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
|
 |
|
|
Secretary Addresses DHS Future in Remarks to University Students
Emphasizes the need to keep FEMA part of the department
|
|
In separate remarks to students at John Hopkins University and Kean University last week, Secretary Chertoff discussed the progress the department has made in preparing for and responding to disasters and the importance of maintaining the department's current structure to continue that progress into the future.
The secretary began his remarks by giving credit for the lack of a successful attack on the United States since Sept. 11, 2001 to the policies of President George W. Bush. Among these policies was the creation of DHS, which brought together the many components that comprise it. The secretary said that, from the beginning, the department has included FEMA, and in his view the progress in disaster preparation and response is enough evidence to support the argument that FEMA should remain within the department. He cited the response efforts during the past year to the California wildfires, Midwest flooding, and the recently concluded 2008 hurricane season as examples of that progress.
While all the credit or the blame for disaster response does not rest with FEMA, the secretary said FEMA is essential to the department's ability to be prepared for and respond to any kind of disaster. "The integration of preparedness and response functions under a single roof (at DHS) have been a major contributor to the ability of FEMA and all of the other agencies to get together and make sure that we were able to provide a very sound effective response," he said.
The secretary expressed optimism about the department's future and stated that he feels a strong foundation has been laid for his successor to build upon. "We've laid out the basic architecture...and I'm confident my successors will continue to strengthen and elaborate on this structure in a way that will ultimately result in making this country safer," he said.
A transcript of the secretary's complete remarks at John Hopkins University, and answers to questions that followed his remarks, is available at http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1228482474306.shtm
|
Safety: Are We Doing Enough?
Excerpt from today's article by Chief Ron Kanterman:
|
|
I personally believe (safety) is a three pronged approach. First and foremost, it starts at the top. The Chief of each and every fire department in this country must make a time and resource commitment to good safety programs and practices. I'm sure there's not a chief out there who would argue with "safety" but it's time to put up or shut up. One clip from the Everyone Goes Home - Courage to Be Safe (EGH-CTBS) program shows Chief Dave Daniels (Washington State) discussing that the chief's job is to insure that everyone goes home every day. "That's your job," Chief Daniels reiterates on the video. There is no specific reference to career or volunteer.
Prong number 2 is first line supervision. The guy or gal in the front seat on the right side of the cab is responsible for insuring that we get to the call and back in one piece. "Arrive alive and don't kill anyone on the way." (Not a bad motto to hang on the inside of the apparatus bay doors along with "buckle up every time.") The company officer must set the example for the rest of the crew. Chief Dennis Rubin (Washington, D.C. Fire/EMS) is quoted on the EGH-CTBS program video as saying "if the company officer buckles his seatbelt, the rest of the members will absolutely buckle their seatbelts." I believe he's right. Safety policies and procedures must be enforced at the line level. Again, there is no reference to career or volunteer.
Prong 3 is personal accountability. No one will "deliver safety" on a silver tray to our firefighters each time the bell rings. They need to bring safety to the game on their own. It's part of putting on a uniform or donning PPE. Personnel must be trained and engrained with the safety culture and told they must be responsible and accountable for their actions and that bad or "stupid, goofy acts will not be tolerated." (Chief Ronny Coleman, California).
Read more>>
Source: DHS Blog
Back to Top
|
Voice Radio Communications Guide for the Fire Service
|
|
What communications issues are you and your fire department facing? This guide covers topics of basic radio communications technology including spectrum, bandwidth, and interference. It provides information on analog, digital, direct and repeated, as well as trunked radio systems. The Guide further discusses portable radio selection and use, system design and implementation, and interoperability.
Read More »
Source: DHS Blog
Back to top
|
| Fire Corps and the U.S. Fire Administration Seek a Safer "Home Fire Season" |
|
October through March is "home fire season," and Fire Corps is working in conjunction with the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) to ensure this year's cold months are safer than last years when there was a dramatic increase in home fire deaths. According to the USFA, during the 2007 "home fire season," there was a 68 percent increase in the number of fatal home fires and a 67 percent increase in the number of people killed in home fires, compared to the warmer months.
Learn more.
Source: FIRE CORPS
Back to Top
|
NVFC Heart-Healthy Firefighter Work Group Meets
|
|
The NVFC Heart-Healthy Firefighter Work Group held its biannual meeting on November 6 at the NVFC headquarters in Greenbelt, MD, to review the Heart-Healthy Firefighter Program and provide input and guidance on its current initiatives and future direction. The Work Group consists of professionals from national fire service organizations as well as health and safety-related organizations. Read full article.
Source: NVFC
Back to top
|
American Fire Sprinkler Association Announces 2009 Class Schedule
|
|
The American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) has scheduled eight classes for its 2009 Beginning Fire Sprinkler System Planning School. Designed to train a beginner to be productive immediately upon returning to work, this class is geared toward those with no experience or those who need assistance with design. The class schedule for 2009 includes: January 12-23, February 9-20, March 9-20, April 20-May 1, May 11-22, July 13-24, August 10-21, and November 9-20.
Read full article.
Source: NVFC
Back to top
|
| The United States Fire Administration (USFA) has received notice of the following firefighter fatalities:
|
|
Name: Rick H. Borkin
Rank: Lieutenant
Age: 42
Gender: Male
Status: Volunteer
Years of Service: 16
Date of Incident: 12/08/2008
Time of Incident: 2040hrs
Date of Death: 12/08/2008
Fire Department: Thiensville Fire Department
Address: 250 Elm St., Thiensville, WI 53092 (USNG: 16T DN 2048 8707)
Fire Department Chief: Brian Reiels
Incident Description: Lieutenant Borkin was participating in mandatory fire department training at a local community college when he collapsed from a cause still to be determined. Emergency personnel responded immediately to provide emergency medical assistance on scene to Lt. Borkin, including advanced life support, but he was unable to be revived.
Funeral Arrangements: Pending
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: In honor of Lieutenant Rick H. Borkin, C/o Thiensville Fire Department, 250 Elm St., Thiensville, WI 53092.
Tribute is being paid to Lieutenant Rick H. Borkin at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/
Back to top
|
|
|
