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Capitol Hill in Holding Pattern on AFG Reauthorization
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Following the House vote to reauthorize the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program on November 18th, no further action has been taken in Congress on the measure. The bill has been referred to the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. While the committee staff has begun to look at the legislation, they have given no indication on when the committee is expected to take action.
With little time remaining in the first session of the 111th Congress, the Senate is working feverishly on health care reform, placing all other issues in a holding pattern (with the possible exception of an omnibus spending bill). The Senate is expected to remain in session until shortly before Christmas and then officially reconvene on January 19th. The hope is for the chamber to approve legislation swiftly. Any delays will most likely have an impact on the application process for the 2010 grant cycle.
On the other hand, the funds are in place as Congress has already approved FY2010 funding for AFG with $390 million appropriated for FIRE and $420 million for SAFER. CFSI will continue to keep you apprised of the latest developments on the AFG reauthorization legislation.
Source: CFSI
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DHS
Announces Updated Information on National Level Exercise
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DHS last week announced additional
details regarding the National Level Exercise for 2010. FEMA's National
Preparedness Directorate initially investigated several options for the site of
the exercise, including Las Vegas Nev. While initial plans identified Las Vegas
as a possible location for the event, DHS has decided to explore other options.
No final location has been announced at this time, and DHS will continue to
work with federal partners to find an appropriate venue for this important
event.
At the direction
of Secretary Napolitano, FEMA will continue to evaluate the planning and
execution process for all major exercises and to ensure they are conducted in
the most useful and cost effective manner. National Level Exercises provide an
important opportunity for DHS, FEMA, and federal partners, as well as state and
local entities to participate in simulated scenarios that allow first
responders and emergency managers to hone skills and build experience.
The full-scale exercise
offers agencies and jurisdictions a way to test their plans and skills in a
real-time, realistic environment and to gain the in-depth knowledge that only
experience can provide. Participants will exercise prevention and information
sharing functions that are critical to preventing terrorist attacks. Lessons
learned from the exercise will provide valuable insights to guide future
planning for securing the nation against terrorist attacks, disasters, and
other emergencies.
Source: DHS
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New Study to Protect against Chemical Attacks,
Bolster Emergency Planning
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DHS officials and the Massachusetts Bay
Transportation Authority (MBTA) last week announced a new Science &
Technology Directorate-led study that will examine the behavior of airborne
contaminants if they were released into the subway system.
"Proactively studying and preparing for possible
threats is one of our most effective strategies for fortifying our critical
infrastructure," said the secretary. "This study is one of many efforts the
department is undertaking across the country to inform our emergency response
planning in preparation for chemical or biological terrorist attacks." Under
Secretary for Science & Technology Dr. Tara O'Toole added, "This project -
combining the resources and expertise of scientists from around the world -
will refine best practices for responding to the release of toxic gas or
chemicals in public transportation systems."
The study will involve the release of common,
harmless tracer gases used for indoor and outdoor air testing; an inert
particle tracer tagged with a biologically inert, non-toxic organic dye used in
medical imaging applications; and a common optical brightener often used in
laundry detergents and paper manufacturing. The study will help scientists
understand the airflow characteristics for smoke or unintentional spills of
chemicals or fuels - providing data that will help guide the design of next
generation detection systems and enable transportation systems to strengthen
evacuation, ventilation, and other incident response strategies.
The research team will include scientists from Argonne
National Laboratory (ANL) of Argonne, Ill.; Lawrence Berkeley National
Laboratory of Berkeley, Calif.; ICx Technologies of Arlington, Va.;
Defence Science and Technology Laboratory of the United Kingdom; and Chemistry
Centre of Australia.
More information about this is available at http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1259790815577.shtm.
Source: DHS
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DHS Officials Announce FY 2010 Grant Guidance: Guidance also announced for
more than $250 million in transit security grants
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Secretary Napolitano, joined by FEMA
Administrator Craig Fugate, last week announced the release of fiscal year 2010
grant application guidance for 13 DHS grant programs totaling more than $2.7
billion. These grants will fund efforts by state, local, tribal, and territorial
governments and private sector entities to strengthen the nation's ability to
prevent, protect, respond to and recover from terrorist attacks, major
disasters, and other emergencies.
At a news conference, the secretary
emphasized changes to the grant process this year, noting a "series of
improvements" have been made based on feedback from grant recipients and
others. In a press release, the secretary stated, "This year's guidance focuses
on maximizing efficiency and value while prioritizing risk in awarding grants
to strengthen our nation's security."
For this year's grants, the
secretary noted that the cities of Boston, Philadelphia, and Dallas have been
moved into the Tier 1 category under the Urban Areas Security Initiative, which
enhances regional preparedness by strengthening capabilities of 64 high-threat,
high-density urban areas across the country. This year's guidance includes
increased tribal funding, reduced administrative paperwork for state and local
governments, and enables local jurisdictions to use preparedness funding for
ongoing maintenance contracts, warranties, repair or replacement costs,
upgrades for equipment purchased with previous DHS grants.
In a separate announcement, the
secretary announced the release of FY 2010 grant guidance for the Transit
Security Grant Program (TSGP) totaling more than $253 million. TSGP awards
funds to owners and operators of transit systems - including intercity bus,
commuter bus, ferries and all forms of passenger rail - based on their capabilities
to reduce risk through training, operational deterrence, drills and public
awareness activities; key critical infrastructure and asset protection; and
other mitigation activities. "These transit grants play a major role in our
efforts to work with our state, local, tribal, territorial, and private sector
partners to build a national culture of readiness and resilience," the
secretary said in a press release.
More information about the FY 2010
grant guidance announcement is available at http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/.
Source: DHS
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NFPA Report Shows Dangerous Aging Trend in Firefighters Protecting Small Communities
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For the first time since the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) began tracking the age of firefighters by community size in 1987, the majority of firefighters protecting communities of fewer than 2,500 are 40 years of age or older. In 1987, more than 63 percent of firefighters protecting communities of 2,500 or less were under the age of 40. There are slightly more than 400,000 firefighters (out of 1.15 million total) protecting communities with populations of 2,500 or less, including 399,000 volunteer firefighters.
Read More>>
Source: NVFC
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NVFC Recruiting First Responders for New Survey on Communications and Information Needs
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Results will inform new geointelligence system under development by the Department of Homeland Security; Chance to win gift card
The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) has again partnered with ElanTech to gather critical data from the first response emergency personnel nationwide. The two organizations have joined to offer a second online survey. The data collected will influence the design of an advanced new incident command software application in development by ElanTech for the National Institute for Hometown Security (NIHS) through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
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: Gary F. Neidig, Jr.
Rank: Fire Police
Age: 36
Gender: Male
Status: Volunteer
Years of Service: <1
Date of Incident: 12/04/2009
Time of Incident: 1803hrs
Date of Death: 12/04/2009
Fire Department: Mount Carmel Volunteer Fire Department
Address: 137 West 4th Street, Mount Carmel, PA 17851
Fire Department Chief: Jack Williams, Jr.
Incident Description: Shortly after clearing the scene of a mutual aid call, a motor vehicle accident with confinement and injuries, Fire Police Officer Neidig fell ill from a cause still to be determined. Neidig was transported to the hospital but succumbed to his injuries.
Incident Location: Coal Township on the Excelsior Highway near the Mount Carmel Township Border Line.
Funeral Arrangements: A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday in the Church of Our Lady, 47 S. Market St., Mount Carmel, with the Very Rev. Francis Karwacki officiating. Burial will be held at the convenience of the family. Viewing will be held from 9 to 10:40 a.m. Thursday, with a transferal service at 10:15 a.m. in the C.J. Lucas Funeral Home Inc., 27 N. Vine St., Mount Carmel. To send condolences to the family, go to www.cjlucasfuneralhome.com.
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the family to help defray funeral expenses in the care of the Mount Carmel Volunteer Fire Department, 137 West 4th Street, Mount Carmel, PA 17851
Tribute is being paid to Fire Police Officer Gary F. Neidig, Jr. at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/
Name: Jimmy Lee Davis, Sr.
Rank: Fire Chief
Age: 63
Gender: Male
Status: Volunteer
Years of Service: 21
Date of Incident: 12/10/2009
Time of Incident: 0655hr
Date of Death: 12/10/2009
Fire Department: White Oak Volunteer Fire Department
Address: 1400 Old 30 RD, Maysville, NC 28555
Fire Department Chief: Jerry Davis
Incident Description: As he was preparing to leave his residence to respond to an alarm for a motor vehicle accident, Fire Chief Davis suffered a medical emergency and collapsed. Although Chief Davis was subsequently treated by first responders and transported to the hospital, he succumbed to his injury.
Incident Location: 715 Grants Creek Road, Jacksonville, NC
Visitation: Saturday, December 12, 2009 1800-2100hrs at Grants Creek Baptist Church 1401 Old 30 Rd, Maysville, NC 28555
Funeral Services: Sunday, December 13, 2009 at 1400hrs. White Oak High School, 1001 Piney Green Road, Jacksonville, NC 28546
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Pending
Tribute is being paid to Fire Chief Jimmy Lee Davis, Sr., at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/
Name: Tommy Lee Adams
Rank: Battalion Chief
Age: 51
Gender: Male
Status: Career
Years of Service: 31
Date of Incident: 02/21/2009
Time of Incident: 2100hrs
Date of Death: 12/12/2009
Fire Department: Shreveport Fire Department
Address: 263 North Common Street, Shreveport, LA 71101
Fire Department Chief: Brian A. Crawford
Fire Department Website: http://www.shreveportla.gov/dept/fire/index.asp
Incident Description: Chief Adams fell from a fire department ladder truck following the Crew of Gemini Mardi Gras parade earlier this year.
At the end of the parade route, the fire trucks pulled to the side of the road to secure any loose empty boxes that held beads or cups. While clearing debris and boxes from the ladder truck, Adams fell approximately 10 feet, landing head first on the concrete roadway.
Chief Adams' heart stopped and CPR was performed. Chief Adams was transported to Willis Knighton Pierremont hospital where he regained a heart rate, and his condition was listed as critical. He suffered fractures to his cervical (neck) spine and was placed on a breathing machine. In early March, Chief Adams was transferred to a rehab facility in Atlanta, Georgia.
Chief Adams had been in a relative state of a coma since sustaining debilitating injuries as a result of this accident and passed away on December 12.
Incident Location: Pending
Funeral Arrangements: 12/16/2009, arrangements will be announced from Chief Crawford's Office as soon as they are available (http://www.shreveportla.gov/dept/fire/index.asp).
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Pending
Tribute is being paid to Battalion Chief Tommy Lee Adams at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/
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