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US Fire
Grant Support
| The fire grants announced for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG)
Round 11 - $30,861,968 Round 12 - $28,701,157
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Save the Date: 2011 Hill Day
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Only 41 Days until the 2011 Hill Day!
We are pleased to announce that the 2011 FAMA/FEMSA Hill Day will take place Wednesday, April 6, and Thursday, April 7, 2011, in Washington, D.C., in conjunction with CFSI's 23rd Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner. Building on the success of past Hill Day events, FAMA/FEMSA members who participate this year will be organized by state into teams that will visit their senators and representatives. These meetings will be arranged by the FAMA/FEMSA Governmental Affairs Committee's advisory team Dave Gatton, and Joni Goodman.
Your participation in the 2011 Hill Day is critical to continuing our industry's efforts to promote our Washington agenda in support of our nation's fire service, particularly given the current pressure to cut domestic programs including those within the Department of Homeland Security. Holding 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 11, 2011, at www.fama.org/hillday or www.femsa.org/hillday. The $50.00 registration fee is payable online by credit card. (Please note that this is separate from any fees to attend the Fire Dinner.) Our Hill Day orientation session will begin at 10:00am on Wednesday, April 6, at the Hilton Washington. (A draft agenda and schedule for Hill Day is attached.) Congressional meetings will be scheduled for you for Wednesday, April 6, and Thursday morning, April 7.
To purchase your ticket for the CFSI Fire Dinner, please visit the Congressional Fire Services Institute's Web site at www.cfsi.org/events/how_to_register.cfm. 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/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/events/hotel_accommodations.cfm.
Source: FAMA/FEMSA GAC Back to Top
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CFSI Encourages Fire Service Leaders to Attend 23rd Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner and Seminars
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Fire Service Needs to Make Presence Felt on Capitol Hill The Congressional Fire Services Institute is calling on fire service officials across the country to attend the 23rd Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner and Seminars program on April 6th and 7th in our nation's capital. Given the historic changes in Congress with 96 new members in the House and 16 in the Senate, fire service leaders need to attend the two-day program to show the colors of the fire service and to voice their support for federal programs that benefit our nation's one million firefighters and emergency services personnel. The theme of the annual program is "Remembering Honor, Courage and Sacrifice." With the tenth anniversary of September 11th approaching, the program will pay tribute to courage and sacrifices of our firefighters on that historic day. The program will also recognize all first responders who have who have stood ready to defend our homeland against all threats since that tragic day. "Our elected leaders need to hear from their local constituents how proposed cuts in federal fire programs will impact the local communities they represent," said CFSI Executive Director Bill Webb. "This is why we are calling on fire officials across the country to descend on Capitol Hill these two days. We need to show our colors and communicate in one united voice the need for continued federal support for all firefighters." Source: CFSI Back to Top |
House Approves Extending Waivers for Safer Grant Program
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On Thursday, February 17th, the House of Representatives approved an amendment introduced by Congressman David Price (NC-4) to extend specific waivers to the SAFER program. The amendment, which was approved during consideration of H.R. 1, the Fiscal Year 2011 Full-Year Continuing Resolution Act, extends waivers Congress had previously approved allowing fire departments to use the grants to avoid firefighter layoffs and rehire laid-off firefighters. The waivers also relax certain budgetary requirements that have proven prohibitive to departments applying for SAFER grants. The previous waivers had been approved only for Fiscal Years 2009 and 2010. The amendment was approved by a vote of 267-159. H.R. 1 funds programs and activities of the federal government through the end of Fiscal Year 2011. The bill initially contained over $100 billion in cuts compared to the President's FY11 budget request. While the bill originally included cuts to the FIRE Grant Program and had eliminated the SAFER Grant Program, the House approved an amendment introduced by Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. (NJ-8) to restore those programs to their FY10 funding levels. House leadership has stated their intent to finish work on H.R.1 before the House adjourns for the Presidents' Day recess. If the bill is approved by the House, it still needs to be approved by the Senate and signed into law by the President. Source: CFSI Back to Top |
DHS Announces FY 2012 Budget Request
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Valentine's Day is also Budget Day this year. Earlier this afternoon, we unveiled the Department's $57.0 billion fiscal year 2012 budget request, prioritizing efforts to protect the nation from terrorism and other threats while making an unprecedented commitment to fiscal discipline - including the identification of over $800 million in efficiency and administrative savings - and identified six priority areas for the Department:
- Preventing Terrorism and Enhancing Security
- Securing and Managing Our Borders
- Enforcing and Administering Our Immigration Laws
- Safeguarding and Securing Cyberspace
- Ensuring Resilience to Disasters
- Providing Essential Support to National and Economic Security
In the budget request, all DHS components identified reductions associated with Secretary Napolitano's Efficiency Review initiatives currently underway as well as administrative savings to strengthen mission critical activities across the Department. Savings were accomplished through efficiencies in acquisition, asset and real property management as well as employee vetting/credentialing, hiring/on-boarding and information technology; and administrative savings through reductions to professional services contracts, printing, supplies and materials, travel, and training.
DHS's FY 2012 budget request is the culmination of a major, first of its kind effort undertaken by the Department to align DHS resources with a comprehensive strategy to meet the nation's homeland security needs. Last year, DHS completed the first ever Quadrennial Homeland Security Review, which established a unified, strategic framework for homeland security missions and goals, as well as the Department's first ever Bottom-Up Review, which aligned DHS's programmatic activities and organizational structure to better serve those missions and goals. The third and final step of this process is the FY 2012 budget submission, which begins the next phase in strengthening DHS efforts to ensure a safe, secure, and resilient homeland.
To read the full DHS FY 2012 budget go here www.dhs.gov/xabout/budget/.
To read the DHS FY 2012 budget fact sheet go here Fact Sheet: Fiscal Year 2012 Budget Request
For more information on the federal budget please visit www.whitehouse.gov.
Source:DHS Back to Top
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2011 National UASI and Homeland Security Conference
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The National Urban Areas Security Initiative Conference, Inc., and the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Grant Programs Directorate, are co-hosting the 5th annual National UASI and Homeland Security Conference in San Francisco June 20-23, 2011, at the Hilton Union Square Hotel.
For the first time, the conference will incorporate the DHS/FEMA/GPD "After Action Conference" and a new National Training Expo on Thursday June 23rd.
The goal of the Annual National UASI and Homeland Security Conference is to foster the exchange of information between all parties involved in the Department of Homeland Security preparedness grants programs.
The conference will include all preparedness grants under the Homeland Security Grant Program, as well as transit and port security grant program recipients. The National UASI and Homeland Security Conference is intended to bring UASI participants, Metropolitan Medical Response System (MMRS) recipients, Port and Transit Security stakeholders, State Administrative Agencies, Department of Homeland Security officials, and private sector partners together in an open and collegial environment to discuss issues of importance to those responsible for implementing and supporting homeland security and emergency preparedness programs across the nation. States without a designated urban area are encouraged to send appropriate SAA staff as many of the sessions are not UASI-specific.
Our program will include general sessions provided by DHS and FEMA leadership and will offer seven programmatic tracks as follows:
- Regional Collaboration
- Communications and Information Sharing
- Medical and Health Preparedness
- Public/Private Partnerships
- Community and Economic Resiliency
- Program Management
- FEMA Preparedness Programs
FEMA grant funds may be used to cover the cost of attendance by utilizing management and administration or planning funds. Please refer to the conference website www.urbanareas.org for further information and registration. A downloadable copy of the conference information can be found here.
Source:DHS Back to Top
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| First-Ever National Test of Emergency Alert System Approved | |
The FCC orders testing of the Emergency Alert System, to be triggered by the president, and sent to TV, radio, cable and satellite systems.
Read More>>
Source: NVFC
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FEMA Seeks Applicants for National Advisory Committee
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The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is requesting individuals who are interested in serving on the National Advisory Council (NAC) to apply for appointment. As provided for in the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2007, the Secretary of Homeland Security established the NAC to ensure effective and ongoing coordination of federal preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation for natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters.
Read More>>
Source: NVFC Back to Top
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Global Education Campaign Launched to Warn Firefighters and First Responders of Occupational Hazards of "The Silent Killer"
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Spotlights the Health Consequences of Unsuspected Carbon Monoxide Poisoning During Fire Operations and Urges Firefighter/First Responder Protection and Safety
Masimo (NASDAQ: MASI), the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) jointly announced today the launch of "The Silent Killer" educational campaign aimed at raising awareness of the duty-related dangers of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning and reducing the known risk factors that unnecessarily kill or injure firefighters each year. This important new health and safety campaign includes a dramatic six-minute video that highlights the immediate and long-term health risks associated with CO exposure, the emotional impact these risks can have on firefighters and their families, and advocates proper prevention strategies. The video can be viewed online at www.thesilentkiller.net and DVDs will be widely distributed to fire departments throughout the world.
Source: NVFC
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February is American Heart Month
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You've heard the statistics: half of all line-of-duty firefighter fatalities each year are due to heart disease, and heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. And yet, many of the risk factors for heart attack are modifiable. February is American Heart Month, and it's time to take control of your health. Make a pledge to take care of your heart and lower your risk of becoming a statistic.
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: Thomas V. Regan
Rank: Firefighter
Age: 82
Gender: Male
Status: Volunteer
Years of Service: 38
Date of Incident: 01/26/2011
Time of Incident: 0800hrs
Date of Death: 02/17/2011
Fire Department: Garden City Park Fire Department
Address: 2264 Jericho TPKE, Garden City Park, NY 11040-4725
Fire Department Chief: William Rudnick
Incident Description: Firefighter Regan passed away from an injury he suffered from a fall while responding to a carbon-monoxide alarm during an ice storm in late January.
Incident Location: Pending
Funeral Arrangements: At the request of the family, private services will be held 02/18/2011 (viewing), and 02/19/2011 (funeral).
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Pending
Tribute is being paid to Firefighter Thomas V. Regan at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/
Name: Larry Gressett, Sr.
Rank: Firefighter
Age: 33
Gender: Male
Status: Volunteer
Years of Service: 5
Date of Incident: 02/17/2011
Time of Incident: 1730hrs
Date of Death: 02/17/2011
Fire Department: Toomsuba Volunteer Fire Department
Address: 51 Will Garrett RD, Toomsuba, MS 39364
Fire Department Chief: Billy Stuckey
Incident Description: Firefighter Gressett responded to a scene of an accident at a local lake. A man had been in a boat with his grandson when he fell into the water. On arrival, a couple of the firefighters, including Firefighter Gressett, went into the water to rescue the man. Firefighter Gressett's body cramped up and he drowned.
Incident Location: 230 Sam Hurtt RD, Toomsuba, MS 39364
Funeral Arrangements: Pending
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Pending
Tribute is being paid to Firefighter Gressett at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/
Name: Donald R. Lam
Rank: Firefighter/Forest Ranger Technician
Age: 58
Gender: Male
Status: Career
Years of Service: 12
Date of Incident: 09/07/2010
Time of Incident: 1138hrs
Date of Death: 02/17/2011
Fire Department: Kentucky Division of Forestry
Address: 627 Comanche Trail, Frankfort, KY 40601
Fire Department Chief: Director Leah MacSwords
Incident Description: Firefighter Lam passed away from injuries sustained while engaged in fire suppression activities for the Scotts Chapel Road Fire, a 12-acre wildfire that occurred in Livingston County, Kentucky, in September, 2010.
Firefighter Lam was clearing a fire break for containment at the base of a bluff when a burning snag broke loose on top and rolled downhill over a small bluff and struck Lam from behind. Firefighter Lam was knocked out and sustained a serious head injury that left him unconscious, a fractured hip, bruises, and 2nd degree leg burns on his calves.
Incident Location: Scotts Chapel Road, Livingston County, KY
Funeral Arrangements: Pending
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: First Southern National Bank, Friends of Don Lam Account, P.O. Box 379, Princeton, KY 42445
Tribute is being paid to Firefighter/Forest Ranger Technician Donald R. Lam at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/
Name: Derek Kozorosky
Rank: Airman First Class
Age: Pending
Gender: Male
Status: Career
Years of Service: Pending
Date of Incident: 02/11/2011
Time of Incident: 1800hrs
Date of Death: 02/11/2011
Fire Department: 18th Civil Engineer Squadron
Address: Kadena Air Base, APO AP 96368
Fire Department Chief: Brig. Gen. Ken Wilsbach
Incident Description: Airman First Class Kozorosky passed away at the Camp Lester Naval Hospital following a vehicle mishap. Details for the fatal incident are pending a full investigation by authorities.
Incident Location: Kadena Air Base, Japan.
Funeral Arrangements: Pending
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Pending
Tribute is being paid to Airman First Class Kozorosky at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/
Name: Richard Leo "Ricky" Barbour
Rank: Fire Chief
Age: 55
Gender: Male
Status: Volunteer
Years of Service: 30
Date of Incident: 01/29/2011
Time of Incident: 1500hrs
Date of Death: 02/04/2011
Fire Department: Wilson's Mills Fire and Rescue
Address: 2550 Cleveland Rd, Smithfield, NC 27577
Fire Department Chief: Pending
Fire Department Website: http://www.wilsonsmillsfd.com/
Incident Description: Chief Barbour responded to a woods fire on 01/29/2011. The following day (within 24 hours), Barbour experienced chest pains and was transported to WakeMed in Raleigh, NC. Chief Barbour was treated at the hospital but never recovered from his injury and passed away just before midnight on 02/04/2011.
Incident Location: Lakewood Road, Smithfield, NC.
Funeral Arrangements: Visitation, 1800-2100hrs on 02/08/2011 at Wilson's Mills Baptist Church, 652 Swift Creek RD, Smithfield, NC 27577. Funeral service, 1100hrs on 02/09/2011, Wilson's Mills Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Knollwood Cemetery in Clayton NC 27520.
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Ricky Barbour Grandchildren's College Fund, c/o Four Oaks Bank, P. O. Box 309, Four Oaks, NC 27524.
Tribute is being paid to Fire Chief Richard Leo "Ricky" Barbour at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/
Source: USFA
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