US Fire
Grant Support
|
|
Click Here for Grant Information
|
|
GAC Resources
|
|
For GAC documents, announcements, and information please click here to visit the microsite.
|
|
FAMA Web Site
|
|
FEMSA Web Site
|
|
|
Join our list
|
 |
|
|
CFSI Executive Director Honored by FAMA/FEMSA Government Affairs Committee
|
|
Bill Webb, Executive Director of the Congressional Fire Services Institute, received the 2009 Edward H. McCormack Spirit of Excellence Award at the annual Fall meeting of the Fire Apparatus Manufactures Association and Fire and Emergency Manufactures and Services Association (FEMSA) in Washington, DC. The award is presented annually to a fire service leader whose work reflects the ideals and dedication to the fire service of the late-Edward H. McCormack. "I was fortunate to have known Ed McCormack and to have learned from him many skills that have served me well at CFSI," said Webb. "I extend my thanks to the FAMA/FEMSA Government Affairs Committee for awarding me his honor."
Source: CFSI
Back to Top
|
Homeland Security Spending Bill Approved By Congress
|
|
The Senate delivered to President Obama a $44.1 billion Homeland Security spending measure by a vote of 79-19 on Tuesday, October 20th. The Senate adopted the conference report for HR 2892, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, making it the fourth fiscal 2010 appropriations measure to reach the president's desk.
Included in the bill is $390 million for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (FIRE Act) and $420 million for the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Program. Also included in the bill is $45,588,000 to fund the United States Fire Administration.
Source: CFSI
Back to Top
|
President Obama Nominates FEMA Grant Administrator
|
|
President Obama has nominated Elizabeth M. Harman, a former firefighter, to be Assistant Administrator of the Grant Programs Directorate at the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Harman currently serves as Director of the Hazardous Materials and Weapons of Mass Destruction Training Department at the International Association of Fire Fighters.
As assistant administrator, Harman would oversee the management of more than 50 grant and financial-assistance programs that disburse approximately $4 billion in non-disaster grant funding each year.
Harman previously held administrative positions in emergency management and taught at several academic institutions, including Northwestern State University, the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute at the University of Maryland, and George Washington University. Prior to this, Harman served as a firefighter and paramedic in Fairfax City, VA, and earned a master's degree in emergency health services from the University of Maryland and a Master's in Business Administration from California Pacific University.
Source: CFSI
Back to Top
|
Opening of the application period for the FY2009 Staffing for adequate Fire and Emergency Services (SAFER) Grants
|
|
Today the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the application period for the FY2009 SAFER Grants. The Program Guidance document for the FY2009 SAFER Grants will be posted in the near future at the website for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program - www.firegrantsupport.com. The FY2009 SAFER program has approximately $210 million available for Grants.
Beginning November 16, 2009, at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will begin accepting applications for FY2009 SAFER Grants. The deadline for receipt of the SAFER Grant applications will be 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on December 18, 2009. The applications will be automated and will be accessible from the websites for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program at www.firegrantsupport.com as well as the U.S. Fire Administration at www.usfa.dhs.gov/. The SAFER Grants are administered by the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Submit your Application
Source: DHS
Back to Top
|
DHS Proposes Guidance for Anthrax Responders
|
|
In conjunction with an interagency
task force, DHS officials last week announced new proposed guidance for
protecting the health of emergency responders during an anthrax attack on a
major U.S. city. It comes in response to a 2008 Homeland Security Council
tasking requiring the development of appropriate measures for responders in the
immediate post-attack environment of an aerosolized anthrax attack.
"Protecting our first
responders during terrorist attacks is critical to our nation's security,"
said Secretary Napolitano. "This guidance will better equip the courageous
men and women across the country who would be the first to respond during a
large-scale anthrax attack."
"It is essential that all
responders have the appropriate protections available to them to be able to
operate while minimizing exposure to these lethal threats," said Assistant
Secretary for Health Affairs and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Alexander Garza.
"This proposed guidance will help keep responders healthy and safe while
remaining consistent with operational realities."
The proposed guidance recommends
protective measures such as personal protective equipment, and decontamination
and hygiene procedures for first responders, public health and medical
professionals, skilled support personnel, essential workers in critical
infrastructure sectors, certain federal and private sector employees, and
volunteers. The guidance - developed by a federal working group consisting of
experts from more than a dozen agencies relating to bio-defense, infectious
diseases, and occupational health and safety -
reflects the most current
understanding of the unique environment that would exist after a wide-area
anthrax attack.
More information about this can be
found at http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1256666711528.shtm.
Source: DHS
Back to Top
|
FEMA
Center for Domestic Preparedness Celebrates 500,000 Trained Responders
|
|
When the Center for Domestic
Preparedness, located in Anniston, Ala., was founded in 1998, it was envisioned
as a resident training facility that would train a maximum of 10,000 responders
per year. On Oct. 9, the center celebrated a milestone to its 11-year history.
Fire Fighter Ralph Thompson became the 500,000th emergency responder
to graduate from a CDP training course.
A sergeant with the District of
Columbia Fire Department, Thompson has served the response community for more
than 23 years, and is a graduate of 15 CDP courses. As a young man, Thompson
started his response career at the age of 16 while serving as a volunteer fire
fighter.
"This was an honor. Being the
500,000th graduate was unexpected," said Thompson. "To be selected
from among impressive response personnel is humbling. All the responders whom
I've met during CDP training are very knowledgeable and have the same desire to
become more prepared."
Deputy Administrator of FEMA's
Preparedness Directorate Tim Manning addressed the large crowd of CDP employees
and responder students in attendance at a ceremony marking the 500,000th
emergency responder to graduate. "It's a wonderful occasion," he said. "The
employees at the CDP have done an amazing job preparing America's responders
for the worst of disasters. To be able to graduate 500,000 students means
responders around the country have the tools they need when response is
required. I'm proud to represent the DHS secretary and FEMA administrator here
today."
More information about the CDP is
available at http://cdp.dhs.gov.
Source: DHS
Back to Top
|
County Clears Roads for Responders
|
|
Soon 65 traffic lights in Lee County, FL will have technology that alerts drivers to an approaching emergency vehicle. It's hoped they will reduce emergency vehicle crashes.
Read More>>
Source: Disaster Resource Guide
Back to top
|
| The United States Fire Administration (USFA) has received notice of the following firefighter fatalities:
|
|
Name: John Thurman
Rank: Captain
Age: 52
Gender: Male
Status: Career
Years of Service: 21
Date of Incident: 10/21/2009
Time of Incident: 1700hrs
Date of Death: 10/21/2009
Fire Department: Clinton Fire Department
Address: 1234 Clinton-Raymond RD, Clinton, MS 39056 (USNG: 15S YR 5044 8023)
Fire Department Chief: Barry Burnside
Fire Department POC: Jeff Blackledge
Incident Description: Captain Thurman passed away from a cause still to be determined while on-duty performing fitness activities in a park adjacent to his fire station.
Incident Location: West Northside Drive (USNG: 15S YR 4873 8379)
Funeral Arrangements: Pending
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: In honor of Captain John Thurman, c/o
Tribute is being paid to Captain John Thurman at
http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/
Name: Roy Everett Westover Jr.
Rank: Lieutenant
Age: 41
Gender: Male
Status: Volunteer
Years of Service: 28
Date of Incident: 10/24/2009
Time of Incident: 0030hrs
Date of Death: 10/24/2009
Fire Department: Westover Area Volunteer Fire Company
Address: PO Box 23, 583 W Bridge Street, Westover, PA 16692
Fire Department Chief: Santo Adamo
Incident Description: Lieutenant Westover began to feel ill while on a hose line at the scene of a structure fire. An advance life support team that was on the scene of the fire rendered immediate care to Westover before transporting him to Miners Medical Center, PA, where he succumbed to his injury. The nature of the fatal injury appears to have been a heart attack. The causes of both the fire and firefighter fatality, however, remain under investigation by the Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal's Office and Cambria County Coroner's Office respectively.
Incident Location: 4218 S Main St, Westover, PA (USNG: 17T PF 9565 1255)
Funeral Arrangements: Tuesday, October 27, 2009 - Viewing at Dimmick's Funeral Home, 91 Rose Street, Irvona (Clearfield County), 1400-1600hrs and 1800-2000hrs. The Firefighter Memorial Service will be held at 2000hrs
Wednesday, October 28, 2009 - Viewing at the Westover Baptist Church in Westover from 1000-1300hrs. The Funeral service will be at 1300hrs with the Burial to follow in the church cemetery.
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: A memorial fund has been established in Lt Westover's honor at: "Roy E. Westover, Jr. Memorial Fund", First National Bank, 297 Beaver St, Hastings, PA 16646.
Tribute is being paid to Lieutenant Roy Everett Westover Jr. at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/
Name: Phil Whitney
Rank: Chief
Age: 72
Gender: Male
Status: Volunteer
Years of Service: 32
Date of Incident: 10/27/09
Time of Incident: Pending
Date of Death: 10/28/2009
Fire Department: Springville Fire Department
Address: 75 W. Center Street, Springville, UT 84663
Fire Department Website: www.springville.org/departments/publicsafety/fire_emt
Incident Description: After having made an emergency run on his shift the night before, Chief Whitney called the fire department early in the morning of October 28, 2009, to say he was not feeling well. Chief Whitney was found dead in his Springville home later that morning. The cause of death is pending further examination.
Funeral Arrangements: A public viewing will be held on Sunday, November 1, 2009, from 1800hrs to 2000hrs at the Springville Fire Department at 75 W. Center Street, Springville, Utah. Funeral services will be Monday, November 2, 2009 at 1100hrs at the Spring Creek North Stake Center at 760 N. 400 E. in Springville, Utah.
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: The family requests that donations be made to the Springville Fire Department Statue Fund in memory of Chief Whitney, 75 W. Center Street, Springville, Utah 84663.
Tribute is being paid to Chief Phil Whitney at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/
Back to top
|
|
|
