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Governmetal Affairs Committee |
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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
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NVFC Asks President to Look Into DOJ's Handling of Hometown Heroes Survivors Benefits Act FEMA Honored by Communities on 10-Year Anniversary of Flood Bloomberg to overhaul NYC construction codes FEMA Provides Assistance to Kansas Town Hit by Devastating Tornado NVFC Asks President to Look Into DOJ's Handling of Hometown Heroes Survivors Benefits Act On April 19 the NVFC, in conjunction with other national fire service organizations, sent a letter to President Bush asking him to look into the manner in which the Department of Justice (DOJ) is implementing the Hometown Heroes Survivors Benefits Act. The law, which passed more than three years ago, was intended to provide a “presumptive benefit” to the families of public safety officers who die in the line of duty from a heart attack or stroke. As stated in the letter, so far 40 “Hometown Heroes” applications have been processed, with 200 still pending. Of that 40, 38 have been denials and only two families have received the Public Safety Officer’s Benefit (PSOB). DOJ has argued that the reason a majority of the first determinations have been negative is because the fallen public safety officer had not been engaged in “nonroutine stressful or strenuous physical” activity, which the law states must have occurred within 24 hours of the heart attack or stroke in order for the victim’s family to qualify for PSOB. If DOJ determines that a victim had not engaged in nonroutine stressful or strenuous physical activity while on-duty, they deny the benefit. For those cases where the physical activity threshold is judged by DOJ to have been met, they continue reviewing medical evidence and often request information not provided on the initial application. The NVFC has been contacted by several families who were denied benefits, some of them after waiting for several years for a determination. In one particular case, a volunteer fire chief died from a heart attack that he suffered while in route to the scene of an emergency. According to arecent study by the New England Journal of Medicine, a firefighter’s odds of death from coronary heart disease are 2.8-14.1 times as high during alarm response and 2.2-10.5 times as high during alarm return compared to during nonemergency duties. The NVFC believes that emergency response constitutes nonroutine stressful and strenuous physical activity and that this application and others like it should be approved. The letter sent to President Bush addresses this issue, stating: “The families of these fallen public safety officers have contacted us and questioned whether the DOJ is truly granting a presumption that public safety officers who died in the line of duty met the requirements for the PSOB program. We have specific concerns that DOJ’s interpretation of what constitutes ‘nonroutine stressful or strenuous physical’ activity is preventing public safety officers who die of stroke or heart attack within 24 hours of engaging in emergency response activities from qualifying for these benefits.” In addition to the NVFC, the Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI), International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI), International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) signed the letter. Source: NVFC FEMA Honored by Communities on 10-Year Anniversary of Flood A decade ago, the cities of Grand Forks, N.D., and East Grand Forks, Minn., were inundated by floodwaters from the swollen Red River. The disaster forced the evacuation of 60,000 people—but the cruelest irony was a fire that destroyed a large section of downtown Grand Forks. To mark the anniversary and celebrate the strength and resolve of the two communities, a series of events was held from April 19-22, including luncheons, musical performances, tours of the two cities for visiting dignitaries, and the dedication of a $409 million flood control project, which received local, state, and federal funds. A plaque honoring FEMA employees for their dedication, commitment, and hard work in the recovery effort will be displayed on a column at the entrance to the city. The mayor of Grand Forks, Michael Brown, said he was pleased that FEMA employees could attend the dedication ceremony. “It is a reminder that FEMA employees have been, since before the floods and through the blizzards, always with us. We couldn’t have done it without you. You invested yourselves into the community and we are grateful.” Source: DHS Bloomberg to overhaul NYC construction codes By Diane Cardwell Last week, New York City mayor Michael R. Bloomberg proposed overhauling the city's aged and notoriously byzantine building code by greatly expanding fire safety requirements, encouraging environmentally sound construction and simplifying operations at the Department of Buildings. The changes, which require City Council approval, are intended to incorporate lessons from the World Trade Center collapse in revising a code whose origins date to the city's early days and bringing it closer to national standards. The mayor's proposal, which would apply almost entirely to new construction, would require automatic sprinkler systems, wider stairs and glow-in-the-dark exit markings for a broader range of buildings. In addition, the proposal calls for strengthening walls around stairways and elevator shafts in residential high-rises, giving rebates to encourage water and energy conservation and allowing permit applications to be filed electronically. Nearly four years and 20 committees in the making, the changes are part of the most comprehensive overhaul in the history of the code, which shapes the city's interior workings in areas dire and mundane, controlling everything from stairway reinforcement to rooftop color to the alignment of toilet paper dispensers in private bathrooms. The code's last major revision was in 1968. In rewriting the tome of regulations, the administration is trying to move away from many of the complex requirements that have made New York one of the most difficult and expensive cities in which to build. The changes would also bring the city closer to a uniform national code that is seen as less cluttered and costly. Reflecting the administration's environmental goals, the proposed regulations would require more efficient heating and cooling systems and that all roofs be painted white or an approved reflective color. There are also provisions intended to spur growth in the city's biotechnology industry by easing rules on construction of research buildings at hospitals, laboratories and pharmaceutical research centers. Source: New York Times FEMA Provides Assistance to Kansas Town Hit by Devastating Tornado In response to the devastating damage inflicted by an F5 tornado that struck Greenburg, Kansas on Friday night, FEMA has deployed critical emergency equipment, food supplies, and disaster assistance personnel to supplement the state and local recovery effort. The tornado hit the town of Greensburg, leveling nearly all the buildings and killing as many as 10 people. FEMA also is providing Mobile Disaster Recovery Centers that help residents register for federal disaster assistance, which was made possible after President Bush issued a major disaster declaration for Kansas on Sunday. FEMA Administrator David Paulison toured Greensburg today and visited with state and local officials. Paulison said that the response was well coordinated and executed. “I have to commend the local, state, and voluntary agency response,” said Paulison. “We were provided clear guidance and communication on what was needed at the right time and place.” Preliminary Damage Assessment Teams, with representatives from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration along with state and local officials, began assessing damages over the weekend. In addition, FEMA’s temporary housing assistance teams, in coordination with the state, will begin identifying temporary housing requirements. More information is available at: http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=36036. Source: DHS The United States Fire Administration (USFA) has received notice of the following firefighter fatality: Name: William Church Fire Department: Columbus Volunteer Fire Department Incident Description: Captain Church was the driver of a second engine on an alarm which was returned to available status. After backing the engine into the station, Captain Church suffered an apparent heart attack. CPR was initiated by other firefighters and Firefighter Church was transported to the Corry Memorial Hospital where he could not be revived. Funeral Arrangements: Service to be held on 05/08/2007 at 1300 hours at the Bracken Funeral Home, 315 N Center St, Corry, PA 16407. Procession to the Pine Grove Cemetery and burial will follow. Memorial Fund Contact and Address: In honor of Captain William Church, donations can be made to the Columbus Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 366, Columbus, PA 16405, or the American Heart Association of Western Pennsylvania, District 823, Filmore Avenue, Erie, PA 16505. Tribute is being paid to Captain William Church at
The United States Fire Administration (USFA) has received notice of the following firefighter fatality: Name: Vernon "Bob" McKenzie Fire Department: Gem County Fire Protection District #2 Incident Description: Immediately after participating in a wildland Pack Test, Firefighter McKenzie returned home and complained of not feeling well. He was transported to a hospital where he passed away from a heart attack. Funeral Arrangements: Memorial service to be held on 05/05/2007 at 1300 hours at the Ola Community Church, Ola, Idaho. Memorial Fund Contact and Address: In honor of Firefighter Vernon "Bob" McKenzie, C/o, Gem County Fire Protection District #2, 7810 Sweet-Ola Hwy, Sweet, ID 83670. Tribute is being paid to Firefighter Vernon "Bob" McKenzie at
The United States Fire Administration (USFA) has received notice of the following firefighter fatality: Name: Peter Beebe-Lawson Fire Department: Springfield Fire Department Incident Description: While responding to a call, Firefighter Beebe-Lawson was driving a tanker truck that overturned after rounding a roadway curve. The vehicle came to rest on its passenger side and Firefighter Beebe-Lawson passed away at the scene. There were no other passengers in the vehicle. Funeral Arrangements: Pending Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Pending Tribute is being paid to Firefighter Peter Beebe-Lawson at
The United States Fire Administration (USFA) has received notice of the following firefighter fatality: Name: Joseph Zumwalt Fire Department: Sheldon District Fire Department Incident Description: Firefighter Zumwalt collapsed on the scene of a tool-shed fire. Although he was treated at the scene and transported to Iroquois Memorial Hospital, he could not be revived. Funeral Arrangements: Visitation is on 05/09/2007 at 1600-2000 hours at the Bair Funeral Home, Watseka, IL. Funeral service is on 05/10/2007 at 1300 hours at the Methodist Church in Sheldon, IL. Visitation will take place prior to the funeral at the church at 1100-1300 hours. Memorial Fund Contact and Address: In honor of Firefighter Joseph Zumwalt, donations can be made to the Sheldon District Fire Department, PO Box 125, Sheldon, IL 60966, the Sheldon Square Shooters 4H Club, or the American Heart Association. Tribute is being paid to Firefighter Joseph Zumwalt at Source: USFA
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