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Governmetal Affairs Committee |
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GAC Resources
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. |
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FAMA/FEMSA GAC Membership Survey DHS, State Dept. Remind Public about Passport Requirement for Air Travel Department Announces $445 Million to Secure Critical Infrastructure NVFC and Spartan Motors to Create National Junior Firefighter Program New Congress Brings New Challenges and Opportunities Non-compliant SCBA Cylinders Must Be Tested to Comply with DOT Requirements Don't Forget to Sign Up for the 19th Annual National Fire & Emergency Services Dinner & Seminars DHS to Distribute $445 Million among Cities Canada Unveils $432 Million Border Plan Firms Fret as Office E-Mail Jumps Security Walls New Jersey Evacuation Plan Depends on Many Who Lack Key Training
FAMA/FEMSA GAC Membership Survey As you know, the FAMA/FEMSA Governmental Affairs Committee (GAC) is working to
increase FAMA/FEMSA’s dialogue with federal government agencies in an effort to educate key
officials on the important role our industry plays in providing equipment and services to the
nation’s first responders. To help us enhance these efforts, we ask you to take a few moments to
complete the enclosed survey. This survey will help the GAC compile a comprehensive list of
FAMA/FEMSA members’ locations and the congressional senators and representatives for those
locations, an important step in establishing an educational network with the members of
Congress and the administration. http://www.zoomerang.com/survey.zgi?p=WEB2262CG544Q2 Please fill out one copy of the survey for each of your company’s locations (There is a space to
indicate each location’s function on the survey.) Surveys do not need to be completed for your
dealerships, if you have any. DHS, State Dept. Remind Public about Passport Requirement for Air Travel DHS and the U.S. State Department issued a reminder today that beginning Jan. 23, citizens of the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Bermuda are required to present a passport to enter the United States when arriving by air from any part of the Western Hemisphere. Since announcing this requirement last November, the departments have been encouraging all travelers to obtain passports before they travel. The public awareness of the air travel requirement continues to grow and current data shows that 88 percent of affected passengers are already traveling to the United States with passports. Since the week of Thanksgiving 2006, 83 percent of U.S. citizens, 94 percent of Canadians, 88 percent of Mexicans, and 99 percent of Bermudans have arrived at U.S. airports with passports. The air requirement is part of the departments of State and Homeland Security’s Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). This change in travel document requirements is the result of recommendations made by the 9/11 Commission, which Congress subsequently passed into law in the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004. Source: DHS Department Announces $445 Million to Secure Critical Infrastructure DHS last week released FY 2007 grant guidance and application kits for five grant programs that will total roughly $445 million in funding for state, local, and private industry infrastructure protection initiatives. These five programs comprise the Infrastructure Protection Program grants, which have provided more than $1.5 billion to strengthen security at critical facilities ranging from chemical plants to mass transit systems and seaports. “We’re investing resources where risk is greatest and where the funds will have the most significant impact,” said Secretary Chertoff. “This year’s grants reflect a rigorous, disciplined approach that places risk first, driven by hard analysis from the intelligence community and supported by common sense.” More information is available at: http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1168366069190.shtm. Source: DHS NVFC and Spartan Motors to Create National Junior Firefighter Program The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) and fire truck and rescue vehicle maker Spartan Motors have partnered to create and promote the first national Junior Firefighter Program aimed at supporting existing volunteer departments by fostering relationships and engaging youth in learning about, and ultimately becoming, members of the emergency services. “The need for well-trained and highly-motivated volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel throughout America’s communities has never been greater,” said Philip C. Stittleburg, Chairman of the NVFC. “Over 70% of the firefighters who protect our nation are volunteers. Yet, statistics show that while fire department call volume is steadily increasing, the number of volunteers is decreasing.” According to the NVFC, the causes for the downward trend in volunteers are varied, including increasing time demands on two-income families, more rigorous training standards, and limited advocacy for volunteering among youth. Retention and recruitment of new members has never been more challenging. Recognizing these challenges, Washington, D.C.-based NVFC and Charlotte, Mich.-based Spartan Motors joined forces to reach out to America’s youth and engage them in non-operational roles within emergency departments. Reaching out to people when they are young has long-range effects, and encouraging youth to take part in the emergency services is extremely beneficial to local communities and departments. Benefits of junior firefighter programs include: - Allowing youth to gain insight and interest in becoming long-term members of the emergency services “Spartan Motors has long been committed to manufacturing safe, well-equipped vehicles to assist our nation’s firefighters in saving lives. Yet, this is still a people-dependant business. This partnership allows us to expand our reach by educating and encouraging young people to give serious consideration to volunteering their time and energy to firefighting as a youth and into adulthood,” said John Sztykiel, president and CEO of Spartan Motors. “We’re excited to be part of this program and look forward to seeing the impact it will have on increasing the number of volunteer firefighters nationwide.” More details about the NVFC/Spartan Motors National Junior Firefighter Program will be announced in the coming months. Additional information is available at www.nvfc.org and www.spartanmotors.com Source: NVFC New Congress Brings New Challenges and Opportunities The 110th Congress was sworn in during the first week of January. There was a particularly high rate of turnover this year, and the impact was felt among the ranks of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, which lost more than 40 members and half of its leadership to a combination of retirement and electoral defeat. The NVFC will be working hard to establish relationships with new Representatives and Senators while continuing to work closely with our existing allies on Capitol Hill. Legislation that did not pass in the 109th Congress will have to be reintroduced. The NVFC is in the process of working with past sponsors and co-sponsors of bills on our list of Legislative Priorities to get important legislation reintroduced as soon as possible with a goal of building momentum and getting them passed within the next two years. Another change in this Congress will be new leadership. With Democrats taking control of the House and Senate, new priorities and procedures will emerge. The NVFC will remain active in educating Representatives and Senators in both parties about our legislative priorities. If you are interested in getting involved, visit the NVFC resource page (http://www.nvfc.org/leg/workshop.html) for tips on how to successfully interact with your elected officials to get your message across. The NVFC will continue to send out Legislative Alerts so that you will know when important issues arise, allowing you to weigh in with your Representative or Senator. Source: NVFC Non-compliant SCBA Cylinders Must Be Tested to Comply with DOT Requirements Arrowhead Industrial Services, a cylinder testing and inspection company, is attempting to locate a limited number of composite SCBA cylinders that may not have been properly tested. These cylinders, manufactured by Luxfer, are labeled with hydrostatic test dates ranging from May 2005 through September 2005. On May 1, 2006, the U.S. Department of Transportation issued a safety notice concerning these cylinders and posted a serial number list and the following statement in the Federal Register: “A person with a listed cylinder should discontinue use of the cylinder and return it to Arrowhead . . . so that autofrettage and hydrostatic tests can be completed before its next use.” Transport Canada has also issued a similar statement concerning non-compliant SCBA cylinders being used in Canada. If you own one or more of these cylinders, you are legally required to comply with these government requirements. The serial numbers of all affected SCBA cylinders are also available electronically on the Internet at www.luxfercylinders.com/ctest in a special database that will automatically and quickly check your serial numbers for you and determine which cylinders, if any, require testing. Each affected cylinder must be removed from service immediately and sent in for testing. If any of your SCBA cylinders need to be tested, please call 1-800-355-3156. A customer service representative will arrange to have your cylinders tested and returned to you promptly, and may also arrange for the provision of loaner cylinders during this process. These services are free of charge. Source: NVFC Don't Forget to Sign Up for the 19th Annual National Fire & Emergency Services Dinner & Seminars It is not too early to begin making your plans to attend the 19th Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner and Seminars, sponsored by the Congressional Fire Services Institute. Over 2,000 state and national homeland security leaders will assemble together in Washington to attend this program and learn how Congress and the Administration are working to address the capabilities of our nation’s first responders. Given the federal government’s increasing role in homeland security, CFSI has decided to expand the seminar scheduled to two-days to cover the board range of issues being address in our nation’s capital. All information about the this extraordinary event can be found by clicking any of the following tabs. Don't miss this important opportunity for you and your peers to learn more about the decisions being made in Washington, DC that impact your performance as first responders. Source: CFSI DHS to Distribute $445 Million among Cities Once again, the federal government is planning to distribute millions of dollars to US cities to help protect ports, subways, rails and other infrastructure from possible terrorist attacks. But will this year be different from any other years? The Associated Press’ Donna de la Cruz is reporting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff announced the grants last week, and said that while the Department will be handing out the grants in the spring, recipients will need to submit thorough plans on how they will use their money to reduce risk. “Nearly half the grant money, $201 million, would be used to secure ports and subway systems, including Amtrak,” de la Cruz says. “The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey would get the biggest share of those funds, $27.2 million.” Other areas that will get a big chunk of the money include the New Orleans region ($17.3 million), the Houston area ($15.7 million), Washington, D.C., and Baltimore ($18.5 million), Boston ($15.3 million), and San Francisco ($13.8 million.) “Transit funding this year includes 19 ferry systems in 14 regions in California, Connecticut, southern New Jersey and Delaware, northern New Jersey and New York City, North Carolina, Texas, Virginia and Washington state,” de la Cruz adds. To read the full article, click here: http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/16422451.htm Source: Disaster Resource Canada Unveils $432 Million Border Plan The Canadian Government has announced a major border security and “prosperity initiative” where they’ll pour millions into border protection over the next five years to protect against terrorist, economic and environmental threats. The Associated Press’ Beth Duff-Brown says Canadian Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day announced the new plan at the border crossing between Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit, “where one-third of the $1.6 billion in daily trade between the North American neighbors passes,” Duff-Brown says. Duff-Brown says security experts have long criticized the lack of security measures along Canada’s side of the 4,000-mile border with the United States, particularly since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. “Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper pledged when he was elected nearly a year ago to strengthen the frontier between the world’s largest trading partners, including these new security measures and eventually arming Canada’s border guards,” Duff-Brown says. The bulk of the money, $337 million, is earmarked for the electronic Manifest program, which allows for computer-automated risk assessments of cargo shipments before they reach Canada. “The 18,000 trucks that cross the U.S.-Canada border each day, as well as all railroad, air and marine cargo carriers, will eventually be required to file electronic manifests before their shipments arrive,” Duff-Brown says. “This will allow border service agents to determine in advance whether the cargo, or those who deliver it, should be further screened.” To read the full article, click here: Source: Disaster Resource Firms Fret as Office E-Mail Jumps Security Walls One little button in employee e-mail programs could derail all of a company’s expensive security efforts, says a new report. Is the best defense making our employees paranoid? In an article on Florida’s Herald-Tribune website, Brad Stone says “a growing number of Internet-literate workers are forwarding their office e-mail to free Web-accessible personal accounts offered by Google, Yahoo and other companies. Their employers, who envision corporate secrets leaking through the back door of otherwise well-protected computer networks, are not pleased.” Stone says this is part of a growing conflict between productivity and security, and says it’s causing companies a whole lot of anxiety. Security staff fear employees forwarding e-mail might expose propriety secrets, but employees just want to get to their e-mail quickly, he adds. “Corporate networks, which typically have several layers of defenses against hackers, can require special software and multiple passwords for access,” Stone says. “That is too much for some employees, especially when their computers can store the passwords for their Web-based mail, allowing them to get right down to business.” Still, despite these risks, Stone says thus far, this type of e-mail forwarding has caused no major corporate disasters. To read the full article, click here: Source: Disaster Resource New Jersey Evacuation Plan Depends on Many Who Lack Key Training New Jersey officials have written an in-depth evacuation plan in case of an accident at the Oyster Creek nuclear power plant. But the plan relies on volunteers, public bus drivers and municipal employees with no radiological training to help law enforcement officials, and one report suggests it may not be an effective plan. In an in-depth series in New Jersey’s Asbury Park Press, writers Todd B. Bates, Nicholas Clunn and Kirk Moore say some residents believe the reliance on volunteer first responders may not be as effective as hoped. Some even worry the volunteer first responders would evacuate themselves and their families before special needs citizens. And they’re “far from alone in believing that the state’s Oyster Creek evacuation plan, part of the New Jersey Radiological Emergency Response Plan, will not — or may not — work,” the writers say. “State legislators, the Ocean County freeholders, several municipalities surrounding the plant, activists and citizens alike have voiced skepticism.” The writers interviewed several public works employees who said they have not been trained on what to do during a nuclear emergency or how to protect themselves from radiation exposure. To read the full article, click here: Source: Disaster Resource |
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