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For GAC documents, announcements, and information please click here to visit the microsite.
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Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act Introduced in the Senate
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 On January 22nd, Senators Tom Carper (DE) and Susan Collins (ME) introduced the Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act in the Senate. This bill would amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to classify automatic fire sprinkler systems as 5-year property for purposes of depreciation. The bill, S. 2947, was referred to the Senate Finance Committee for consideration. Both Senator Carper and Senator Collins are co-chairs of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus.
"Senator Carper and Senator Collins are to be commended for introducing the Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act in the Senate," said CFSI Executive Director Bill Webb. "Passage of this legislation can have a significant impact in reducing the number of deaths and injuries caused by fire."
On February 25, 2009, Congressman Jim Langevin (RI-2) introduced similar legislation, H.R. 1194, in the House of Representatives. The House version currently has 111 co-sponsors and was referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
CFSI will continue to provide updates as this legislation moves through the legislative process.
Source: CFSI
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CFSI Accepting Nominations for Fire Service Leadership Award: Mason Lankford Fire Service Leadership Award Recognizes Individual Leadership
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The Congressional Fire Services Institute is accepting nominations for the Mason Lankford Fire Service Leadership Award. Sponsored jointly by CFSI and Motorola, the award recognizes individual leadership in advancing fire and life safety initiatives. The award presentation will take place on April 29th at the 22nd Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner in Washington, DC.
The award is named after the late-Mason Lankford, a former fire service leader from the state of Texas who worked closely with former Congressman Curt Weldon in establishing the Congressional Fire Services Caucus in 1987. The criteria stress the importance of forming positive working relationships with government leaders and promoting fire/emergency service and life safety issues to improve the safety of the fire and emergency services and the public they serve.
The theme of the dinner program is "New Beginnings...New Opportunities." Over 2,000 state and national fire and emergency services leaders are expected to attend the event, making it the largest gathering of fire service leaders in the country. Featured speakers include the Co-Chairmen of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus and Administration officials.
For additional information about the dinner and nomination information for the Mason Lankford Fire Service Leadership Award, visit the CFSI website at www.cfsi.org. The nomination deadline is March 26, 2010.
Source: CFSI
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DHS
Responds to Earthquake Disaster in Haiti
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Within hours of the devastating
earthquake that struck Haiti last week, DHS began mobilizing its resources. The
U.S. Coast Guard deployed the first asset to Haiti, with the Coast Guard Cutter
Forward and its crew arriving the morning after the earthquake struck.
Since then, the Coast Guard has joined with other DHS components and federal
agencies in responding to the disaster, which has claimed an untold number of
lives and inflicted catastrophic damage to Haiti's infrastructure.
As part of the DHS response,
Secretary Napolitano announced two initiatives to help in the humanitarian
response to Haitians. The first, announced on Friday, extends Temporary
Protected Status to Haitian nationals who were in the United States as of Jan.
12. Haitians covered by the policy will not be required to return to their
country for the next 18 months. Second, the secretary announced on Monday a
policy allowing certain orphaned children from Haiti to enter the United States
temporarily on a case-by-case basis to ensure that they receive the care they
need.
Following the earthquake, both
President Obama and the secretary expressed their sympathy to the Haitian
people and urged the American public to support the response and recovery
efforts in Haiti by making donations to relief organizations working there. In
a message to employees sent Friday, the secretary acknowledged DHS response
efforts and noted that the White House had established a special Web page where
there is additional information about making a monetary contribution to assist
the Haiti relief effort.
As part of the DHS response, the
Coast Guard deployed several assets and personnel to Haiti, with one of its
initial tasks being the evacuation of approximately 140 U.S. government
personnel who needed immediate medical attention. Additionally, the Coast Guard
is supporting military air traffic control and helping to rescue people in need
of assistance. Other DHS components have taken these actions:
·
FEMA is working closely with the U.S. Agency for
International Development and the State Department - the lead U.S. federal
agencies in the response - while coordinating the deployment of state and local
Urban Search and Rescue Teams from across the country and standing by to
provide food, water, and other resources as requested.
· ICE has
deployed a team of agents to partner with CBP and USCIS to streamline and
facilitate departures for U.S. citizens who may be in Haiti. The goal is to
make their return to the United States as rapid and seamless as possible.
· CBP Air
and Marine has provided air traffic control capability and air transport of
medical supplies and personnel; and CBP officers have processed hundreds of
evacuees from Haiti arriving at U.S. ports of entry.
More information about the DHS
response is available at www.dhs.gov.
Source: DHS
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Telecom and Satcom Communications
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Technology is increasingly critical in today's complex world, but its number one purpose remains the same - making sure important messages get through in an emergency.
Read More>>
Source: Disaster Resource
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Human Concerns
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Don't forget your people. That's what our experts said when we asked them about emerging trends on the human side of disaster planning, response and recovery.
Read More>>
Source: Disaster Resource
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| The United States Fire Administration (USFA) has received notice of the following firefighter fatalities:
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Name: Terry Cannon
Rank: Major
Age: 52
Gender: Male
Status: Volunteer
Years of Service: 33
Date of Incident: 01/17/2010
Time of Incident: Pending
Date of Death: 01/17/2010
Fire Department: Buechel Fire Protection District
Address: 4101 Bardstown RD, Louisville, KY 40218
Fire Department Chief: Jonathon Yuodis
Fire Department Website: http://www.buechelfire.com
Incident Description: Major Cannon passed away from an apparent heart attack shortly after responding to a residential fire alarm.
Incident Location: Southeast YMCA, 5930 Six Mile Lane, Louisville, KY 40218
Funeral Arrangements: Visitation will be 01/20/2010 from 1600-2000hrs and 01/21/2010 from 1300-2000hrs at Ratterman and Sons Funeral Home. Services will be held 01/22/2010 at 1000hrs at Saint Bartholomew Catholic Church.
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for donations to be made to WHAS Crusade for Children, PO Box 1100, Louisville, KY 40201
Tribute is being paid to Firefighter Major Terry Cannon at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/
Name: Joseph Mack McCafferty
Rank: Lieutenant
Age: 59
Gender: Male
Status: Career
Years of Service: 37
Date of Incident: 01/02/2010
Time of Incident: 1730hrs
Date of Death: 01/16/2010
Fire Department: Lancaster Fire Department
Address: 1596 East Main Street, Lancaster, OH 43130 (USNG: 17S LD 6550 9723)
Fire Department Chief: Steven Sells
Incident Description: Lieutenant McCafferty was incident commander at the scene of a residential structure fire when he collapsed on the fireground and later succumbed to an apparent stroke.
Incident Location: Pending
Funeral Arrangements: Showing 01/21/2010, 2pm - 4pn, 6pm - 8pm
Faith Memorial Church, 2160 West Fair Ave
Lancaster, OH 43130.
Funeral 10:00 AM Friday January 22, 2010,
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Local 291 Memorial Fund, 1596 East Main Street, Lancaster, Ohio 43130 ATTN: Dana Hiles
Tribute is being paid to Lieutenant Joseph Mack McCafferty at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/
Name: Leroy Kemp
Rank: Firefighter/Past Chief
Age: 85
Gender: Male
Status: Volunteer
Years of Service: 60
Date of Incident: 01/13/2010
Time of Incident: 0600
Date of Death: 01/13/2010
Fire Department: Tioga Center Fire Department
Address: 60 Fifth AVE, Tioga Center, NY 13845
Fire Department Chief: Milton Kemp (son of deceased)
Fire Department POC: Milton Kemp
Incident Description: Firefighter Leroy Kemp was responding to a mutual aid call when he was involved in a multiple vehicle crash. He was killed upon impact.
Incident Location: Pending
Funeral Arrangements: Pending
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Donations to Tioga Center Fire Department in honor of Firefighter Kemp to Tioga Center Fire Department, 60 Fifth Avenue, Tioga Center, New York 13845, (607) 687-4102.
Tribute is being paid to Firefighter Kemp at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/
Name: Jerry Thompson
Rank: Firefighter
Age: 55
Gender: Male
Status: Volunteer
Years of Service: 10
Date of Incident: 01/14/2010
Time of Incident: 1315hrs
Date of Death: 01/14/2010
Fire Department: Linwood Volunteer Fire Department
Address: 10060 Road 248, Union, MS 39365 (USNG: 16S CB 0199 1369)
Fire Department Chief: Gerald Spears
Incident Description: While at the scene of a structure fire, Firefighter Thompson collapsed. CPR efforts were started immediately by firefighters on-scene and Firefighter Thompson was transported by LifeCare EMS to Laird Hospital where he succumbed to an apparent heart attack.
Incident Location: Road 262 in Neshoba County (USNG: 16S CB 0433 0745).
Funeral Arrangements: Sunday, January 17, 200.
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Pending
Tribute is being paid to Firefighter Jerry Thompson at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/
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