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Key DHS Personnel Announcements
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Secretary Issues Statement about Retirement of CBP Commissioner Basham
Secretary Napolitano on Friday issued a statement on the retirement of CBP Commissioner Ralph Basham, acknowledging his long and distinguished service to the country and in the federal government. She noted that he served with several DHS components before becoming CBP commissioner, including the U.S. Secret Service, the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, and TSA.
"I thank Ralph for his exemplary service to the department and the nation, and personally for his partnership even before I joined the department. His assistance and counsel have been invaluable to me, and I wish him every success in his future endeavors," the secretary said in her statement.
President Announces Intent to Nominate John Morton to Lead ICE; Secretary Names Esther Olavarria as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy
President Obama announced on Feb. 23 his intention to nominate John Morton to be ICE Assistant Secretary, and Secretary Janet Napolitano named Esther Olavarria as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy.
"John Morton and Esther Olavarria are tremendous additions to our Homeland Security team. Both have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to public service and both will be able and effective partners as we tackle the very complex issues surrounding immigration and securing of our borders," Secretary Napolitano said.
John Morton is a career official at the Justice Department with lengthy experience in immigration enforcement and criminal prosecution. He began his career as a trial attorney in the Attorney General's honors program in 1994 and now serves as Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General of the Criminal Division.
Esther Olavarria brings nearly 20 years of experience on immigration policy to her new job at the department. Most recently, she was a Senior Fellow and Director of Immigration Policy at the Center for American Progress, where she was responsible for planning, developing, and administering the organization's work on immigration issues, planning and convening roundtables and other venues for discussion, and conducting research and writing on immigration issues.
Secretary Names Chani Wiggins as Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs
Secretary Napolitano announced her appointment of Chani W. Wiggins as Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs, and announced Nelson Peacock and Sue Ramanathan as deputy assistant secretaries for DHS Legislative Affairs.
"This strong and experienced team will continue this department's commitment to seamless communication and partnership with Capitol Hill," said the secretary. "Chani's extensive political repertoire and reputation during her tenure working in both Houses of Congress will further strengthen our important relationship with legislators going forward."
More information about these announcements is available at http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/.
Source: DHS
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Secretary Testifies About DHS Challenges and Priorities
Addresses a number of issues during hearing before House committee
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Secretary Janet Napolitano last week testified for the first time as DHS secretary before the House Homeland Security Committee, describing for the committee her initial impressions about the department, the challenges she sees, and the priorities she wants to pursue. She also expressed the desire to work closely with the committee to make changes that will improve the department's capabilities in building a more secure nation.
During her first month on the job, the secretary said she has learned of the many challenges facing the department and has issued a number of Action Directives to assess the current functions of the department and target areas for improvement. She also said she has been impressed with the quality and commitment of the DHS workforce in carrying out the department's core mission. On her visits to the various DHS components, the secretary said she has emphasized that employees must continually ask themselves, "How am I going to improve the safety and security of the American people today?"
In her written testimony, the secretary said that the Action Directives she has issued would determine the top priorities for the department as it moves forward, but she outlined three areas that she said would allow DHS to better protect the American public. First is building stronger relationships with state and local governments; second is relying more on cutting-edge technologies to improve the department's capabilities; and third is ensuring that the department carries out its mission more effectively by unifying it. "It is important that we develop an identity for DHS that is centered on the department's mission and that we build a 'one-DHS' culture among the different components of the department," she said in her written statement.
The secretary also addressed a number of other issues in responding to questions from members of the committee. Among these were the role of FEMA within the department and its role in responding to disasters, the integration of state and local fusion centers with the department's Intelligence and Analysis Office, cargo screening, the Transportation Worker Identification Credential program, and the ongoing violence in Mexico that threatens to spill over into the United States. On this topic, the secretary said that she and the rest of President Obama's administration support the Mexican government's crackdown on the illegal drug cartels that are spawning the violence, and that this issue will demand the attention of the department and other departments within the administration.
The secretary's complete written testimony is available at http://hsc.house.gov/SiteDocuments/20090225102118-60844.pdf. An archived Web cast of the hearing is available at http://homeland.house.gov/Hearings/index.asp?ID=171.
Source: DHS
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Register for the 21st Annual National Fire and Emergeny Services Dinner
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On April 1-2 CFSI will host the 21st Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner and Seminars. To register for the event click here or paste the following URL (http://www.cfsi.org/dinner_about.asp) into your web browser. The dinner will be held on the evening on the 2nd with seminars being held on both the 1st and 2nd.
The theme of the program is, "New Beginnings, New Opportunities." The theme captures the change in administrations and the start of a new Congress. We look forward to inviting officials from the new administration to participate in our schedule of events to share with our guests the policies and initiatives that they will advocate for our nation's first responders. And we will alert the newly elected members of Congress - and all members of Congress - to participate as well in the many activities scheduled and to encourage them to meet with you during your visit to Washington.
Prior to your journey to our nation's capitol, please visit our website to learn how you can arrange meetings with your members. The website will contain important information, including hotel information and a list of legislation that our National Advisory Committee continues to support on Capitol Hill. If you have any questions about the event, please contact CFSI at 202-371-1277 and we will be happy to assist you.
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Fire Spinkler Incentive Act Reintroduced in House
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On February 25, 2009, Congressman Jim Langevin (RI-2) was joined by 55 members of the House of Representatives in reintroducing the Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act, H.R. 1194. The legislation creates tax incentives for property owners to retrofit buildings with automatic fire sprinkler systems. The legislation would reduce the tax depreciation on the sprinkler systems in nonresidential real property from 39 years to only five years. In addition, the benefits of this legislation would include lower local fire department costs, increased loan activity, reduced insurance claims and premium costs, and increased retrofitting and installation jobs.
CFSI's National Advisory Committee passed a unanimous resolution in support of a tax incentive for the retrofit of fire sprinklers at the fall meeting of 2002. Legislation to achieve this objective was first introduced in April of 2003.
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Senator Tom Carper Selected Co-Chairman of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus
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Senator Tom Carper of Delaware was named Co-Chairman of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, filling the position formerly held by Vice President Joe Biden. Elected to the Senate in 2000, Senator Carper serves on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, Environment and Public Works, and Finance Committees.
An original member of the Congressional Fire Service Caucus, Senator Carper joined the Caucus in 1989 when he was serving in the U.S. House of Representatives. In 1992, he left Congress and was sworn-in as the Governor of Delaware where he served for eight years.
Throughout his political career, Senator Carper has been actively engaged in fire service issues both in Washington, DC and in Delaware. His understanding of the fire service and of the fire services' legislative priorities is based on his close working relationship with the Delaware fire service - most notably the Delaware Volunteer Fireman's Association - and the national fire organizations.
"The Delaware fire service takes great pride in Senator Carper and thanks the Fire Caucus leadership for presenting this opportunity for the Senator to serve as a Fire Caucus co-chairman," said Steve Austin, former president of the Delaware Volunteer Fireman's Association and Vice Chairman of the CFSI National Advisory Committee. "He will do an outstanding job working with his co-chairs to educate their colleagues on the needs and challenges of our nation's firefighters."
Similar praises were expressed by Bill Webb, CFSI Executive Director. "The Congressional Fire Services Caucus has a strong tradition of selecting knowledgeable members of Congress to serve in leadership capacities," said Webb. "The selection of Senator Carper will certainly continue this trend."
The Congressional Fire Services Caucus leadership is composed of eight members - four each from the Senate and House. Maintaining the bipartisan spirit of the Caucus, leadership is also split evenly between party lines with four Democrats and four Republicans. The co-chairs include Senator John McCain (AZ), Senator Chris Dodd (CT), Senator Susan Collins (ME), Senator Carper (DE), Congressman Steny Hoyer (MD-5), Congressman Rob Andrews (NJ-1), Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson (MO-8) and Congressman Peter King (NY-3).
The Fire Caucus remains the largest caucus in Congress with approximately 300 members. The purpose of becoming a member is to learn more about our nation's fire and emergency services. A list of current members is located on the CFSI website (www.cfsi.org). If your member is not on the list, please have him/her contact CFSI and learn the value in becoming a member.
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NVFC Releases Updated Vehicle Safety Resource
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An updated version of the Emergency Vehicle Safe Operations for Volunteer and Small Combination Emergency Service Organizations is now available on the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) web site. Download this valuable resource for free at www.nvfc.org.
Read full article.
Source: NVFC
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| The United States Fire Administration (USFA) has received notice of the following firefighter fatalities:
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Name: Derek Edward North
Rank: Firefighter
Age: 34
Gender: Male
Status: Volunteer
Years of Service: 3
Date of Incident: 02/23/2009
Time of Incident: 1559hrs
Date of Death: 02/23/2009
Fire Department: Stockton Fire Department
Address: Lakeland/Lanier Fire and Rescue (District), PO Box 68, Lakeland, GA 31635
Fire Department Chief: Jimmy North
District Fire Chief: Gary Yeomans
Incident Description: Firefighter Derek North was riding in the officer seat of the department's 1966 Ford Fire Knocker in response to a fire call. For a cause still being investigated by authorities, the apparatus overturned at an intersection when it reportedly swerved to avoid a collision with other traffic.
Three firefighters are reported to have been in the apparatus, Firefighter Derek North passed away from injuries, and the others, including his brother, Firefighter Chad North who was operating the vehicle, sustained serious injuries.
The fire apparatus was leased from the state and is reported to have had a baffled tank.
Seat belts: Unknown at this time if equipped or in use.
Incident Location: Intersection of U.S. 84 and U.S. 129.
Funeral Arrangements: Pending
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: In memory of Firefighter Derek Edward North, c/o Lakeland/Lanier Fire and Rescue, PO Box 68, Lakeland, GA 31635.
Tribute is being paid to Firefighter Derek Edward North at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/
Name: Ferdinando 'Freddy' Pierno
Rank: Firefighter/EMT
Age: 55
Gender: Male
Status: Career
Years of Service: 18
Date of Incident: Pending
Time of Incident: Pending
Date of Death: 02/25/2009
Fire Department: Martin County Fire Rescue
Address: 800 SE Monterey Road, Stuart, FL 34994
Fire Department Chief: Thomas M. Billington
Incident Description: Firefighter Pierno passed away from a Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection he sustained while on duty.
Funeral Arrangements: 03/02/2009, 1130hrs @ Saint Martin's De Porres Church, 2555 NE Savannah Road, Jensen Beach, with procession to Forest Hills Memorial Park, 2001 S.W. Murphy Road, Palm City.
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Pending
Tribute is being paid to Firefighter/EMT Ferdinando 'Freddy' Pierno at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/
Name: Michael J. Darrington
Rank: Firefighter
Age: 45
Gender: Male
Status: Career
Years of Service: 24
Date of Incident: 02/27/2009
Time of Incident: 1600hrs
Date of Death: 02/27/2009
Fire Department: Toledo Fire and Rescue Department
Address: 545 North Huron, Toledo, OH 43604
Fire Department Chief: Michael W. Wolever
Fire Department Website:http://www.ci.toledo.oh.us
Incident Description: After returning to the firehouse from an emergency run, Firefighter Darrington reported to fellow firefighters that he was feeling ill. When Darrington failed to respond to another alarm call, he was discovered in the firehouse unresponsive. Firefighters and a medical director were unable to revive him. The cause of Darrington's passing still to be reported.
Funeral Arrangements: Pending, updates will be posted http://www.iaff92.org
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Pending, updates will be posted http://www.iaff92.org
Tribute is being paid to Firefighter Michael 'Mike D" Darrington at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/
Name: Christopher Allen Dill
Rank: Corporal
Age: 43
Gender: Male
Status: Career
Years of Service: 14
Date of Incident: 03/04/2009
Time of Incident: 1405hrs
Date of Death: 03/04/2009
Fire Department: Oklahoma City Fire Department
Address: 820 NW 5th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73106
Fire Department Chief: G. Keith Bryant
Fire Department Website: http://www.okc.gov/Fire/index.html
Incident Description: Corporal Christopher Dill responded to the scene of an apartment fire. At approximately 1600hrs and after suppression operations were completed, units on scene were cleaning up and preparing to return to the station when Corporal Dill collapsed. Care was initiated on scene and he was transported to the hospital where he later passed away. The cause of Corporal Dill's passing is pending a full investigation.
Incident Location: Penn Grand Apartments, 3726 S. Penn Ave.
Funeral Arrangements: Pending
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: In memory of Corporal Christopher Allen Dill, c/o Oklahoma City Fire Department, 820 NW 5th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73106
Tribute is being paid to Corporal Christopher Allen Dill at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/
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