoosick Falls, NY 12090. Funeral services will be private at the request of the family.
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: In honor of Fire Police Officer David Meron, C/o Hoosick Falls Fire Department, PO Box 312, Hoosick Falls, NY 12090-0312.
Tribute is being paid to Fire Police Officer David Meron at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/ Name: Frank Wichlacz Rank: Fire Chief Age: 75 Gender: Male Status: Volunteer Years of Service: 50 Date of Incident: 07/23/2008 Time of Incident: 0648hrs Date of Death: 07/23/2008
Fire Department: Pulaski Tri-County Fire Deptartment, Inc. Address: 600 Glenbrook Drive, PO Box 836, Pulaski, WI 54162 (USNG: 16T DQ 0265 4633) Fire Department Chief: Assistant Chief Bruce Brzeczkowski
Incident Description: After returning from a mutual aid call, Fire Chief Wichlacz was in the station when he was accidentally pinned between two vehicles while fire apparatus was being backed in the bay. Chief Wichlacz passed away from injuries sustained in the incident.
Incident Location: 600 Glenbrook Drive, Pulaski, WI 54162 (USNG: 16T DQ 0265 4633) Funeral Arrangements: Pending
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Pending
Tribute is being paid to Fire Chief Frank Wichlacz at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/
Source: USFA |
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