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DHS Launches Ready Campaign for National Preparedness Month
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This week Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano joined with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate and the Ad Council to launch a new series of Ready Campaign public service advertisements (PSAs). Kicking off September's National Preparedness Month, these advertisements are designed to encourage all Americans to take steps to prepare for emergencies.
"Preparedness is a shared responsibility that begins with the American people," said Secretary Napolitano. "These public service advertisements highlight the simple steps everyone can take to prepare for disasters, enhancing the safety and security of our country."
"Emergency response is a team effort, and the most important member of that team is the public," said Administrator Fugate. "The truth is, the more the public does now to prepare, the better we can respond in the future. That's why we are launching PSAs, encouraging Americans to visit Ready.gov and learn how they can do their part to prepare."
The Ready Campaign encourages Americans to take three simple steps to prepare for emergencies: 1) put together an emergency supply kit; 2) make a family emergency plan; and 3) get informed about the types of emergencies that could take place in their communities and appropriate responses.
Initiated in 2003, the Ready Campaign is a national public service advertising campaign designed to educate and empower Americans to prepare for and respond to all emergencies in order to raise the level of basic preparedness across the nation.
For more information on the Ready Campaign or to view the PSAs visit www.ready.gov
Source: CFSI
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NIST Researcher Dan Madrzykowski Named Fire Service Instructor of the Year
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Daniel Madrzykowski of the National Institute of Standards and Technology's Fire Fighting Technology Group was named the "George D. Post Instructor of the Yearfor 2009" by the International Society of Fire Service Instructors and Fire Engineering. Madrzykowski is a leader in applying science to firefighting operations, specifically his research on the application of fire dynamics tools, and applying this scientific knowledge to save the lives of firefighters. He also studies firefighter line-of-duty deaths to help establish the root causes of an incident in an effort to learn lessons that will improve life safety and prevent future losses.
Madrzykowski was presented the award for transferring his knowledge and experience to the classroom. He has delivered fire dynamics programs across the country and has developed a variety of training discs to put these lessons in the hands of fire company officers and instructors worldwide.
For more information on Madrzykowski's work with fire service training, click here.
Source: CFSI
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Secretary Addresses 2009 Fire-Rescue International
Conference: Participates in swearing in Kelvin Cochran as new
U.S. Fire Administrator
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Secretary Napolitano last week delivered remarks to 2,500 first
responders and emergency managers at the International Association of Fire
Chiefs (IAFC) 2009 Fire-Rescue International Conference in Dallas, Texas,
stressing preparedness as a shared responsibility between all levels of government,
the private sector, communities, and individuals.
In her remarks, the secretary discussed actions DHS is taking to support
firefighters across the country, including distributing $210 million in
Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grants this year that help
fire departments increase the number of trained, front-line firefighters in
their communities and - with new flexibility added this year - rehire laid-off
firefighters. "America's first responders stand at the front lines of all emergencies,"
she said.
Following her remarks, Secretary Napolitano joined FEMA Administrator
Craig Fugate to swear in Kelvin Cochran as U.S. Fire Administrator, the
nation's top fire service position. Cochran will lead the coordination and
direction of national efforts to prevent fires and improve fire response.
Additionally, he will supervise fire prevention and safety education programs
and professional development opportunities for emergency responders at all
levels of government.
"Kelvin's extensive experience as former fire chief in Atlanta and
Shreveport, makes him the ideal candidate to take over this important
position," commented Fugate. "I congratulate him and look forward to working
together as we continue to expand our national emergency response team, a team
that includes federal agency partners, members of the private sector, volunteer
organizations and most importantly, the public."
More information about the secretary's remarks is available at http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1251399442523.shtm.
More about the swearing in of U.S. Fire Administrator Cochran is available at http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=49392.
Source: DHS
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FEMA Research Provides New Insights on Personal
Preparedness: Survey findings released before the start of
National Preparedness Month
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FEMA has released a new report, Personal Preparedness in America:
Findings from the 2009 Citizen Corps National Survey, that offers
comprehensive data on the public's thoughts, perceptions, and behaviors related
to preparedness and community safety for multiple types of hazards. Findings
from these surveys provide valuable insights for increasing personal
preparedness, civic engagement, and community resilience. The findings are
particularly relevant with the beginning of National Preparedness Month
tomorrow.
Results from this study have important implications for the development
of more effective communication and outreach strategies to achieve greater
levels of preparedness and participation. Among the suggested strategies are
these:
- Stress
that preparedness is a shared responsibility.
Results from the national survey indicate that 30 percent of Americans
have not prepared because they think that emergency responders will help
them and that over 60 percent expect to rely on emergency responders in
the first 72 hours following a disaster.
- Provide
more specificity on preparedness actions. The
survey found that many people who report being prepared have not completed
important preparedness activities or do not have a sound understanding of
community plans.
- Highlight
additional preparedness needs for people with disabilities.
Fourteen percent of respondents reported having a physical or other
disability that would affect their capacity to respond to an emergency
situation. Alarmingly, however, few individuals with disabilities had
taken specific actions to help them respond safely in the event of an
emergency.
- Emphasize
the importance of drills and exercises. Fewer than half the
surveyed individuals (41 percent) had practiced a workplace evacuation
drill, only 14 percent had participated in a home evacuation drill, and of
those in school and/or with children in school, only 23 percent had
participated in a school evacuation drill.
FEMA's Citizen Corps grassroots community movement and the Ready
awareness campaign work together to actively involve Americans in making
themselves and their communities safer, stronger, and better prepared to handle
any emergency.
To read the survey report, go to http://www.citizencorps.gov/ready/2009findings.shtm.
Source: DHS
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Pool Resources for First Response, says FEMA
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Emergency response is not just FEMA's responsibility, it requires "teamwork," says FEMA's administrator as he calls on responders and the public to be more involved.
Read More>>
Source: Disaster Resource Guide
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Invention Could Save Motorists from Emergency Vehicles
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Emergency vehicles have nearly 16,000 collisions a year. If automakers buy inventor Bill Spann's idea, vehicles might warn drivers of approaching emergency vehicles.
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: Richard Holst
Rank: Firefighter/Chaplain
Age: 60
Gender: Male
Status: Volunteer
Years of Service: 31
Date of Incident: 09/09/2009
Time of Incident: 0302hrs
Date of Death: 09/09/2009
Fire Department: Huntington Manor Fire Department
Address: 1 Leverich Place, Huntington, NY 11743
Telephone: (631) 427-3030
Fire Department Chief: Robert J. Herley III
Fire Department Website: http://www.hmfd.org/
Incident Description: After smelling smoke and reporting a fire at an eating establishment located near his home, Firefighter Holst walked around the burning structure to investigate. While performing his Fire Police duties, Firefighter Holst collapsed and was transported to Huntington Hospital where he was later pronounced dead. The official cause of death has not yet been determined.
Incident Location: 334 Depot Road, Huntington Station, NY 11746
Funeral Arrangements: Viewing, Saturday, 09/12/09 and Sunday, 09/13/09, Huntington Manor Fire Department Headquarters; Internment, Monday, 09/14/09
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Pending
Tribute is being paid to Firefighter Holst at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/
Name: Tedmund "Ted" Hall
Rank: Captain
Age: 47
Gender: Male
Status: Career
Years of Service: 26
Date of Incident: 08/30/2009
Time of Incident: 1430hrs
Date of Death: 08/30/2009
Name: Arnaldo "Arnie" Quinones
Rank: Firefighter Specialist
Age: 34
Gender: Male
Status: Career
Years of Service: 8
Date of Incident: 08/30/2009
Time of Incident: 1430hrs
Date of Death: 08/30/2009
Fire Department: Los Angeles County Fire Department
Address: 1320 N Eastern AVE, Los Angeles, CA 90063-3244
Fire Department Chief: P. Michael Freeman
Incident Description: Captain Hall and Firefighter Specialist Quinones suffered fatal injuries when they drove off the side of a treacherous road in the Mt. Gleason area, south of Acton. Investigation of the incident continues, but heavy smoke and fire conditions are thought to have contributed to the accident.
Incident Location: Vicinity of Mt. Gleason (USNG: 11S LU 9175 0454)
Funeral Arrangements: Pending
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Pending
Tribute is being paid to Captain Tedmund "Ted" Hall and Firefighter Specialist Arnaldo "Arnie" Quinones at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/
Name: Kenneth Frizzell Jr.
Rank: Firefighter
Age: 55
Gender: Male
Status: Volunteer
Years of Service: 34
Date of Incident: 08/30/2009
Time of Incident: 1311hrs
Date of Death: 08/30/2009
Fire Department: Charleston Volunteer Fire Department
Address: PO Box 106, 7113 VT RT 105, East Charleston, VT 05833-0106
Fire Department Chief: Duane Moulton
Incident Description: While returning from a structure fire incident and coming down and near the bottom of a very steep hill, the tanker apparatus Firefighter Frizzell was operating struck a telephone pole and crashed off of the roadway. Firefighter Frizzell, the only occupant of the truck, was reportedly ejected and died from injuries sustained during the crash.
Incident Location: Dane Hill Road
Funeral Arrangements: Pending
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: In honor of Firefighter Kenneth Frizzell Jr., c/o Charleston Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 106, East Charleston, VT 05833-0106.
Tribute is being paid to Firefighter Kenneth Frizzell Jr. at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/
Name: David Jamsa
Rank: Pilot
Age: 45
Gender: Male
Status: Wildland Contract
Years of Service: 4
Date of Incident: 08/20/2009
Time of Incident: 1545hrs
Date of Death: 08/20/2009
Fire Department: U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management - Nevada State Office
Address: 1340 Financial BLVD, Reno, NV 89502
Fire Department Chief: Director Ron Wenker
Incident Description: A single engine air tanker (SEAT) crashed in the Clan Alpine Mountains of Churchill County on Thursday (8/20) dropping fire retardant on the Hoyt Fire. The pilot, Dave Jamsa, was transported by helicopter to medical facilities in Lovelock, Nevada, where he was pronounced dead. The aircraft was an Air Tractor AT-802A, owned by Minuteman Aerial Application, Inc., of Missoula, Montana. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have an investigation team in-route.
Incident Location: Clan Alpine Mountains, Churchill County Nevada
Funeral Arrangements: Pending
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Pending
Tribute is being paid to Pilot David Jamsa at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/
Name: Charles "Chip" McCarthy
Rank: Lieutenant
Age: 45
Gender: Male
Status: Career
Years of Service: 22
Date of Incident: 08/24/2009
Time of Incident: 0349hrs
Date of Death: 08/24/2009
Name: Jonathan Croom
Rank: Firefighter
Age: 34
Gender: Male
Status: Career
Years of Service: 10
Date of Incident: 08/24/2009
Time of Incident: 0349hrs
Date of Death: 08/24/2009
Fire Department: Buffalo Fire Department
Address: 195 Court Street, Buffalo, NY 14202
Fire Department Chief: Fire Commissioner Michael Lombardo
Incident Description: Lieutenant McCarthy and Firefighter Croom were killed while searching a burning commercial structure when the main floor collapsed and trapped the firefighters. Investigation into the cause of the fire and firefighter deaths continues.
Incident Location: 1815 Genesee Street
Funeral Arrangements: Pending
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Pending
Tribute is being paid to Lieutenant Charles "Chip" McCarthy and Firefighter Jonathan Croom at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/
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