On Wednesday, October 19th, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee approved the nomination of Chief Ernest Mitchell, Jr. to be Administrator of the United States Fire Administration (USFA).  President Barack Obama nominated Chief Mitchell to head USFA on August 2, 2011.
 
Prior to his retirement, Chief Mitchell served as Fire Chief and Assistant Director of Disaster Emergency Services for the city of Pasadena, California Fire Department from 1998 to 2004.  In addition, he served as Fire Chief and Deputy City Manager of Monrovia, California from 1991 to 1998.   Chief Mitchell has over 30 years of experience in the fire service.
 
Chief Mitchell served as IAFC president in 2003-2004.  He currently serves on the International Association of Fire Fighters Hazardous Materials Advisory Board and the International Fire Service Training Association Executive Board.  Mr. Mitchell holds an A.S. in fire science from Long Beach City College, a B.P.A. from the University of San Francisco and an M.P.A. from California State University at Northridge.
 
Chief Mitchell's nomination will now be sent to the full Senate for consideration. 

 

Source: CFSI

On October 26th, CFSI's National Advisory Committee (NAC) held its semi-annual meeting at the D.C. Fire and EMS Museum in Washington, DC.  The Fire Museum, located on the third floor of historic Engine 3 on Capitol Hill, is home to an extensive collection of artifacts chronicling the history of the District of Columbia's Fire and EMS Department.
 
Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-9), Chairman of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications, provided the NAC with an update of the current activities of the House Homeland Security Committee.  Dr. John Hall from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) gave a presentation on the recently released Third Needs Assessment of the U.S. Fire Service.  Chief Timothy Butters, Deputy Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), spoke about some of the programs and activities of his agency.  The NAC also heard a presentation from Maggie Wilson of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program about the status of the FIRE, SAFER, and FP&S grants.
 
The NAC also considered two resolutions recommending CFSI's support of pending legislation.  The NAC approved resolutions in support of both the PROTECT IP Act (S. 968) and the Safe Building Codes Act (H.R. 2069). 

The next NAC meeting is scheduled for May 4, 2012 following the 24th Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner and Seminars. 

 

Source: CFSI 

http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/