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FAMA/FEMSA GAC Hill Day - September 27, 2007 - Washington, DC

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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,

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DHS Awards Over $2 Million to Prevent Fire Death and Injury
Funds Support Fire Prevention Projects, Research

Attn: IAEM US Members

NVFC and USFA Release Comprehensive Guide to Retention and Recruitment

USFA Announces New Web-Based Online Training System

Senate Defeat of Anti-Democracy Bill a Victory
for All Employees

Three California Counties Collaborate on Heat Response Plans

The United States Fire Administration (USFA) has received notice of the following firefighter fatalities:

DHS Awards Over $2 Million to Prevent Fire Death and Injury
Funds Support Fire Prevention Projects, Research

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today the sixth round of Fiscal Year (FY) 2006 Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) grants, awarding 12 grants totaling over $2 million to fire departments and fire prevention organizations throughout the United States.

Under the FY 2006 program, FP&S will award approximately 300 awards totaling $27 million to fire departments and other eligible organizations to reduce losses from fire and fire-related hazards. FP&S projects focus on preventing fire-related injuries to children, seniors, firefighters, and other high-risk groups. FP&S also supports innovative fire prevention solutions and research on improving firefighter health and safety.

"Every year, fire kills more Americans than all natural disasters combined," said FEMA Administrator David Paulison. "These grants support critical efforts to protect the public and firefighters from death or injury due to fires that could be prevented."

FP&S awards support projects in two categories:

Fire Prevention and Safety, such as public education, arson prevention/awareness, code enforcement/awareness, wildfire prevention/education, juvenile fire setter intervention, burn prevention, media/PR campaigns, sprinkler awareness, or smoke alarm distribution.

Firefighter Safety Research and Development, such as data collection and analysis projects; sociological projects and problem-focused technology studies that address firefighter safety, wellness, fitness, or health.

FP&S is part of FEMA's Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program, which is a key component in a comprehensive and coordinated effort to strengthen the Nation's overall level of preparedness and ability to respond to fire and fire-related hazards. Round six FP&S grantees are listed below. For additional information on the Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) and Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) programs, see the website at www.firegrantsupport.com.

To view the latest round of FP&S award announcements, please visit www.firegrantsupport.com/fps/award/

Source: Fire Grant Support

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Attn: IAEM US Members

IAEM headquarters received the attached request for comments on FEMA draft Policy DAP9527.4, Construction Codes and Standards.

If you would like to submit comments to be included in IAEM’s official submission please send them directly to IAEM Government Affairs Chair Bob Bohlmann at rcbohlmann@co.york.me.us no later than Thursday, July 3.

Best regards.

Sharon Kelly
Membership Director
International Association of Emergency Managers

IAEM headquarters received the attached

I would like to offer you and the members of your organization the opportunity to review and comment on the attached Disaster Assistance Policy DAP9527.4, Construction Codes and Standards.

This is an existing policy that is scheduled for review to ensure that Disaster Assistance Division policies are consistent with current laws and regulations. This policy provides guidance for determining eligible work based on State and local construction codes and standards as they apply to the repair and restoration of damaged facilities.

Click Here to Download Attachment

To: IAEM US Members

To: IAEM US Members
From: Martha Braddock, Policy Advisor, IAEM
The Senate Committee on Appropriations filed the committee bill and report on the DHS Appropriations for FY 2008 on June 18.
To keep you up to date we have posted on the IAEM Web at www.iaem.com/committees/governmentaffairs the following:
A detailed memo on the highlights of S. 1644 and the report language
Copy of S. 1644 text
Copy of S. Report 110-84

Next Actions
Senate Floor Action not yet scheduled

Source: IAEM

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NVFC and USFA Release Comprehensive Guide to Retention and Recruitment

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), in partnership with the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), has released an in-depth guide on two of the biggest challenges facing the volunteer fire and emergency services – retention and recruitment. Retention and Recruitment for the Volunteer Emergency Services: Challenges and Solutions (Second Edition) addresses the primary challenges departments face regarding retention and recruitment and then outlines proven solutions to overcome these obstacles. This valuable resource is designed for all volunteer and combination departments who are experiencing retention and recruitment challenges.

"Retention and recruitment remain a challenge for our volunteer fire and emergency medical services," said Philip C. Stittleburg, Chairman of the NVFC. "Statistics show that the number of volunteer firefighters has declined as much as 10% over the last 20 years, yet our nation relies on the volunteer fire and emergency services now more than ever. It is our hope that this guide helps departments overcome the hurdles they face in recruiting and retaining volunteers."

Among the challenges identified and addressed in the new guide are time demands, training requirements, increasing call volume, changes in the "nature of the business," changes in sociological conditions, leadership challenges, federal legislation, internal conflict, higher cost of housing, aging communities, and the effects of the decline in volunteers. The text contains a thorough and insightful look at each of these issues and provides examples of solutions that have worked in volunteer organizations across the nation. There is also an expansive Appendix section that contains further information such as study results, statistics, sample documents, references, and additional resources.

"Volunteer firefighters comprise two-thirds of the estimated 1.2 million firefighters in this country," said Charlie Dickinson, Acting Assistant Administrator of USFA. "Maintaining these front-line responders through retention and recruitment is paramount to America's safety and security. Communities across the nation continue to find creative ways to support and maintain these critical community first responders."

The USFA and NVFC originally teamed up in 1998 to release the first edition of the guide. This second edition has been enhanced with new research and current issues the emergency services face in the 21st century. A new curriculum based on the guide is also being developed for Retention and Recruitment Seminars, which will be offered by the NVFC at state association conferences across the nation.

Download a copy of Retention and Recruitment for the Volunteer Emergency Services: Challenges and Solutions (Second Edition). A hard copy of this publication will be available through the USFA Publications Center in September 2007.

Source: NVFC

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USFA Announces New Web-Based Online Training System

News Release Date: June 25, 2007

EMMITSBURG, MD. - The U.S. Fire Administration's National Fire Academy
is pleased to announce the launch of a new Web-based online training
system - NFAOnline. NFAOnline provides an easy, one-stop Web site where
fire and emergency services personnel, first responders, emergency
management personnel, and the general public will find free training and
education programs that they can complete at their own pace.

"Now is the time for us to embrace the future and improve our education
through distance learning," said NFA Superintendent, Dr. Denis Onieal.
"NFAOnline provides another option to help further the professionalism
of the nation's fire and emergency services and strengthen their ability
to combat all hazard emergencies."

NFAOnline provides a user-friendly, state-of-the art training system
with technical support and the ability for the student to immediately
print a certificate and transcript. The primary effort of NFAOnline is
to make available training and materials for the fire service,
particularly those unable to attend resident courses in Emmitsburg,
Maryland.

There are currently eight courses available on the new NFAOnline.
Additional courses are in development and will be added in coming weeks.
Course subjects include fire prevention, fire service supervision,
incident management (ICS 100 and ICS 200), emergency response to
terrorist incidents, and emergency medical services.

To enroll in NFAOnline, visit www.nfaonline.dhs.gov and select New
Students.

Source: USFA

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Senate Defeat of Anti-Democracy Bill a Victory for All Employees
NAM President Says Bill Would Have “Disregarded Individual Worker Rights”

WASHINGTON, D.C., June 26, 2007 – The National Association of Manufacturers today acclaimed the Senate’s defeat of the misnamed Employee Free Choice Act, which would have severely limited employee access to secret ballot elections and restrict employer free speech.

“First and foremost, this legislation negates 70 years of fair and balanced labor law,” NAM President John Engler said. “There are 14 million manufacturing employees in America – and we believe every one should have the freedom to vote in a fair and private manner.

“Defeat of this bill is a victory for all employees, and I heartily thank those Senators who voted to protect worker’s rights to a private ballot,” Engler continued. “Restricting worker rights and legal safeguards – like government supervision and privacy – are not policies members of Congress should be advocating. Manufacturers have long memories, especially when workplace and employee rights are concerned. As long as this type of legislation exists, we will be working to defeat it.

“Proponents misconstrued this legislation as beneficial to our economy and that’s not the case,” Engler said. “This legislation was a power grab with complete disregard for the rights of individual workers and private employers.

“We sincerely hope that as Congress moves forward with its legislative agenda, it will tackle issues that are of real benefit to industry and its employees,” Engler added.

Source: NAM

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Three California Counties Collaborate on Heat Response Plans

Officials in three California counties are working to create emergency response plans to deal with extreme heat conditions to ensure there are no casualties. Will their plans improve response during the long, hot days of summer?

According to an article by Ken Carlson in the Modesto Bee, officials in the Northern San Joaquin Valley have been drawing on their experience from last year in preparing to respond to the next heat wave. Similarly, agencies in Stanislaus County expect to have a plan in place by July first.

But will they need the plans? “So far, there are no forecasts for a heat wave similar to last year’s disaster, which claimed 23 lives in Stanislaus County, 17 in San Joaquin County and five in Merced County, according to the state Office of Emergency Services,” Carlson says. “But the National Weather Service is projecting a warmer-than-normal summer.”

Gary Hinshaw, fire warden for Stanislaus County, told Carlson fire departments, public health officials and relief groups are involved in drafting the plan. County plans are supposed to be consistent with a state contingency plan published in December.

“The state will rely on the National Weather Service to issue an advisory if it foresees a period of excessive heat,” Carlson says. “The state Office of Emergency Services will alert the counties and county emergency officials will consider the local weather in deciding whether to take action.”

To read the full article, click here: link

Source: Disaster Resource

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The United States Fire Administration (USFA) has received notice of the following firefighter fatality:

Name: Timothy Sanborn
Rank: Firefighter
Age: 56
Gender: Male
Status: Volunteer
Years of Service: 5
Date of Incident: 06/22/2007
Time of Incident: 1500 hours
Date of Death: 06/22/2007

Fire Department: Clinton Area Fire and Rescue
Address: 2761 N US-27, PO Box 114, St. Johns, MI 48879
Telephone: 989-227-0833
Fire Department Chief: Jeff Huber

Incident Description: Firefighter Sanborn was operating the pump on an
apparatus at the scene of a residential fire (Grid: 16TGN13915467) when
he suffered a major heart attack. Sanborn passed away while being
transported to the hospital.

Funeral Arrangements: Visitation will be held from 1400-1600 and
1800-2000 hours 06/25/2007 and 06/26/2007 at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home,
1500 Waterford Parkway in St. Johns. The funeral will be held at 1100 hours
Wednesday, 06/27/2007, at the funeral home followed by a procession
of emergency vehicles to Mount Rest Cemetery.

Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Donations are requested in lieu of
flowers to benefit the Clinton Area Fire and Rescue Firefighters
Association, 2761 N. Bus. 127, St. Johns, MI, 48879.
Tribute is being paid to Firefighter Timothy Sanborn at
http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/

The United States Fire Administration (USFA) has received notice of the following firefighter fatality:

Name: Daniel F. Pujdak
Rank: Firefighter
Age: 23
Gender: Male
Status: Career
Years of Service: 2
Date of Incident: 06/21/2007
Time of Incident: 1654 hours
Date of Death: 06/21/2007

Fire Department: Fire Department City of New York
Address: 9 Metro Tech Center, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Telephone: 718-999-2056
Fire Department Chief: Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta

Incident Description: Firefighter Pujdak, 23 (Ladder 146), was fatally
injured this afternoon while battling an all-hands fire at 83 Meserole
St. in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn.

Preliminary reports indicate Firefighter Pujdak was operating on the
roof of a four-story apartment building when he fell to the ground and
sustained critical injuries. He was transported to Bellevue Hospital
where he later succumbed to his injuries.

Firefighter Pujdak, a resident of Fresh Meadows, Queens, was appointed
to the FDNY on September 25, 2005.

Firefighters received a call for a fire at 4:54 p.m. at 83 Meserole Street.
Upon arrival, a fire was discovered in a fourth-floor apartment and was
soon brought under control. Approximately 60 firefighters and 12 units
responded. There were no other reported injuries.

Fire marshals determined the fire was accidental and appears to have
been caused by careless smoking. The investigation is continuing.

Firefighter Pujdak is the 1,135th member of the New York City Fire
Department to make the Supreme Sacrifice in the Department's 143-year
history.

Wake: 06/25/2007 @ 1400-1700 and 1900-2100hrs, Evergreen Funeral Home,
131 Nassau Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11222.

Funeral Arrangements: 06/26/2007 @ 1100hrs, Saint Cecelia Church 84
Herbert Street, Brooklyn, NY 11222

Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Pending

Tribute is being paid to Firefighter Daniel F. Pujdak at
http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/

Source: USFA

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