US Fire
Grant Support
|
|
Click Here for Grant Information
|
|
GAC Resources
|
|
For GAC documents, announcements, and information please click here to visit the microsite.
|
|
FEMSA Web Site
|
|
FEMSA Web Site
|
|
|
Join our list
|
 |
|
|
| GSA Comments Link on Regulations.gov |
|
Here are the links to the area on www.Regulations.gov that deals with GSAR Case 2008-G517; Cooperative Purchasing-Acquisition of Security and Law Enforcement Related Goods and Services (Schedule 84) by State and Local Governments Through Federal Supply Schedules:
The FAMA/FEMSA GAC wants to make sure that members have the necessary links for both the text of the Interim Rule and the method for submitting your formal comments to the GSA electronically. Please see the attached links.
http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=SubmitComment&o=090000648070f50b
http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=DocumentDetail&o=090000648070f50b
Source: David Gatton
Back to Top
|
U.S. Fire Administration Launches Blog
|
|
EMMITSBURG, MD - The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) today announced the launch of an interactive blog on its Web site at USFA.DHS.gov. This blog will serve as a tool for the Fire Service to share comments, ideas, and success stories about fire prevention, preparedness, and response in America. In turn, USFA will post videos, outreach materials, and other helpful tools while charting feedback.
"Over 3,000 civilians and 100 firefighters lose their lives each year due to fire," said U.S. Fire Administrator Greg Cade. "This blog is the perfect medium for an open dialogue with the Fire Service to discuss measures that we can undertake to help save lives. We hope to foster a community where USFA staff and readers can share ideas and experiences with each other and work together for a fire-safe America."
USFA employees will contribute to and moderate the blog, including staff from the National Fire Academy. Their breadth of experience will provide unique perspectives on public education, research, data collection, and training issues. The first post discusses fire department preparedness for extreme weather emergencies and natural disasters, and how these events can place personnel and assets at risk, diminishing response capabilities. Future posts will cover topics such as how the rising cost of fuel is affecting fire and emergency services departments, college campus fire safety, how to get fire prevention messages into local news stories, residential sprinklers, and firefighter health and safety.
"The USFA is committed to being proactive in addressing emergent issues and innovative concepts through the new blog," continued Cade. "The challenges faced by today's fire service leaders and firefighters change rapidly and continue to grow in complexity. This new Internet tool provides another opportunity for USFA to stay abreast of current events and respond quickly to changes and the informational needs of this nation's fire service."
The USFA blog can be found at blog.usfa.dhs.gov.
Source: USFA
Back to top
|
|
Emergency Services and Rising Energy Costs |
|
In recent months fire and emergency services  organizations have been impacted by the high costs of fuel and other energy related products. Fire departments, like most businesses, organizations, and families, have no immediate alternative or coping mechanism to deal with these direct, escalating costs.
Read More
Source: USFA Blog
Back to top
|
GSA Launches Program to Support State and Local First Responders
|
|
The US General Services Administration (GSA) has kicked off a new program designed to give state and local governments a new way to buy supplies and services to prepare for and respond to all types of emergencies.
According to an article on the Emergency Management website, the Cooperative Purchasing Program now allows state and local agencies to buy law enforcement, security, and first responder goods and services off a GSA contract known as Schedule 84.
"Access to Schedule 84 will help our state and local government partners make their communities safer today," GSA Acting Administrator Jim Williams told the publication.
The GSA Cooperative Purchasing Program began in 2003 as a way to let state and local governments procure information technology equipment, software and services. Under the expanded Cooperative Purchasing Program, state and local governments can also buy total solutions for law enforcement, security, facilities management, fire, rescue, clothing, marine craft and emergency/disaster response equipment.
To read the full article, click here: http://www.govtech.com/em/421247?topic=290167
Source: Disaster Resource Guide
Back to top
|
New EM and BC Standard Available in Canada
|
|
The Canadian Standards Association has developed a new emergency management and business continuity programs standard, CSA Z1600, based on the National Fire Protection Association 1600 Disaster/Emergency Management and Business Continuity Programs standard.
According to an article on the Fire Chief website, CSA Z1600 outlines the requirements for a comprehensive emergency management program that incorporates a risk-based, all hazards methodology, integrating emergency management and business continuity programs for a total program approach. CSA Z1600 is the first Canadian standard that includes both emergency and business continuity planning, rather than just the traditional focus of preparedness and response.
Officials with the CSA say the organization created this new standard in response to a survey in which 40 percent of Canadians said their company did not have an emergency plan in place.
"A company without an emergency management and business continuity program is like a homeowner without insurance," says Suzanne Kiraly, president, standards, Canadian Standards Association. "A natural or human-induced disaster can happen anywhere at anytime, and CSA Z1600 can improve the likelihood of organizations keeping their employees safe and their business running if disaster strikes."
To read the full article, click here: http://firechief.com/news/csa_standard_1014/
Source: Disaster Resources Guide
Back to top
|
| The United States Fire Administration (USFA) has received notice of the following firefighter fatalities:
|
|
Name: Brian D. Neville
Rank: Paramedic-Firefighter
Age: 32
Gender: Male
Status: Career
Years of Service: 7
Date of Incident: 10/16/2008
Time of Incident: Unk
Date of Death: 10/16/2008
Fire Department: Baltimore County Fire Department
Address: 700 E Joppa RD., Towson, MD 21286-5500 (USNG: 18SUJ62956244)
Fire Department Chief: John Hohman
Fire Department Website: http://www.co.ba.md.us/fire
Incident Description: Paramedic-Firefighter Neville was discovered deceased by his relief shift having passed away during the night while on duty in BCFD Station 17. The cause of the Neville's passing has yet to be reported.
Incident Location: BCFD Texas - Station 17, 9835 York Road, Cockeysville, MD 21030 (Grid: 18S UJ 5943 6906)
Funeral Arrangements: At this point, viewings will be held at Ruck Funeral Home in Towson (1050 York Road, at West Road). Exact times for viewings are still to be determined. A full Fire Department with interment at Dulaney Memorial Gardens is anticipated. More information will be forthcoming as soon as it is available (http://www.iafflocal1311.org/DEATHS.htm).
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Pending (http://www.iafflocal1311.org/DEATHS.htm)
Tribute is being paid to Paramedic-Firefighter Brian D. Neville at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/
Back to top
|
|
|
