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| FEMA grant Guidance FY 2009 posted |
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Today FEMA released the FY 2009 Grant Guidance for 14 preparedness grant programs, including the Emergency Management Performance Grants. We have posted the press release, the list of what is new, the overview, and the EMPG Grant Guidance on our web site at www.iaem.com. We also have linked to the guidance for the other programs. (Please note the dates on the guidance since as of this writing FEMA's webmaster was still replacing some of the FY 2008 guidance with the FY 2009.)
Last year we objected to the EMPG guidance having a 25% requirement for planning. Although we prefer there not be a specific percentage requirement, we appreciate that FEMA has broadened it to be a total of 25% required for planning, training and exercises. Another EMPG change is to allow construction and renovation of emergency operations centers to be eligible. Construction and renovation costs are capped the same as in the FY 2008 EOC guidance: $1 million for construction and $250,000 for renovation. The match is 50-50. (ignore the editing error in the overview which indicates a 75-25 cost share) The FY 2009 EMPG Allocations by state are on page 24 of overview.
The deadline for the SAA to submit completed EMPG applications is no later than 11:59 pm EST, December 19, 2008.
Be certain to note the changes made in the State Homeland Security Program and the Urban Areas Security Initiative. For example, the targeted grant allocations were announced up front, but the funding will still depend on the applications. As directed by the Personnel Reimbursement for Intelligence Cooperation and Enhancement (PRICE) of Homeland Security Act (Public Law 110-412), all personnel and personnel-related costs, including those for intelligence analysts, are allowed up to 50 percent of SHSP and UASI funding without time limitation placed on the period of time that such personnel can serve under the grant. These guidelines are not retroactive to previous fiscal years of HSGP funding .
DHS/FEMA News Release
FY 2009 Overview of Grant Programs
Fact Sheet: What's New for FY 2009
EMPG Grant Guidance for FY 2009
Complete information on individual Federal Preparedness Grant Programs (Please note: As of Nov. 5, FY 2009 information is posted for some, but not all, of the programs.)
Ross Ashley, the Assistance Administrator of FEMA for Grants, will be a speaker at the Government Affairs Committee on Nov. 16 at the IAEM Annual Conference and will be at the conference until the afternoon of Nov. 17.
Source: Martha Braddock, IAEM Policy Advisor
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| Emergency Vehicle Safety Partnerships with National Fire Groups to Reduce Firefighter Fatalities |
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Vehicle crashes are consistently the second leading cause of firefighter on-duty fatalities, accounting for approximately 25 percent of all deaths. Because of this, the U.S. Fire Administration has initiated several jointly sponsored initiatives with national fire groups to reduce firefighter fatalities.
Read More
Source: USFA Blog
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Federal Safety Vest Requirement Goes Into Effect on November 24
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On November 24, 2008, a provision in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control (MUTCD), administered by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), goes into effect requiring public safety officers, including volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel responding to an incident on the side of a federal aid highway, to wear a safety vest that meets the Performance Class II or III requirements of the American National Standards Institute/International Safety Equipment Association (ANSI/ISEA) 107-2004 publication.
Read full article.
Source: NVFC
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Fire Service and Nation Face Big Challenges in Dealing with Wildland Fire
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So far this year, there have been 701 large wildland fires and more than 58,000 incidents overall that burned nearly 4.5 million acres. While wildland fires are most frequent and grow largest in the west, it is a nationwide problem. In 2008, wildland fires destroying at least 1,000 acres occurred in Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and New Jersey.
Read full article.
Source: NVFC
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HHS Says It Has a Plan to Protect First Responders
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A new report from the Government Accountability Office says the US Department of Health and Human Services lacks a coordinated plan to protect the health and safety of first responders. But HHS says the report is all wrong.
In an article on the Government Computer News website, Louis Chunovic says the report, released by a bipartisan quartet from the House of Representatives, also sets out five key lessons from the federal response to 9/11 that could better protect first responders.
Chunovic says the report says HSS "lacks a coordinated, department-wide plan to protect the health and safety of Americans who respond to public health disasters," according to a joint statement from Reps. Vito Fossella, Carolyn Maloney, Jerrold Nadler and Christopher Shays.
However, Chunovic says that contention was disputed by Rear Admiral Craig Vanderwagon, HHS Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, who said, "HHS protects responders and has a detailed plan in place to do so."
According to Vanderwagon, "we follow a specific public health emergency response plan known as emergency support function number eight of the National Response Framework. Through this plan, HHS coordinates not only within the department but also with other federal and state agencies. Force protection is a major element. Under this plan, all federal responders are rostered and well identified. States and localities also roster their responders, providing a comprehensive view of those who are at risk."
To read the full article, click here: http://www.gsnmagazine.com/cms/resources/congress-budget/1109.html
Source: Disaster Resources Guide
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| The United States Fire Administration (USFA) has received notice of the following firefighter fatalities:
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Name: Adam Cody Renfroe
Rank: Firefighter
Age: 24
Gender: Male
Status: Volunteer
Years of Service: 2
Date of Incident: 10/29/2008
Time of Incident: 1300hrs
Date of Death: 10/29/2008
Fire Department: Crossville Fire Department
Address: PO Box 100, Crossville, AL 35962 (USNG: 16SEC931944)
Fire Department Chief: Daniel White
Incident Description: Firefighter Renfroe and another Crossville firefighter were searching a burning residential structure for a possible victim when the alarm to the other firefighter's air pack sounded. The other firefighter exited the structure, believing Renfroe was behind him.
When Firefighter Renfroe did not come out of the residence, firefighters and law enforcement from several departments began efforts to rescue him. One Crossville police officer climbed a ladder on the outside of the house and, through a window, could see that Renfroe was still inside.
Only after overcoming fire conditions were firefighters able to get to Renfroe. However, he did not survive. Investigation continues into the incident.
Funeral Arrangements: Pending
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: In honor of Firefighter Adam Cody Renfroe, C/o Crossville Fire Department, PO Box 100, 14521 AL-68, Crossville, AL 35962
Tribute is being paid to Firefighter Adam Cody Renfroe at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/
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