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New Video Advocating for Support of the Assistance to Firefighters and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grant Programs: Fire Service Encouraged to Share Video with Their Members of Congress and Other Officials.
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 The Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI) has produced an educational video designed to increase awareness about the importance of the Assistance to Firefighters (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Programs. Featuring prominent fire service leaders and a cadre of firefighters from various fire service fields, the video highlights the many benefits of the two grant programs - from enhancing the response capabilities for all types of emergencies to stimulating local economies through the manufacturing of equipment and apparatus. The video can be watched on the CFSI website.
Fire service officials are encouraged to share the video with their members of Congress - and for that matter, their state and local officials. Our elected leaders need to understand the many roles of today's firefighters and the training, equipment and personnel they need to protect our homelands. While firefighters continue to perform their mission of fire suppression, EMS, rescue and prevention, so much has changed within the service that our elected officials need to understand. The fire service will remain a local responsibility but because of the added homeland security responsibilities the fire service has assumed in a post 9-11 world, our elected leaders need to understand the obligations all levels of government must assume to train, equip and staff our nation's fire and emergency services.
By design, the video is succinct. Lasting approximately six minutes, it highlights some of the key benefits of both AFG and SAFER as communicated by actual firefighters. It can be played during meetings with elected officials and their staff or mailed to congressional offices. If the latter, a letter should accompany the video explaining from a local perspective why support for AFG and SAFER is so important to the fire service.
Congress is in the process of approving funding for both AFG and SAFER for Fiscal Year 2011. The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security approved $420 million for both programs. The Senate Appropriations Committee, however, approved $420 million for SAFER and $390 for AFG. The two programs are equally important as they both address critical needs for departments in rural and urban communities. Hence, in your communications with your members, urge them to support $420 million for both programs for Fiscal Year 2011.
In your communications, include the key points enumerated in the video. Remind them that the American fire and emergency services responds to 22 million emergency calls, annually. Also express in your own words how AFG and SAFER are having a positive impact at the local level. As the late former Speaker of the House Thomas "Tip" O'Neill once said, "Politics is local."
To receive a copy of the video, send an email request to CFSI at update@cfsi.org. Include your name and mailing address.
Source: CFSI
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Security 'Democracy' Needed
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A security expert says security training should no longer be exclusive to the pros with fancy titles. Could it be time to 'democratize' security?
Read More>>
Source: Disaster Resource Guide
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Only You Can Keep It Strong: Are You Up for the Challenge?
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Firefighters run into situations when everyone else is running out. When you meet an obstacle, you face it head-on and make sure the job gets done right. When it comes to your health and wellness, you're the only one who can keep yourself strong so that you can be there for those who depend on you: your family, your department, and your community. Are you up for the challenge?
Read full article.
Source: NVFC
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Join the National Preparedness Month Coalition
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September is National Preparedness Month (NPM), and your department, Fire Corps team, business, or other organization can help encourage more Americans to be prepared by joining the NPM Coalition. Membership in the Coalition is free and open to all public and private sector organizations. The National Volunteer Fire Council is among the more than 2,100 national, regional, state, and local organizations that are already a member of the 2010 NPM Coalition.
National Preparedness Month is sponsored by the Ready Campaign in partnership with Citizen Corps and the Ad Council. The annual awareness month is designed to encourage Americans to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses, and communities. The 2010 event will focus on asking Americans to work together to concentrate actions towards emergency preparedness.
Organizations that join the NPM Coalition work to promote emergency preparedness in any way that they can during the month of September. Registered members have access to a toolkit with templates, resources, and tips to help promote emergency preparedness. The online NPM calendar allows organizations to post events and see what other organizations are doing in your community. Coalition members can also share success stories about their NPM events.
Register for the 2010 NPM Coalition at http://ready.adcouncil.org. Learn more about National Preparedness Month and view the list of NPM members at www.ready.gov.
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: Christopher Wheatley
Rank: Firefighter/Paramedic
Age: 31
Gender: Male
Classification: Career
Years of Service: 10
Date of Incident: 08/09/2010
Time of Incident: 0030hrs
Date of Death: 08/09/2010
Fire Department: Chicago Fire Department
Department Address: 10 W 35TH ST, Floor 14, Chicago, IL 60616-3717
Fire Department Chief: Fire Commissioner Robert Hoff
Fire Department Website: http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/cfd.html
Incident Description: Firefighter Wheatley was working a grease-chute fire at a restaurant when he fell approximately 35 feet from a ladder suffering fatal injuries while he was making his way up to the roof of the burning building with his equipment.
Incident Location: 615 W. Randolph, Chicago, IL
Funeral Arrangements: Pending
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Pending
Tribute is being paid to Firefighter/Paramedic Christopher Wheatley at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/
Name: Steven N. Costello
Rank: Fire Lieutenant
Age: 46
Gender: Male
Classification: Career
Years of Service: 23
Date of Incident: 07/23/2010
Time of Incident: 1830hrs
Date of Death: 7/30/2010
Fire Department: Burlington Fire Department
Department Address: 136 S Winooski AVE, Burlington, VT 05401-8313
Fire Department Chief: Michael O'Neil
Fire Department Website: http://www.fire.ci.burlington.vt.us/
Incident Description: On July 23rd, Fire Lieutenant Costello was found by the members of his fire crew in cardiac arrest at Fire Station #2. Members of Engine 2 and Rescue 2 performed CPR, Advanced Life Support interventions, and transported Costello to Fletcher Allen Health Care Emergency Department. In the Emergency Department, Lieutenant Costello regained his pulse and after further medical interventions, was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit where his condition was listed as critical.
On Friday morning July 30 2010, Lieutenant Costello succumbed to complications from the cardiac arrest.
Incident Location: Fire Station 2, 132 North Avenue.
Funeral Arrangements: Visiting hours will be on 8/02/2010 from 1500-1900hrs at the Ready Funeral Home South Chapel, 261 Shelburne Rd., Burlington. To send online condolences, please visit www.readyfuneral.com. Funeral, 8/03/2010 at 1100hrs in the Ira Allen Chapel on the University of Vermont Campus. Parking with shuttle provided will be at the Gutterson Field Parking Lot. If lot is full, you will be redirected to another University lot. Private committal services will follow.
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Steven Costello Family Fund, c/o the Merchants Bank, 164 College St., Burlington, VT 05401.
Name: Chris Adams
Rank: Firefighter/Ranger
Age: 25
Gender: Male
Classification: Wildland (Full-Time)
Years of Service: 2
Date of Incident: 08/02/2010
Time of Incident: 1755hrs
Date of Death: 08/02/2010
Fire Department: Arkansas Forestry Commission
Department Address: 3821 West Roosevelt Road, Little Rock, AR 72204
Fire Department Chief: State Forester John T. Shannon
Fire Department Website: http://www.forestry.state.ar.us/
Incident Description: Firefighter/Ranger Adams was operating an Arkansas Forestry Commission apparatus, a 2002 International tractor-trailer, and was en route to check on the status of an earlier fire. For a cause still under investigation, the rig reportedly crossed the roadway center line, went into a ditch and overturned. Firefighter/Ranger Adams did not survive the accident.
Incident Location: Westbound on Highway 360, approximately one-half mile east of Highway 29 in Lafayette County).
Funeral Arrangements: Pending. Arrangements are being made with the Smith Funeral Home in Stamps, AR (http://aosmithfuneralhome.com/default.aspx).
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: In honor of Firefighter/Ranger Chris Adams, c/o Arkansas Forestry Commission, Attn: Human Resources Department, 3821 West Roosevelt Road, Little Rock, AR 72204.
Tribute is being paid to Firefighter/Ranger Chris Adams at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/
Name: Christopher Wheatley
Rank: Firefighter/Paramedic
Age: 31
Gender: Male
Classification: Career
Years of Service: 10
Date of Incident: 08/09/2010
Time of Incident: 0030hrs
Date of Death: 08/09/2010
Fire Department: Chicago Fire Department
Department Address: 10 W 35TH ST, Floor 14, Chicago, IL 60616-3717
Fire Department Chief: Fire Commissioner Robert Hoff
Fire Department Website: http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/cfd.html
Incident Description: Firefighter Wheatley was working a grease-chute fire at a restaurant when he fell approximately 35 feet from a ladder suffering fatal injuries while he was making his way up to the roof of the burning building with his equipment.
Incident Location: 615 W. Randolph, Chicago, IL
Funeral Arrangements: Pending
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Pending
Tribute is being paid to Firefighter/Paramedic Christopher Wheatley at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/
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