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Senate Committee Approves Richard Serino to be FEMA's Deputy Administrator
The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on Tuesday, September 29, approved Richard A. Serino to be a deputy administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Serino was approved by a voice vote. He was the chief of emergency medical services and assistant director at the Boston Public Health Commission.
He previously served as the superintendent-in-chief and a superintendent for field operations for Boston Emergency Medical Services, and has spent more than 35 years working for the commission where he began as a paramedic.
Serino has served Boston EMS for over 35 years, beginning his career as a volunteer ambulance medic in 1972 and steadily rising through the ranks until he was named Chief in 2000. Serino has also received an advanced education in government and emergency management techniques from Harvard's Kennedy School of Government and the Naval Postgraduate School's Center for Homeland Defense and Security. |
President Barack Obama Issues Proclamation for National Fire Prevention Week - October 4-10, 2009
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION
As powerful as any force in the natural world, fire deserves our utmost attention. Unchecked, fire can destroy homes, devastate our environment, and, at its worst, injure or fatally harm individuals. Fire Prevention Week is a time to learn about important fire safety issues and empower our communities to stay "Fire Smart." It is also a time to honor our Nation's brave firefighters and volunteers who risk their lives to protect their fellow Americans.
Every year, thousands of Americans experience fires in their homes and workplaces. We can greatly reduce these tragedies by taking a few, very simple steps. For example, if each of us strives to remain attentive while cooking, to properly dispose of all smoking materials, and to regularly check and replace smoke alarm batteries, we can help keep our families safe from harm and protect personal property. Additional precautionary measures should also include the formation of an emergency plan and the education of our children about the proper ways to handle potentially dangerous situations with fire.
This week's theme, "Stay Fire Smart! Don't Get Burned," focuses on increasing burn awareness and prevention. We can each do more to avoid severe burns by testing water temperature, remaining aware of open flames, and ensuring that heating elements -- such as those in electric stoves, toasters, hair appliances, and space heaters -- are secure and operated properly. These easy, common sense practices can help Americans avoid suffering painful burns.
Fire can have a devastating impact on the life of an individual or family, and it can have far-reaching financial and human consequences. Wildfires can burn hundreds of acres and affect numerous communities, while household fires can spread to neighboring buildings. These and other emergency situations can endanger the lives of not only the public, but also our rescue workers and firefighters. During Fire Prevention Week, we are reminded of the dangers of fire, we honor the brave men and women who protect us from it, and we recommit ourselves to its responsible use.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim October 4 through October 10, 2009, as Fire Prevention Week. On Sunday, October 4, 2009, in accordance with Public Law 107-51, the flag of the United States will be flown at half staff on all Federal office buildings in honor of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service. I call on all Americans to participate in this observance with appropriate programs and activities and by renewing their efforts to prevent fires and their tragic consequences.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this second day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.
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FEMA Awards Assistance to Firefighters Fire Station Construction Grants
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced last week the first round of Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 Assistance to Firefighters Grants for fire station construction, awarding 96 grants totaling $165 million to fire departments within the United States. For the complete list please click here. |
Application Period Open for Fire Prevention and Safety Grants
The Department of Homeland Security has posted the FY2009 Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) Grants Program Guidance on the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) Program Website. The application period began on September 21st,. Applications for these grants must be received by October 23, 2009.
The purpose of the FP&S grants is to support projects that enhance the safety of the public and firefighters from fire and fire-related hazards. The grants are competitive, and targeted to high-risk populations. Smoke alarm installation, fire prevention and public safety education campaigns, juvenile fire setter interventions, media campaigns, and arson prevention and awareness programs are all examples of programs supported by the FP&S grants.
An applicant tutorial for the fire prevention activity are available through the www.firegrantsupport.com Website. Applicants who have questions regarding the Fire Prevention and Safety Grants opportunity should contact the help desk at 1-866-274-0960 or at firegrants@dhs.gov.
The AFG Program is administered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Grant Programs Directorate in coordination with the U.S. Fire Administration.
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National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Held in Emmitsburg
The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation held the 28th annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend on October 2-4, 2009. The Memorial honored 103 firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2008 and 19 firefighters from previous years. Their names were added to the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial, located on the National Fire Academy campus in Emmitsburg, MD. Chief Dennis Compton, Chairman of the NFFF Board of Directors, stated: "Our country's firefighters make a commitment day in and day out to protect others from the ravages of fire and many other life threatening hazards. Each year we gather at the site of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Emmitsburg, Maryland, to pay tribute to those firefighters who paid the ultimate price in the performance of their duties. The fire service is honored and humbled to memorialize these fallen heroes and show our sincere appreciation for the sacrifices made by those they left behind."
The memorial service - attended by over 5,000 family members, friends and members of the fire service - featured a program of music, tributes and the reading of names. Administration officials and members of Congress participated in the program to pay tribute to the fallen heroes. "As long as there is an America and an American fire service, there will be a debt that we must strive to pay due to their selfless commitment to saving lives and property," U.S. Fire Administrator Kelvin Cochran said.
Keynote speaker and Congressional Fire Services Caucus Co-chair Steny Hoyer spoke of the courage of the fallen. "They died because there was something in each of their lives that they valued more than life: their duty, their calling to protect the safety of their families and their fellow citizens," said Rep. Steny Hoyer, MD-5 "They are ready to shout down tens of thousands of years of human instinct to run into danger, into the fire, into the flood, into the catastrophe."
Congressman Hoyer and others unveiled a new plaque for the monument, a stone ring with a stone and bronze pillar in the middle.
For more information on the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend please click here. |
NFPA Releases New Study on Property Loss in 2008
The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) released a new study, on September 14 showing[ED1] that fire caused more than $15.5 billion in direct property loss in 2008. Fires in residential properties made up over half the total at $8.6 billion. The report also shows fire departments responded to an estimated 1.5 million fires last year. Fires in 2008 caused 3,320 civilian casualties and over 16,000 civilian injuries. For more on this report please click here: U.S. Fire Loss in the United States in 2008. |
FAMA/FEMSA Hold Fall Meetings in DC
FEMSA/FAMA is holding its annual Fall Conference in Washington, D.C. this week. Over 100 members from both organizations are attending the event to exchange information about the fire service industry and meet with members of Congress to generate support for the FIRE grant program and other initiatives important to their industry. Earlier today, CFSI Executive Director Bill Webb and Kevin O'Connor, Chairman of the CFSI National Advisory Committee and Special Assistant to the IAFF General President, addressed the group, stressing the importance fire service unity and the role of industry in advocating for first responder issues.
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