| 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
HELP THE GAC!
Dear FAMA/FEMSA member: In January, you received an e-mail from the FAMA/FEMSA Governmental Affairs Committee (GAC) asking you to complete a survey that will help the GAC and its consultants learn what congressional relationships FAMA/FEMSA member companies have established. This information is essential to the GAC’s work 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 once again ask you to take a few moments to complete the enclosed survey. Specifically, 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. Please note that the survey can be conveniently completed online here. We also ask that the survey be completed as soon as possible. We have tried to keep this survey as simple and straightforward as possible. We thank you in advance for your assistance in this important effort. Sincerely, FAMA/FEMSA Governmental Affairs Committee
Subscribe to the Fire Grant Data website Success Stories RSS (Real Simple Syndication) news feed. Click here.
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
|
|
Focus on EMS During National EMS Week, May 20-26 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Application Period Open through May 4 NVFC Spring Board Meeting Sees Reordering of Legislative Priorities, Election of Officers Arson Awareness Week is May 6-12 Congressman Steny Hoyer Named NVFC Legislator of the Year Homeland Security Finally Beats Its “F” Cybersecurity Grade FEMA Finds 13 Million Spoiled Meals South Dakota Homeland Security Grants go to Schools Important Article About Grants and Funding Focus on EMS During National EMS Week, May 20-26 National EMS Week will be celebrated across the nation on May 20-26. This event brings together local communities and medical personnel to publicize safety and honor the dedication of those who provide the day-to-day lifesaving services on the medical front line. Hundreds of grassroots activities coast-to-coast are being planned around this year’s theme, “Extraordinary People, Extraordinary Service.” Fire Corps programs can participate in National EMS Week through a variety of activities, from recognizing outstanding EMS personnel in their department by profiling them on their department’s web site, to assisting department personnel and EMS providers with life safety education by utilizing the Home Safety Council’s Always Fire Safe at Home module. This module contains all of the materials necessary to implement a comprehensive fire and life safety public education program at the local level. It can be ordered free-of-charge from the Fire Corps national office at 1-888-FC-INFO1 (324-6361) or info@firecorps.org. Organized by the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) and supported by a network of partner organizations including the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) and the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), EMS Week includes national and local activities to honor EMS providers and raise public awareness about health and safety issues, including how to prevent injuries and what to do in a medical emergency. "As this year's theme emphasizes, EMS providers are dedicated to saving lives, even putting their own lives on hold as they respond to medical emergencies," said Dr. Brian Keaton, president of ACEP. "They do this every day without special recognition, which is why we are recognizing EMS providers this year as extraordinary." For more information, or to obtain a National EMS Week Planning Kit, visit www.acep.org/emsweek. Source: Fire Corps Assistance to Firefighters Grant Application Period Open through May 4 Applications are now being accepted for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program. The deadline for applications is May 4 at 5 pm EDT. Grants totaling approximately $492.3 million will be awarded in fiscal year (FY) 2007. Many Fire Corps programs across the nation assist their departments through fundraising or grant writing. Fire Corps volunteers can continue to show their department support by assisting with the application process for AFG, which was created to enhance departments’ abilities to protect their communities and themselves in times of emergencies. The primary goal of the AFG program is to meet the firefighting and emergency response needs of fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical services organizations. Since 2001, AFG has helped firefighters and other first responders to obtain critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training, and other resources needed to protect the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards. The National Preparedness Directorate in the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) administers the grants in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA). For more information on the AFG program or to access the online application, visit http://www.firegrantsupport.com/afg. Source: Fire Corps NVFC Spring Board Meeting Sees Reordering of Legislative Priorities, Election of Officers The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) held its annual Spring Board Meeting in Arlington, VA, from March 27-31. Representatives from 40 state fire associations, corporate members, and special guests attended the meeting. The Board addressed a range of issues including legislative priorities, the strategic plan, EMS, and the Hometown Heroes Survivors Benefit Act. The Council also presented its annual Fire Prevention Award. Nearly 20 committees met on topics from membership, EMS, and disaster relief, to standards, legislation, volunteer advocacy, and homeland security. Board members also took advantage of the location near Washington, DC, to advocate the NVFC’s legislative priorities to their Senators and Representatives in the U.S. Congress. During the meeting, the Board voted to reorder the NVFC’s legislative priorities as follows: Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program An impressive lineup of guest speakers during the meeting included several members of Congress as well as other high-ranking officials. During the Capitol Hill Kick-Off on the meeting’s opening night, Congressmen Bob Etheridge (D-NC), Sam Graves (R-MO) John Larson (D-CT), and Dave Reichert (R-WA), and Senator Bernie Sanders (D-VT) addressed the NVFC Board and pledged their continued support of the volunteer fire and emergency services. The Spring Meeting Reception on March 28 featured several prominent guests, including U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Mary E. Peters; Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) R. David Paulison; and Liz DiGregorio, Acting Director, Office of Community Preparedness, Office of Grants and Training, Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Citizen Corps. Secretary Peters expressed her thanks to volunteer emergency responders for their service and discussed the steps DOT is taking to strengthen the safety of both responders and civilians. “Every one of you is in the same business as I am – safety,” Peters said. Administrator Paulison took the opportunity to address the challenges FEMA has faced and assured the audience that recent changes and adjustments will make FEMA a new organization that is more nimble, responsive, and unbureaucratic. He also encouraged all departments to take advantage of the Fire Corps program and to ensure that each department and community is ready to respond to emergencies. DiGregorio spoke about the history and importance of Fire Corps, from its inception to its current status of having almost 600 programs with 8,000 volunteers. The speech marked DiGregorio’s final speech before she retired from the Department of Homeland Security and her position with Citizen Corps. “I can’t think of a better way to round out my career than to speak to the heroes here tonight,” she said, later adding, “I could not have had the successes without you.” The Spring Meeting Reception also featured remarks by International Association of Fire Chiefs Volunteer and Combination Officer’s Section Chairman Tim Wall. The evening concluded with an auction, which raised $3,500 for the NVFC Foundation. Several other speakers addressed the Board throughout the meeting. These include Connie Meyer, Vice President of the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians; Corey Gruber, Acting Assistant Secretary of Grants and Training, DHS; Charlie Dickinson, Acting U.S. Fire Administrator, DHS; Marilena Amoni, Associate Administrator, Research and Program Development, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; Tom Harbour, Director of Fire and Aviation Management, U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service; Hope Janke, Counsel to the Director, Bureau of Justice Assistance, Department of Justice; and Dr. Bill Jenaway, Vice President, VFIS. Elections were held for each NVFC office as well as the Executive Committee. The leadership for the 2007-2009 term is: Chair: Philip C. Stittleburg, Wisconsin State Firefighters Association Executive Committee: The NVFC awarded the 2007 NVFC Fire Prevention Award to Kimberly Herskowitz during an Award Banquet on March 30. Herskowitz is the Fire Prevention Officer for the Neffsville Volunteer Community Fire Company in Lancaster County, PA. For more information on Herskowitz and the Award, which is sponsored by First Alert, visit www.nvfc.org. The Spring Meeting coincided with the Congressional Fire Services Institute’s (CFSI) Annual Dinner and Seminars. The NVFC’s Heart-Healthy Firefighter Program hosted health screenings and cooking demonstrations during the event, and Maggie Wilson, NVFC Director of Health and Safety, helped lead a workshop entitled “Promoting Health & Wellness in the Fire Service.” Fire Corps, which is administered by the NVFC, also hosted a booth during the seminars. Many members of the NVFC Board attended the CFSI Dinner on March 29, and NVFC Chairman Philip C. Stittleburg sat at the head table along with other fire service organization leaders. The centerpieces for the Dinner were sponsored by Fire Corps. The NVFC Board of Directors is comprised of one Director and one Alternate from 49 state fire associations. The Board meets as a whole twice a year. The 2007 Fall Meeting will take place October 24-27 in Providence Rhode Island. Stay tuned to the NVFC web site at www.nvfc.org for more information. The NVFC gratefully acknowledges the sponsors of the 2007 Spring Board Meeting. Platinum Gold Silver Bronze Source: NVFC Arson Awareness Week is May 6-12 Arson Awareness Week will be observed May 6-12. This year’s theme is "Vehicle Arson: Who Pays for this Crime?" The goal is to focus public attention on the astounding statistics about vehicle arson in order to expand the resources and support necessary to reduce this crime. Arson is the second-highest cause of vehicle fires. According to data from the U.S. Fire Administration and the National Fire Protection Association, there were 36,000 intentionally-set vehicle fires in 2004, an increase of 18 percent from the previous year. Vehicle arson accounted for $1.65 million in property damage, an increase of 25 percent from the previous year. “Far from being a 'victimless crime,' arson is expensive -- in pass-along costs and frequently in human life,“ said John Eager, senior director of claims for the Property Casualty Ensures Association of America. “The most recent statistics show that the number of suspicious vehicle fires is on the rise, as is the number of Americans killed each year as the result of arson.“ To learn more about Arson Awareness Week, as well as obtain a media kit, click here. Source: NVFC Congressman Steny Hoyer Named NVFC Legislator of the Year The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) named Congressman Steny Hoyer (D-MD) its 2007 Legislator of the Year for his diligent and unyielding support of the volunteer fire and emergency services. Congressman Hoyer is the representative from Maryland’s Fifth Congressional District and currently serves as the House Majority Leader. “Since coming to Congress in 1981, Congressman Hoyer has been one of the country’s strongest supporters of the volunteer fire and emergency services,” said NVFC Chairman Philip C. Stittleburg. “He is a long-time co-chairman of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus and has worked to build it into the largest Congressional Caucus in existence.” Congressman Hoyer’s support was critical in passing the original authorization for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program, and every year he is a leading voice advocating for adequate AFG funding. He has also taken the lead in getting many other bills benefiting the volunteer fire and emergency services passed, including the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Act (SAFER) and numerous U.S. Fire Administration authorizations. The NVFC is a non-profit membership association representing the interests of the volunteer fire, EMS, and rescue services. Each year, the NVFC honors a member of the U.S. House of Representatives or U.S. Senate for their outstanding leadership and support of the volunteer fire and emergency services. The recipient of the Legislator of the Year award is determined by the NVFC Legislative Committee. For more information about the NVFC or the Legislator of the Year Award, visit www.nvfc.org or call (888) ASK-NVFC. Source: NVFC The United States Fire Administration (USFA) has received notice of the following firefighter fatality: Name: Bryan Zollner Fire Department: CAL FIRE Incident Description: Chief Zollner passed away from injuries sustained Funeral Arrangements: April 19th 2007 at 11:00 a.m. The memorial will Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Pending Tribute is being paid to Chief Bryan Zollner at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/ The United States Fire Administration (USFA) has received notice of the following firefighter fatality: The United States Fire Administration (USFA) has received notice of the Name: Kyle Robert Wilson Fire Department: Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue Incident Description: Firefighter Wilson arrived on scene of a working Initial reports indicate that Wilson and his rescue-ladder truck officer The severity of the fire quickly worsened, weather conditions were Two other firefighters were reportedly injured. All seven of the structure's occupants escaped the fire unharmed. Funeral Arrangements: Pending Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Pending Tribute is being paid to Kyle Robert Wilson at Source: USFA Homeland Security Finally Beats Its “F” Cybersecurity Grade The annual congressional scorecard is out, and the Department of Homeland Security has finally managed to transcend its usual “F” grade. So why is cybersecurity still lagging? In an article on the CNET News.com website, staff writer Anne Broache says that while it is the DHS’s first ever non-failing grade, the department only earned a D on this year’s House of Representatives Committee on Government Oversight report card. Broache says the federal government as a whole has managed to pull up its marks, but only incrementally. “The department, which has been dogged repeatedly for perceived inattentiveness to cybersecurity issues, scored a full letter grade higher this year,” Broache says. “That’s in part because it finally put into place an ‘inventory of its security systems,’ which is viewed as an important first step in ensuring that agencies know what they need to protect, according to a press release accompanying the report card.” The scores are based on agency reports from agencies about their compliance with the Federal Information Security Management Act of 2002 (FSIMA). FISMA establishes a broad framework of requirements for federal departments to try and ensure cybersecurity. To read the full article, click here: link Source: DISASTER RESOURCE GUIDE FEMA Finds 13 Million Spoiled Meals Earlier this month, Federal Emergency Management Agency chief David Paulison promised a renewed, fully-prepared agency. But a new report says the agency lost as many as 13.4 million prepared meals spoiled last summer when it ran out of storage space. The Washington Post’s Spencer S. Hsu says FEMA officials reported on the spoilage last week. “In all, hundreds of truckloads of food … are being thrown away or scavenged for unspoiled contents to be offered to domestic hunger-relief groups,” Hsu reports. “Most of the meals were commercial versions of the military’s Meals Ready to Eat, which were ruined despite being engineered to withstand the demands of desert and jungle climates.” Hsu says disaster management officials had decided to position huge amounts of food, water and ice near the Gulf Coast in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, but they didn’t take into account FEMA’s strained storage network, creating a different kind of problem when no major hurricane made landfall. “We were so concerned over the failure of Katrina that we... probably bought more commodities and had on hand more than what otherwise might be the most prudent business choice,” FEMA’s deputy director, Coast Guard Vice Adm. Harvey Johnson told Hsu. “Given the pressure to perform... we didn’t want to run any chance of running out.” Hsu says this year, FEMA will alter its strategy again, shipping fewer supplies to states ahead of time and relying more on military depots for storage. “The agency also is pressing forward with the use of new technology, expanding a satellite-based tracking system likened to ones used by major shippers such as FedEx,” Hsu adds. To read the full article, click here: http://www.sunherald.com/185/story/30456.html Source: DISASTER RESOURCE GUIDE South Dakota Homeland Security Grants go to Schools Schools in South Dakota were the big winners when officials handed out the state’s homeland security grants. But while schools do need good security, are homeland security grants the way to do that? According to an article by Andrea J. Cook in South Dakota’s Rapid City Journal, school districts in three counties received more than $266,000 in funds for security improvements. “There’s a lot of need for that money and we tried to spread it around to the various disciplines,” Pam Buck, Homeland Security regional grants coordinator, told Cook. Buck added that schools were definitely a priority after a rash of school shootings across the nation. Cook says the area schools “succeeded in their plan to add keyless entries to their schools. The schools were awarded $110,721. With keyless entries, access to a building is gained using an electronically programmed card-key, or key-fob. A computer system allows schools to limit the validity of a key,” Cook says. To read the full article, click here: http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/articles/2007/04/14/news/local/news06.txt Source: DISASTER RESOURCE GUIDE |
|
|||||||
|
|
|