| Having trouble reading this newsletter? Click here to print or to view in your web browser. You are receiving this newsletter because you signed up from our web site. Click here to unsubscribe. |
 |
Governmetal Affairs Committee |
 |
 |
|
GAC Resources
E-News Beta Test By now, you probably have noticed the design changes to the GAC E-Newsletter. We are working hard to improve the overall interface to make the E-News easier to read. The E-News will be a 'Beta Test' until the end of 2006, and we hope you will send us suggestions, technical problems, and interface improvements that you would like to see. Please send them here.
In Other News The FAMA / FEMSA GAC would like to thank all the members who participated in the 2006 Home Day Program. Many of you had incredible results, and we encourage you to share those experiences with your fellow members. The GAC has posted a small website with information about some of the Home Day activities by FAMA and FEMSA member companies. Remember - Every Day is Home Day! Please click here to see the site.
Upcoming Events CFSI Annual Dinner. March 28-29, 2007. Washington, DC Hilton. Get your tickets early! Click here for more information. |
|
|
Welcome to the December Edition of the Fireman's Fund HeritageSM eNewsletter NVFC Releases Comprehensive Guide to Retention and Recruitment The NVFC Issues Letter of Concern over 2006 AFG Program Handling Federal Interagency Committee on Emergency Medical Services Meets for First Time Awards for Fiscal Year 2006 Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) Announced The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced today $27,100,959 in direct assistance grants to 227 fire departments and first responder organizations through the department's Fiscal Year (FY) 2006 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program. Additional phases will soon be announced that will total $485 million in AFG grant awards to approximately 5,000 fire-related organizations nationwide. To view the latest round of AFG award annoucements, please visit: http://www.firegrantsupport.com/awards Source: DHS Welcome to the December Edition of the Fireman's Fund HeritageSM eNewsletter In this issue, we share information about our programs that provide grants, volunteers and other support to fire departments across the country - as well as how to connect with us. If you know of others who may be interested in this information, feel free to sign up to receive the newsletter directly by emailing heritage@ffic.com. Questions about this newsletter and its content can be directed to: Danielle Cagan, Community Relations Director, Fireman's Fund Insurance Company, 777 San Marin Drive, Novato, CA 94998. Source: USFA NVFC Releases Comprehensive Guide to Retention and Recruitment The NVFC, in partnership with the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), has released an in-depth guide on two of the biggest challenges facing the volunteer fire and emergency services – retention and recruitment. Retention and Recruitment for the Volunteer Emergency Services: Challenges and Solutions (Second Edition) addresses each of the main obstacles departments face regarding retention and recruitment and then outlines proven solutions to overcome these obstacles. This valuable resource is a must-have for all volunteer and combination departments who are experiencing retention and recruitment challenges. Among the challenges identified and addressed in the new guide are time demands, training requirements, increasing call volume, changes in the “nature of the business,” changes in sociological conditions, leadership challenges, federal legislation, internal conflict, higher cost of housing, aging communities, and the effects of the decline in volunteers. The text contains a thorough and insightful look at each of these issues and provides examples of solutions that have worked in volunteer organizations across the nation. There is also an expansive Appendix section that contains further information such as study results, statistics, sample documents, references, and additional resources. The NVFC and USFA originally teamed up in 1998 to release the first edition of the guide. This second edition has been enhanced with new research and current issues the emergency services face in the 21st century. The NVFC worked with the staff of the Volunteer Firemen’s Insurance Services (VFIS) to revise and update the text. A new curriculum based on the guide is also being developed for the NVFC/VFIS Retention and Recruitment Seminar. This training program is offered at state association conferences across the nation. Stay tuned to the NVFC web site for more information on the 2007 training schedule. Retention and Recruitment for the Volunteer Emergency Services: Challenges and Solutions (Second Edition) is available for free download on the NVFC web site at www.nvfc.org. Source: NVFC The NVFC Issues Letter of Concern over 2006 AFG Program Handling The NVFC sent a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff expressing concern over the delays that have plagued the 2006 Assistance to Firefighter Grant (AFG) program. These grants, which include AFG and the Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) grants, are crucial to the preparedness of the nation’s fire service. Departments across America depend on the grant awards to meet needs ranging from equipment and training to fire safety and prevention campaigns. In most years, AFG award announcements begin in July and are nearly complete by the end of the year. This year, award announcements did not start until October. Despite the delay, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials have assured the NVFC that the announcements would still be completed in a time frame similar to previous years. The FP&S grant application period traditionally opens in September, but this year did not open until December 4. “I am frustrated by the fact that both of these programs are several months behind where they would be in a normal year,” NVFC Chairman Philip C. Stittleburg wrote in the letter dated December 1. “I am equally frustrated that DHS did not communicate to stakeholder organizations like the NVFC that there would be such a significant delay, provide a timeframe for approximately how long the delay would last, or let us know what was causing the delay.” The letter went on to ask Secretary Chertoff to provide an explanation for the delays, what steps DHS is taking to ensure a similar situation does not occur in future years, and if it is anticipated that the 2007 AFG application period will open later than usual. DHS had not responded to the letter by press time. The NVFC will continue its quest for accountability within DHS and to advocate for better communication and a smoother application process in the future. Source: NVFC Federal Interagency Committee on Emergency Medical Services Meets for First Time The Federal Interagency Committee on Emergency Medical Services (FICEMS) met on December 8 for the first time since it was codified in the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act, which was signed into law in August of 2005. The purpose of FICEMS is to bring the various federal agencies that deal in some fashion with EMS together to ensure coordination of activities. FICEMS member agencies include the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Health Resources and Services Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the US Fire Administration, the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, the Indian Health Service, and the Federal Communications Commission. FICEMS will also eventually include a state EMS director as a voting member. At the meeting it was determined that NHTSA will chair the Committee. The members also decided that the Committee will meet officially at least twice a year with staff-level meetings twice a year as well. In the past, FICEMS agencies have met informally as a way to share information. In codifying FICEMS, Congress raised the profile of the Committee and identified specific areas for the Committee to work on. The NVFC has participated in FICEMS in the past and continues to attend meetings and provide input regarding the needs of the volunteer EMS community. Source: NVFC
|
|
|
|
|