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Governmetal Affairs Committee |
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GAC Resources
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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The FAMA / FEMSA GAC would like to thank all the members who participated in the 2006 Home Day Program. Many of you had incredible results, and we encourage you to share those experiences with your fellow members. The GAC has posted a small website with information about some of the Home Day activities by FAMA and FEMSA member companies. Remember - Every Day is Home Day! Please click here to see the site.
Upcoming Events
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Action Alert from the FAMA/FEMSA GAC IAFC Partners with Major Ethanol Coalition NVFC Teaches First Responders at FDIC How to Stay Heart-Healthy House Passes Volunteer Firefighter and EMS Job Protection Bill Action Alert from the FAMA/FEMSA GAC TO: All FAMA and FEMSA Members The following communication and attachment has been received from the CFSI asking for support of a letter to President Bush by Fire Caucus leaders relative to the Hometown Heroes Survivors' Benefit Act (see attachment for further information). Particularly if your Congressman and Senators are members of the Fire Caucus, we ask that you forward to them the attached information seeking their support by signing the letter. If they are not members, now's the time to get them signed on. Sean Carroll of the CFSI would be happy to discuss this matter with your legislators and/or their staffers if there are any questions (see Sean's contact information below). Your prompt attention to this matter is greatly appreciated. A simple email to your representatives' offices is all it takes. Please let us know if you were able to carry out this action. Thank you, Karen Karen H. Burnham All, Sean Source: FEMSA IAFC Partners with Major Ethanol Coalition Fairfax, Va., May 9, 2007... In cooperation with major organizations involved with alternative fuels, scientific testing and bulk fuel distribution and storage, the IAFC is a partner in the Ethanol Emergency Response Coalition (EERC). The EERC was formed to look at emergency response issues associated with bulk distribution and storage of ethanol-blended fuels. The coalition has engaged in scientific testing to evaluate the effectiveness of six types of foam involving a spill or fire of a bulk container of ethanol or ethanol-blended fuel (gasohol). The EERC-sponsored testing was conducted over a two-week period, starting in February 2007, at Ansul Fire Technology Center, in Marinette, Wis. Using the Underwriters Laboratory 162 (UL162) Standard for Safety, Foam Equipment and Liquid Concentrates, 43 individual tests were conducted on denatured ethanol (or E95), and E10 (gasohol) using the Type II, Type III, and sprinkler applications. The following types of foams were tested in the blind test (specific manufacturers and products remained annonymous). Alcohol-resistant, aqueous film-forming foam (AR-AFFF) These tests are not intended to specify or recommend a specific extinguishing agent or extinguishing method, but rather to provide factual, science-based information about what extinguishing agents and methods were shown to be the most effective in combating fires involving ethanol according to the UL162 test methodology. The intent is to provide information that will allow emergency responders and others to make informed decisions about the foam concentrate they choose to use based on the risk in their community. In addition to participating in the testing, the IAFC and the EERC are jointly producing a video documenting the test and a training package. It describes how ethanol-blended fuels are produced and distributed and the emergency-response issues that should be considered when confronting a bulk spill or fire involving ethanol-blended fuels.
Source: IAFC President Tours Tornado-Ravaged Kansas Disaster Area with FEMA Officials: FEMA Responds to Missouri Flooding President Bush and FEMA Administrator David Paulison toured Greensburg, Kan., on Wednesday, following the severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding that affected six counties in Kansas on May 4. It was Paulison’s second visit to the area in a week. The president made a disaster declaration on May 5, and Paulison first visited Greensburg, Kan., last week to assure residents and local officials of the federal government’s help. FEMA worked with its partners on the local, state, and federal level as it coordinated the federal response. The agency quickly deployed disaster assistance personnel, equipment, and food supplies to support the recovery effort. In Missouri, FEMA is working with other federal agencies, Missouri state emergency management officials, and local officials as they respond to flooding resulting from severe storms on May 5 that continued into last week. FEMA activated its Regional Response Coordination Center in its Region VII office located in Kansas City, Mo., to assist the state in response coordination. Source: DHS NVFC Teaches First Responders at FDIC How to Stay Heart-Healthy The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) brought the Heart-Healthy Firefighter booth to FDIC on April 19-21 in Indianapolis, IN, to teach firefighters, EMS providers, and their families the importance of living a heart-healthy lifestyle. The NVFC teamed up with L&T Health and Fitness to provide free health screenings to over 700 attendees for blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose. Chef Kevin Harris of Food For Love, Inc., conducted a series of cooking demonstrations to show that eating healthy does not have to be difficult or bland. NFL player and volunteer firefighter Erron Kinney, who serves as the Heart-Healthy Firefighter Program’s spokesperson, was also at the booth to sign autographs and help create awareness about the importance of heart health in the fire and emergency services. Click here to see photos of the Heart-Healthy Firefighter booth at FDIC. Visit the NVFC Heart-Healthy Firefighter booth next at Fire Expo in Harrisburg from May 18-20. To learn more about the Heart-Healthy Firefighter Program, go to www.healthy-firefighter.org. Source: NVFC R&D Credit Bill Introduced. State Taxation of Interstate Commerce. U.S.-EU Summit Launches New Trade Initiative. Chemical Cost/Supply Pressures Weakening U.S. Manufacturing. Source: NAM House Passes Volunteer Firefighter and EMS Job Protection Bill Fairfax, Va., May 9, 2007... This afternoon, the United States House of Representatives passed an amendment to H.R. 1684, the Department of Homeland Security Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 that would provide important employment protection for volunteer emergency services personnel. Specifically, the amendment would grant job security to volunteer firefighters and EMTs responding to a presidentially-declared major disaster or emergency for up to 14 days per calendar year. This amendment is based on the Volunteer Firefighter and EMS Personnel Job Protection Act (H.R. 1643), which was introduced by Representatives Robert Andrews (D-NJ), Bill Pascrell (D-NJ), Michael Castle (R-DE), Peter King (R-NY) and others. Upon learning of the House’s action, President Jim Harmes remarked, “This is a very positive first step for this important legislation and for America’s volunteer firefighters. We thank the cosponsors and supporters of this legislation for their efforts. These firefighters and EMS personnel should not have to worry about their jobs back home, when responding with their departments to national events like Hurricane Katrina.” President Harmes continued, “The IAFC will work with the Senate to ensure this language stays in the bill when it comes before that body for consideration and ensure its final passage.” Currently, volunteer firefighters and emergency medical services personnel are not protected against termination or demotion by their employers should they miss work when called upon to respond to a presidentially-declared emergency. Most volunteers hope to resume their work upon returning home without facing consequences from their employers. The protections passed today do not apply to self-dispatched emergency responders. Passage of the job protection language would strengthen mutual aid agreements, grant protection to volunteers and remove the threat of termination or demotion surrounding the issue of response. Source: IAFC |
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