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House Expresses Support for Designation of a "National Firefighters Memorial Day"
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On Thursday, October, 29th, the House of Representatives passed H.Res.729, a resolution expressing support for a "National Firefighters Memorial Day", by a vote of 390-0. The resolution, introduced by Congressman Ted Poe (TX-2), urges the president to establish the "National Firefighters Memorial Day" to honor and celebrate the firefighters of the United States who are killed or injured in the line of duty. The resolution had 59 cosponsors. For more information please visit: www.cfsi.org/govt_affairs.asp.
Source: CFSI
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PGAO Releases Report on Fire Grant Application Process
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On Friday, October 30th, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report reviewing the application process for the Assistance to Firefighters (FIRE) Grant Program. Due to concerns over the large number of applications not being awarded, Congress requested the report as part of the Fiscal Year 2008 Consolidated Appropriations Act in an attempt to ensure the integrity of the application review process.
The report found that Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) had met seven of the eight statutory requirements for the program and had also met two of three FEMA established program requirements. The report also provided four recommendations for the continued improvement of the program.
You can read the entire report, including the summary and recommendations, at the GAO website, http://www.gao.gov, under "Recently Issued Products," dated October 30, 2009.
Source: CFSI
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Congressional Fire Services Institute's Board President Wins Pennsylvania Election
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Congratulations to CFSI President Bill Jenaway on his election to the Upper Merion (PA) Board of Supervisors. Dr. Jenaway has served the Upper Merion community for nearly three decades. Among his many areas of involvement, Jenaway has served as both fire chief and president of the King of Prussia Volunteer Fire company. Dr. Jenaway is an Executive Vice President of ESECG, a division of VFIS in York, PA.
Source: CFSI
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The AFG Spotlight is Coming to the AFG Website
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This fall a new feature called the AFG Spotlight will be introduced on the AFG Website. Each month the Spotlight will highlight a different topic related to the Program. With this feature we want to put a face on the AFG Program and explain in clear language what the AFG brings to our communities and the Nation as a whole.
To kick off this feature, the first article will cover where we are right now with all of the AFG's 2009 funding programs, including the SAFER Grant Program and the Fire Station Construction Grants.
Send your thoughts about our new feature and your ideas for future topics to firegrants@dhs.gov.
The AFG Program is 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.
Sincerely,
AFG Program Office
Source: DHS
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FEMA
Asks for Comments on National Flood Insurance Program
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FEMA announced a new avenue for the
public to provide input regarding the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) -
launching a 30-day public comment period following a two-day listening session
with NFIP stakeholders hosted by FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate on Nov. 5-6.
FEMA is urging stakeholders and
individuals to visit www.fema.gov/nfipcomments
to provide input and identify challenges regarding the NFIP. Created by
Congress in 1968, the NFIP is designed to ensure that communities across the
country have access to affordable flood insurance while encouraging community
floodplain management to reduce future flood damage.
"We are always striving to improve
our programs, and this week's listening sessions were an important step in that
process for the 40 year old National Flood Insurance Program," said Fugate.
"NFIP is designed to support communities and provide crucial protection from
potentially devastating flooding. The experience and input from the communities
who take advantage of this program is invaluable, and we will continue to work
with our partners and Congress to identify areas of improvement and how best to
meet those challenges."
FEMA's NFIP stakeholder sessions and
public comment period will allow FEMA to gain input on the various issues and
programs related to the NFIP, such as flood map modernization updates and other
program topics.
Additional information can be found at http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=49884
Source: DHS
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Legislation Reauthorizing AFG and SAFER Introduced in House
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On October 13, Congressman Harry Mitchell (D-AZ), along with 40
original co-sponsors introduced H.R. 3791, the Fire Grants
Reauthorization Act of 2009, which would extend for five years and make
changes to the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) and the Staffing
for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant programs. The
provisions in H.R. 3791 are based on a series of policy recommendations
that were agreed to by the NVFC and other national fire service
organizations.
Read More>>
Source: NVFC
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FEMA Releases Guidelines for Federal Assistance During a Pandemic Influenza Outbreak
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The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has issued guidelines
for requesting assistance under the Stafford Act during a pandemic
influenza outbreak. The guidelines will also assist states in assessing
impacts and evaluating the need for federal assistance. Find this
resource and many others in the National Volunteer Fire Council's Pandemic Influenza Resource Center.
Source: NVFC
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NIOSH Issues Safety Advisory for Manual Adjustment of Automatic Slack Adjusters
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The National Institute
for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has issued a safety advisory
warning that the manual adjustment of automatic slack adjusters may
contribute to unexpected brake failure on automotive fire apparatus. An
automatic slack adjuster is a mechanical component of the air brake
system that adjusts brakes as necessary when the vehicle is in
operation to compensate for wear in the brake shoes or pads.
Read More>>
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: Robert Stone
Rank: Firefighter
Age: 47
Gender: Male
Status: Volunteer
Years of Service: 2
Date of Incident: 11/3/2009
Time of Incident: 1655hrs
Date of Death: 11/4/2009
Fire Department: Amity Fire and Rescue
Address: 47 Pine Fords Road, Douglassville, PA 19518
Fire Department Chief: Matt Richter
Incident Description: Upon returning to the station after responding to a residential carbon monoxide alarm on November 3, 2009, Firefighter Stone began complaining of chest pains and was subsequently transported to Reading Hospital. After undergoing surgery at the hospital, Firefighter Stone went into cardiac arrest and was pronounced dead at approximately 0730hrs the following morning.
Funeral Arrangements: Pending
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Pending
Tribute is being paid to Firefighter Robert Stone at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/
Name: Chad Eric Greene
Rank: Deputy Chief
Age: 34
Gender: Male
Status: Career
Years of Service: 18
Date of Incident: 11/4/2009
Time of Incident: 1230hrs
Date of Death: 11/4/2009
Fire Department: Union Cross Fire and Rescue of Forsyth County, Inc.
Address: 4401 High Point Road, Kernersville, NC 27284
Fire Department Chief: Thomas (Dean) Mabe
Fire Department POC: Thomas (Dean) Mabe
Incident Description: Deputy Chief Greene completed his shift at approximately 0830hrs immediately after responding to a motor vehicle accident. After completing his shift, he left the station, dropped his son off at pre-school, and went home. When Deputy Chief Greene's wife returned home, she found him unresponsive and subsequently called 911 and began CPR. Deputy Chief Greene was transported to the NC Baptist Hospital where he was pronounced dead at approximately 1230hrs. The cause of death is pending further investigation.
Funeral Arrangements: Viewing will be held on November 7, 2009, 1800hrs-2100hrs - Greene Street Baptist Church, High Point, NC. The funeral will be held on November 8, 2009, 1400hrs - Greene Street Baptist Church, High Point, NC.
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Pending
Tribute is being paid to Deputy Chief Chad Eric Greene at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/
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