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From the Department of Homeland Security: DHS ANNOUNCES GUIDANCE FOR MORE THAN $500 MILLION IN RECOVERY ACT-FUNDED PREPAREDNESS GRANTS
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WASHINGTON-The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today released application guidance for more than $500 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) preparedness grants for fire station construction, port and transit security-funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).
"These Recovery Act funds will strengthen our economy while improving our ability to prepare for terrorist attacks, major disasters and other emergencies," said DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano. "The grants announced today will go directly to local projects, revitalizing communities while updating our nation's infrastructure and enhancing our security."
The guidance released today includes $150 million for the Port Security Grant Program, $150 million for the Transit Security Grant Program and $210 million for the Fire Station Construction Grant Program. Signed into law by the President on Feb. 17, ARRA committed more than $3 billion to DHS and GSA in support of homeland security programs across the country.
The Port Security Grant Program provides $150 million to protect critical port infrastructure from terrorism; enhance maritime domain awareness and risk management capabilities to protect against improvised explosive devices and other non-conventional weapons; and support the implementation of the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC). These funds are in addition to the $388.6 million in DHS port security grants announced in April 2009.
The Transit Security Grant Program provides $150 million to hire transit law enforcement officers, mobile explosive detection screening teams, and anti-terrorism teams; shovel-ready anti-terrorism security enhancements that must begin within 90 days of the release of funds and be completed within two years; and other security projects, including improvements to high-density tunnels, stations and bridges. These funds are in addition to the $388.6 million in DHS transit security grants announced in April 2009.
The Fire Station Construction Grant Program will provide $210 million directly to fire departments to build new or modify existing fire stations in order to enhance response capabilities and protect communities from fire-related hazards. These grants will replace unsafe or uninhabitable structures and expand fire protection coverage to meet increased service demand in compliance with National Fire Protection Association standards. These fire grants are in addition to the $565 million in Assistance to Firefighters grants announced last year.
Applications for the Port Security Grant Program and Transit Security Grant Program will be submitted electronically to DHS-FEMA through www.grants.gov. Applications for the Fire Station Construction Grant Program will be submitted electronically at https://portal.fema.gov. Full guidance and more information on preparedness grant programs can be found at www.dhs.gov.
Source: CFSI
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Fire Station Construction Grants Coming Soon
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The Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Fire Station Construction Grants (FSC) will provide financial assistance directly to fire departments on a competitive basis to build new or modify existing fire stations in order for departments to enhance their response capability and protect the community they serve from fire and fire-related hazards. The authority for FSC is derived from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 (Public Law 111-5). Congress appropriated a total of $210 million for this Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 program.
DHS consulted with the nine major fire service organizations to obtain insight and expertise providing funding priority recommendations. Our primary goal is to help fire departments meet their firefighting and emergency response needs. FSC seeks to support organizations lacking the tools and resources necessary to effectively protect the health and safety of the public and their emergency response personnel with respect to fire and all other hazards. The program will be administered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Grant Programs Directorate in coordination with the U.S. Fire Administration by the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program Office.
The AFG Program Office will be utilizing the established grant process employed for all other grant opportunities with AFG. Applications will be submitted via the automated e-grant application and the program office expects the e-application will be available the week of June 8th. The submitted applications will be screened using the answers to the questions in the application to determine which applications will go to panel. Finally, a panel of peers will review each application sent to panel and provide recommendations regarding which applications will be funded.
During the application period, the help desk will operate Monday to Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturdays (Eastern Time). However, the help desk will close at 4:30 p.m., on Friday, July 3rd and will not be open on Saturday, July 4th. Applicants who have questions regarding the Fire Station Construction Grants opportunity should contact the help desk at 1-866-274-0960 or at firegrants@dhs.gov.
An applicant tutorial will be made available soon on the firegrantsupport.com website. The tutorial provides you with valuable grant information and walks you through the preparation and submittal of competitive applications. In addition, the applicant tutorial provides an overview of the funding priorities and evaluation criteria.
To review the FSC Grant Program Guidance click here.
Source: DHS
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Fire/EMS Safety Week: Survival Requires Situational Awareness and Structural Size-Up
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IAFC On Scene: June 1, 2009
The recommended focus of this year's Safety Week incorporates 4 key areas where standard operating procedures, policies and initiativesalong with the training and enforcement that support them can limit fire and EMS personnel's risk of injury or death:
- Survival: Structural Size-Up and Situational Awareness
- Chiefs: Be the Leader in Safety
Third Key Safety Week Area Survival: Structural Size-Up and Situational Awareness
The IAFC and the International Association of Fire Fighters are asking you to Protect Yourself: Your Safety, Health and Survival Are Your Responsibility. We're calling on all fire/EMS departments and all IAFF affiliates to participate in the 2009 Fire/EMS Safety, Health and Survival Week, scheduled for June 14-20.
Fire chiefs should develop situational awareness of their own organizations and ensure firefighters and company officers are aware of what is happening around them as well. One critical issue is building construction.
It's extremely important for firefighters to become familiar with and understand the make-up of the structures with which they are dealing, as their lives can depend on it. Make it a priority to ensure you and your firefighters understand the building materials currently being used and those used in the past to construct buildings in your community.
A good initial size-up of the situation at any emergency is paramount in the development of a safe incident action plan. Have a size-up checklist as a reminder, in conjunction with a tactical worksheet that will help you operate safely and efficiently.
Make sure a 360° walk around the structure is always completed at every working incident. This allows the initial incident commander to gather as much information as possible of what's really going on. Features such as the layout of the building, location of entry/exit points and possibly the location of the fire can be assessed.
After the initial size-up is conducted, rules of engagement should be established and communicated to all personnel operating at the incident to ensure a safe, coordinated effort to mitigate the problem.
One of the most important components is the accountability of firefighters at the scene of every emergency to which you respond. Whatever type of accountability system you may use, make certain that all personnel are trained and proficient in its use. The same goes for the tools and equipment that are on the apparatus in your organization.
Ensure you and other members of your department are trained to the highest possible level. When this is accomplished you can remain calm and concentrate while operating in high-risk, stressful environments.
Visit www.iafc.org/safetyweek for more information on this year's program and for planning resources developed by the IAFC Safety, Health and Survival Section.
Source: IAFC
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Fire Station Construction Grant Guidance Released
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This morning, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the release of grant guidance for $210 million in fire station construction funding that was appropriated in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which was passed by Congress and signed into law earlier this year. The fire station construction grant funding will be administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Grant Programs Directorate. The guidance is now posted at www.fema.gov/government/grant/arra/index.shtm.
Source: NVFC
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DHS Selects Labs for Project 25 Interoperability Testing
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Interoperable communication is getting one step closer to reality, as the DHS has approved eight labs to test radios to see if they meet interoperability standards.
Read More>>
Source: Disaster Resource Guide
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FEMA Announces New Disaster Shelter System
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FEMA director Craig Fugate has announced a new system that will include a nationwide database of places to go in an emergency- just in time for hurricane season.
Read More>>
Source: Disaster Resource Guide
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| The United States Fire Administration (USFA) has received notice of the following firefighter fatalities:
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Name: Paul J. Roberts
Rank: Firefighter
Age: 54
Gender: Male
Status: Career
Years of Service: 21
Date of Incident: 05/22/2009
Time of Incident: 1523hrs
Date of Death: 05/22/2009
Fire Department: Beverly Fire Department
Address: 15 Hale ST, Beverly, MA 01915
Fire Department Chief: Richard Pierce
Incident Description: Firefighter Roberts' Engine Company was dispatched for a coverage assignment after another Beverly Engine was sent to a mutual aid fire out of town. Roberts' Company Officer found him in cardiac arrest at the station after he did not respond to the alert tone. Fellow firefighters and paramedics worked to revive Firefighter Roberts but he succumbed to his injury.
Incident Location: North Beverly Fire Station, 2 Dodge Street, Beverly.
Wake arrangements: 05/28/2009 from 1600-2000hrs @ Campbells Funeral Home, 525 Cabot Street Beverly, MA 01915. Tele - (978) 922-1113
There will be a walk-by ceremony at 1830hrs on 05/28/2009. Formation will be at 1800hrs at a location to be determined. Dress code will be Class A and retirees are welcome.
Funeral Arrangements: 05/29/2009 @ 1100hrs at Immanuel United Church of Christ, 140 Bridge Street, Beverly, MA 01915. Tele - (978) 922-3174
Fire Fighters are asked to meet at the staging area (TBA) at 0930hrs on 05/29/2009. Firefighters will be shuttled to the Church and back again to the staging area. Details on the formation for firefighters will be coming soon and posted on the Beverly Fire Department website. Dress Code will be Class A and retirees are welcome.
All color and honor guards are welcome. The Greater Boston Firefighters Pipes and Drums have been requested for the funeral.
Collation: Following the funeral there will be a collation at the Vittori Rocci Post 143, Brimbal Ave, Beverly. There will be no interment at this time.
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Pending
Tribute is being paid to Firefighter Paul J. Roberts at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/
Name: George A. Wimberly
Rank: Firefighter
Age: 63
Gender: Male
Status: Volunteer
Years of Service: 30+
Date of Incident: 04/01/2009
Time of Incident: 2126hrs
Date of Death: 04/01/2009
Fire Department: Stonewall Volunteer Fire Department
Address: PO Box 657, 734 S Erwin RD, Stonewall, MS 39363
Fire Department Chief: Shane Harper
Incident Description: Firefighter Wimberly was operating his privately owned vehicle in response to a reported structure fire when he slowed to a stop approx 1/2 mile from the incident scene and passed away, having succumbed to an apparent heart attack. The cause of the fire is under investigation by state authorities as being intentionally set.
Incident Location: Fire incident: 137 Priester Road, Stonewall, MS. Location of medical emergency: County Road 150 and Hwy 513, Stonewall, MS.
Funeral Arrangements: Held on 04/04/2009.
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Donations in honor of Firefighter George A. Wimberly may be made to Stonewall Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 657, Stonewall, MS 39363
Tribute is being paid to Firefighter George A. Wimberly at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/
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