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
|
 |
|
|
FAMA/FEMSA Hill Day 2010
|
|
As announced at the Fall Meeting, the 2010  FAMA/FEMSA Hill Day will take place Wednesday, April 28, and Thursday, April 29, 2010, in Washington, D.C., in conjunction with CFSI's 22nd Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner. Building on the success of last year's Hill Day in October, FAMA and FEMSA members who participate this year will be organized into state teams that will visit their senators and representatives. These meetings will be arranged by the FAMA/FEMSA Governmental Affairs Committee's senior advisor Dave Gatton and Dustin Joyce.
Your participation in the 2010 Hill Day is critical to continuing our industry's efforts to promote our Washington agenda in support of our nation's fire service. Holding our Hill Day in concert with the CFSI Annual Dinner allows us to deliver our message just as Congress is forming the annual federal budget while at the same time providing us the opportunity to interact with the wide range of fire service leaders who will be attending the CFSI Dinner and Seminars.
To participate in the FAMA/FEMSA Hill Day, please complete the online registration form by March 29, 2010, at FAMA (click here to register) or FEMSA (click here to register). The Hill Day registration fee of $50.00 per person can be paid securely online by credit card. Our Hill Day orientation session will begin at 11:00am on Wednesday, April 28, at the Hilton Washington. (Click here for an agenda for Hill Day 2010.) Congressional meetings will be scheduled for you for Wednesday afternoon, April 28, and Thursday morning, April 29.
To purchase your ticket for the CFSI Fire Dinner on Thursday, April 29, please visit the Congressional Fire Services Institute's Web site at www.cfsi.org/dinner_registration.asp. Tickets are $275.00 per individual, payable by credit card or check directly to CFSI. When you purchase your ticket to the Fire Dinner, please mention that you are a member of FAMA or FEMSA; CFSI will work to seat FAMA and FEMSA members together.
Those attending Hill Day and/or the Fire Dinner are responsible for booking their own hotel accommodations. Links to book your accommodations online for CFSI's preferred rate are available at www.cfsi.org/dinner_hotel.asp.
The evening of Wednesday, April 28, CFSI is holding a "Voices of the Fire Service" reception at the Longview Gallery, 1234 9th Street NW, Washington, D.C. Those wishing to attend this reception must purchase their tickets separately through CFSI at http://www.cfsi.org/shop/Details.cfm?ProdID=79&category=7. Tickets cost $20.00 each if purchased in advance; $25.00 if purchased at the door.
Source: FAMA/FEMSA GAC
Back to Top
|
The AFG workshop schedule is now available!
|
|
Greetings,
The AFG workshop schedule is now available. The current list is not yet complete, as more times and dates may be added in the future. In addition, the current dates and locations are subject to change. Be sure to check back often.
The list is searchable by the locations of workshop as well as times and dates. We also recommend that you search for workshops in neighboring States for workshops that may be more convenient.
These free workshops will be held around the country to provide information about the submission of competitive applications under the 2010 Assistance to Firefighters Grants program. The workshop lasts about two hours.
Interested representatives from fire departments as well as representatives from non-affiliated EMS organizations are invited to attend the workshops. Information will be presented on program changes, program priorities, eligibility requirements, and the application process. General assistance in writing a competitive narrative for a department's grant application will also be covered. Registration is not necessary.
For more information, visit http://firegrantsupport.com
/content/html/afg/Workshops/Workshops.aspx. or contact your AFG Regional Representative. Regional contacts and telephone numbers are available at http://www.firegrantsupport.com/content/html
/program/ContactUs.aspx.
Source: DHS
Back to Top
|
U.S. Fire Administrator Recognizes Women Firefighters
|
|
Washington, DC - Since 1981, this nation has recognized the month of March as an opportunity to celebrate the contributions made by all women to this great nation of ours. I am honored to join with many others in recognizing the countless and unselfish acts of so many women serving their communities in fire and emergency medical services (EMS) organizations as firefighters and emergency medical technicians.
Since women have joined the ranks of the American Fire Service as career and volunteer members, the quality and richness of our culture and honorable profession has been truly enhanced. Their contributions to our previously male-dominated industry have been transforming and compelling in departments and communities across this nation. It has been my observation first hand, both as a metropolitan fire chief and now as the U.S. Fire Administrator, that the fire service is truly a better service provider today in part because of the many women who have heard this special calling to serve their communities.
Every day, these highly trained women are engaged in firefighting, EMS and many special operations as valued participants standing elbow-to-elbow alongside their fellow crew members. Women serving as company and chief fire officers make significant life safety contributions to local departments, state and national fire service associations, and federal fire and emergency management organizations as proven leaders and forward thinking managers.
As the nation celebrates Women's History Month, I ask my fellow fire service leaders, to join me in celebrating the contributions of all women, past and present, in the American Fire Service. On behalf of the dedicated men and women of the U.S. Fire Administration, we are grateful for your dedication and commitment to our mission. We are proud and honored to witness the efforts of all firefighters in service today, protecting their communities.
For complete information regarding the 2010 Women's History Month, visit www.womenshistorymonth.gov.
For further information regarding the U.S. Fire Administration and training, visit www.usfa.dhs.gov.
Source: DHS
Back to Top
|
Secretary
Testifies on Capitol Hill about FY 2011 Budget Request
|
|
Secretary Napolitano last week
testified before authorizing and appropriations committees in the House and
Senate about the department's fiscal year (FY) 2011 budget request. In each of
her appearances, the secretary provided the committees with a written statement
that emphasized similar information about the budget request.
In her prepared statement before the
House Committee on Homeland Security, the secretary summarized how the FY 2011
budget request would reflect the department's changes precipitated by the
attempted Dec. 25, 2009 terrorist attack and the Jan. 12 earthquake in Haiti.
"The FY 2011 DHS budget will strengthen efforts that are critical to the
nation's security, bolster the department's ability to combat terrorism, and
respond to emergencies and potential threats," the secretary said.
In her statement, the secretary
stressed the department's commitment to fiscal discipline. "To institutionalize
a culture of efficiency across the department, DHS launched the department-wide
Efficiency Review Initiative in March 2009," she noted. A major element of the
Efficiency Review has been the Balanced Workforce Strategy, which is designed
to reduce the department's reliance on contractors. One aspect doing that is to
take positions now occupied by contractors and convert these to federal
positions, she said.
For FY 2011, the department is
requesting $56.3 billion or approximately 2 percent more than it received for
FY 2010.
The secretary's complete written
testimony before the House Committee on Homeland Security is available at http://homeland.house.gov/SiteDocuments
/20100225145104-01963.pdf.
Source: DHS
Back to Top
|
Hearings Held on Department of Homeland Security Fiscal Year 2011 Budget
|
|
Last week, both the Senate and House of Representatives held hearings on the Obama Administration's Fiscal Year 2011 (FY11) budget for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Secretary Janet Napolitano testified before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, the House Homeland Security Committee, and the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security.
Within the DHS budget are many important programs to the fire service including the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grants (SAFER). The administration proposed significant cuts to both programs. Congressman Bill Pascrell (NJ-8), a longtime supporter of the FIRE and SAFER Grant programs, staunchly defended both programs during the House Homeland Security hearing. "Overall these two programs have been cut by $200 million which is 25% less than what we passed in FY 2010. At a time when we are still fighting our way out of a deep recession and municipalities are being forced to slash public safety budgets everyday, this is exactly the wrong time to cut vital grants programs like FIRE and SAFER."
The House and Senate Appropriations Committees will now begin work on crafting Fiscal Year 2011 spending bills. CFSI will continue to work with members of Congress on funding for these important programs and will continue to provide updates as the appropriations process moves forward.
Source: CFSI
Back to Top
|
Senate Approves Nomination of Elizabeth Harman to Head FEMA Grants Office
|
|
Elizabeth M. Harman, nominated by President Obama to become Assistant Administrator for FEMA's Grant Programs Directorate, was confirmed by the Senate yesterday by a voice vote. Ms. Harman will manage 55 grant programs, ranging from money intended for the preparedness and post-disaster assistance to state, local, and tribal governments, to security at ports and transit systems.
Harman most recently served as the Director of Training for Hazardous Materials and Weapons of Mass Destruction at the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF). Prior to joining IAFF, she was an instructor at the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute, the Johns Hopkins University Medical School, and George Washington University. She began her career as a firefighter and emergency medical technician in Bowie, MD, and Fairfax, VA.
Source: CFSI
Back to Top
|
Cost Constraints Threaten Florida Emergency Bill
|
|
Opponents to a bill that would improve Florida's emergency response - and minimize grave errors - say the state lacks the funds. Others say the situation is critical regardless.
Read More>>
Source: Disaster Resource
Back to Top
|
Hawaii Passes Real-Life Disaster Response Test
|
|
Hawaii escaped damage from the tsunami that never materialized, but the false alarm showed responders and officials that their emergency response measures work well.
Read More>>
Source: Disaster Resource
Back to Top
|
| The United States Fire Administration (USFA) has received notice of the following firefighter fatalities:
|
|
Name: Gerard Marcheterre
Rank: Firefighter
Age: 50
Gender: Male
Status: Volunteer
Years of Service: 10+
Date of Incident: 03/06/2010
Time of Incident: 2200hrs
Date of Death: 03/06/2010
Fire Department: Borodino Fire Department
Address: 2500 Nunnery RD, Skaneateles, NY 13152-8938
Fire Department Chief: Frank Marcheterre Jr.
Fire Department Website: http://borodinofiredept.org/
Incident Description: While riding in a rescue pumper en route to a barn collapse caused by heavy snow in the town of Spafford, Firefighter Marcheterre's breathing became labored. An ambulance met the apparatus at the Spafford Fire Department on Route 41 and transported Firefighter Marcheterre to Cortland Regional Medical Center, where he succumbed to an apparent heart attack.
Incident Location: 660 Route 41, Homer, NY 13077
Funeral Arrangements: Pending
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Pending
Tribute is being paid to Firefighter Gerard Marcheterre at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/
Name: Brian Rowe
Rank: Fire Chief
Age: 66
Gender: Male
Status: Volunteer
Years of Service: Pending
Date of Incident: 03/05/2010
Time of Incident: 2215hrs
Date of Death: 03/05/2010
Fire Department: West Fork Volunteer Fire Department
Address: PO Box 14, RT 201, West Fork, ME 04985
Fire Department Chief: Pending
Incident Description: Fire Chief Rowe suffered a heart attack and died while en route to a rescue call involving a fatal snowmobile accident. The West Forks Fire and Rescue emergency medical personnel who had been at the snowmobile accident came to Rowe's aid and performed lifesaving measures, but Rowe succumbed to his injury.
Incident Location: Interconnecting Snowmobile Trail 87 near Moxie Pond.
Funeral Arrangements: Pending
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Pending
Tribute is being paid to Firefighter Fire Chief Brian Rowe at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/
Name: Brian P. Waynant, Sr.
Rank: Firefighter/Inspector
Age: 45
Gender: Male
Status: Career
Years of Service: 6
Date of Incident: 03/01/2010
Time of Incident: 2130hrs
Date of Death: 03/01/2010
Fire Department: Wilmington Fire Department
Address: 300 N Walnut ST, Wilmington, DE 19801
Fire Department Chief: Willie Patrick
Incident Description: Firefighter/Inspector Waynant died after being struck, while on foot, by an Amtrak train.
The City of Wilmington is assisting the Delaware State Police and Amtrak Police with the ongoing investigation of the incident. Additional information will be made available by the Delaware State Police which is the lead investigating agency on this case.
Incident Location: Area behind Meco Circle.
Funeral Arrangements: Pending
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Pending
Tribute is being paid to Firefighter Firefighter/Fire Inspector Brian P. Waynant, Sr., at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/
Back to top
|
|
|
