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The Department of Homeland Security Announces Opening of Application Period for Staffing For Adequate Fire and Emergency Services Grants
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will begin accepting applications for FY2009 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grants beginning November 16, 2009 at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time. The deadline for receipt of the SAFER Grant applications is December 18, 2009 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The automated applications will be accessible from the website for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program at www.firegrantsupport.com.
The FY2009 SAFER program has approximately $210 million available for grants. The Program Guidance for the grant program will be posted in the near future on the program's website.
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House Expresses Support for Designation of a "National Firefighters Memorial Day"
On Thursday, October, 29th, the House of Representatives passed H.Res.729, a resolution expressing support for a "National Firefighters Memorial Day", by a vote of 390-0. The resolution, introduced by Congressman Ted Poe (TX-2), urges the president to establish the "National Firefighters Memorial Day" to honor and celebrate the firefighters of the United States who are killed or injured in the line of duty. The resolution had 59 cosponsors. For more information please visit: www.cfsi.org/govt_affairs.asp. |
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GAO Releases Report on Fire Grant Application Process
On Friday, October 30th, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report reviewing the application process for the Assistance to Firefighters (FIRE) Grant Program. Due to concerns over the large number of applications not being awarded, Congress requested the report as part of the Fiscal Year 2008 Consolidated Appropriations Act in an attempt to ensure the integrity of the application review process.
The report found that Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) had met seven of the eight statutory requirements for the program and had also met two of three FEMA established program requirements. The report also provided four recommendations for the continued improvement of the program.
You can read the entire report, including the summary and recommendations, at the GAO website, http://www.gao.gov, under "Recently Issued Products," dated October 30, 2009. |
The Congressional Fire Services Institute's National Advisory Committee Held Their Fall Meeting
On Tuesday October 27th, 2009 the CFSI National Advisory Committee (NAC) met in Washington, DC to address its legislative priorities as well as hear a presentation from Chief Kelvin Cochran, Administrator of the United States Fire Administration (USFA).
Chief Cochran outlined the initiatives that USFA would pursue for the nextthree years. They included, reducing losses from fire, improving fire prevention and life safety, reducing line of duty deaths and injury to firefighters, conducting an assessment of the impact of AFG and SAFER grants, highlighting the importance of the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) to local departments, creating new professional development programs in response to high rates of attrition within the fire service, and enhancing EMS courses being offered through the National Fire Academy.
The NAC passed three resolutions. They are as follows:
1). A Resolution Regarding Public Safety Broadband Communications
The resolution urges Congress and the Federal Communications Commission to continue their efforts to enhance public safety interoperable communications and encourages Congress to consider a proposal to remove the D Block from auction and allocate it directly to public safety as part of the nationwide Public Safety Broadband License (PSBL).
2). A Resolution Supporting a Arsonist Registration and Notification Program
The resolution supports congressional efforts to pass legislation that requires each state to maintain a statewide arson registry and that this information be made available on the internet and readily accessible to approved law enforcement agencies. It also supports the establishment and implementation of a Criminal Arsonist Management Assistance Program. This program will provide grants to jurisdictions to offset the costs of establishing and complying with these programs.
3). A Resolution Regarding Teen Driving Safety Laws
The NAC passed a resolution expressing its support for the enactment of the Safe Teen and Novice Driver Uniform Protection (STANDUP) Act, an act that would require states to adopt a graduating driver's license program.
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Congressional Fire Services Institute's Board President Wins Pennsylvania Election
Congratulations to CFSI President Bill Jenaway on his election to the Upper Merion (PA) Board of Supervisors. Dr. Jenaway has served the Upper Merion community for nearly three decades. Among his many areas of involvement, Jenaway has served as both fire chief and president of the King of Prussia Volunteer Fire company. Dr. Jenaway is an Executive Vice President of ESECG, a division of VFIS in York, PA.
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