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CFSI Week In Review
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Executive Director Bill Webb gives an update on the hearings that confirmed Chief Kelvin Cochran to be the next U.S. Fire Administrator. He also discusses the upcoming Night at the Nationals event. To purchase tickets please visit www.cfsi.org/nationals.asp, we have several different ticket options available.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE AUGUST 14, 2009 VIDEO
Source: CFSI
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FEMA Administrator Fugate Applauds the Senate's Confirmation of
Kelvin Cochran as the Administrator of the U.S. Fire Administration
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 Release Date: August 7, 2009
Release Number: HQ-09-097
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate today applauded the Senate's confirmation of Kelvin Cochran as the Administrator of the U.S. Fire Administration.
"As the Chief of the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department as well as the former chief in Shreveport, LA, Chief Cochran brings extensive experience to a critical position within our Agency and the Department of Homeland Security," said Administrator Fugate. "The USFA plays a critical role in our efforts to mitigate, prepare, and respond to disasters and emergencies, and I look forward to working with Chief Cochran as we continue to build our national emergency response team."
Cochran has twenty-eight years of experience in the fire service including firefighting, emergency medical services, hazardous materials, public education, research and development, personnel management, and administration, with a specialization in training and strategic planning.
Most recently, Cochran served as Fire Chief for the City of Atlanta Fire Rescue Department, where he coordinated homeland security and emergency preparedness initiatives between the City of Atlanta and the Atlanta Fulton County Emergency Management Agency (AFCEMA) and oversaw 35 fire stations providing fire, rescue and emergency medical services.
Previously, he served in the Shreveport, La. fire department as a Firefighter, Assistant Chief Training Officer, and Fire Chief. Cochran also served as President of the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association, the 1st Vice President of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), and Vice Chairman of Volunteers of America (VOA).
FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.
Source: DHS
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DHS Officials Speak at National Community
Preparedness Conference
Conference features results of Citizen Corp
National Survey and National Citizen Awards
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Deputy
Secretary Lute delivers an address at the 2009 National Conference on
Community Preparedness. Photo courtesy of Bill Koplitz, FEMA
FEMA's Community Preparedness Division last week hosted the 2009 National
Conference on Community Preparedness, which featured speeches by Deputy
Secretary Jane Holl Lute and FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, and more than 100
presentations on all facets of community and individual preparedness. The
four-day event in advance of National Preparedness Month drew a diverse group
of participants interested and involved in making their communities safer,
stronger, and better prepared for all hazards.
Fugate spoke to the hundreds assembled for the conference opening
session. He praised the work of the many agencies and partners in the audience
and emphasized the need for increased community preparedness and individual
responsibility before and after a disaster. He introduced Lute, who also
praised the work of those in the audience. In supporting their mission, the
deputy secretary urged them to explain to individuals and volunteers not only
how they can help during disaster response and recovery, but also why their
help is needed so badly.
Some of the many topics addressed at the conference included engaging
youth, preparedness for individuals with functional needs, pets and other
animal issues during disasters, emergency preparedness considerations during
hard economic times, and preparedness for the H1N1 flu.
During the conference, FEMA announced the initial findings from the 2009
Citizen Corps National Survey, which assesses public perceptions of community
risk. The event also showcased the winners of the first annual National Citizen
Corps Achievement Awards. The awards recognize innovative practices and
achievements of Citizen Corps councils across the nation.
More information about the conference, including results from the 2009
Citizen Corps National Survey and a list of the Citizen Corps Achievement Award
winners is available at http://www.citizencorps.gov/nccp/.
Source: DHS
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FEMA Announces Creation of Children's
Working Group
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FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate announced the creation of a
"Children's Working Group" that will allow FEMA and its partners to
explore and implement planning and response strategies specific to the needs of
children during a disaster, and integrate them into FEMA's general operations.
The administrator made the announcement last week while testifying before the
Senate Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Disaster Recovery.
"It is time for special needs populations, whether children or any
other segment of our communities who have traditionally been underserved, to be
more fully and consistently integrated into preparedness and planning efforts
at every level of government," Fugate said. "Children are a part
of every community. We must understand and address their needs from the
outset, recognizing that they are not simply small adults. That means not
putting the considerations specific to children in a separate box, but
incorporating them into our planning on the front end."
The Children's Working Group will be composed of FEMA
employees across multiple directorates and offices to ensure coordination and
action, and will report directly to the Office of the Administrator. The
working group will be chaired by Tracy Wareing, Counselor to Secretary
Napolitano for FEMA.
The group's areas of focus will include specific guidance
for evacuating, sheltering and relocating children; assisting childcare
centers, schools, and child welfare systems in preparing for disasters;
incorporating children into national planning scenarios and exercises;
including children's needs in the department's grant programs; and increasing
public awareness efforts to educate families and protect children during
disasters.
More information about the Children's Working Group announcement is
available at http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=49221.
Source: DHS
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Call 911 on a Land Line
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A fatal mattress fire that killed a mother and son might have been stopped in time, if any of the dozen 911 callers had used a land line instead of a cell phone.
Read More>>
Source: Disaster Resource Guide
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Include Disabled in Disaster Plans
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People with disabilities are among the most vulnerable in a disaster. The National Council of Disability calls on authorities to revamp EM practices so no one is left behind.
Read More>>
Source: Disaster Resource Guide
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Kids Have Special Needs During Disasters
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Disaster plans are modeled on adults. Now, with help from the National Commission on Children and Disasters, a FEMA group will address children's needs as well.
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: Jimmie Zeeks
Rank: Fire Chief
Age: 54
Gender: Male
Status: Volunteer
Years of Service: 31
Date of Incident: 08/15/2009
Time of Incident: 2006hrs
Date of Death: 08/15/2009
Fire Department: Marion Township Rural Fire Department
Address: PO Box 598, 4632 State Road 37, Mitchell, IN 47446-0598
Fire Department Chief: Pending
Incident Description: Fire Chief Zeeks passed away from an apparent heart attack while in command at the scene of a serious motor vehicle accident. Members of the fire department immediately started life saving efforts. Chief Zeeks was rushed to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injury.
Incident Location: State Road 37 and Woodville Road.
Funeral Arrangements: Viewing from 1400-2000hrs on 08/18/2009 @ Mitchell 1st Church of God, 12th Street and Oak Street. Services will be held at 1300hrs on 08/19/2009 @ Mitchell 1st Church of God.
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Memorials may be made in Jimmie's name to Marion Township Fire Department, c/o Chastain Funeral Home, 705 W. Warren Street, Mitchell, IN 47446
Tribute is being paid to Fire Chief Jimmie Zeeks at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/
Name: Paul Warhola
Rank: Firefighter
Age: 47
Gender: Male
Status: Career
Years of Service: 15
Date of Incident: 08/12/2009
Time of Incident: 1530hrs
Date of Death: 08/14/2009
Fire Department: Fire Department City of New York
Address: 9 Metro Tech Center, Brooklyn, New York 11201
Fire Department Chief: Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta
Incident Description: Firefighter Warhola, who was driving the fire engine, responded with other members of Engine 221 to a fire alarm activation in Brooklyn, New York, on August 12, 2009. Upon arrival, Firefighter Warhola checked for a working fire hydrant outside the structure while other firefighters entered the building to investigate. When the other firefighters returned to the street, Firefighter Warhola was experiencing dizziness and had difficulty breathing. As a result, he was provided medical treatment and was transported back to the firehouse. After examining Firefighter Warhola at the firehouse, paramedics recognized his symptoms as possibly stroke-related and transported him to the hospital. Firefighter Warhola's condition worsened, however, and he passed away at the hospital on August 14, 2009.
Incident Location: 164 Kent Ave. in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Funeral Arrangements: Pending
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Pending
Tribute is being paid to Firefighter Paul Warhola at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/
Name: John P. "Jack" Horton
Rank: Assistant Fire Chief
Age: 68
Gender: Male
Status: Volunteer
Years of Service: 47
Date of Incident: 08/06/2009
Time of Incident: 1430hrs
Date of Death: 08/06/2009
Fire Department: Marlboro Volunteer Fire Company
Address: South Road, Marlboro, VT 05344
Fire Department Chief: David Elliott
Incident Description: Assistant Chief Horton was operating at the scene of a single motor vehicle accident and assisting with the backing of a fire truck so that an ambulance could be moved into position. While outside the truck as the ground guide, and for a cause still under investigation but initially reported by local authorities to be related to a medical emergency causing him to collapse in the path of the vehicle, Horton was struck by the fire apparatus. Assistant Chief Horton was treated on-scene then transported to the Brattleboro Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Incident Location: Pending
Funeral Arrangements: Pending
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Pending
Tribute is being paid to Assistant Fire Chief John P. "Jack" Horton at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/
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