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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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President's budget proposes cuts in Fire Grants in FY08 AFG Program Office Posts Workshop Presentation for 2007 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) FEMA Helps Floridians Recover from Devastating Tornadoes HSAC Issues Reports on DHS Culture and Future of Terrorism FEMA Deputy for Gulf Recovery Testifies at Senate Hearing NVFC Releases Online AFG and SAFER Grant Narrative Resource Center NVFC Promotes Heart-Health at Trade Shows LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS HAZARDS New Contest Honors Firefighters for Service to Communities Don't Forget to Sign Up for the 19th Annual National Fire & Emergency Services Dinner & Seminars System Would Put California Firefighters, Police on the Same Channel Texas Governor Perry Proposes $50 Million Disaster Contingency Fund Foiled British Terror Plot May Signal Changes in Terror Fight Fire Departments Nationwide Awarded Georgia-Pacific Bucket Brigade™ Grants
President's budget proposes cuts in Fire Grants in FY08 In the federal budget for fiscal year 2008 (FY08) proposed by President Bush last Monday, the White House requested $300 million for the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) and $0 for SAFER. The president's budget also requests $43.3 million for the U.S. Fire Administration. This budget request represents a $247 million cut for AFG and a $115 million cut for SAFER over the current (FY07) fiscal year. The requests are part of an overall budget recommendation of $1.806 billion for the first-responder programs. These include state block grants, law enforcement terrorism prevention grants, high-threat urban area grants (UASI), and AFG. The FY08 budget request for these programs represents a decrease of $985 million from the FY07 appropriation of $2.791 billion. This FY08 request gives UASI funding a small increase, to $800 million, while cutting funding for state block grants by $650 million in addition to cuts in AFG. The release of the president's budget proposal is the first step in the months-long federal budgeting process, which will occupy much of Congress's time between now and the beginning of the 2008 federal fiscal year on October 1, 2007. At this point in the budgeting process for FY07, for example, the president had proposed budgeting $293 million for AFG and cutting funding for SAFER. By the time the Department of Homeland Security appropriations act was signed into law, Congress had increased funding for AFG to the current FY07 level, $547 million, and restored funding for SAFER at $115 million. Dave Gatton had the following comment to make: "Given the strong bipartisan support in the past for these programs, I fully expect Congress to set its own agenda and funding levels for the Fire Grants program." Source: Dave Gatton & Dustin Joyce, Development Initiatives AFG Program Office Posts Workshop Presentation for 2007 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) This presentation is the basis for the FY 07 AFG workshops being conducted by AFG regional staff over the next few weeks throughout the country. The workshop presentation is based upon a working draft of the FY 07 AFG Program Guidance. While subject to minor changes, it is a valuable tool that can be used by grant applicants prior to the preparation of their FY 07 grant applications. If you are interested in attending a FY 07 AFG workshop, a national workshop schedule is available on the AFG Website: www.firegrantsupport.com. The schedule provides locations and times of workshops, including point of contact information. The workshops are conducted by AFG regional representatives and provide current program information that will assist you in preparing a competitive grant application. We encourage all interested applicants to attend one of the workshops scheduled in their respective areas. This will give you an opportunity to meet your AFG regional grant specialist and ask them questions directly. There is no admittance charge to any AFG workshop. For those unable to attend one of the scheduled workshops, the workshop presentation is now available on the AFG Website. The Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) is a competitive grant opportunity for local fire departments and emergency medical services (EMS) organizations not affiliated with a hospital. The AFG funds activities such as purchasing firefighting equipment, personal protective equipment, training, firefighting and EMS vehicles, as well as firefighter/first responder safety projects. Source: DHS FEMA Helps Floridians Recover from Devastating Tornadoes Well over 200 FEMA personnel have been assigned to help Florida recover from tornadoes that struck the central portion of the state on Friday and Saturday. FEMA community relations teams were deployed in the field, sharing information with citizens in damaged neighborhoods. FEMA Director David Paulison on Saturday announced that President Bush made a major disaster declaration for the state making communities affected by the tornadoes eligible to receive federal disaster aid. "The State of Florida has a great response system, and that has been demonstrated in its response to these tornadoes," said Jesse Munoz, the official designated to coordinate FEMA's relief effort. "FEMA is here to support all of the state's recovery needs. Dozens of trucks with supplies already are in the state." The trucks arrived with 50 generators, 5,000 tarps, almost 50,000 liters of water, 1,100 rolls of plastic sheeting, and over 400,000 meals ready-to-eat. Those supplies were sent to a state logistics warehouse near Orlando to supplement existing state resources that are being distributed. More information is available at: http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=33746. Source: DHS HSAC Issues Reports on DHS Culture and Future of Terrorism The Homeland Security Advisory Council (HSAC) has issued reports from two task forces— the Culture Task Force (CTF) and a Future of Terrorism Task Force (FOTTF). At the request of Secretary Chertoff, the CTF was asked to provide recommendations for achieving and maintaining an empowering, energetic, dedicated, mission-focused culture within the DHS: one that leverages, focuses, strengthens, and synergizes the multiple capabilities of its components and empowers them to continuously improve the department’s operational capacities and the security of the nation. The FOTTF addressed the following: assess future threats to the United States over the next five years; recommend adjustments to DHS structures, strategies, and processes to meet those threats; and recommend ways to better engage and prepare the American public for future challenges. The recommendations of both reports are currently being evaluated by working groups of relevant staff from many components. The implementation recommendations will be sent to the secretary and deputy secretary in late February. Both reports are available at: http://www.dhs.gov/xinfoshare/committees/editorial_0331.shtm. Source: DHS FEMA Deputy for Gulf Recovery Testifies at Senate Hearing Gil Jamieson, FEMA’s Deputy Director for Gulf Coast Recovery, testified on Jan. 29 before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, which is conducting oversight hearings on the recovery operation in Louisiana and the Gulf Coast region from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Jamieson told the committee that although the recovery is not without its challenges, FEMA has made substantive progress in three key programmatic areas: individual assistance, public assistance, and mitigation. He noted that FEMA has provided more than $5.4 billion to individuals and families in Louisiana under the Individuals and Household Program. Under this program, more than 857,000 Louisiana households have been approved for $3.8 billion in housing assistance and 314,000 Louisianans have received funds to cover other needs. He also noted that FEMA has been actively working with the state and local governments to restore and rebuild public services andfacilities, pointing out that FEMA has obligated over $4.5 billion for public assistance projects in Louisiana, which represents 72 percent of the total estimate of pubic assistance funds that will be provided. Jamieson concluded his testimony by reaffirming President Bush’s commitment to the recovery until the job is done and FEMA’s commitment to remain on the ground in the Gulf, working in partnership with state and local governments. FEMA’s recovery offices across the Gulf Coast will continue to work diligently to balance expediency and accountability in the recovery and rebuilding efforts, he said. Jamieson’s complete statement is available at: http://hsgac.senate.gov/_files/012907Jamieson.pdf. Source: DHS NVFC Releases Online AFG and SAFER Grant Narrative Resource Center The NVFC has created an online resource center to help volunteer fire departments write successful narratives with their applications for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program. The AFG provides equipment, apparatus, and training to fire departments across the country to help them meet basic needs. SAFER provides funding to hire firefighters as well as recruit and retain volunteers. Each year, the funding requested by fire departments is many times greater than the amount available. The application process is extremely competitive and many worthy applications go unfunded. Many departments that cannot afford to hire a grant writer or send someone from their department to one of the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) grant writing workshops have failed to receive a grant because of the quality of their applications. These tend to be small volunteer departments that have few resources and need additional funding the most. In order to assist these departments, the NVFC has posted copies of narratives from successful past grant applications on our web site. These narratives are extremely useful examples for departments that have significant need but have had trouble expressing it in past applications. In addition to the model narratives, the NVFC has posted a grant-writing guide created by DHS. Departments should not simply cut and paste from the model applications for several reasons. Primarily, DHS utilizes software to detect language recurring in multiple grant applications in the same fiscal year. Submitting an application that includes false information is a crime punishable by law. Additionally, the grant criteria is reviewed and updated every year by DHS based on recommendations from the fire service community. Applicants should review the grant criteria for the fiscal year they are applying in to ensure that their narrative reflects current priorities. The AFG and SAFER Grant Narrative Resource Center is available on the NVFC web site at www.nvfc.org/news/2007-afg-safer.html. If you have a successful narrative that you would like to have posted as an example on the NVFC’s web site, please contact Dave Finger, Director of Government Relations, at (202) 887-5700, ext. 12 or dfinger@nvfc.org. Source: NVFC NVFC Promotes Heart-Health at Trade Shows NFL player Erron Kinney to attend Firehouse World The NVFC Heart-Healthy Firefighter Program began its 2007 trade show schedule by conducting health screenings at Fire-Rescue East in Jacksonville, FL, on January 26-27. Hundreds of firefighters and EMS personnel received free blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose screenings at the Heart-Healthy Firefighter booth and learned how the combination of nutrition, exercise, and health awareness can help prevent heart attack, which is the leading cause of firefighter deaths. The Heart-Healthy Firefighter booth will next be at Firehouse World in San Diego on February 25-31. At this event, the Heart-Healthy booth will feature a series of interactive components designed to raise heart-health awareness and keep fire and emergency services personnel heart-healthy. L&T Health and Fitness, an award-winning fitness management and health promotion company, will conduct the health screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose. Chef Kevin Harris of Food for Love, Inc. will perform a series of cooking demonstrations designed to show attendees that heart-healthy cooking does not have to be difficult or bland. Heart-Healthy Firefighter spokesperson Erron Kinney will also be at the booth to sign autographs and promote the importance of heart-health among the emergency services. Kinney is a tight end for the NFL team Tennessee Titans and a volunteer firefighter. He has served as spokesperson for the Heart-Healthy Firefighter Program since 2005 and will make several appearances with the Heart-Healthy Firefighter booth throughout 2007. For more information about the NVFC Heart-Healthy Firefighter Program, as well as the complete 2007 Heart-Healthy Firefighter booth schedule, visit www.healthy-firefighter.org. Source: NVFC LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS HAZARDS On Tuesday, January 30, four people - including a fire fighter and paramedic - were killed and as many as nine others were injured when leaking propane ignited at a convenience store in Ghent, Raleigh County, West Virginia. The explosion was apparently triggered by a propane gas leak, officials said. A supervisor with the Raleigh County Emergency Operations Center said a 911 call came in at 10:43 a.m. reporting a propane leak at the convenience store/gas station, located across U.S. 19 from the entrance to Flat Top Lake. According to published reports, State Fire Marshal Sterling Lewis said the initial investigation revealed neither of the two above-ground, 500-pound propane gas tanks at the store had exploded. Rather, one of them had a leak, and a crew there was working to repair it. The gas, because of the cold weather, stayed low to the ground. Fumes that smelled like rotten eggs drifted into the store until it met an unknown source of ignition. Today's Warning: Hot Coffee! can be used as a timely reminder and training tool about the hazards of liquefied petroleum gases. To learn more liquefied petroleum gas characteristics, visit: Source: USFA New Contest Honors Firefighters for Service to Communities On Dec. 6, Circuit City’s new firedogSM services brand launched a nationwide campaign honoring America’s firefighters for exceptional service to their communities. “firedogSM Across America” is an online essay contest asking Americans to describe how their local firehouses have gone above and beyond the call of duty. During the campaign, which runs through May 2007, Circuit City will give away a total of $650,000 to the winning firehouses and the people who write essays about them. The “firedogSM Across America” contest launch was held in New York City at the Ladder 3/Battalion 6 firehouse. There, Circuit City donated $100,000 to the National Law Enforcement and Firefighters Children’s Foundation, and gave an additional $100,000 to the FDNY Foundation. Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, NYC Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta, and NYC Fire Chief Salvatore Cassano were all on hand to kick off the contest. “This program will give communities across the nation a chance to express their gratitude and help ensure that their firefighters receive the public recognition and financial support they deserve,” Giuliani said at the launch. Entries for the contest will be accepted through March 31, after which ten firehouse finalists will be chosen by a panel of judges. Their stories will be posted online where America can vote for the grand prize winner between April 28 and May 13. The winning firehouse will receive a $100,000 grand prize, while each of the ten firehouse finalists will win $20,000 in donations. The ten corresponding essay writers will each receive a “techover” worth $10,000 in electronics and firedog services, courtesy of Circuit City. To help Circuit City recognize the invaluable contributions that the nation’s firefighters make every day, and for the chance to win a $10,000 home “techover”, visit www.firedog.com. 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 CFSI AND NFFF ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS FOR THE SENATOR PAUL S. SARBANES FIRE SERVICE SAFETY LEADERSHIP AWARD: Award presentation to take place at National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner (Washington, DC) The Congressional Fire Services Institute and National Fallen Firefighters Foundation have launched a new award program to recognize organizations for their outstanding contributions to firefighter health and safety. The Senator Paul S. Sarbanes Fire Service Safety Leadership Award is in recognition of the Senator’s support for the two organizations and their shared goals to reduce firefighter deaths and injuries. The presentation of the award will take place on March 29 at the 19th Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner. CFSI and NFFF are proud to announce that State Farm Insurance and VFIS will serve as corporate supporters of the award program. Each year, the recipient organization will receive a trip for two representatives to Washington, DC to attend the dinner and accept the award. The deadline for submitting nominations for this year’s award is February 23rd. If your organization has a program to promote and address firefighter healthand safety that meets the eligibility criteria, please visit www.cfsi.org/pdf/sarbanesaward.pdf and read how you can be considered for the Senator Paul S. Sarbanes Fire Services Safety Leadership Award. Source: CFSI NAM Member Testimony: Manufacturers Strengthen the Middle Class. NAM board member Kellie Johnson (ACE Clearwater Enterprises) emphasized the key role manufacturers play in strengthening the middle class by providing high paying jobs and good benefits, in testimony Wednesday before the House Education and Labor Committee. She cautioned that America’s ability to maintain its global edge in innovation hinges on our ability to educate and prepare people for the jobs of the 21st century. Summit on Integrated Health Care in the Workplace. The NAM and the Disease Management Association of America (DMAA) announced that combating chronic health conditions will be the focus of a summit for employers and health care leaders, co-sponsored by the NAM and DMAA in Las Vegas, Sept. 17 to 19. NAM President John Engler will deliver the keynote address. Chronic disease is a pressing concern for employers arthritis alone results in $60 billion in lost productivity annually and both groups look forward to bringing solutions to the workplace. FMLA Reform. The deadline for submitting comments to the Department of Labor (DOL) on improvements to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) has been extended to Feb. 16. The NAM will submit comments. If the current rules are to be improved, DOL must hear from manufacturers. We have developed sample comments and strongly urge you to add your own experiences and submit them to DOL. Please go to www.nam.org/fmlacomments. For questions, contact the NAM’s Jason Straczewski at jstraczewski@nam.org. NAM - Issue Breakfast with Vice President Dick Cheney Wednesday, February 14, 2007 $55 for NAM Members, $75 for Non-Members. The deadline for all registrations is 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 7. Please note that registration and breakfast opens at 6:00 a.m. On Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2007, the NAM will host a breakfast with Vice President Dick Cheney. The breakfast with Vice President Cheney is part of the NAM’s 72 Hours To Educate and Celebrate, Feb. 13-15, 2007. During this three-day series of events, manufacturers from across the country will travel to Washington, D.C., to salute the efforts of pro-manufacturing legislators and to leave a durable impression of who we are, what we stand for and why manufacturing matters. We hope you will join us on February 14 for breakfast with Vice President Cheney, and for other events surrounding the 72 Hours To Educate and Celebrate. To register for this breakfast, please click here. All registrations must be received by 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 7. For more information on events related to the 72 Hours To Educate and Celebrate, please visit our Web site at www.nam.org/72hours or call the NAM Public Affairs Department at (202) 637-3122. We hope you will join us for what promises to be an extraordinary series of events! For further inquiries, call the NAM Public Affairs Department at (202) 637-3122. Source: NAM System Would Put California Firefighters, Police on the Same Channel Officials in California’s Contra Costa and Alameda counties are planning a new interoperable communications system worth $60 million – if they can find the funds. How do they plan to do it? In an article in the Contra Costa Times, writer Ryan Huff says firefighters and police in the area still use disparate radio channels. The project will require more than 17,000 new radios and additional communications equipment at 29 transmitter sites. But as far as the funding goes, Huff says, so far, the counties have lined up nearly $13 million in federal grants. Still they are hoping to secure even more money to reduce the contributions they need from the cities and other local agencies. Alameda County’s project manager Bill McCammon told Huff officials feel they can make a stronger case for Homeland Security Department grants if they can build regional support this year for a joint powers authority, which would run the system. “It’s still unclear how much each agency would pay, but it would probably be based on the number of radios needed so larger jurisdictions – such as Oakland, Fremont and Concord – would spend more than smaller ones like Clayton and Emeryville. Those radios would cost millions more, McCammon said, on top of the $60 million infrastructure bill.” To read the full article, click here: Source: Disaster Resource Texas Governor Perry Proposes $50 Million Disaster Contingency Fund Texas Governor Rick Perry today is proposing that the Texas government create a $50 million Disaster Contingency Fund to ensure state and local governments can respond in times of great public emergency. According to an article on the All American Patriot website, Perry says officials can use the fund to pay the costs associated with pre-positioning state resources; reimburse local jurisdictions for disasters that do not meet federal disaster declaration standards; provide up-front funding to smaller jurisdictions that lack the necessary resources to conduct large-scale emergency operations; and pay the federal matching fund obligations that are required for reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). “As we have learned from disasters like hurricanes Katrina and Rita, as well as recent wildfires and floods, we can never be too prepared,” Perry said in a statement. “The Disaster Contingency Fund will allow state and local government to respond with all the necessary resources in the face of a disaster and better manage the cost to taxpayers.” The article says certain disaster situations will merit the allocation of these funds. “For example, the Fire Management Assistance Grant Program under FEMA does not reimburse local jurisdictions for fighting wildfires before they become a threat to communities. Also, as part of Gov. Perry’s hurricane evacuation plan, the state pre-deploys substantial resources to support local communities as a hurricane’s projected path includes the Texas coastline. If a hurricane turns and misses Texas, as Hurricane Ernesto did in 2006, FEMA will not reimburse funds for the pre-deployment of resources,” the article says. If approved by lawmakers, these funds will be available September 1. The Governor’s Division of Emergency Management will distribute the funds to eligible applicants. To read the full article, click here: Source: Disaster Resource Foiled British Terror Plot May Signal Changes in Terror Fight Last week, British security officials announced they had foiled a terrorist plot which would have brought to Britain the grisly, Iraq-style tactic of kidnapping, torture and beheading a victim all on film. Does this new plot change how we fight terrorism? In an article on the Christian Science Monitor website, correspondent Mark Rice-Oxley says British police arrested nine different people in Birmingham, England. However, Rice-Oxley reports “experts said this plot’s new tactic, if confirmed, would amount to a significant departure in strategy. Thus far, the public has focused its concern on the possibility of suicide bombers seeking to emulate the perpetrators of the July 7, 2005, bombings that killed 52 people. The prospect of being snatched from the street, paraded before video cameras, and decapitated was considered a horror peculiar only to countries like Iraq.” “A plot to kidnap, torture, and execute an individual in the heart of England, and film the gruesome events on a videotape for posting on the Internet, represents a new chilling escalation in tactics by the global jihadi terror groups and carries grave implications for all western nations,” MJ Gohel, a terrorism expert with the London-based Asia-Pacific Foundation, told Rice-Oxley. Other experts re-iterated the change this plot would bring to the war on terror. Paul Rogers of Bradford University told Rice-Oxley, “If such a plot were to be targeted against an individual, then it would be a very new development as far as Britain is concerned, but obviously worrying as far as the fear factor is concerned.” Still others would disagree. Bob Ayres, a security analyst at Chatham House, a London-based think tank, told Rice-Oxley that the fear-factor would be limited. “The vast majority of the UK population doesn’t believe they’re high-profile enough to warrant being pulled off the street… getting blown up on the Underground on the way to work is much more of a concern.” To read the full article, click here: Source: Disaster Resource Fire Departments Nationwide Awarded Georgia-Pacific Bucket Brigade™ Grants 16 grant recipients chosen in national competition to honor firefighters Georgia-Pacific LLC has named 16 fire departments across the country as recipients of special Georgia-Pacific Bucket Brigade™ grants to support small town and volunteer fire departments in its plant and mill communities. Departments were chosen based on applications explaining departmental needs and how funding would affect local communities. The departments received grants ranging from $4,000 to $10,000 to be used for equipment purchases, turnout gear, training, and community safety education programs. Nearly 60 departments applied for the grants as part of the Georgia-Pacific Bucket Brigade’s™ first year in existence. “When we saw the array of needs that these departments had, it became very clear that we had to do as much as we could to impact as many people, organizations, and communities as we could,” said Curley Dossman Jr., President of the Georgia-Pacific Foundation. “We think the grants will have great long-term impact on these communities.” The grant recipients include: Needham-Land Volunteer Fire Department (Needham, AL), Putnam Volunteer Fire Department (Putnam, AL), Scott Mountain Volunteer Fire Department (Butler, AL), South Marengo County Volunteer Fire Department (Sweetwater, AL), and Surginer Volunteer Fire Department (Surginer, AL): $20,000 Community Grant Casco Fire Department (Casco, WI): $10,000 The Georgia-Pacific Bucket Brigade™ is a national program that recognizes the contributions of fire departments across the country in communities with Georgia-Pacific facilities. The program supports firefighters with: - Product and cash donations, as well as volunteers, to help fill the needs of firefighting units. Applications for the 2007 Georgia-Pacific Bucket Brigade™ program will be available May 1. Details are available by contacting gpbucketbrigade@gapac.com. Headquartered at Atlanta, Georgia-Pacific is one of the world’s leading manufacturers and marketers of tissue, packaging, paper, pulp, building products, and related chemicals. The company employs approximately 50,000 people at more than 300 locations in North America, South America, and Europe. Its familiar consumer tissue brands include Quilted Northern®, Angel Soft®, Brawny®, Sparkle®, Soft 'n Gentle®, Mardi Gras®, So-Dri® and Vanity Fair®, as well as the Dixie® brand of disposable cups, plates, and cutlery. Georgia-Pacific’s building products manufacturing business has long been among the nation’s leading suppliers of building products to lumber and building materials dealers and large do-it-yourself warehouse retailers, with brands such as Plytanium®, Ply-Bead®, DensArmor Plus™, DensGlass Gold®, and ToughRock®. For more information, visit www.gp.com. Source: NVFC The United States Fire Administration (USFA) has received notice of the following firefighter fatalities: The United States Fire Administration (USFA) has received notice of the following firefighter fatality: Name: Craig L. Dorsey, II Fire Department: Ghent Volunteer Fire Department Incident Description: Firefighter/EMT Dorsey responded to a reported odor of gas at a commercial structure. Upon arrival on the scene, approximately twelve minutes after the initial dispatch, the accumulated propane in the area was ignited by a yet to be determined source causing a massive explosion, and destroyed the structure and apparatus/vehicles. The resulting blast fatally wounded two fire personnel and two civilians, as well as critically injuring four civilians and one firefighter. Funeral Arrangements: Pending Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Pending Tribute is being paid to Firefighter/EMT Craig L. Dorsey, II at The United States Fire Administration (USFA) has received notice of the following firefighter fatality: Name: Frederick Burroughs Fire Department: Ghent Volunteer Fire Department Incident Description: Captain Burroughs responded in his POV to a reported odor of gas at a commercial structure. Upon arrival on the scene, approximately twelve minutes after the initial dispatch, the accumulated propane in the area was ignited by a yet to be determined source causing a massive explosion, and destroyed the structure and apparatus/vehicles. The resulting blast fatally wounded two fire personnel and two civilians, as well as critically injuring four civilians and one firefighter. Funeral Arrangements: Pending Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Pending Tribute is being paid to Captain Frederick Burroughs at The United States Fire Administration (USFA) has received notice of the following firefighter fatality: Name: Anthony Catania Fire Department: Middle Island Fire Department Incident Description: While responding to an EMS call, Fire Commissioner Catania began to experience the affects of a stroke. Catania had difficulty breathing and was unable to exit his vehicle. He notified dispatch, and medical assistance responded and transported Catania to the hospital. After being transferred to another hospital, Commissioner Catania underwent surgery; however, he did not recover and passed away February 2, 2007. Funeral Arrangements: A wake will be held on 2/06/2007 between Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Pending Tribute is being paid to Fire Commissioner & Safety Officer Anthony The United States Fire Administration (USFA) has received notice of the following firefighter fatality: Name: Robert H. Hegney Fire Department: Se-Wy-Co Volunteer Fire Company Incident Description: On the afternoon of 2/01/2007, Lieutenant Hegney Funeral Arrangements: A viewing will be held on 2/06/2007 from Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Memorials to Se-Wy-Co Fire Company Tribute is being paid to Lieutenant Robert H. Hegney at The United States Fire Administration (USFA) has received notice of the following firefighter fatality: Name: Jeremy C. LaBella Fire Department: Washington Fire Department Incident Description: Firefighter LaBella passed away from injuries received at a working residential structure fire when a portion of the structure, reported to be a canopy, collapsed on LaBella and another firefighter. Funeral Arrangements: A viewing will be held on 2/06/2007 between 1800-2100 hours, and on 2/07/2007 between 1400-1600 hours and 1800-2100 hours at the William G. Neal Funeral Home, 925 Allison Ave., Washington, PA 15301. A funeral will be held on 2/08/2007 at 0930 hours at the Immaculate Conception Church, 119 West Chestnut Street, Washington, PA 15301. Memorial Fund Contact and Address: The Jeremy C. LaBella Memorial Fund, Community Bank, 90 West Chestnut Street, Washington PA 15301; telephone 724-225-5300; and http://www.communitybank.tv/washcty.htm Tribute is being paid to Firefighter Jeremy C. LaBella at The United States Fire Administration (USFA) has received notice of the following firefighter fatality: Name: Mike Fox Fire Department: Vergennes Fire Department Incident Description: Firefighter Fox suffered a heart attack while operating the fire department ambulance and responding on an EMS call. Fox managed to pull the ambulance safely to the side of the road. Another responder riding with him provided CPR and Fox was transported to the hospital. He was pronounced dead at 0109 hours. Funeral Arrangements: 2/05/2007 Memorial Fund Contact and Address: In memory of Firefighter Mike Fox, Tribute is being paid to Firefighter Mike Fox at The United States Fire Administration (USFA) has received notice of the following firefighter fatality: Name: Shane Todd King Fire Department: Danville Fire Department Incident Description: Firefighter King was involved in a motor vehicle accident while returning home from department mandated EMT-training in a neighboring county. King's personally owned vehicle (POV) reportedly crossed over the center line and struck a semi-tractor and trailer. Funeral Arrangements: A viewing will be held at Preston-Pruitt Funeral Home, South Fourth Street, Danville on 2/06/2007 from 1800 - 2100 hours, and on 2/07/2007 from 0900 - 1200 hours. The funeral will start at 1300 hours on 2/07/2007, at the Preston-Pruitt Funeral Home; telephone 859-236-4343. Memorial Fund Contact and Address: The family has requested that any memorials be sent to the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Foundation (www.firehero.org), PO Drawer 498, Emmitsburg, MD 21727; 301-447-1365; mailto:firehero@firehero.org Tribute is being paid to Firefighter Shane Todd King at |
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