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DHS Announces Guidance for $3 Billion in FY 2009 Grants
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DHS last week released fiscal year (FY) 2009 application guidance for 14 grant programs administered by FEMA. More than $3 billion is available under these programs to assist state and local governments in strengthening community preparedness. The FY 2009 funding level represents an increase of $24 million from last year, and will help communities prepare for and respond to natural and man-made disasters and emergencies.
Commenting on the release of this fiscal year's guidance, Secretary Chertoff said, "This year's funding priorities are consistent with last year, and reflect a mature and disciplined grants program. We are now in the position of being able to inform high threat urban areas of their target allocations ahead of time, which will go a long way in helping their applications."
Using stakeholder feedback, DHS announced FY 2009 targeted allocations under the State Homeland Security Program and Urban Areas Security Initiative. This will assist states and urban areas in writing investment justifications that reflect available grant resources. DHS will continue to use the peer review process and applicants' effectiveness scores in determining final allocations.
More information about this announcement, including a Fact Sheet on the FY 2009 Grant Guidance, is available at http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1225900531284.shtm.
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| FEMA Extends Transitional Sheltering Assistance in Texas, Louisiana |
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FEMA said last week that it is extending its Transitional Sheltering Assistance program for eligible Texans and Louisianans displaced by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike. The program has been extended to Jan. 15, 2009.
The intent of the program is to provide lodging alternatives to evacuees who need a place to stay because they remain unable to live in their homes due to damage or power outages directly resulting from Hurricane's Gustav or Ike. The program allows eligible individuals or families to stay in a hotel or motel for a limited time, and have the cost of the room and taxes paid directly to the hotel by FEMA. Meals, telephone calls, and other incidental charges are not covered.
FEMA said applicants who think they have a need for the temporary sheltering assistance program should call to apply or update their status in order to be considered for this program. In addition, applicants who may have initially been unable to confirm damage to their homes and have since discovered damage may also be eligible. FEMA asked both groups to call its Help Line at 1-800-621-3362 or visit its Web site at www.fema.gov.
In a related development, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced that it would begin implementing its temporary disaster housing program to assist families displaced by Hurricanes Ike and Gustav. In anticipation of the start date of Nov. 1, FEMA provided the names of more than 6,500 eligible families to HUD, which will provide temporary housing assistance until March 2010. Since this summer, FEMA and HUD have been coordinating efforts to assist those displaced by Hurricanes Ike and Gustav.
More information about these announcements is at http://www.fema.gov/media/index.shtm.
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| Fire Service-Based EMS Advocates Unveil New Web Site to Educate Public and Government Officials |
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The Fire Service-Based EMS Advocates recently released a new web site to provide information about the mission of the group and to educate decision-makers about the important role of fire service-based EMS in communities throughout the nation. Access the web site at www.fireserviceems.com. Read full article.
Source: NVFC
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Smoking & Home Fires Webinar to Be Held November 24
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The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) is hosting a Smoking & Home Fires Webinar on Monday, November 24, from 12:30-1:00pm EST. The webinar will show you and your organization how you can use the Smoking and Home Fires Campaign to help prevent the number one cause of home fire deaths - fires caused by smoking materials.
Read full article.
Source: NVFC
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Emergency Managers Need to Use the Internet, Study Says
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A new study from the University of Kansas says state emergency management agencies are not using the myriad Internet-based resources available to help communicate with the public in crises.
In an article on the NBC Action News website, Shellie Nelson says the study, titled "Untapped Potential: Evaluating State Emergency Management Web Sites 2008," looked at 51 emergency management agency web sites, including all 50 states and the District of Columbia. It found that state emergency management agency sites place more emphasis on reaching first-responders than on reaching citizens or news outlets.
"Although 80 percent of online survey respondents indicated that residents of their state were the primary audiences of emergency management agency Web sites, the most-frequently found feature on their Web sites was first responder/emergency manager training information," Nelson says.
"I hope this report will spark serious discussions nationwide about the role of Internet communication before, during and following crisis situations," David W. Guth, associate professor of journalism, who wrote the study, told Nelson. "The purpose of this research is not so much to criticize state EMA officials as it is to shed light upon practices that can help them fulfill the public safety mission to which they have dedicated themselves."
Guth also told Nelson, "While traditional mass communication media will continue to play a vital role in the near future, the evidence suggests that emergency planners should place the Internet and emerging social media on an equal footing."
To read the full article, click here: http://www.nbcactionnews.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=d9986dc0-9a58-49c0-a955-d7f02b6deba5
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: Wayne Brown
Rank: Fire Police Officer
Age: 63
Gender: Male
Status: Volunteer
Years of Service: 30+
Date of Incident: 11/3/2008
Time of Incident: Unk - Early morning
Date of Death: 11/3/2008
Fire Department: Bristol Fire and Rescue Department
Address: 72 Church Street, PO Box 775, Bristol, RI 02809
Telephone: (401) 253-6912
Fire Department Chief: Robert J. Martin
Incident Description: Firefighter Brown was preparing to respond to a call from his home. He became ill and called for emergency medical services for himself. When emergency assistance arrived, Firefighter Brown was found unresponsive near his door with his gear on. To date, the cause of death has not been determined.
Funeral Arrangements: Pending
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Pending
Tribute is being paid to Fire Police Officer Brown at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/.
Name: Roy Smith
Rank: Firefighter
Age: 17
Gender: Male
Status: Volunteer
Years of Service: 1
Date of Incident: 11/7/2008
Time of Incident: 1:00AM
Date of Death: 11/7/2008
Fire Department: McGaheysville Volunteer Fire Department
Address: 80 Stover Drive, McGaheysville, Virginia 22840
Fire Department Chief: Earl Hensley
Incident Description: Firefighter Smith was responding to a structure fire in his personal vehicle when he lost control and the vehicle rolled over. He passed away from injuries sustained from the accident.
Funeral Arrangements: Pending
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Pending
Tribute is being paid to Firefighter Smith at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/
Name: Cecilia Turnbough
Rank: EMT/Firefighter Trainee
Age: 42
Gender: Female
Status: Volunteer
Years of Service: 8
Date of Incident: 11/9/2008
Time of Incident: 15:00hrs
Date of Death: 11/9/2008
Fire Department: Dale City Volunteer Fire Department
Address: 3171 Prince William Parkway, Dale City, Virginia 22193
Fire Department Chief: Chris Hool
Incident Description: Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)/Firefighter Trainee Turnbough of the Dale City Volunteer Fire Department passed away during a routine training exercise as part of an entry level Firefighter certification class. The training involved maneuvering through a maze with no smoke or fire. This training took place at the Prince William County Public SafetyTraining Center in Nokesville, Virginia. EMT/Firefighter Trainee Turnbough was found unresponsive and was transported by the Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue to the Prince William Hospital. Despite all resuscitative efforts, Turnbough did not survive.
Ms. Turnbough was a certified EMT and had served as a volunteer for the past eight years with the Dale City Volunteer Fire Department. She had recently begun training to expand her capabilities to include firefighting.
Funeral Arrangements: Pending
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Pending
Tribute is being paid to EMT/Firefighter Trainee Turnbough at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/
Name: Carol Irene Taylor
Rank: Firefighter
Age: 41
Gender: Female
Status: Career
Years of Service: 11
Date of Incident: 11/14/2008
Time of Incident: 02:14AM
Date of Death: 11/14/2008
Fire Department: Goldsboro Fire Department
Address: 204 South Center Street, Goldsboro, NC 27530
Telephone: (919) 580-4262
Fire Department Chief: Gary Whaley
POC Email Address: GWhaley@ci.Goldsboro.nc.us
Fire Department Website: http://www.ci.goldsboro.nc.us/fire_default.aspx
Incident Description: Firefighter Taylor had responded to an electrical short fire call early Friday morning, 11/14/2008. She returned to the station and at 08:00AM, 11/14/2008, she finished her tour of duty and returned home. She was found later Friday night deceased from an apparent heart attack.
Funeral Arrangements: Pending
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Pending
Tribute is being paid to Firefighter Taylor at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/
Name: John Clasby
Rank: Firefighter
Age: 45
Gender: Male
Status: Career
Years of Service: 10
Date of Incident: 06/29/1999
Time of Incident: 1346hrs
Date of Death: 11/11/2008
Fire Department: Hull Fire Department
Address: 671 Nantasket Ave., Hull, MA 02045 (USNG: 19T CG 4506 8393)
Fire Department Chief: Robert A. Hollingshead
Incident Description: Firefighter Clasby, while operating under heavy fire conditions, was struck and paralyzed by a stray bullet. He succumbed to his related traumatic injuries on November 11, 2008.
Funeral Arrangements: 11/17/2008 @ 1000hrs, Saint Ann's Church, 200 Samoset Ave, Hull, MA (USNG: 19T CG 4525 8383).
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: John Clasby Children's Fund, C/o Hull Fire Department, 671 Nantasket Ave., Hull, MA 020345
Tribute is being paid to Firefighter John Clasby at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/
Name: Walter P. Harris
Rank: Firefighter
Age: 38
Gender: Male
Status: Career
Years of Service: 17
Date of Incident: 11/15/2008
Time of Incident: 0530hrs
Date of Death: 11/15/2008
Fire Department: Detroit Fire Department
Address: 250 W. Larned, Detroit, MI 48226 (USNG: 17T LG 3126 8825)
Fire Department Executive Commissioner: Tyrone C. Scott
Incident Description: Firefighter Harris responded to an abandoned house fire (reported to have been intentionally set) early Saturday morning on Kirby Street in Detroit. He and several other firefighters were putting out hot spots in the attic. The roof collapsed trapping the firefighters. Firefighter Harris was crushed by the debris. He was rushed to the hospital but succumbed to his injuries. The other firefighters managed to escape with minor injuries.
Incident Location: East of Sheridan St. on Kirby Street (USNG: 17T LG 3376 9365)
Funeral Arrangements: Visitation will be on 11/20/08 from 1600hrs to 2100hrs at the Community Christian Fellowship, 1831 E. Outer Drive, Detroit. The funeral will be held 1000hrs, 11/21/08, at the Second Ebenezer Church, 14601 Dequindre, Detroit.
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Walter P. Harris Memorial Fund, Detroit Firemen's Fund Association, 250 W. Larned, Suite #202, Detroit, MI 48226,www.detroitfiremensfund.org, Tele - (313) 961-2988
Tribute is being paid to Firefighter Walter P. Harris at: http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/
Name: Leonard Riggins
Rank: Firefighter
Age: 52
Gender: Male
Status: Career
Years of Service: 15
Date of Incident: 11/05/2008
Time of Incident: 1700hrs
Date of Death: 11/05/2008
Fire Department: St. Louis Fire Department
Address: 1421 N. Jefferson, St. Louis, MO 63106 (USNG: 15S YC 4256 8102)
Fire Department Chief: Dennis M. Jenkerson
Fire Department Website: http://stlouis.missouri.org/citygov/fire/
Incident Description: While still in uniform, Firefighter Riggins was on his way home in his department vehicle when he reportedly witnessed a vehicle crash. Per written department 'Duty to Act' policy, Riggins pulled to the side of the road, activated his emergency lights, and exited his vehicle to assist. As Firefighter Riggins approached the other vehicle, the occupant shot Firefighter Riggins in the chest. The occupant had apparently carjacked the crashed vehicle and after shooting Firefighter Riggins, stole his department vehicle. Assistance was requested and Firefighter Riggins was transported to the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. The suspect eventually crashed Riggins' vehicle and was attempting to carjack a third vehicle when police approached and, in an exchange of gunfire, killed him.
Incident Location: Vicinity of Shepley and Spring Garden drives (USNG: 15S YC 4381 9323)
Funeral Arrangements: 10/13/2008 @ 1100hrs at Harris Stowe College.
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: http://www.backstoppers.org/
Tribute is being paid to Firefighter Leonard Riggins at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/
Name: Michael D. Snowman
Rank: Firefighter
Age: 49
Gender: Male
Status: Volunteer
Years of Service: 25
Date of Incident: 11/17/08
Time of Incident: 0836hrs
Date of Death: 11/17/08
Fire Department: Hartland Volunteer Fire Department
Address: 43 Canaan Road, Hartland, ME 04943
Fire Department Chief: Donald Neal
Incident Description: Firefighter Michael Snowman was operating at the site of a mutual aid structure fire inDetroit, ME when he collapsed. Emergency medical care was initiated on scene. He was then transported to EasternMaine Medical Center where he passed away from an apparent heart attack.
Funeral Arrangements: Pending
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Pending
Tribute is being paid to Firefighter Snowman at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/
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