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Freshman members coming into the 111th Congress
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Attached is a list of the freshman members 2009-2011 coming into the 111th Congress.
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Secretary Says DHS Partnership with Police Chiefs is Strong
Announces identity theft initiative during address at chiefs' annual conference
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In an address to the International Association of Chiefs of Police last week, Secretary Chertoff spoke about how the department's partnership with local law enforcement leaders has grown over recent years. He also asked for their cooperation on new initiatives involving suspicious activity reporting and combating employee identity theft.
By any measure, the secretary said the partnership between DHS and the chiefs of police around the world is stronger than it has ever been. In his prepared remarks, he noted these examples:
· Increased funding and flexibility will be available when FY 2009 grants are made through the department to local law enforcement agencies. Funding for FY 2009 will increase to $434 million, up nearly $100 million from FY 2007. Additionally, there is greater flexibility in covering personnel costs associated with anti-terrorism activities, as well as separate priorities to fund terrorism prevention under the recently announced grant guidance for FY 2009.
· By the end of the year, there will be 35 DHS analysts working at state-operated fusion centers where intelligence is gathered and shared. The ultimate goal is to double the number of analysts to 70 at these centers and at centers located in cities across the country. To strengthen the capability of the centers, the department is undertaking a National Suspicious Activity Reporting Initiative that will allow Suspicious Activity Reports to be shared among all these centers. This will be a "tremendous resource" for law enforcement agencies across the country and will help in the fight against terrorism.
· Local law enforcement will play a key role in helping the department launch a new initiative to combat the growing problem of identity theft called "JobLock." This program will allow those who have been the victims of identity theft to "lock" their Social Security Numbers so identity thieves cannot use them to get jobs. It will be used with the department's E-Verify program, an automated, Web-based system that lets employers check to make sure that a newly hired employee is eligible to work in the United States. As the "JobLock" program is formally launched in May 2009, local law enforcement will need to encourage people who have been victimized by identity theft to file reports.
The secretary concluded his remarks by urging leaders of local police departments to stay vigilant as the country enters a period of transition between administrations. "I know we can count on you to help us keep the country safe," he said.
Source: DHS
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| NVFC Membership Renewals Due January 1 |
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Remember to renew your National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) membership by January 1 to avoid any disruption in member benefits. Your support enables the NVFC to continue to serve as the voice of the volunteer fire and emergency services on Capitol Hill and in the national and international policy arena, as well as provide critical programs, tools, resources, initiatives, and advocacy to the volunteer emergency services.
Read full article.
Source: NVFC
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Fire Prevention and Safety Grant Application Period To Open Soon
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The next application period for the Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) Grants will open soon. Administered by the Grant Programs Directorate in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency, FP&S grants are part of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program and support projects that enhance the safety of the public and firefighters from fire and related hazards. In addition to funding fire prevention activities, the grant can also support firefighter safety research and development.
Read full article.
Source: NVFC
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Emergency Managers Want FEMA Out of DHS
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The International Association of Emergency Managers is pushing the Obama administration to remove the Federal Emergency Management Agency from the auspices of the Department of Homeland Security.
In an article on the Congressional Quarterly website, Daniel Fowler says the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) has formally stated that it wants the Obama administration to pull FEMA out of the DHS and restore the head of FEMA to cabinet level status.
Larry J. Gispert, president of IAEM told Fowler that this has been IAEM's "informal position all along," but the board of directors formalized the stance at the group's annual meeting last week.
"They have an opportunity with the change of administration to . . . do it right, which is to have FEMA be a stand-alone agency reporting directly to the president and the administrator of FEMA sitting in the cabinet," Gispert told Fowler. "That's the James Lee Witt model."
However, not everyone is in agreement. Homeland Security Chairman Bennie Thompson told Fowler that FEMA should stay where it is.
"The FEMA that we knew during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita is no more," Thompson told him. "FEMA has thrived within the department since its reorganization by Congress and that proof can be measured by its stellar response to the Midwest floods, wildfires, tornados and the many hurricanes this past season."
Obama's transition team declined to comment to Fowler, so there is no word yet on whether or not the new administration will consider the move.
To read the full article, click here: http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=hsnews-000002988269
Source: Disaster Resources Guide
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FEMA Releases Results of Test on Trailers
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For years, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has been under fire from critics, worried the trailers the agency provides to disaster victims have higher-than-healthy levels of formaldehyde. Now the test results are in. Did FEMA's trailers pass the test?
The Associated Press says the results of tests on the homes given to victims of flooding in Cedar Rapids show that some contained formaldehyde levels above the state's allowable level.
However, AP says both state officials and officials with FEMA said the readings could be attributed to smoking or other living conditions. According to FEMA, the highest total was 210 parts per billion. The average was 65 parts per billion. Iowa set a standard of 40 parts per billion for FEMA homes coming in to the state.
Tom Newton, the director of the Iowa Department of Public Health, told AP the state standard is the allowable level for unoccupied trailers, but once people move in, that level is difficult to sustain. He even told AP that formaldehyde levels of up to 80 parts per billion are not uncommon in regular houses.
To read the full article, click here: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-ia-fematrailersresul,0,5565114.story
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: Jamel M. Sears
Rank: Probationary Firefighter
Age: 33
Gender: Male
Status: Recruit
Years of Service: <1
Date of Incident: 11/10/2008
Time of Incident: 1130hrs
Date of Death: 11/11/2008
Fire Department: Fire Department City of New York
Address: 9 Metro Tech Center, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Telephone: 718-999-2000
Fire Department Commissioner: Nicholas Scoppetta
Department Website: http://home2.nyc.gov/html/fdny/html/home2.shtml
Incident Description: Probationary Firefighter Sears joined the FDNY in July 2008 as part of a 23-week probationary firefighter training program. After completing an 18-minute training evolution at the department's training academy in Randall's Island, Sears collapsed and was unresponsive. Firefighters at the scene attempted to revive him. Sears was then transported to the Mt. Sinai Medical Center, where he passed away Tuesday, November 11, 2008.
Funeral Arrangements: Pending
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Pending
Tribute is being paid to Probationary Firefighter Jamel M. Sears at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/
Name: Steve D. Kline
Rank: Firefighter/Paramedic
Age: 37
Gender: Male
Status: Part-Time/Paid
Years of Service: 13
Date of Incident: 11/18/08
Time of Incident: 1115hrs
Date of Death: 11/18/08
Fire Department: Stone Park Fire Department
Address: 1745 North 35th Avenue, Stone Park, IL 60165
Fire Department Chief: Chief Michael Paige
Fire Department POC: Chief Michael Paige
Incident Description: On 11/18/08, Firefighter/Paramedic Kline collapsed during his shift while at the station. He was transported to the local hospital where he passed away a short time later. An autopsy is being performed to determine exact cause of death.
Funeral Arrangements: Pending
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Pending
Tribute is being paid to Firefighter Kline at
http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/
Name: Robert J. Ryan, Jr.
Rank: Lieutenant
Age: 46
Gender: Male
Status: Career
Years of Service: 17
Date of Incident: 11/23/2008
Time of Incident: 0028hrs
Date of Death: 11/23/2008
Fire Department: Fire Department City of New York
Address: 9 Metro Tech Center, Brooklyn, New York 11201
Chief: Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta
Incident Description: After responding to a two-story private residence fire, Lieutenant Ryan was working in the attic when a portion of the ceiling collapsed on him. He was transported to the Richmond University Medical Center of Staten Island where he passed away.
Funeral Arrangements: Visitation will be on 11/24/08 from 1900hrs to 2100hrs and 11/25/08 from 1400hrs to 1600hrs and 1900hrs to 2100hrs at Harmon Funeral Home, 571 Forest Avenue, Staten Island, New York. The funeral will be on 11/26/08 at 1100hrs at Sacred Heart Church, 981 Castleton Ave., Staten Island, New York.
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Pending
Tribute is being paid to Lt. Robert J. Ryan at
http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/
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