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DHS Announces Revised National Incident Management System

December 18, 2008

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today released a revised National Incident Management System (NIMS)-the national standard for incident management.  NIMS establishes standardized incident management processes, protocols, and procedures that all federal, state, tribal and local responders will use to coordinate and conduct response actions.

NIMS expands on the original version released in March 2004 by clarifying existing NIMS concepts, better incorporating preparedness and planning and improving the overall readability of the document. The revised document also differentiates between the purposes of NIMS and the National Response Framework (NRF) by identifying how NIMS provides the action template for the management of incidents, while the NRF provides the policy structure and mechanisms for national-level policy for incident management.

"The National Incident Management System has been the single most significant improvement in incident management since the Department of Homeland Security was formed in 2003," FEMA Administrator David Paulison said. "It has enhanced interoperability among emergency responders at all levels of government and is the product of a collaborative effort involving hundreds of emergency personnel from across the nation. 

We incorporated lessons learned from Hurricane Katrina, clarified incident command system concepts, increased emphasis on planning and mutual aid, expanded the intelligence/investigation function, and better aligned the NIMS document with the National Response Framework," said Paulison.

With the oversight of FEMA, the newly released NIMS followed an extensive revision involving over 100 partners from all levels of government, private sector, nongovernmental organizations (NGO), and subject matter experts representing a broad spectrum of emergency management and incident response disciplines.  Throughout three official nationwide comment periods, FEMA reviewed nearly 6,000 comments from more than 280 individuals and organizations, including extensive review and recommendations made by the National Advisory Council (NAC).

The basic tenets of NIMS remain the same. There have been several improvements to the revised NIMS document which will aid in readability and usefulness of preparing, preventing, and responding to incidents.  For example, the revised document places greater emphasis on the role of preparedness and has reorganized its components to mirror the progression of an incident. 

Recognizing the importance of private sector partners and NGOs in incident response, FEMA has ensured that those entities have been more fully integrated throughout NIMS.  The new document is consistent with the NRF, and together they provide a single, comprehensive approach to incident management.

The revised NIMS document may be downloaded here.

NIOSH Issues Respirator Safety Alert 

December 18, 2008 – The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s (NIOSH) and the National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL) has issued a respirator user notice regarding Scott HUD Quick Disconnect Hoses.

The problem stems from changes to the length of the electrical connector for the heads-up-display between the 2002 and 2007 models, and has resulted in clearance issues between the new connector and auxiliary hose fittings on SCOTT-manufactured air sources.

The new model regulator hose quick disconnects may not allow the hose to properly and completely engage the air connector on some Scott auxiliary air sources in an emergency. The safety alert calls for the replacement of the old low pressure hoses with a new hose that has a modified long connector containing a notch.

For the complete Scott Safety Alert, go here.

NIOSH Seeks Input on Revision of SCBA Low-Air Indicator Requirement

NIOSH has received a petition to initiate rulemaking to change the provisions of Paragraph (f) of Section 84.83 in Title 42, Code of Federal Regulations, part 84 (42 CFR 84). This paragraph requires each remaining service-life indicator or warning device to give an alarm when the apparatus’ remaining service life is reduced to within a range of 20 to 25 percent of its rated service time. The current requirement does not state that the device must initiate activation in this range; only that it needs to give an alarm in this range.

The EOSTI needs to alarm between the 2 limits. It can remain on as the air pressure drops below those pressures, or stop alarming after a brief time.

The petition requests NIOSH to modify the provision to eliminate the upper limit of this range. The purpose of this change would be to allow each respiratory protection program manager to determine the most appropriate alarm setting, with 20 percent as the retained minimum, to provide SCBA users time to exit a scene.

Background

NIOSH has received several suggestions via NIOSH Docket -034 to modify the SCBA End of Service Life Indicator Requirement in 42 CFR Part 84. These suggestions recommend a change to 42 CFR Part 84 that would eliminate an implied maximum standard for the End of Service Time Indicator (EOSTI or ‘low air alarm’) of SCBA. They would allow the program manager to decide at what point (above a minimum 25%) the alarm should sound.

Input Sought from Stakeholders

Through this announcement, NIOSH is seeking input from stakeholders to determine the following:

1.      Opinions on the current EOSTI performance requirement.

2.      Opinions on modifying the current EOSTI performance requirement from a range to a minimum value.

a.      Should NIOSH continue to interpret the provision to require the alarm to continue uninterrupted until the minimum value (20%) is reached?

b.      If the petitioned change is adopted, what tolerance should NIOSH use to evaluate acceptable EOSTI performance at a specified setting rather than within a range?

c.      If the petitioned change is adopted, should NIOSH evaluate EOSTI performance at settings other than the 20% minimum? If so, at what additional values?

d.      Is there a rationale to distinguish Fire Service SCBA from those used for industrial applications for the evaluation of the EOSTI?

3.      Identification of alternative approaches to address EOSTI performance.

4.      Other comments on the subject.

Public Comment Period

Comments will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. ET on January 16, 2009 in accordance with the instructions below. All material submitted to NIOSH should reference Docket Number NIOSH-034-A. All electronic comments should be formatted as Microsoft Word and make reference to docket number NIOSH-034-A.

Comments will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. ET on January 16, 2009

To submit comments regarding this draft publication, please use one of these options:

·         Send NIOSH comments using the online form at: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/review/public/034-A/comments.html

·         Send comments by email to nioshdocket@cdc.gov and reference NIOSH Docket -034 in the subject line.

·         Fax comments to the NIOSH Docket Office: 513-533-8285

·         Send by Mail to:
NIOSH Docket Office
NIOSH Mailstop: C-34
Robert A. Taft Lab.
4676 Columbia Parkway
Cincinnati, Ohio 45226

Contact Person for Technical Information

Jonathan V. Szalajda
National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL)
412-386-6627
zfx1@cdc.gov

Posted 11-26-08

Federal Government Begins Mandating High-Visibility Vests for Emergency Responders

On November 24, 2008, a new federal regulation (23 CFR 634) goes into effect mandating that anyone working in the right-of-way of a federal-aid highway must be wearing high-visibility clothing that meets the requirements of ANSI / ISEA 107; 2004 edition class 2 or 3. This requirement will apply to all emergency responders.

The Code of Federal Regulations Title 23 (Highways) Part 634 was originally published in the Federal Register Vol 71, No 226, pp 67792 - 67800. The Rule itself (634.3) simply states that:

"All workers within the right-of-way of a Federal-aid highway who are exposed either to traffic (vehicles using the highway for purposes of travel) or to construction equipment within the work area shall wear high-visibility safety apparel."

Definitions (634.2) within Part 634 cover what is meant by "Workers" and "high-visibility safety apparel". Emergency responders are included in this definition anytime they are working "within the right-of-way of a Federal-aid highway" with some exceptions for law enforcement officers working on an incident involving criminal activity (see below).

"High-Visibility Safety Apparel" is defined to mean "personal protective safety clothing that is intended to provide conspicuity during both daytime and nighttime usage, and that meets the Performance Class 2 or 3 requirements of the ANSI/ISEA 107–2004".

The term "Federal-aid highway systems" is defined by 23 CFR 470A (Sec. 470.103) to mean the National Highway System and the Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways (the "Interstate System").

ANSI 207, Public Safety Vests

After 23 CFR 634 was finalized, a new standard for Public Safety Vests was published as ANSI / ISEA 207; 2006 edition. Because ANSI 207 was not published until after 23 CFR 634 was finalized, the federal regulation could only reference ANSI 107.

ANSI 107 requires that class 2 garments (vests) have at least 775 square inches of high-visibility, fluorescent background material and at least 201 square inches of reflective material. While the ANSI 207 requirement for reflective material is the same (201 in²), it requires only 450 square inches of background material. Therefore, ANSI 207 vests do not meet the requirements of ANSI 107 and therefore do not currently meet the requirements of 23 CFR 634.

The DOT Federal Highway Administration’s Associate Administrator for Operations has written a letter to the Emergency Responder Safety Institute that is being circulated in discussions about this issue. (Click here to download a copy of the letter.) The letter acknowledges that they have reviewed ANSI 207 and “found this standard compatible with the ANSI/ISEA [107] Class II requirements for night-time visibility.” Those affected by 23 CFR 634 should understand that the high-visibility clothing must be worn day and night, so this statement by the FHWA does not officially validate the use of ANSI 207 vests in place of ANSI 107 where legally mandated.

Proposed Changes to the Rule

The DOT/FHWA has proposed a number of changes that will affect 23 CFR 634. Of the most immediate concern is that they propose allowing ANSI 207 vests for emergency responders. This change cannot go into effect in time for the November 24 deadline and is not likely to go into effect until the 2nd or 3rd quarter of 2009. In a much more comprehensive change, the current proposals would incorporate 23 CFR 634 into the MUTCD (Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices). This would make high-visibility garments (under the proposal, either 107 or 207 certified) mandatory for anyone working on “all roads open to public travel in accordance with 23 CFR Part 655, not just Federal-aid highways.”

The proposed changes concerning 23 CFR 634 can be read by downloading a pdf document of the proposed changes for the MUTCD.

The items already mentioned are:

·         362 (page 317) – incorporation into the MUTCD and extending high-visibility clothing mandate to all roads

·         375 & 376 (page 318) – allowing ANSI 207 vests for first responders and law enforcement personnel.

The proposed changes were open for public review and comment until July 31, 2008. Many individuals and groups concerned with responder safety submitted their own comments and proposals which will now be reviewed and considered for inclusion.

Exceptions for Emergency Responders

Due to "comments from State and local police, national police organizations, and State DOTs" the original publishment in the federal register includes exceptions for law enforcement officers working in potentially adversarial or confrontational roles. This includes traffic stops and searches. Officers are still required under 23 CFR 634 to wear high-visibility clothing during other times, such as "directing traffic, investigating crashes, and handling lane closures, obstructed roadways, and disasters within the right-of-way of a Federal-aid highway." (The language for this exception can be found in the 2nd column of page 67797 of the publication in the Federal Register Vol. 71, No 226 which can be downloaded using the link below)

Currently no such exception exists for firefighters. Some fire service personnel have expressed concern about the idea of adding a layer of potentially flammable material between their turnout gear and SCBA while battling car fires or during an extrication. Because those views were not expressed during the comment period of 23 CFR 634 no exceptions or interpretations for fire service operations were published along with the rule. Further, all fire department personnel should be aware that turnout gear alone does not meet the visibility requirement. No turnout gear currently manufactured meets the color requirement for the fluorescent background material of these high-visibility garments. Even if turnout gear could be dyed to meet the color standard when manufactured, it would likely no longer be compliant after the first exposure to fire, smoke, and soot. Fire departments should consider fire resistance of materials (and their limitations) as part of their criteria for selecting vests and writing department protocols and procedures.

NFPA 1901

Complicating the issue further, the National Fire Protection Association is set to release the 2009 edition of NFPA 1901: Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus. This edition (as written) will apply to all fire apparatus "contracted for on or after January 1, 2009" and will require "one traffic safety vest for each seating position, each vest to comply with ANSI/ISEA 207, Standard for High-Visibility Public Safety Vests, and have a five-point breakaway feature that includes two at the shoulders, two at the sides and one at the front." This requirement is included for each type of fire apparatus, for example see sections 5.8.3 (18), 6.7.3 (15), 7.7.3.1 (14), etc.

Although some vests can be purchased that are certified to meet the requirements of both ANSI 107 and 207, vests compliant only with ANSI 207 may not meet a strict legal interpretation of the 23 CFR 634 requirements scheduled to take effect in November. This is a potentially confusing liability issue that deserves close attention by all departments as the deadline approaches.

Summary

Part of the RKB mission is to try to keep our users informed of equipment-related issues, and we hope that this mission critical hint has accomplished that. The timing of 23 CFR 634 and ANSI / ISEA 207 was unfortunate, but the complications are being addressed by the MUTCD proposed changes. The difficulty and confusion will be in the short term, between the effective date of 23 CFR 634 on November 24th and the time the proposed changes are implemented. Every source contacted by the RKB staff has made it clear that the eventual intent is for either the ANSI 107 or 207 vests to be used. However, no one has been able to say with certainty what will happen if there is a serious injury or fatality to a responder wearing a 207-compliant vest while the unchanged 23 CFR 634 is in effect. That may be decided in court. Departments should consider getting an opinion from their counsel to assist in deciding their compliance strategy.

We hope that every department will plan now for this new requirement under 23 CFR 634, and also plan ahead with funding and training for the later changes that will likely extend the safety-vest requirements to all public roads.

Source:  DHS FEMA Responder Knowledge Base

Posted 11-17-08

Marvin Rosencrans, Prowers County Rural Fire Chief (ret) Laid to Rest

Funeral services for retired Prowers County Fire Chief, Marvin D. Rosencrans, age 68, were held on Saturday, November 8, 2008 at the Lamar Community Building in Lamar, Colo. Reverend Ian Blacker officiated the service.

Marvin was born on June 26, 1940 in Lamar, Colo. to Clarence and Bernice Rosencrans and departed this life on Tuesday, November 4, 2008 at Prowers Medical Center in Lamar.
 

He was preceded in death by his father, Clarence “Cap” Rosencrans of Lamar on January 17, 1959 and by his mother, Bernice Ward-Rosencrans of Lamar on January 27, 1981.

Marvin is survived by his wife, Martha Thompson of Lamar; by five children, Marvin (Shaylene) Rosencrans of Longmont, Colo., Missy (Pat) Mason of Lamar, Scott (Alice Nelson) Thompson of Lamar, Ted Thompson of Des Moines, Iowa, Leigh (Mike) Miller of Scottsbluff, Neb.; by six grandchildren, Ethan and Jarrod Mason, Logan and Luke Rosencrans; and Casey and Zach Miller; by his sister, Nadine (Herb) Weldon of Grandview, Mo. and by his brother-in-law, Jason Litz of Syracuse, Kan.

Also surviving are numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and many, many friends.

Chief Rosencrans started his fire service ‘career’ as a volunteer firefighter with the Lamar Fire Department on October 15, 1960.  He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1964, promoted to Captain in 1965, and promoted to Assistant Chief in 1976.

Marvin was selected as the fire chief for the newly formed Prowers County Rural Fire Department in 1990 and served in this position until he suffered a massive stroke in September, 2007.   Chief Rosencrans was officially retired from the Prowers County Rural Fire Department in August, 2008.

The family respectfully requests memorial contributions be made to the Lamar/Prowers County Volunteer Fire Department either directly or through Valley Memorial Funeral Chapel in Lamar.

A special ‘thank you’ to the Pueblo Fire Department for proving the honor guard for the services, the La Junta Fire Department for providing their aerial apparatus for the U.S. flag display, the Colorado Emerald Society for providing the bagpiper, and the firefighters and law enforcement officers that came out to pay tribute to Chief Rosencrans.

Posted 11-10-08

Application Procedures Announced for the 2009 Harvard Senior Executives in State and Local Government Fellowship Program

Emmitsburg, MD - Application procedures have been announced for the 2009 Harvard program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government. The program is once again sponsored through a partnership between the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), the International Fire Service Training Association/Fire Protection Publications (IFSTA/FPP), the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the Department of Homeland Security - United States Fire Administration (USFA). Each organization will fund the tuition costs of two individuals for a total of eight fellowships.

USFA Administrator Gregory B. Cade in announcing the 2009 Program said, “My experience with the Senior Executives in State and Local Government program at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government was by far one of the best professional development opportunities I have ever undertaken. The curriculum, faculty, and setting were truly outstanding. Most importantly, as a former Fire Chief, I know the State and Local Government Program has provided me with experiences and tools to confront the many challenges facing fire and emergency services today. The program was and continues to be particularly valuable when examining and understanding the relationships between careerists, elected, and appointed officials.”

Eight senior fire executives will be awarded fellowships to attend the annual program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government.  The 3-week program is conducted on the Harvard campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts.  Selected Fellows will be assigned to attend one of the two session dates:  June 7-26, 2009 or July 5-24, 2009. Fellows must be available to attend either session.

Applicants are responsible for travel costs to the final interview process in Emmitsburg, Maryland, and if selected, also to Cambridge. Housing will be provided at the National Emergency Training Center in Emmitsburg for the interview process in April of 2009.  Fellows are expected to continue their professional contributions to the fire and emergency services in light of their State and Local Government Program experience.

The following criteria and guidelines have been established for the 2009 program:

·         Application is open to senior fire executives who have demonstrated significant career accomplishments and have the potential to impact and initiate change.  Attainment of a senior position is less important than demonstrated experience in facilitating significant change within a public sector setting.

·         Preference may be given to applicants who are graduates of the National Fire Academy's Executive Fire Officer Program, although program completion is not a prerequisite. Preference may also be given to applicants who have completed graduate-level degree programs or course work.

·         Individuals whose organizations have been represented in the Senior Executives in State and Local Government program during 2006, 2007, or 2008 will not be considered. The program is available to international participants.

Application Instructions

Please follow these four steps carefully as the application procedures have changed from prior years.

1.      Applicants must complete and submit the Harvard/Kennedy School of Government Application for Executive Education (DOC, 255 Kb, Microsoft Word Help). This form-fillable document can then be completed for submission to the address listed below, not to Harvard. It is recommended that this form be saved to your computer. For the question “Who will be the financial sponsor of your participation?” please enter “IAFC/IFSTA-FPP/NFPA/USFA Fellowship.” Make sure that you attach your essay responses (250 words or less for each question response).

2.      Enclose a current resume or curriculum vitae.

3.      Enclose a letter of recommendation from your senior official. If the applicant is the Chief, then the letter should be written by the jurisdictional head (e.g., Mayor or City Manager, etc.). Otherwise, the recommendation should be from the Fire Chief.

4.      Please do not submit your application package directly to the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.  Mail the application package (traceable mail with receipt is recommended) no later than February 14, 2008 to the following address:

For questions regarding application procedures only, please contact the USFA’s Ms. Mary Wingert at (301) 447-1085 or mary.wingert@dhs.gov.

If the applicant’s organization or position should change (voluntarily or involuntarily) after the application package has been submitted, she/he is obligated to notify Ms. Wingert.

Application packages postmarked after February 14, 2009 will not be considered.

For more information please refer to the USFA/National Fire Academy Web site or the Harvard University/John F. Kennedy School of Government Senior Executives in State and Local Government Web site.  

Posted 10-28-08

Services for Heather Westphal and Tonya Cataldo

Posted 10-19-08

Heather Westphal, Manager of Membership Marketing at the IAFC, Drowns October 12 on Family Vacation in Hawaii

IAFC Staffer Drowns in Hawaii

Woman Dies in Hawaii as Wave Sweeps Her Into Ocean

USFA Releases Highway Vehicle Fires Topical Report

WASHINGTON D.C. - The Department of Homeland Security's United States Fire Administration (USFA) has issued a special report, part of its Topical Fire Report Series, examining the causes and characteristics of highway vehicle fires. An estimated 258,500 highway vehicle fires occur annually resulting in 490 civilian deaths, 1,275 civilian injuries, and $1 billion in property loss.

"Highway vehicle fires account for nearly one out of every six fires," said United States Fire Administrator Greg Cade. "It is important to focus on vehicle fire prevention and public safety to help reduce the number of vehicle-related fire deaths and injuries."

The report, Highway Vehicle Fires, was developed by the National Fire Data Center, part of the USFA. The report is based on 2004 to 2006 data from the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS).

According to the report, 84 percent of highway vehicle fires occur in passenger vehicles. Unintentionally started fires (29%) and the failure of equipment (28%) are the leading causes of highway vehicle fires. Sixty-two percent of highway vehicle fires originate in the engine, running gear, or wheel areas of the vehicle.

The short topical reports are designed to explore facets of the U.S. fire problem as depicted through data collected in NFIRS. Each topical report briefly addresses the nature of the specific fire or fire-related topic, highlights important findings from the data, and may suggest other resources to consider for further information. Also included are recent examples of fire incidents that demonstrate some of the issues addressed in the report or that put the report topic in context.

Topical reports may be downloaded from the Statistics section of the USFA Web site.

Download the report, Highway Vehicle Fires from the USFA website.

Posted 10-10-08

USFA Releases Residential Structure and Buildings Fires Report

WASHINGTON D.C. - The Department of Homeland Security's United States Fire Administration (USFA) has issued a report today examining the causes and characteristics of fires occurring in residential structures and buildings. The report, Residential Structure and Building Fires, was developed by the National Fire Data Center, part of USFA.

The report presents an overview of residential structure fires and trends for one-and two-family, multifamily, and other residential structures. This report also addresses residential building fires for each of the three residential occupancy types.

The report is based primarily on 2005 NFIRS data and the 2005 National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) survey data. In 2005, there were an estimated 396,000 residential structure fires, resulting in 3,055 civilian fire deaths, 13,825 civilian injuries, and $6.9 billion in loss.

“Most fires and related deaths and injuries in residences are preventable,” said United States Fire Administrator Greg Cade. “It is important that you take the necessary precautions to ensure your home is fire safe. Install and maintain smoke alarms and sprinklers, and establish and practice your escape plan. By being prepared, you can help reduce the chances of fire injury or even death.”

Fires in residential buildings—a subset of residential structures—accounted for 95 percent of residential structure fires and fatal fires, 97 percent of residential structure fires with injuries, and 95 percent of fires with dollar loss. There were an estimated 376,500 residential building fires in 2005. These fires claimed the lives of 2,895 civilians and injured an additional 13,375 civilians.

Cooking (41 percent) and heating (13 percent) are the leading causes of residential building fires. Cooking also accounts for approximately 25 percent of fires that injure civilians. Smoking (20 percent) is the leading cause of fatal residential building fires.

Download the report, Residential Structure and Building Fires from the USFA website.

Posted 10-08-08

USFA and NIST Complete Study of Thermal Imaging Technology

Emmitsburg, MD. – The United States Fire Administration (USFA) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have completed a report, Technical Note 1499, Performance Metrics for Fire Fighting Thermal Imaging Cameras – Small- and Full-Scale Experiments. This report provides information on the research conducted as part of a project partnership on Thermal Imaging Camera (TIC) imaging performance metrics and test methods. The overall objective of the report is to provide science-based information to national standards developing organizations, including the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) in support of NFPA 1801, Standard on Thermal Imagers for the Fire Service.

This study was conducted with support of the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate. The report describes performance metrics on TIC image contrast, effective temperature range, resolution, and image and thermal sensitivity.

"Each year fires in structures trap firefighters resulting in their injury and sometimes, death," said U.S. Fire Administrator Greg Cade. "This research partnership has developed critical information to support the development of a national standard on Thermal Imaging Technology that previously did not exist which will enhance the safety of our nation’s firefighters."

NIST and USFA conducted research on the performance of thermal imaging systems to enhance firefighter safety in operational situations. Current thermal imaging technology was assessed by investigating a variety of commercially available thermal imaging cameras in the laboratory as well as in full-scale burns. The research also explored new technology that might enhance performance of future thermal imaging devices and worked to incorporate new technology into enhanced infrared cameras. Issues such as differential resolution, thermal exposure, performance during suppression, and ease of use were also examined. This project complemented existing NIST funded research on the development of a standard on thermal imaging technology.

"This study examined the capabilities and limitations of such thermal imaging technology and may lead to improved evaluation, standards, training, and understanding by local fire and emergency services departments," said NIST researcher Nelson Bryner. “NIST was pleased to work with USFA in this effort to provide science-based information to national level standards developing organizations on this life saving technology for the fire service and the public they protect."

Another technical report documenting the needs of the fire service community, Thermal Imaging Research Needs for First Responders: Workshop Proceedings, was previously published as part of this study.

These reports are available for download, free of charge, from the links below.

Technical Note 1499, Performance Metrics for Fire Fighting Thermal Imaging Cameras – Small- and Full-Scale Experiments

Thermal Imaging Research Needs for First Responders: Workshop Proceedings (NIST SP 1040)

Further information about this partnership effort may be found under the Research section of the USFA Web site.

Posted 10-08-08

New Reports on Fire Protection and Municipal Water Supply Systems

Emmitsburg, MD. – The United States Fire Administration (USFA) has completed a project with the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) Educational and Scientific Foundation to study and evaluate the latest trends and technologies related to municipal water supply systems to enhance effective fire protection. This study was conducted with support of the Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate.

"This initiative will be of value to local-level fire protection, supporting USFA's goal to reduce the loss of life and property from fire," said U.S. Fire Administrator Greg Cade. "This cooperative effort allows communities to have comprehensive information on the latest technologies in municipal water supply systems in support of fire suppression activities and concerns."

The team examined issues of interoperability and critical infrastructure protection, as well as backup and redundant water supply systems for fire protection, and from their analysis created the two reports: Volume I – Water Supply Systems Concepts and Volume II - Water Supply System Evaluation Methods.

"This study reflects SFPE's commitment to advancing the science and technology that protects people from fire," said Chris Jelenewicz, SFPE Engineering Program Manager. "SFPE was pleased to work with USFA in advancing the understanding of critical water supply systems and their importance in fire protection."

Both reports are available for download (only), free of charge, from the USFA Web site.

Posted 10-01-08

Volume I – Water Supply Systems Concepts (PDF, 2.6 MB)

Discusses water system anatomy, water distribution system design concepts, water quality, consumer consumption and needed fire flow, alternative water supply systems, fire department water supply officer, water supply and effective fire protection, and emergency water supplies.

Volume II – Water Supply Evaluation Methods (PDF, 4.8 MB)

Covers the evaluation of municipal water supply systems, water system hydraulics, storage capacity, water supply system computer modeling, and establishing a community program to document effective water supplies for fire protection.

USFA, IAFC Offer Free Ethanol-Incident Training Course

The U.S. Fire Administration has announced the availability of a CD-ROM training package for responding to ethanol incidents, titled "Responding to Ethanol Incidents and Ethanol Fixed Facilities and Assessment Guide." A cooperative effort between USFA and the International Association of Fire Chiefs, with assistance from the Ethanol Emergency Response Coalition, this training is intended to address the needs of emergency responders when faced with incidents involving ethanol and ethanol-blended fuels.

According to USFA, consumers in the United States use more than 140 billion gallons of gasoline per year. In addition, there are more than 8 billion gallons of fuel ethanol produced in the United States.

The addition of ethanol to gasoline presents some unique firefighting challenges. Traditional methods of firefighting against hydrocarbon (gasoline) fires have been found to be ineffective against these ethanol-blended fuels.

While gasoline will tend to float on top of water, ethanol fuels are water soluble and will tend to blend with the water. For this reason, the use of Alcohol-Resistant (AR) foam as a means of extinguishing an ethanol fire is recommended.

The ethanol industry has been growing rapidly. According to the American Petroleum Institute (API), in 2006 the growth of the transportation fuels marketplace was equivalent to the capacity expansion realized in the ethanol industry. In early 2008, there are reportedly seventy-eight bio-refineries under construction. With seven existing bio-refineries expanding, the industry projected more than 6 billion gallons of new production capacity to be in operation by the end of 2009, more than doubling production capacity in less than three years.

To order the free CD-ROM training course, click here.

To download the course materials from the IAFC Web Site, click here.

Posted 09-28-08

Register Now to attend the 2008 Colorado State Fire Chiefs Leadership Challenge

The 17th Annual Fire Leadership Challenge will take place on December 4-6, 2008 at the Beaver Run Resort in Breckenridge, bringing together more than 400 fire service leaders from around the state and nation. Sponsored by the Colorado State Fire Chiefs’ Association, this conference will provide valuable training and insight into the leadership challenges that every chief officer, command officer and firefighter needs to prepare for.

The theme of the conference this year will be "Changing Our Culture: Safeguarding Our Most Valuable Asset – Our Firefighters." This theme will build upon the findings of the 2007 National Firefighter Life Safety Summit related to the need to change the culture of the fire service if we are to make significant improvements in firefighter health and safety. Keynote speakers and presenters for this year’s conference include J. Gordon Routley, Ronny Coleman, I. David Daniels, Rocco Forte’ and Ed Buchanan.

This year you will also see some changes in conference format. One of the significant changes is the addition of a pre-conference workshop for company officers. In partnership with the IAFC, the Company Officer Leadership Symposium – Level II will be offered on December 2-4. Other changes include an expansion of the Colorado (New) Fire Chief’s Workshop to a full day and an earlier conclusion to the conference on Saturday.

It was also decided to hold the cost of the conference registration (exclusive of pre-conference workshops) to 2007 levels for Colorado State Fire Chiefs’ Association members. However, individuals from departments who are not members of the CSFCA will be assessed a higher registration fee ($25 per participant).

As always, the Exhibit Hall will showcase the latest products, tools and innovations to help fire departments perform at top efficiency.

Register now to attend the 2008 Fire Leadership Challenge and/or the Company Officer Leadership Symposium – Level II.

Go to: 2008 Fire Leadership Challenge Website.

Posted 09-25-08

Gov. Ritter Announces Homeland Security Grants to Local Communities

September 23, 2008 - Gov. Bill Ritter today announced this year's homeland security grant awards to communities across Colorado, providing more than $20 million to be administered by the newly operational Governor's Office of Homeland Security.

More than 80 percent of the funds awarded will go to counties and local jurisdictions throughout Colorado to support local first responders and homeland security initiatives. The funded projects will improve the state's preparedness for a man-made or natural disaster.

Projects include community preparedness initiatives, detection of and protection from Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), interoperable communications capabilities, the Colorado First Responder Authentication Credentialing system, law enforcement crime data and counter-terrorism tools, planning activities, medical surge capabilities, exercise and training initiatives, and first responder equipment.

Colorado was one of only 11 states nationwide this year to receive an increase in funding from last year's grant awards -- $20.7 million this year, up 4 percent from last year's $19.9 million. Officials attributed this to the high quality of the state's application to the federal government, which ranked in the top 25 percent of all states nationally.

The newly created Governor's Office of Homeland Security guided the local application and award process throughout the past six months using new risk-based funding formulas and a competitive scoring system that judges the quality of the projects submitted.

"This greatly improved process now provides strong guidance, training and monitoring for all homeland security grants. It ensures standardized and accountable procedures for all grants that are awarded," Gov. Ritter said. "And it provides an inclusive, collaborative and responsible process that is delivering positive results and praise from the federal government.

"At the end of the day, this is about ensuring that taxpayer dollars are used appropriately and to their best and highest use, and that we are making Colorado's communities as safe as possible."

In April, state and local agencies throughout Colorado submitted 30 applications seeking more than $35 million in funding for more than 150 projects. The projects were scored by a multi-jurisdictional Grant Review Committee in August. The resulting recommendations for awards were then approved by a Governor's Homeland Security Senior Advisory Committee and by Gov. Ritter this month. Ninety projects will be funded with the $20.7 million allocation.

The 2008 grant programs and dollar amounts are:

• Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP): $20.7 million

  • State Homeland Security Program (SHSP): $11.8 million

  • Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI): $7.6 million

  • Metropolitan Medical Resource System (MMRS): $963,663

  • Citizens Corp Program (CCP): $249,368

• Buffer Zone Protection Program: $1.6 million

• Transit Security Grant Program: $831,648

• Interoperable Emergency Communications Grant: $609,616

• Nonprofit Security Grant: $55,843

Total Grant Funds for Colorado: $23.8 million

Broken down by geographic area, total HSGP awards are as follows:

1. City and County of Denver UASI: $6.1 million

2. North Central Region: $3.0 million

3. North East Region: $1.1 million

4. North West Region: $944,000

5. San Luis Valley Region: $588,000

6. South Region: $747,000

7. South Central Region: $1.2 million

8. South East Region: $712,000

9. South West Region: $721,000

10. West Region: $708,000

Local Agency Total: $15.8 million

State Agency Total: $4.0 million

Metropolitan Medical Response System: $935,000

Homeland Security Grant Program Total: $20.7 million

(Up 4 percent from $19.9 million in 2007)

For more information, visit the Governor's Office of Homeland Security website at www.colorado.gov/homelandsecurity.

An overview of the 2008 Homeland Security Grants can be downloaded here.

Posted 09-23-08

The sprinkler mandate will first appear in the 2009 International Residential Code^® (IRC), which will be published by the end of the year. Forty-six states use the IRC as the basis of regulating new home construction.

“The vote was a historic moment in residential fire safety – and is a significant step in a long journey before sprinklers are installed in every new home,” noted Ronny J. Coleman, president of the IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition. “We’re now going to move forward at the state and local level to ensure new code requirement is adopted.”

About IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition

Founded in 2007, the IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition has grown to include more than 100 international, national and regional public safety organizations, including associations representing 45 states, all of whom support the mission of promoting residential fire sprinkler systems in new home construction. The Coalition was formed to educate public policymakers on the value of residential sprinkler systems and to support related legislation. More information can be found at www.IRCFireSprinkler.org.

Interim Committee on Wildfire Issues Holds Final Meeting – Votes on Bills to be Carried by Committee

On September 15, 2008, the Legislative Interim Committee on Wildfire Issues in Wildland Urban Interface Areas held their sixth and final meeting.   The purpose of this meeting was to vote on which bills the committee would advance as Interim Committee Bills.   The committee had a total of 11 bill topics under consideration (and has a limit of 8 bills it can recommend).  These topics were drafted into bills and the committee took up the bills during this meeting.

Copies of the bills that were considered by the Committee are posted on the Interim Committee website here.

Following is a summary of the bills considered by the Interim Committee and their action on these bills:

Bill #1 – WUI Fire Chain of Command

This bill would direct the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) to designate an emergency response authority for wildland fires in the jurisdiction.  States that the emergency response authority shall be the sheriff of a county shall be emergency response authority of the county unless otherwise designated by the county.   This bill requires an emergency response authority to create a plan for the response to wildland fires that includes a description of response capabilities and tactics and the incident command structure.  This bill directs the board of county commissioners of each county to develop and annually update a wildfire preparedness plan for the unincorporated area of the county, in coordination with each emergency response authority and fire district with jurisdiction over the unincorporated area of the county.

This bill was amended to strike the reference to the authority of the BOCC related to the funding of wildfire response (the bill simply moved the existing statutory language; but it became a source of confusion.  The bill as amended passed out of the Committee.  Senator Gibbs and Representative Scanlan will be the Prime Sponsors.

Bill #2 – Immunity for Persons Engaged in Emergency Response Activities

This bill provides civil immunity protection for fire departments and other entities that donate surplus fire equipment; for volunteer firefighters, their commanders, and their sponsoring organization; and for incident management teams.

The bill was passed out of the Committee.  Senator Gibbs and Representative Scanlan will be the Prime Sponsors.

Bill #3 – Community Wildfire Protection Plans

This bill requires the state forester, in collaboration with representatives of the USFS, municipal and county governments, local fire departments or fire protection districts, and state and local law enforcement agencies, to establish guidelines and criteria for counties to consider in preparing community wildfire protection plans (CWPPs).  The bill requires the BOCC of each county to determine whether there are fire hazard areas within the unincorporated portion of the county.  This bill requires the BOCC, in collaboration with the representatives of the organizations or entities that participated in establishing the guidelines and criteria, to prepare a CWPP to address wildfires in fire hazard areas within the unincorporated portion of the county.

This bill was amended to ‘grandfather’ counties that already have a CWPP in place; to reduce to 90 days the time granted to the state forester to develop guidelines; and requiring the BOCC when preparing the CWPP to consider and give weight to the guidelines (instead of a strict mandate to follow the guidelines).  The bill as amended passed out of the Committee.  Senator Penry and Representative Scanlan will be the Prime Sponsors.

Bill #4 – Unincorporated Area Fire Protection Services (Rep. Levy)

Among other things, this bill would have prohibited a BOCC from approving a subdivision in an unincorporated area of a county unless the subdivider provides evidence that the subdivision will be located within a fire protection district or evidence that a fire department will provide fire protection services for the subdivision.  The bill would also have prohibited the issuance of a building permit for the construction of a new commercial or residential building to be located in an unincorporated area of a county unless the building will be located within a fire protection district or there is evidence that a fire department will provide fire protection services for the building.  The bill also provided if a fire department assists in controlling or extinguishing a fire on property that is not covered by established fire protection services, entitles the fire department to reimbursement from the property owner on whose property the fire occurred.

This bill did not pass out of committee.  Some members felt the bill was too far-reaching as it relates to private property rights.

Bill #5 – Fire Department Definition (Sen. Schwartz)

The primary purpose of this bill was to link to the bill for fire protection in unincorporated areas outside of fire protection districts (Bill #4).  This bill defines what constitutes a fire department.  The bill also would have required that non-governmental volunteer fire departments would need permission from the governmental authority having jurisdiction (BOCC for areas outside of fire protection districts and Fire Protection District Board of Directors for areas within a fire protection district) to operate as a fire department.

This bill did not pass out of committee. 

Bill #6 – Incentives for Volunteer Firefighters

This bill creates a fund in the Division of Fire Safety to make grants to qualified volunteer firefighters to cover the costs of training in fighting fires in wildland-urban interface areas.  The bill directs the Division to collaborate with the State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education to develop a system to provide tuition vouchers to qualified volunteer firefighters.  The bill allows qualified volunteer firefighters to claim a tax rebate for reimbursement of the costs of firefighting equipment.

This bill was amended to allow the Division to grants to qualified volunteer fire departments to cover the costs of training in fighting fires in wildland-urban interface areas.   The bill was also amended to allow volunteer firefighters who are part-time students to also be eligible for tuition assistance.  The bill as amended passed out of the Committee.  Senator Kopp and Representative Scanlan will be the Prime Sponsors.

Bill #7 – Fund Voluntary Fire Service Training Program (Sen. Schwartz)

The bill sought to allocate a portion of insurance premium tax revenues to the fire service education and training fund in the Division of Fire Safety for the purpose of funding statewide voluntary fire service education and training programs.  The bill would have required the director, with the assistance of the fire service training and certification advisory board, to develop criteria for prioritizing the development and administration of voluntary fire service education and training programs in those counties demonstrating the greatest need.

The bill was amended to strike all of the criteria for determining need; leaving the need determination up to the director and advisory board.  However, the bill failed to pass the committee.

Bill #8 – Wildland-Urban Interface Building Code (Rep. Levy; Sen Schwarz)

This bill would have required a BOCC to adopt a wildland-urban interface (WUI) code governing the construction or modification of structures in WUI areas located within the unincorporated portion of the county.

This bill did not pass out of committee.

Bill #9 – High Risk Wildfire Mitigation Grants

This bill creates the high-risk communities wildfire mitigation grant program and fund within the Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS) and appropriates $10 million each year for five years to the fund.  The bill requires the CSFS to develop and implement the program and provide grants from the fund to local governments, the state, fire protection districts, and homeowners' associations for the purpose of wildfire mitigation measures.  The bill only allows grants for wildfire mitigation measures that are located in wild land-urban interface areas and that have been identified in a community wildfire protection plan.

The bill was amended to include federal land management agencies as qualified grant recipients.  The bill as amended passed out of the Committee.  Senator Kopp and Representative King will be the Prime Sponsors.

Bill #10 – State Match for Emergency Fire Fund

This bill requires the state to make an appropriation from the general fund to the state forester in an amount equal to the total amount of voluntary contributions made during the prior fiscal year by counties and the Denver Water Board to the emergency fire fund.

The bill was amended to identify the CSFS as the recipient organization for the appropriation.  The bill as amended passed out of the Committee.  Representative King and Senator Penry will be the Prime Sponsors.

Bill #11 — Incentives to Harvest Bark Beetle Timber

This bill provides a 5-year exemption from business personal property taxes for qualified businesses that remove trees killed by bark beetles if such businesses assist in forest restoration efforts on the affected land after the beetle-killed timber is removed.  This bill also establishes a revolving fund in the CSFS to provide start-up revenues for new Colorado businesses that process and sell beetle-killed timber for beneficial uses.

The bill passed out of the Committee.  Senator Kopp and Representative King will be the Prime Sponsors.

The bills that were voted out of committee, as amended, will go before the Legislative Council.  The Legislative Council must approve bills being recommended by interim committees in order for the bills to be exempt from the sponsors’ bill limit.  The Legislative Council will also determine whether the legislative recommendations made by the interim committee fit under the committee's charge.  The Legislative Council will meet to consider interim committee on October 15, 2008.

Assuming they are approved by Legislative Council, the bills will go forward for introduction in the 2009 Regular Session.

There is still work that needs to be done with other stakeholders before the bills are introduced in the 2009 Regular Session and there are likely to be amendments that will be recommended to the sponsors.  Also, some bills/bill topics that were not advanced as an Interim Committee recommendation may surface as bills to be carried by individual members as their own bills.

Bills Considered By Interim Committee

Note: Even those bills that were voted out of the Interim Committee were amended by the Committee, so the posted bill is not the final version that will go forward.

Bill 1

Wildland-Urban Fire Chain of Command

Bill 2

Good Samaritan Law Volunteer Firefighters

Bill 3

Community Wildfire Protection Plans

Bill 4 (version 1)

Unincorporated Area Fire Protection Services

Bill 4 (version 2)

Unincorporated Area Fire Protection Services

Bill 5

Fire Department Definition

Bill 6

Incentives for Volunteer Firefighters

Bill 7

Fund Voluntary Fire Service Training Programs

Bill 8

Wildland-Urban Interface Building Code

Bill 9

High Risk Wildfire Mitigation Grants

Bill 10

State Match for Emergency Fire Fund

Bill 11

Incentives to Harvest Bark Beetle Timber

Firefighter Appreciation Night Successful

The 2008 Colorado Rockies Firefighter Appreciation Day was held on September 12, 2008.  By all measures, this event a great success. A total of 603 “fundraiser” tickets were sold and the revenue generated for the Colorado Fallen Firefighters Foundation was $9,374. This is in addition to the approximately $1,500 that was collected at the ballpark.

Unfortunately, the night wasn't as successful for the Rockies; they lost 7-2 to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The CSFCA wishes to express its sincere appreciation to everyone that contributed to making this event a success.

2008 Colorado Rockies Firefighter Appreciation Day

Firefighter Appreciation Day Pre-Game Ceremonies

Interim Committee on WUI Issues Holds Second Hearing

Fire Chiefs Present Issues and Recommendations

The second hearing of the Legislative Interim Committee on Wildfire Issues in Wildland-Urban Interface Areas, chaired by Sen. Dan Gibbs, was held on Wednesday, August 6, 2008.  This was an all day hearing, during which the Colorado State Fire Chiefs Association (CSFCA) was afforded the opportunity to present testimony on the fire service perspective.

Those testifying on behalf of the CSFCA were:

·         Paul L. Cooke, Executive Director, Colorado State Fire Chiefs’ Association

·         John Bliven, Battalion Chief, Elk Creek Fire Protection District

·         Jeff Berino, Deputy Chief, Lake Dillon Fire District

·         James Schanel, Battalion Chief, Colorado Springs Fire Department

·         Mike Morgan, Fire Chief, Rifle Fire Protection District

The CSFCA panel presented several issues to the Interim Committee and made recommendations concerning each of these issues.  Following are a summary of the recommendations.  A copy of the prepared testimony can be downloaded here.

1.      Who is in Charge - The CSFCA recommends statutory clarification regarding the fire protection responsibilities delegated to county sheriffs versus those held by local fire protection districts.

2.      Areas Without Fire Protection - The CSFCA recommends that organized fire and emergency services should exist state-wide, or at minimum, that no subdivision development be allowed unless organized fire protection is provided to the property.

3.      Fire Service Training - The CSFCA recommends the State provide funding for training of local fire departments in wildland firefighting and structural firefighting in WUI areas.  Funding for fire service training could come from the insurance premium tax collections.

4.      Declining Volunteers - The CSFCA recommends enacting legislation that would create statewide incentives for volunteer fire service to enhance the ability of local fire departments to recruit, train and retain qualified volunteer firefighters.  Incentives could include such things as a state income tax credit, reduced tuition at state colleges, universities and community colleges, and/or free vehicle registration and a grant programs for better personal protective clothing, firefighting apparatus and equipment.

5.      State-Level Fire Safety Responsibilities - The CSFCA recommends creation of a “State Fire Marshal’s Office” by consolidating all (or many) of the fire safety activities presently administered by Colorado’s fire-safety bureaucracy.

6.      WUI Code – The CSFCA made several recommendations with respect to WUI mitigation measures:

·         Provide some sort of incentives for counties to adopt a Wildland Urban Interface Code; for example build in credit in the EFF formula for counties that have adopted and enforce a WUI code; or

·         Grant the Colorado Division of Fire Safety the authority to adopt a Wildland Urban Interface Code as a minimum standard.  The authority to enforce the code and have more stringent requirements should be delegated to local jurisdictions.

·         Encourage the development of one Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) per county and any subordinate plans must be consistent with the county plan.

·         Require all state agencies that manage public lands to implement mitigation efforts on land under their control.

·         Seek additional federal funding for federal, state, local and private mitigation efforts.

7.      Excessive Indirect Cost Assessment by CSFS – The CSFCA recommends the reimbursement process for wildland fire assignments be transferred from the Colorado State Forest Service to the Division of Emergency Management.

8.      Specify what Constitutes a “Fire Department” - The CSFCA recommends that what constitutes a fire department be defined in statute.

9.      Liability for Equipment Transfer – The CSFCA recommends the Legislature enact statutes providing liability protection to a company or fire department that donates fire control or fire rescue equipment to a volunteer fire company for personal injuries or property damage caused by a defect in the equipment.

10.  Liability for Incident Management Teams - The CSFCA recommends the Legislature enact statutes that legitimize and provide official authority to the state’s All-Hazard Type 3 IMT’s.

11.  Wildland Fire Business Rules Committee - The CSFCA recommends establishing a committee to develop a standard template for estimating the full cost of providing equipment and personnel for resource assignment, examine and make recommendations concerning standard resource rates and other business practices surrounding AOP’s (such as minimum equipment, staffing, standardized delegation of authority, etc.).

12.  Funding for Engine Task Forces - The CSFCA recommends the State provide funding for training and equipping a minimum of five engine task forces [staffed and operated by local fire departments].

13.  NFIRS Participation – The CSFCA recommends the state provide incentives for the participation in NFIRS by local fire departments by providing funding for the purchase of hardware and software, continued funding to the Division of Fire Safety for training and administration of the program and requiring participation in NFIRS as a requirement for receiving any state grants.

Note:  Several of the recommendations made by the CSFCA to the Interim Committee could be addressed by one omnibus bill, instead of several individual pieces of legislation.

During this hearing, the Interim Committee also heard testimony from DFS Director Kevin Klein, whose testimony served to provide significant support to CSFCA’s call for funding of fire service training. 

The Interim Committee also heard from the County Sheriffs Association who, among other things, indicated the need for more funding for mitigation efforts and other incentives for implementing mitigation measures.

Additionally, FEMA testified on what is available in terms of pre and post-disaster funding, The Nature Conservancy and The Wilderness Society provided additional insight into on-going mitigation efforts, and Senator Wayne Allard’s office testified on Congressional efforts to address Colorado’s WUI issues.

At the conclusion of Wednesday’s hearing, the Interim Committee had a non-binding discussion on the issues that they may seek to address through legislation in the 2009 session.  It was encouraging to note that several of the recommendations made by the CSFCA are being considered by the Interim Committee members for potential legislation. 

However, the Committee asked that the CSFCA, county sheriffs, and Colorado Counties, Inc., get together with the Colorado State Forest Service and the Division of Fire Safety in an effort to reach consensus on some of the issues, specifically:

1.      Who is in Charge - Statutory Clarification of Local Government Roles & Responsibilities (sheriffs, fire protection districts, county commissioners)

2.      State Fire Marshal Issue

3.      Land Use Regulations, WUI Codes, and CWPP’s

A meeting has been set to begin these discussions.

The Interim Committee tentatively scheduled additional hearings for August 18^th (community meeting somewhere in the state) and August 19^th at which time they intend to vote on what legislation they will recommend for the 2009 session.

The website for the Interim Committee on Wildfire Issues in Wildland-Urban Interface Areas is here.

Ritter, Udall & Perlmutter Host Homeland Security Summit

CSFCA Testifies on Need to Focus on All-Hazards Response

On Monday, July 28^th Gov. Bill Ritter and Congressmen Mark Udall and Ed Perlmutter hosted a homeland security summit to address the effectiveness of how local, state and federal agencies communicate and interact.   The event, which was structured similar to a committee hearing, included testimony from witnesses followed by a public comment period.

The panel hearing testimony included Maj. Gen. Mason Whitney, Director, Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Garry Briese, DHS/FEMA Region 8 Administrator.  The hearing was attended by a number of local responders and other officials from across the state, state officials, and private sector partners.

After opening comments by Congressmen Udall and Perlmutter, Gov. Ritter spoke to his reorganization of the State’s efforts around homeland security.  This was done in response to the federal and state audits of 2005 which criticized the Colorado program for its spending priorities and lack of organizational structure, and a 2008 audit said the state had ineffective controls for managing grants.  

Gov. Ritter spoke about the development of a Governor’s Office of Homeland Security, headed by retired National Guard Maj. Gen. Mason Whitney.  He was followed by Gen. Whitney who went into greater detail about the reorganization and the process of developing a meaningful State Homeland Security Strategy.

Garry Briese said he was "very impressed" by the Ritter Administration’s response to the audits, which has led to a stronger cooperation between federal and state agencies.  Briese also commended the local, state and federal cooperation during the Windsor tornado, saying "that was as good as it gets."

Following the introductory comments, the panel took testimony from the following invited witnesses:

·         Grayson Robinson, Arapahoe County Sheriff, Chairman North Central All Hazards Region, also representing the County Sheriffs of Colorado

·         Scott Kellar, Homeland Security Coordinator, North Central Region

·         Dave Parmley, Fire Chief Lake Dillon Fire Protection District and Colorado State Fire Chiefs Association Vice-President

·         Dwight Henninger, Vail Police Chief, representing the Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police

·         Stephen Blois, Greeley Emergency Manager, and Past President of the Colorado Emergency Management Association

Sheriff Robinson cited the establishment of the All-Hazards Regions, the creation of the Office of Homeland Security and appointment of Gen. Whitney as its Director, the development of viable homeland security strategy, and the work to create communications interoperability as examples of a successful local, state and federal partnership. 

Chief Henninger added the formation of the three All-Hazard Type 3 Incident Management Teams, Colorado’s participation in the development of in-state and state-to-state mutual aid plans, and the creation of the Colorado’s Information Analysis Center as other examples of success.

The witnesses, however, spoke to areas where improvement was necessary, including:

·         The need to establish the legitimacy and official authority of the state’s all-hazards regions;

·         The need to stabilize the ever-changing strategies, tools and plans promulgated at both the state and federal level, which have made the planning and grant process extremely difficult for individuals that are not assigned full-time to homeland security duties; and

·         The need to provide additional support to the local entities that have taken on the role of fiscal agent for their respective regions. 

The Need to Focus on All-Hazards Response

CSFCA Vice-President Parmley spoke to the need to focus on all hazards preparedness and response.  He testified that fire and EMS providers are much better prepared for chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive (CBRNE) incidents, but that the emphasis on specialized equipment for CBRNE events steers important resources away from more fundamental areas of need.

Chief Parmley indicated that by strengthening basic fire and EMS capability, the result will be increased capacity for dealing with natural or man-made disasters and said Congress can play a constructive role by ensuring that the AFG and the SAFER Act programs are well funded and remain focused on the response to all hazards.

Chief Parmley also held up Colorado’s Emergency Resource Mobilization Program as a model for other states and suggested that ROSS should be deployed as the national all-risk system for the inventory, ordering, mobilizing, and status of resources.  

Don't Lose Sight of Real, Everyday Risks

Chief Parmley suggested that the state and federal government cannot lose sight of real, everyday risks.  He said that, “within the context of “all-hazards” preparedness, one of the greatest risks confronting Coloradoans is the threat of catastrophic wildfire.”  However, he said that the federal land management system is currently unable to accomplish critical management tasks on their own in a timely fashion, and bureaucratic obstacles confront private land owners in their wildfire mitigation efforts.

Chief Parmley also spoke to the declining numbers of volunteers and the need to provide incentives at the state and federal level, and the need for the state and federal government to adequately fund and support the National Fire Incident Reporting System.

Download Chief Parmley’s testimony here.  

Other Testimony

Following the testimony of invited witnesses, the panel opened the hearing to testimony from the audience.  Some of those that testified included:

Gary Severson, Executive Director of the Northwest Colorado Council of Governments, who testified that the 3 percent cap on Management and Administration on DHS grants makes them difficult to administer.  He also testified that while the nine regional planning organizations are coordinating homeland security within their areas throughout the state, there is little effort for the state to coordinate those regional groups.

Chris Olson, Chairman of READY Colorado, who spoke to the value of this program in terms of citizen preparedness, and the need to continue support for it.

Dave Dailey of Parker-South Metro Fire Authority, who spoke to the need to provide additional support to the National Emergency Training Center.

Chief Doug McBee of West Metro Fire Rescue and sponsor of Colorado Task Force 1 (USAR), who urged continue funding of the USAR program and spoke to the problems encountered when trying to have CO-TF1 as a deployed resource for the DNC.

Melinda Johnson of Denver MMRS, who spoke of the confusion between grants administered by DHS and those administered by HHS.  She spoke to the need to coordinate these two funding sources and make the requirements consistent.

Dr. Cochran, Medical Director of the Medical Reserve Corps of El Paso County spoke to the problem of organizing and training medical personnel who are private practitioners and not affiliated with a hospital.

At the conclusion of the hearing, Congressman Perlmutter thanked those that attended and participated.  Congressman Perlmutter, a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, said he will take the both the reports of progress and the concerns that were expressed back with him to Washington.

Related:

  Statement of CSFCA Vice-President David Parmley

  Colorado Homeland Security Makes Big Improvements

  Homeland Security Summit Explores Progress, Challenges

  Colorado Homeland Security System Held Up As Model

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2008

CONTACTS

Evan Dreyer, Gov. Ritter’s Office, 720.350.8370

Heather Fox, Rep. Udall’s Office, 303.650.7820

Leslie Oliver, Rep. Perlmutter’s Office, 303.810.6326

RITTER, UDALL & PERLMUTTER HOST SECURITY SUMMIT

Gov. Bill Ritter and Congressmen Mark Udall and Ed Perlmutter will host a homeland security summit this Monday to address the effectiveness of how local, state and federal agencies communicate and interact.

The summit will be structured similar to a legislative or congressional committee hearing, with presentations being made by Gov. Ritter; Colorado Homeland Security Director and retired National Guard Maj. Gen. Mason Whitney; Rep. Udall, who serves on the House Armed Services Committee; and Rep. Perlmutter, who serves on the House Committee on Homeland Security.

Presentations and testimony also will be made by officials from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Emergency Management Administration and state and local agencies.

Following the presentations, a comment and Q&A period will be open to the audience. First-responders from around Colorado have been invited to attend and participate.

NIOSH Safety Advisory

May 08, 2008

Revised Date: June 24, 2008

Improper Set-up of Aerial Ladders with a Locking Waterway May Put Fire Fighters at Risk

NIOSH recommends that all fire departments utilizing aerial ladder trucks with locking (pin-anchored, lever actuated, clamped) waterways immediately take the following actions to reduce the risk of fire fighters being struck by unsecured waterways or parts of the waterway:

Ensure that Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and/or Guidelines (SOGs) on setting up multi-position waterways include steps to properly position the waterway and to inspect and verify that the locking mechanism (anchoring pin(s), lever, clamps, etc.) are properly installed and functioning as designed before pressurizing the waterway.

Properly train and practice the correct method of securing waterways and verifying they are secured (per manufacturer’s recommendations).

NIOSH is currently investigating an April 8, 2008 fire fighter line-of-duty-death that illustrates that adhering to manufacturer recommended set-up procedures for aerial ladder operations is paramount to ensuring fire fighter safety.

Preliminary findings in this investigation suggest that some equipment designs do not provide secondary stops for the waterway on aerial adders.  Thus, failure to properly secure the waterway in the proper position can lead to catastrophic waterway failure and possible serious or fatal injury to fire fighters working in the area.  The pin-anchored waterway design involved in this particular investigation is not limited to a single model or apparatus manufacturer.  During this investigation, NIOSH became aware of at least 10 similar incidents that occurred in Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Texas, Virginia, California, Minnesota, Missouri and Ontario without serious injury.  Newer aerial ladder trucks may incorporate different types of anchoring mechanisms and/or a more fail-safe design but proper set up still needs to be verified before operation.

Circumstances of incident under investigation by NIOSH

On April 8, 2008, a volunteer Deputy Fire Chief (the Incident Commander), was killed when struck by a motorized water monitor and 30 feet of aluminum pipe that was “launched” off an elevated aerial ladder at a fire at an industrial manufacturing plant in Pennsylvania.  The truck was normally transported in the “rescue mode” with the monitor pinned to the second section of ladder so that the waterway would not be in the way if the ladder was set up for rescue operations.  At the incident scene, when the waterway was pressurized, the monitor and its support bracket, along with the last 30-foot section of pipe were “launched” off the aerial ladder by the force of the water pressure in the pipe.  The monitor flew approximately 75 feet and fell, striking the Incident Commander on the head, killing him instantly.  After the incident, the anchor pin was found on the ground, in front of the truck’s cab.  The waterway did not include any secondary mechanical stops to prevent the separation of the water monitor in the event the anchoring pin was not properly seated. The NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program is currently investigating this incident and a full report will be available at a later date.

NIOSH would like to bring this information to the attention of all U.S. fire departments and fire fighters who operate or work around aerial ladder trucks with locking (pin-anchored, lever actuated, clamped) waterways so that future occurrences of waterway monitor  “launches” or the unexpected movement of the waterway monitor can be prevented.  If secondary mechanical stops are present, the unexpected impact of the waterway monitor against the mechanical stop could cause structural damage to the aerial ladder and jeopardize the safety of any fire fighter standing on the aerial ladder.  While not a contributing factor in the fatal incident, NIOSH reminds fire departments to comply with relevant federal regulations and NFPA standards for fire apparatus inspections and certification. 

Photo 2 – Aerial ladder with monitor at

tip

The NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program is conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).  The purpose of the program is to investigate fire fighter line-of-duty-deaths and formulate recommendations for preventing future deaths and injuries.  The program does not seek to determine fault or place blame on fire departments or individual fire fighters but to learn from these tragic events and prevent future similar events.   For more information, visit the program website at www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire or call 1-800-CDC-INFO.

Posted 06-24-08

Fire/EMS Safety Week Underway

The Colorado State Fire Chiefs' Association joins the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the International Association of Firefighters, the National Fire Protection Association, and other partner organizations to encourage all organizations that provide fire, rescue, and emergency medical services to recognize Fire/EMS Safety, Health and Survival Week during the week of June 22-28, 2008.

Fire/EMS Safety, Health and Survival Week is an opportunity to reflect and act upon some of the more important health and safety issues confronting the nation’s emergency responders. All too often these concerns are overlooked in our effort to provide quality services, and address the day-to-day activities within our organizations.

Areas of Focus
 

This year’s theme emphasizes the need for organizational action that supports and encourages a culture that embraces safety. The areas of focus for 2008 are:

Fully implement NFPA 1500, especially sections addressing PPE:
• Provide compliant PPE.
• Train and enforce use of PPE, including respiratory protection.

Fully implement the Wellness-Fitness Initiative:
• Provide annual medical and physical evaluations.
• Provide equipment and time for exercise.
• Provide nutrition information.

Initiate an emergency vehicle policy, to include:
• Always buckle up.
• Always stop at red lights and stop signs.
• Always drive at speed limits and defensively.

Web Resources
 

CSFCA Resources: www.colofirechiefs.org/resources-ffsafety.htm

IAFC Resources: www.iafc.org/safetyWeek

NFPA Resources: www.fireservicetoday.org

Everyone Goes Home® - Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives

Posted 06-22-08

2008 MSEC / CSFCA Wage and Benefit Survey Available

Participation Increased 29% Over 2007

For the seventh year, Mountain States Employers Council (MSEC), Inc. was requested by the Colorado State Fire Chief’s to act as a third party data collector to conduct a salary and benefits survey for fire protection agencies throughout Colorado.  The survey has been compiled and published and is ready for distribution.

In addition to compensation data, this survey also collects data for benefits and personnel practices in fire departments for four employee categories – commissioned, non-commissioned, volunteers, and part-time.

This year we had 62 participating agencies.  This is a 29% increase over last year’s total of 48 participants.  The increased participation not only increases the value of the report to end users, but it also serves to bring down the cost to purchase copies.

Survey Statistics

Number of Benchmark Jobs Published:                           57

Number of Participating Organizations:                          62

Total Employment of Participating Organizations:            6,372

Total Number of Employees Reported in Survey:             4,275

The cost of the 2008 Wage and Benefits Survey are:

CSFCA Member, Survey Participant                     $225

CSFCA Member, Non-Participant                         $325*

Non-CSFCA Member                                         $425

Additional Copies                                             $  25

This year’s pricing (except for additional copies) reflects a $50.00 decrease over last year’s cost. 

*This rate also applies to survey participants that are not members of the Colorado State Fire Chiefs Association.

In addition, now that the 2008 Survey has been released, copies of the 2007 survey will be made available, while supplies last, for $100.00 ($25 if you already purchased the 2007 survey and this is an extra copy).

For copies of the MSEC/CSFCA Wage and Benefits Survey, please mail or fax the order form.  Copies are in the process of being shipped to survey participants who requested a copy in advance – you need not submit this form (unless ordering additional copies).

The CSFCA expresses its sincere appreciation to those departments that participated in the survey.

For a list of participating agencies click here.

Posted 04-25-08

In Memory of a Fallen Firefighter

A memorial wreath was placed on Highway 115 at the final resting place of Air Tanker CO-1, in memory of a fellow firefighter and pilot who gave his life on April 15, 2008, in the line of duty.  We would like to honor the memory of this firefighting hero for his actions to protect Fort Carson and El Paso County from wildfire. Please take a moment of silence to view this hallowed place and to say thank-you for his ultimate sacrifice.

With Respect & Honor,

EMS 1 & EMS 3

El Paso County

Note: The wreath was purchased and placed by Bill Mayfield, RN, FI1, HMS of Memorial Health System and his partner, Bob Ferris, EMT-P. Bill and Bob were part of the El Paso County SO HazMat crew that responded to the crash.

Posted: 04-17-08

Volunteer Firemen Devore and Schwartz Paid 'Ultimate Price'

By Tom McGhee, Denver Post

April 16, 2008

Cheryl Anselmo can still see Terry DeVore suiting up and describing the voracious brush fire sweeping toward Ordway moments before he left to battle the blaze.

Hours later, the Olney Springs town clerk was there when DeVore's mother, Deborah, received a text message from her husband telling her to meet him at their son's home.

"We had heard about an emergency vehicle that had fallen off in the bridge collapse, probably right after he left here. I just knew. I put my head down and started praying," Anselmo said today.

Deborah DeVore said she went to Terry's home and waited with his wife, Jennifer.

"We were in the kitchen, and my oldest son came in," she said. "And then my husband came in, and he said, 'We lost him.' "

DeVore, 30, and John Schwartz Jr., 38, both died when the emergency vehicle they were riding in fell from a collapsing bridge. The two corrections officers at the Arkansas Valley Correctional Facility were members of the Olney Springs Volunteer Fire Department.

"Not only did these two fine men serve the public by upholding safety and security in their daily jobs, but they further served their communities by volunteering. That they paid the ultimate price is a tragedy. The DOC family extends our heartfelt condolences to the DeVore and Schwartz families," said Ari Zavaras, Department of Corrections executive director, in a statement.

DeVore and his wife are the parents of four children, from 4 to 9 years old. He had served with the fire department for 10 years and recently was elected fire chief.

DeVore "was very proud of being the fire chief. He loved the town, and he wanted to make improvements for fire safety," Anselmo said.

DeVore's mother is the mayor of Olney Springs, a rural hamlet with a population of about 300. His father, Bruce, also is a volunteer firefighter and rode in another vehicle to battle the inferno that forced the evacuation of nearby Ordway.

Bruce DeVore and two other firefighters were following close behind the truck driven by Terry DeVore when the accident happened.

"The smoke was so thick and black they couldn't even see the highway," said Deborah DeVore.

Suddenly, DeVore's tailights vanished, and Bruce DeVore stopped.

A fireball shot into the sky from the ravine below where the vehicle had landed, Deborah DeVore said.

Bruce and his crew fought the blaze. "He is hanging in there," Deborah DeVore said of her husband.

Deborah DeVore remembers that as a child, her son wanted to be a firefighter or a police officer. "He was never afraid of anything; there was no sense of fear. He loved helping people. He was always making jokes, pulling pranks on people. He just loved life.

DeVore's wife, Jennifer, also is a guard at the correctional facility.

Terry DeVore arrived Tuesday at the town municipal building, where the fire department is located, shortly after the fire began.

Anselmo and Deborah DeVore were sitting in the clerk's office, when he came in pulling on his gear. "He was ready to do his job," Anselmo said.

His death still hasn't sunk in, she added. "I just like him. He has a sense of humor, he is fun to be around."

Montana Pilot Marais 'Loved To Fly'

By Kieran Nicholson and Joey Bunch, Denver Post

April 16, 2008

Esme Marais tried to find comfort in her own words as she planned for a funeral in her husband's adopted hometown of Fort Benton, Mont., today.

"He loved to fly. It's all he ever wanted to do, and he loved the dangerous stuff — crop-dusting, fighting fires," she said of Gert Marais, the contract slurry pilot who died Tuesday fighting a massive brush fire when his single-engine airtanker crashed near Fort Carson.

Marais, 42, a native of South Africa, had lived all over the world before settling in Montana in 2001, his wife said.

He had moved to Colorado last fall to work at Aero Seat in Sterling, which contracts firefighting aid to government agencies.

Esme and the couple's four children planned to move to Sterling when school was out for the summer, she said. Instead, she will make the trip alone to retrieve her husband's things after the funeral, she said.

"He was a big family man," his wife said through tears.

The two were married 10 years ago this month. He was already caring for three of his own children, ages 19, 17 and 12, and, together, he and Esme had a 5-year-old.

His wife said he always dreamed of flying, making all manner of paper airplanes as a child.

His parents and a sister also settled in Fort Benton, a close-knit community of 1,600 northeast of Great Falls.

He was known as Jerry to his friends, and he was a talented aircraft mechanic.

"I found him to be very detailed. I would call him a perfectionist," said Bob Anderson, a Marais family friend and superintendent of Fort Benton Public Schools.

Marais had lived in Europe, the Middle East, Florida and Utah before landing in Montana, Anderson said.

He was an avid bow hunter and a wonderful person to be around, his friend said.

"He is fun to sit and listen to," Anderson said. "He had all this background on things that are happening" around the world.

Marais and his extended family embraced the Fort Benton community, and news of his death has shaken local residents.

"People are just shaking their heads and are kind of down," Anderson said. "How horrible it is for the family. A lot of people care about the Maraises."

Esme Marais said of Montana, "This is our home in America."

Three Firefighting Personnel Killed While Protecting the Citizen’s of Colorado

Centennial - It is with a heavy heart that I am writing to you to inform you of the line-of-duty death of three firefighting personnel while serving and protecting the citizen’s of Colorado.

Fire Chief Terry DeVore and firefighter John Schwartz, Jr. of the Olney Springs Volunteer Fire Department were killed late yesterday afternoon while fighting the Ordway wildland fire.  Chief DeVore and firefighter Schwartz were killed in their fire apparatus while trying to cross a bridge over a drainage ditch about a mile west of Ordway.  Due to heavy smoke conditions they were apparently unaware that the fire had already damaged or collapsed the bridge.

Gert Marais, 42, of Fort Benton, Montana, was killed when the Single Engine Air Tanker (SEAT) he was piloting crashed while fighting the wildland fire at Fort Carson.  Pilot Marais crashed about 6:20 yesterday evening along Colorado 115 at mile marker 34 near Fort Carson.  Marais worked for Aero Applicators, a Sterling company that contracts aerial firefighting service.

Both Chief DeVore, 30, and firefighter Schwartz, 38, were volunteers with Olney Springs and worked full-time as correctional officers for the Colorado Department of Corrections at the Arkansas Valley Correctional Facility.

Chief DeVore is survived by his wife Jennifer and four children, ages 10 to 4.  Chief DeVore’s father, Bruce, is also a volunteer firefighter with Olney Springs and was also involved in fighting the Ordway fire.  Firefighter Schwartz is the father of four boys, ages 4 to 16.

The Local Assistance State Team (LAST) has been dispatched to Ordway to assist the local fire department.  A separate team was made available to Aero Applicators.

On behalf of Chief Douglas Forsman, President of the Colorado State Fire Chiefs’ Association, we wish to offer our deepest condolences to the families of Fire Chief Terry DeVore and firefighter John Schwartz, Jr., the members of the Olney Springs Volunteer Fire Department, and the Colorado Department of Corrections.  Our deepest condolences are also extended to the family of pilot Gert Marais and the employees of Aero Applicators.

Paul L. Cooke, Executive Director

Colorado State Fire Chief's Association

Posted: 04-16-08 / Corrected: 04-18-08

Division of Fire Safety Announces Availability of Hazardous Materials Training Funds

April 10, 2008 – The Colorado Division of Fire Safety announced today receipt of hazardous materials training funds from the Hazardous Materials Emergency Planning (HMEP) grant program administered by the Division of Emergency Management.

These funds are specifically designated for Hazardous Materials classes.

To be considered for grant funding, please complete a "Course Sponsor Coordination Plan" and return it to the Division as soon as possible.

Funding will be available through September 30, 2008, or until the grant dollars have been depleted.

If you have additional questions please contact the Division of Fire Safety at 720-852-6735.

  Course Sponsor Coordination Plan

The Colorado Fallen Firefighters Foundation will be sponsoring, on May 10, 2008, a Procession of Fire Apparatus and a Memorial Service in celebration of the lives of all Firefighters who have made the ultimate sacrifice protecting the lives and property of the people in our communities here in Colorado.  We would be honored to have you bring a fire apparatus and join in on the procession and attend the Memorial Service. 

Fire apparatus will gather and stage in a parking lot south of Alameda on Garrison Street in Lakewood on the morning of May 10^th, starting at 9:30 a.m.  There will be staging coordinators on hand to direct your crew.  The processon will begin at 10:30 a.m. and will head north on Garrison Street to Alameda;  east on Alameda to Allison Parkway;  then, south on Allison Parkway to the end near Belmar Library. 

Parking will be available for attendees not riding on apparatus, in the parking lot just north of the round-about at Allison Parkway and Virginia Avenue, adjacent to the Memorial site.  Honor Guard members riding to the event in apparatus, should be left off at the Memorial site. 

A Memorial Service will follow the parade and will begin at 11:00 a.m.  Lunch will be provided at the conclusion of the Memorial for a time of fellowship and support to our families of fallen firefighters.  Dress code for this occasion is your department uniform. 

To confirm your participation, we ask that you contact our Memorial Committee Chair with the following information:

1.      Number of apparatus you wish to bring. 

2.      Number of people you wish to bring. 

3.      Will any Honor Guard members from your department be attending?

4.      Who can we list as the contact person for your department?  Their name, telephone number, email address. 

Please confirm your participation to us no later than May 3^rd to allow us time to prepare this event. 

Thank you and we look forward to seeing you at the Memorial. 

John Bliven, Memorial Committee Chair can be contacted by telephone at: 720-272-5055 (cell) or by Email: dbliven@ecentral.com.

Posted 03-23-08                                                                          Download Flyer

Bill to Provide Health Insurance to Volunteers Passes Senate Committee

March 20, 2008 – House Bill 1334, Concerning Health Insurance for Emergency Services Volunteers was heard by Senate Local Government Committee today and took another step towards becoming law.  The bill was amended in committee to include not-for-profit, nongovernmental entities providing fire protection or EMS within the scope of the legislation.  It was then passed on a unanimous vote to the full Senate for 2^nd reading with the recommendation that it be placed on the “consent calendar.”  This means that the committee believes it a non-controversial bill so no floor debate is needed.

HB-1334, by State Rep. Rob Witwer and State Sen. Mike Kopp, would allow local governments to provide group health care coverage to emergency services volunteers and the authority to participate in a health insurance pool for such volunteers.

Testifying in committee on behalf of the bill was Bret Gibson, Fire Chief of the Four Mile Fire Department (Boulder County), and Larkspur Fire Chief Jamey Bumgarner.  They were joined by CSFCA Executive Director Paul Cooke, Howard Paul of the EMS Association of Colorado and the Colorado SAR Board, and John Singer of the Colorado State Fire Fighters Association.  Additional compelling testimony on the need for the bill came from Jerome Stiller of Alpine Rescue Team, Evergreen and Dan O'Sullivan, formerly of Larimer County SAR Team.

In presenting his bill, Sen. Kopp told the members of Senate Local Government Committee that “it addresses two important issues, the need to provide tools to recruit and retain volunteer firefighters and the need for affordable health care.”  Kopp said that “this is something we (the legislature) should have done long ago.”

The idea for the bill was brought forward by the Colorado State Fire Chiefs’ Association (CSFCA) in response to the suggestion made by Director Gary Whitfield of the Telluride Fire District at the CSFCA’s Volunteer Chief Officer’s Section meeting held in Breckenridge last November.  The suggestion, as a means to address a real need, as well as to impact the problem of volunteer recruitment and retention, won unanimous support from the Volunteer Chiefs Section and then the CSFCA Board of Directors.

Rep. Witwer, who clearly recognizes the significant contribution made by the volunteer fire service in the protection of the citizens and visitors to Colorado, was quick to act.  His response to the suggestion of proposed legislation was, “if it will help the volunteer fire service, let’s get it done.”

According to CSFCA Executive Director Paul Cooke, “across the state and nation the number of volunteer firefighters has been declining for years.”  Cooke added that “while local governments have recognized the decreasing numbers of volunteers, they have been hard pressed to identify specific measures to control the decline and recruit new volunteers.”  “This bill will provide one more tool in the tool chest to help address this issue,” Cooke said.

According to the CSFCA, 62% of the fire departments in the state are all-volunteer.  An additional 27% of the fire departments are combination career and volunteer, relying on volunteer firefighters to supplement the paid staff.  There are an estimated 9,450 active volunteer firefighters in the state (about 63% of all firefighters).

Representative Witwer Honored by Fire Chiefs Association

Centennial – At their quarterly meeting held on Friday, March 14, 2008, the Colorado State Fire Chiefs’ Association (CSFCA) honored Representative Rob Witwer (R-Genesee) for his contributions to fire and life safety during the 2007 legislative session.

Douglas Forsman, Chief of the Union Colony Fire Rescue Authority (Greeley) and CSFCA President called the recognition “long overdue.”  Rep. Witwer was to be recognized at the Association’s Annual Meeting in Breckenridge last November, but inclement weather kept him away from the event.

Specifically, Rep. Witwer was honored as the Colorado House of Representatives sponsor of the following legislation during the 2007:

·         House Bill 07-1031, which allows municipal fire departments and fire protection districts to establish a Length of Service Award Program as one means of enhancing the incentives for volunteers to continue in service.

·         Senate Bill 07-007, which expands the types of payments that firefighters may receive for their services and still be considered volunteers for purposes of pension eligibility under the Volunteer Firefighter Pension Act.

·         House Bill 07-1153, had it passed, would have allowed a qualified volunteer firefighter to apply for a tax rebate in the amount of $125 per year for two consecutive years.

Across the nation and in Colorado, the number of volunteer firefighters has been declining for more than a decade. While state and local governments have recognized the decreasing numbers of volunteers, they have been hard pressed to identify specific measures to control the decline and recruit new volunteers.

According to CSFCA President Forsman “Representative Witwer clearly recognizes the significant contribution made by the volunteer fire service in the protection of the citizens and visitors to Colorado.”   He added that “during the 2007 session, Representative Witwer led the legislative effort to provide fire districts and municipalities with additional tools they need to recruit, recognize, and retain volunteers.”

In his speech that preceded the award presentation, Rep. Witwer told the assembled fire chiefs that the role fulfilled by volunteer firefighters really “hit home” three years ago when a family member had a medical emergency in his home.  He said “the first person to arrive on scene to render aid was my neighbor, who is a volunteer firefighter with the Genesee Fire District.” 

According to Rep. Witwer, “many of my fellow legislators don’t realize that the bulk of the Colorado fire service is comprised of volunteer firefighters”.  He cited that sixty-two percent of the fire departments in the state are all-volunteer and that volunteers supplement a small cadre of career firefighters in many more departments.

Rep. Witwer says he is trying to educate his colleagues on what he refers to as the “invisible line item in the budget – the service provided the state by volunteer firefighters.”  Using California as an example, Representative Witwer said that “if the state had to take over the service currently provided by volunteer firefighters, it would cost hundreds of millions of dollars.”  He concluded by adding “for this reason alone, we must find ways to take care of this invaluable resource.

Before reading the Resolution adopted by the CSFCA Board of Directors to recognize and commend Representative Witwer, CSFCA Executive Paul Cooke said that the recognition “doesn’t even take in account that his efforts to recognize volunteer firefighters and to address the looming threat of a catastrophic wildland fire have continued into this year”

According to Cooke, “in the current legislative session, Representative Witwer is carrying legislation to provide additional benefits to volunteer firefighters, make training available to fire district board members, and to provide tax credits to property owners in wildland urban interface areas for expenses related to wildfire mitigation.”

Specifically, Rep. Witwer is the House sponsor of the following legislation in the 2008 session:

·         House Bill 08-1110, seeks to establish a state income tax deduction for 50 percent of a landowner's direct costs in performing wildfire mitigation measures on their property, up to a specified maximum.

·         House Bill 08-1324, would have provided an income tax credit to qualified volunteer firefighters in the amount of $125 per year.  This bill was killed by the House Finance Committee.

·         House Bill 08-1334, seeks to grant authority to municipalities and districts to provide group health care coverage to emergency services volunteers.

·         House Bill 08-1360, seeks to clarify that a fire arson investigator authorized by a unit of local government is a peace officer while engaged in the performance of his or her duties.

·         Senate Bill 08-039, sponsored by Senator Mike Kopp (R-Littleton), seeks to make certain training available to board members of fire protection districts whose territory includes wildland-urban interface areas.

In addition, Rep. Witwer co-sponsored Senate 08-116, which seeks to protect the jobs of employees who leave work to respond to specified emergencies as volunteer firefighters.  This bill, sponsored by Senator Ken Kester (R-Las Animas and Representative Marsha Looper (R-Calhan) has passed both houses of the legislature.

Cooke said that “the fire service will be loosing a very good friend when Rep. Witwer leaves the legislature at the end of this term.”

Note:  A copy of the Resolution presented to Rep. Witwer can be viewed here.

Governor’s Office Issues New Flag Policy

March 6, 2008 – Gov. Ritter’s Office today announced a revision to the Governor’s Flag Policy.  This revision was done to clear up any confusion that existed concerning the governor’s policy on lowering of the U.S. and State of Colorado flags for the line-of-duty death of a firefighter or law enforcement officer.  The relevant section of the revised policy reads:

“The Governor may order the Colorado flag lowered when deemed appropriate in response to a specific incident, such as a statewide or national tragedy or when a law enforcement officer or firefighter dies in the line of duty. The Governor also may delegate authority to local officials to lower flags within their jurisdiction. The policy of Governor Bill Ritter, Jr. is to order the United States and Colorado flags lowered on the day of the law enforcement officer or firefighter’s funeral, and for the flags to remain lowered for the duration of the day.”

In distributing the revised policy, Evan Dreyer, Gov. Ritter's Communications Director, apologized for the recent situation and expressed his sympathies to the entire firefighting community on the loss of Captain Shane Stewart.  He added “I hope we never actually have to lower the flags in the future.”

The Governor’s Revised Flag Policy may be downloaded from the CSFCA website here.

In addition to the revised policy, the Governor’s Office has added a link on the Governor’s website so anyone can check on what the current flag status is.  This page can be accessed by going to the Governor’s website at: www.colorado.gov/governor and clicking on the on the “Flag Notifications” icon on the right side.  Note: A direct link has also been added to the CSFCA website.

Governor Ritter Appoints Firefighter Training and Certification Advisory Board

March 4, 2008 – Gov. Bill Ritter today appointed the Fire Service Training and Certification Advisory Board.  The purpose of the board is to advise the Director on the administration of the voluntary fire service education and training program within the Colorado Division of Fire Safety and the voluntary firefighter and first responder certification programs.

The advisory board consists of nine members, seven of whom are appointed by the governor.

Appointed for terms expiring July 1, 2011 were:

·         Cristopher A. Cross of the Fort Lupton Fire Department to represent the Colorado State Fire Fighters Association;

·         Robert E. Leigh of the Aurora Fire Department to represent the Colorado State Fire Chiefs Association;

·         Richard E. Lewis of the Parker Fire District to represent the Colorado Fire Training Officers Association;

·         Joseph “Jay” Ruoff of the Littleton Fire Department to represent the Colorado Professional Fire Fighters Association;

·         Mark Campagnola of the Sable Altura Fire Protection District to serve as a fire chief/training officer from a volunteer fire department;

·         Patrick J. Laurienti of North Washington Fire Protection District to serve as a fire chief/training officer from a career fire department; and

·         Thomas Farber of T. Charles Wilson Insurance Services to serve as a representative from the property and casualty insurance industry.

The remaining two nonvoting members are the President of the Colorado Community College and Occupational Education System and the Director of the Emergency Medical Services and Prevention Division of the Department of Public Health And Environment, or their respective designees.

A copy of the Governor’s Executive Order appointing the Fire Service Training and Certification Advisory Board may be downloaded from the CSFCA website here.

Department of Homeland Security Announces Application Period for FY 2008 Assistance to Firefighters Grants

March 3, 2008 – The Department of Homeland Security's Grant Programs Directorate will begin accepting applications for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) beginning March 3, 2008, at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EST) with the deadline for receipt of the applications no later than April 4, 2008, at 5:00 p.m. EDT. The AFG, which will be distributed in phases throughout FY 2008, will ultimately award approximately $500 million.

Interested applicants can access the FY 2008 AFG application through the AFG Web site (http://www.firegrantsupport.com), the U.S. Fire Administration's (USFA) Web site (http://www.usfa.fema.gov) and the Grants.gov Web site (http://www.grants.gov). The Web site contains important information about the AFG including the FY 2008 funding priorities and program guidance, a Web-based tutorial on the application process, a listing of frequently asked questions and other materials. Fire departments that have questions regarding this grant opportunity should contact the Help Desk at 1-866-274-0960 or email to firegrants@dhs.gov. During the application period, Help Desk hours will be from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and on Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EDT. Additional Help Desk hours may be added if demand is high.

Eligible applicants for the FY 2008 AFG are limited to fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical service (EMS) organizations operating within the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, American Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Interested applicants may submit two separate applications for consideration under each of the following two program areas:

Operations and Safety Program Area: Eligible activities for fire departments and nonaffiliated EMS organizations are limited to training, equipment, personal protective equipment, wellness and fitness, and modifications to facilities.

Vehicle Acquisition Program Area: Eligible apparatus available to fire departments under this program area include, but are not limited to, pumpers, brush trucks, tankers/tenders, rescue vehicles, ambulances, quints, aerials, foam units, and fireboats.

The FY 2008 AFG will also allow eligible applicants to submit an additional application for a regional project through which multiple organizations, serving more than one local jurisdiction, may benefit directly from the activities implemented with the grant funds.

Posted 03-03-08

USFA Releases Fire-Related Firefighter Injuries Report

February 29, 2008 – Twice as many firefighters are injured each year performing fireground duties as there are fire injuries to the civilian population, according to a new report issued today by the Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Fire Administration (USFA). In 2004, there were an estimated 36,880 firefighter fireground injuries. The new report, Fire-Related Firefighter Injuries in 2004, was developed by the National Fire Data Center, part of the U.S. Fire Administration, and is based primarily on analyses of the 2004 National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) Version 5.0 data.

“Everyday firefighters face great risks of bodily injury and possibly even death,” said National Fire Data Center Director Alex Furr.  “Firefighting, by its very nature, is an extremely dangerous job, and therefore it is important that we take steps to educate the fire service on improving firefighter health and safety and focus on injury prevention.”

The report presents the details of firefighter injuries sustained at or responding to a fire incident.  These injuries may be the result of operations at the fire scene or responding to or returning from an incident.  Additionally, this report examines firefighter injury rates and fire-related injury characteristics.  Eighty-nine percent of firefighter injuries reported to NFIRS in 2004 were associated with structure fires.  Of these injuries, 76 percent occurred on residential properties.  Injuries to the upper and lower extremities accounted for 30 percent of all reported fire-related firefighter injuries.  An additional 20 percent of injuries were to the head, neck, and shoulder areas.  For the nature of the injury, 34 percent were related to sprains, strains, cuts, and wounds.  Burns accounted for an additional 11 percent of the reported injuries.

To download the report, go here.

Firefighters Honor One of Their Own

GREELEY — Volunteer Fire Capt. Shane Stewart was remembered in Greeley on Thursday as a fellow with an impish grin, a mischievous streak and a kind-hearted father of two who went out of his way to help others.                                                              

Posted: 02-29-08

Tax Deduction for Wildland Fire Mitigation Passes Senate Finance Committee

House Bill 08-1110, Concerning an Income Tax Deduction For a Landowner's Direct Costs Incurred in Performing Wildfire Mitigation Measures (Rep. Witwer, Sen. Kopp) was heard by Senate Finance Committee today (February 28, 2008).  HB-1110 would offer a state income tax deduction of 50 percent of a homeowner’s costs in performing up to $2,500 of wildfire mitigation or a tax deduction totaling the property owner’s federal taxable income, whichever is less.  The wildland mitigation measures must be performed on private land in a wildland-urban interface area with a community wildfire protection plan.

In presenting the bill, Senator Kopp quoted Representative Witwer’s characterization of the looming threat of a catastrophic wildfire as “Colorado’s version of Hurricane Katrina.”  Sen. Kopp told the committee the purpose of the bill is to reduce the threat by providing property owners additional incentive to implement mitigation measures.  He added that one person creating defensible space around their home is not enough, that we need to provide incentives for large scale, community wide mitigation efforts.

Chief Chris Riley of the Pueblo Fire Department testified on behalf of the CSFCA on the bill.  Chief Riley focused on the operational aspects of the fire problem in WUI areas, advising the committee that mitigation efforts are not only property conservation measures, but they are firefighter safety issues.  Chief Riley testified that anything the state could do to provide incentives to homeowners to implement mitigation measures on their property would help to address this critical need.

Bill Easterling, Fire Marshal/Administrator of Genesee Fire & Rescue testified on the economic impact of wildfires as well as the affect they have on the front range water supply.  Rocco Snart, FMO for the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office testified on the value of mitigation efforts and the importance of encouraging property owners to become part of the solution to the growing WUI problem.  CCI also testified in support of the bill.

HB-1110 was passed to Senate Appropriations Committee on a vote of 4-1, with 2 members excused.  Voting for the bill were Senators Romer, Brophy, Harvey, and Kopp.  Voting against was Senator Veiga.  Senators Isgar and Sandoval were excused.

Posted 02-28-08

Captain Shane Stewart Funeral Services

The funeral arrangements for Ault-Pierce Fire Protection District Captain Shane Stewart who died in the line of duty on Saturday morning have been finalized. The service will be held on Thursday, February 28, 2008 at 10AM in the Union Colony Civic Center at 7th Street and 10th Avenue in downtown Greeley.   Map

Captain Stewart will be given full fire service honors in recognition of his service and sacrifice. Please join us in providing a support to this family which includes both Shane’s father and brother who are also members of the Ault-Pierce FPD, and to this Fire Department.

The funeral will take place in a large auditorium and will be followed by a procession to the Cemetery in Eaton, Colorado for internment services.

Following the services at the cemetery, there will be a reception and meal for all at the Ault Fire Station on Colorado Highway 14 one mile east of US Highway 85. The weather forecast for Thursday is for pleasant temperatures (high 40’s/low 50’s).

Uniforms are encouraged for all fire, law enforcement and EMS attendees. Parking for fire apparatus and CDOT vehicles will be in designated streets adjacent to the Civic Center. Parking will be available at 8:30AM and uniformed personnel will be able to direct you to an appropriate location. Also, if you need to change into a uniform, a location will be provided for that.

Reply Requested

In order to provide some estimate of the number of attendees and fire apparatus, please take a few minutes to let us know what vehicle(s) you are bringing and an estimate of how many personnel will be attending. Please do so by sending a note to funeral@greeleygov.com and include any questions that you may have. We will respond to your questions as soon as possible.

You may also contact Ms. Susan Frame at 970-350-9500 during normal business hours. However, for obvious reasons, we would prefer to have your information by E Mail. On behalf of the family, the Ault-Pierce Fire Protection District and Weld County Fire Chiefs’ Association, your support is very much appreciated.
 

Memorial Fund Contact and Address:  Farmers Bank, 119 1^st Street, Ault, CO 80610 970 834-2121

Posted 02-25-08

Ault-Pierce Firefighter Killed Responding to Emergency Medical Call

February 23, 2008 – Today Ault-Pierce Fire Protection District suffered a great loss of one of their own.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends and members of the Ault-Pierce Fire Department.

The following information is provided by the Ault-Pierce Fire Protection District:

This morning at 6:15am, Ault-Pierce Fire Department responded to an emergency medical call in the town of Ault.  Engine 3, which is stationed at the Pierce Station, responded to this emergency.  

While enroute to the town of Ault, Engine 3 was involved in an accident in which the apparatus rolled.  The driver of the engine was Captain Shane Stewart. He was the only individual in that engine.  

Members from the Eaton Fire Protection District responded to the roll over of the apparatus at Weld County Road 33 and 88 at 6:36am with members of the Ault-Pierce Fire Department.
 

Captain Stewart has been a volunteer member of the Ault-Pierce Fire Department since August of 2004.  He was currently employed with Colorado Department of Transportation.  Captain Stewart was 33 years old, has a wife and 2 young children.

Captain Stewart was very aggressive in seeking training opportunities and further advancement in the fire service.  

Ault-Pierce Fire Department consists of 21 members, including Captain Stewart’s brother and father.  The Stewart family has been very dedicated to the fire service and he will be greatly missed.

More information will be forthcoming as it is available.

Local Contact:

Eaton Fire Protection District

Captain Roger Moore

970-381-6762 cell

Station 970-454-2115

Health Department Requests Comment on Proposed Rule Changes for Assisted Living Facilities

Recently the Health Facilities and Emergency Medical Services Division of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) distributed proposed amendments to the rules for Chapter VII, Assisted Living Residences, for review and comment.

These rules formalize many of the interpretive guidelines and are intended to standardize first aid training, encourage better communication between facilities and their emergency first responders, and provide more immediate and appropriate care for residents in emergency and non-emergency situations.

The proposed amendments to the rules for Chapter VII, Assisted Living Residences may be downloaded here.

The proposed new language is in BOLD CAPITAL letters and includes the following changes:

1.      Adds language under personnel qualifications that there be one staff member certified in first aid on site at all times.

2.      Adds language that the facility establish a procedure addressing when and how to provide staff lift assistance of residents who have fallen, and have that policy available for the local emergency medical responder.

3.      Adds language that the facility inform each resident at the time of admission and at least annually thereafter of the resident’s right to either receive or refuse CPR.

4.      Requires documentation and disclosure to residents of the above policies and procedures.

5.      Makes technical corrections to Life Safety Code references to reflect current practice.

The Health Facilities and Emergency Medical Services Division requests that comments be submitted by facsimile or mail using the form attached to the proposed rules as the cover page along with additional pages, as needed.  If faxing, send to 303-753-6214.  If mailing, send to HFEMSD-A2, 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver, CO  80246-1530, Attention Laurie Schoder. Please ensure that you comments reach the Division by Friday, March 7, 2008.

The proposed rules will be presented to the Board of Health on April 16, 2008.  All Board of Health meetings are open to the public.  Individuals can participate in the rule-making process by providing written comments to the Board prior to the rule-making hearing or by presenting oral comments at the rule-making hearing. 

If you have questions about the proposed rules, please call Laurie Schoder at 303-692-2800.

Posted 02-22-08 

Governor’s Report Finds Switch to Tort Auto Insurance System Injured Providers and Consumers

Cuts in Payments to Providers and Increased Consumer Health Insurance Premiums Quantified In Report

DENVER—A report released today by Governor Ritter’s Office of Policy and Initiatives verifies what trauma care providers have been saying for four years: the sudden switch from a no-fault auto insurance system to a tort system left Colorado’s trauma care providers with millions of dollars in unpaid costs after providing medical transports and treatments.  These costs are shifted onto health insurers and consumers through higher charges for other services and increased co-pays or deductibles.

The Governor’s office contracted with BBC Research and Consulting, an independent research firm, to study the effects of Colorado’s change from a no-fault auto insurance system to a tort system in July 2003.  The scope of work for the study was developed through a collaborative process with the Trauma Care Preservation Coalition (TCPC) and representatives of the auto insurance industry.

BBC’s key findings are as follows:

Ø       Hospitals are losing tens of millions of dollars every year for treating motor vehicle accident patients.  In 2002, hospitals were reimbursed for 60 percent of the care they provided to motor vehicle accident patients.  But by 2006, after the switch to tort, that percentage had plummeted to only 36 percent: “Non-reimbursed charges related to inpatient care for auto injuries totaled about $90 million in 2002 and about $175 million in 2006” (page 12).  While hospitals did see a drop in the reimbursement rate for other types of care, the change for motor vehicle accidents was notably more extreme (an 8 percent drop for all care compared to a 24 percent drop for motor vehicle accident patients).

Ø       Ambulance companies and fire departments have suffered similar declines in reimbursement. For Colorado’s first responders, 18 percent of patient transports from motor vehicle accidents went uncompensated in 2002.  By 2006, that number had more than doubled, rising to 37 percent (page 12).

Ø       Many factors have led to reductions in auto insurance premiums in the last few years, with the switch from no-fault to tort only one factor. The report cites a 35% decrease in auto insurance rates, based on auto insurance reports to the state. But the report also indicates that auto insurance rates after the switch decreased as a result of many factors, including a significant drop in auto insurance coverage since no-fault and  a statewide decrease in the number of accidents that result in injuries or fatalities.  Additionally, the report shows actual expenditures by consumers for their auto insurance policies does not reflect the same decreases.
 

Ø       Health insurance premium increases have negated any auto insurance savings for consumers.  Savings that consumers may have experienced in their auto insurance policies have been negated by the increases seen in health insurance premiums as a result of the switch to a tort system.  BBC’s report finds that health insurers in Colorado predicted a 1.6% premium hike in 2003 that was attributable to the change from no-fault to tort (page 9).  This could amount to hundreds of dollars in additional health insurance costs for the average Colorado family.

Ø       Insurance coverage for medical payments would benefit consumers.  If the General Assembly were to mandate that all Coloradans carry medical payments coverage (“med pay”) on their auto insurance policies, it would help consumers cover out-of-pocket medical expenses such as co-pays and deductibles (page 16).  Contrary to the arguments of the auto insurers, very few Coloradans have the extremely high level of health care coverage that would make a mandatory med pay truly duplicative of health insurance.

By substantiating a small portion of the economic losses that Colorado’s trauma system has incurred since the switch from no-fault auto insurance to a tort system, the report demonstrates the unintended consequences. 

It is important to note the report significantly underestimates the financial impacts on Colorado’s trauma system. It does not quantify the impacts of unreimbursed care on physicians who treat auto accident patients; nor does the report address the majority of auto accident patients who are treated in the emergency departments and discharged the same day.  Researchers were only able to report data that relates to the small percent of patients admitted to hospitals.

Additionally, the report makes the case for all drivers to carry medical payments coverage on their auto policies.  (The Trauma Care Preservation Coalition is advocating this private sector solution for a small, reasonable med-pay; state funding solutions are not feasible under current budget and taxing constraints.) This solution would ensure that their health care would be fully covered if they were at fault in a car accident.  Currently, bodily injury coverage is required in Colorado, but it only covers the people who are injured by the at-fault driver. Without med pay, the at-fault driver has no bodily injury coverage for him/herself or any relatives in that car. 

“Many people don’t realize that their auto insurance no longer covers medical expenses unless they specifically elect (and pay for) an optional med-pay coverage,” said Dave Bressler, Director of Weld County Paramedic services. “We feel a deep responsibility and sense of service to help save the lives of every accident victim in our county. Like other EMS agencies across the state, we’re caught between a rock and a hard place – we’re doing everything in our means to save lives, but our resources are being bled away.  More and more Coloradans don’t have health insurance, and their medical bills aren’t covered by their auto insurance anymore.  As a result, in more and more cases we’re not paid for our services, and we’re left with no means to recoup those costs.  Our patients face bills they cannot pay.”

Steven Summer, President and CEO of the Colorado Hospital Association, commended BBC for their efforts and stated, “After years of educating policymakers about this issue and advocating for a mandatory med pay solution, we are thrilled that an objective third party has validated what the healthcare community has been saying all along.  Colorado patients expect and deserve to be covered in the event of an accident, and this study proves that they are not.”

For a copy of the full report go here.

For more information please contact Sarah Blum-Barnett at 303-892-9100 x 17 or sarah@publicpersuasion.com.

The Trauma Care Preservation Coalition (TCPC) is a statewide group composed of ambulance companies and other emergency medical service (EMS) providers, hospitals, fire chiefs, physicians and consumer advocates committed to finding viable solutions to Colorado’s trauma funding crisis.  The Colorado State Fire Chiefs' Association is a member of the TCPC.    

Posted 02-19-08

Bill to Provide Health Insurance Coverage for Volunteer Emergency Service Providers Introduced

On February 12, 2008, a bill was introduced by State Representative Rob Witwer (R-Jefferson County) that would provide health insurance coverage for volunteer emergency services providers.

House Bill 08-1334, Concerning Health Insurance for Bona Fide Volunteer Emergency Service Providers, which is sponsored in the Senate by Senator Mike Kopp (R-Jefferson County), would:

·        Grant the authority for municipalities and districts to provide group health care coverage to emergency services volunteers and the authority for a municipality or district to participate in a health insurance pool for qualified emergency services volunteers.

·        Allow the governing body of each emergency service provider the discretion to negotiate the details related to the procurement and administration of the insurance contracts.

·        Specify that bona fide volunteers and emergency service providers fall within the purview of existing group sickness and accident insurance law.

If enacted, this bill would provide yet another tool for municipalities and fire districts to assist in their efforts to recruit and retain emergency services volunteers.

HB08-1334, is scheduled to be heard by House Local Government Committee on Thursday, February 21, 2008 - Upon Recess (about 9:30 am) in Room 0111.

Posted 02-18-08

Bill to Provide Volunteer Firefighter Tax Credit Fails

Public School Plan Reviews Approval Form

First of all, I would like to thank everyone for the great participation and support of the new public school fire safety certification program.  As of the end of the year, we had certified more than 300 inspectors from 70 fire departments.    

That brings us to our next challenge with the new program.  Whether the review is performed by the Division of Fire Safety, or the local fire department, we are required by the statute to submit our plan review reports to the Department of Labor – Division of Oil and Public Safety within 10-days of receipt of the complete submittal.  The statute does allow us to submit an extension request to the Division of Oil and Public Safety for the large projects.  This will hopefully be extended to a 20-day limit by an amendment currently in review, but in the mean time we must meet the 10-day requirement. 

The Division of Oil and Public Safety has been receiving review reports and approvals from the local fire departments, but many of them have been missing necessary information so they have not been able to accept them.  By the program rules, all plan review and inspection reports performed by a certified inspector must contain the inspector’s name, certification number and their signature.  The reports should also contain a copy of any comments that were made on the review or inspection. 

In an effort to help make the process more efficient, and to ensure that fire protection review reports are acceptable to the Division of Oil and Public Safety, we worked with them to create a fire code plan review form for public school projects.  This form contains all of the information required by the rules, and when completed, will ensure that the plan approval will be acceptable.  This form will be required for all public school projects, even for those that will not require a further fire protection review.    

We understand that this form may present an extra step for some, but we hope that it will help to overcome some of the hurdles and confusion that we are currently experiencing and end up taking less time in the long run.  This form may be included in construction document submittals from the designers, but we wanted to send you the form directly as well.    

An electronic version of the form is found here.  The form is in .pdf format and may be completed electronically, or it can be printed and filled in by hand.  Lastly, please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns. 

Mark S. Wassom
Colorado Division of Fire Safety
9195 East Mineral Avenue, Suite 234
Centennial, CO 80112
Phone: 720-852-6742

Email: Mark.Wassom@cdps.state.co.us

Posted 02-11-08

Contributing Factors to Firefighter Line of Duty Death in the U.S.

February 11, 2008 - The United States Fire Administration (USFA) worked with the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) in a project to enhance risk management capability of local fire departments. The goal of this initiative was to enable fire departments to design effective risk management programs based on community hazards and service commitment, enhance firefighter safety, and provide tools for continual evaluation of emergency response systems.

The ability of fire departments to design an acceptable level of resource deployment based on risks and service commitment and to provide tools for continual evaluation of emergency response systems is crucial in the enhancement of firefighter operational safety and occupational health. The adequate placement of firefighting resources also supports the reduction in civilian fire fatalities.

This study examined critical issues related to adequate resource deployment tying them to the development of effective risk management programs. Geographic information systems (GIS) computer simulation was used to develop staffing and deployment models that will be recommended for department of various sizes serving different populations in varying geographic regions.
 

The first phase of the analyzed retrospective data from the years 2000-2005 to identify and quantify the major factors that contribute to fire fighter line-of-duty death (LODD) in the United States. The identified contributing factors were examined for frequency of occurrence and clustering with other factors. The results are to be used to develop risk management programs for fire departments.
 

This first phase used data compiled from six years of verified firefighter on-duty fatalities from four reputable industry sources. Sources included the USFA as well as the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), and the IAFF. For each LODD, factors contributing to the death were recorded from Federal investigations and eyewitness reports. The contributing factors were then analyzed for frequency of occurrence and clustering with other factors. Contributing factor clusters identified include the following.
 

Cluster #1 includes incident command, training, communications, standard operating procedures, and pre-incident planning.
Cluster #2 includes vehicles, personal protective equipment, equipment failure, and human error.
Cluster #3 includes private owned vehicle, accidents, and civilian error.
Cluster #4 includes company staffing/crew size, standard operating guidelines and health/fitness/wellness.
 

Clustering information is being used to develop risk management recommendations for local fire departments. From the first phase of this study, the report, Contributing Factors to Firefighter Line of Duty Death in the United States was developed by the IAFF.

This second phase of the study will also address effective risk management programs for the fire service as the same methodology will be used to assess firefighter on-duty injury. Data sources for phase II are being sought.

In Memoriam - Division Chief Marc R. Mullenix

MARC R. MULLENIX, husband, father and dear friend, died January 28, 2008, in Mancos, Colorado. He was 50 years old. 

Posted: 02-06-08

Bill to Exempt Emergency Services Districts from TIF Arrangements Fails

February 6, 2008 - House Bill 08-1163 TIF Exception for Emergency Services Districts (Rep. Sonnenberg, Sen. Bacon) was heard by House Finance Committee yesterday (February 5, 2008).  As introduced, the bill would have granted a blanket exemption for emergency services districts from the loss of revenues resulting from the loss of revenues resulting from the property tax freezing provisions of a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) arrangement of an Urban Renewal Authority (URA).  An amendment advocated by SDA and supported by CSFCA would have allowed an emergency services district, at their discretion, to opt to participate into the TIF arrangement, to the extent they chose.  The amendment was offered by Rep. Sonnenberg and adopted without objection.

In testifying against the bill, the Colorado Municipal League (CML) indicated that, in 2008, there were only nine URA’s that affected fire districts and the actual impact on these districts was minimal.  CML testified that the average percentage of property tax diverted from fire districts to URA’s in 2006 was only 2% of the district’s total property tax revenues.  CML also testified that in three cases (North Metro, West Metro, and Wheat Ridge) the URA and the District negotiated an agreement for a refunding of all or part of the property taxes back to the affected district.  Thus, CML argued that the impact on fire districts was minimal and thus, the legislation was not needed.

Chief Brian Martens of Windsor-Severance Fire Protection District presented compelling testimony regarding the impact of URA’s on emergency services, as well as examples of the abuse of the Urban Renewal statutes, by “blighting” properties that have relatively new commercial buildings on them, as well as using Urban Renewal for large pieces of vacant ground that is already planned for development.  Chief Martens spoke of the specific impact the Windor Urban Renewal Authority would have had on his district (about 10% of his total property tax revenue), had the URA not been overturned by a citizen initiative.

Evan Goulding of SDA spoke on the impact on districts when an URA imposes a TIF within the urban renewal area.  He testified that property tax revenue are frozen at the level existing at the time the TIF becomes effective and districts will only receive the revenue from property taxes at the level that exists at the time the project becomes effective, for as much as 30 years thereafter.  This despite the fact that as the project progresses, assessed values increase tremendously, and frequently the demand for service also expands accordingly.  Evan also testified that school districts are protected from this freeze because they are made whole by the School Finance Act, but for fire and other emergency services districts, their primary source of revenue is property tax and revenues cannot keep pace with the increased costs of service.

Because the testimony was comprehensive and due to the length of the hearing, my testimony was limited to our expression of support for the bill and a request for favorable consideration.  Only one question was asked of me, that being whether our “urban” members supported it, or just our rural members.  I advised the Committee of the makeup of the Board of Directors that sets policy for the Association (that it represents district as well as municipal chiefs, urban and rural), and indicated the Board’s decision to support the bill and the amendment to allow districts to opt into the TIF arrangement.

In wrap up, Rep. Sonnenberg, the bill sponsor, argued the need for the bill, noting that if revenue from fire districts represent such a small portion of the total revenue diverted to an URA and yet it has significant impact on the district, municipalities should not object to them being excluded.

Rep. Lundberg spoke in favor of the bill, stating that he sees the necessity for emergency services districts not to be impacted by URA’s.

Rep. Bruce also spoke in favor of the bill and suggested the sponsor consider a 2^nd reading amendment to include hospital districts that provide emergency services.

Rep. Labuda spoke in opposition to the bill, noting that the apparent abuse of the Urban Renewal statutes described by Chief Martens should be a “clarion call” to URA’s, but she does not want to make it more difficult to create them.  She indicated that she sees the god that URA’s do.

Rep. Judd, the Committee Chair, also spoke in opposition to the bill noting that while it is a commendable approach to addressing the problem, it is a narrow approach to a larger issue.  He advised the committee that they can expect to see a bill this session to provide all parties equal say when URA’s are formed.

The motion to pass HB-1163 to the floor with a favorable recommendation died on a 6-5 vote, and the bill was subsequently postponed indefinitely.  Voting for the bill were Representatives Bruce, Kefalas, J. Kerr, Lambert, and Lundberg.  Voting against were Representatives Benefield, Borodkin, Frangas, Ferrandino, Labuda, and Judd.

Gov. Ritter Announces Creation of Governor's Office of Homeland Security

February 4, 2008 – Gov. Bill Ritter today announced the creation of the Governor's Office of Homeland Security, bringing greater focus, coordination and oversight to the administration of federal grants and the state's fragmented homeland security mission.

Retired National Guard Gen. Mason Whitney will serve as the Cabinet-level director of the Office. He will report directly to Gov. Ritter with the authority to coordinate efforts across multiple state agencies.

"This is an important step toward consolidating and improving our homeland security programs, reducing fragmentation, and eliminating inefficiencies and duplication in the homeland security mission," Gov. Ritter said. "It will give us greater focus, greater coordination and greater oversight.

"I want to be very clear: we are not creating a new bureaucracy," Gov. Ritter added. "We are better organizing, better coordinating and better overseeing homeland security."

Last summer, Gov. Ritter asked Whitney and former state Auditor Joanne Hill to analyze the state's homeland security operations and recommend improvements. Several federal audits had criticized the state's Homeland Security Grant Program as ineffective and disjointed.

A January audit further questioned Colorado's administration of federal grant money, described the state's homeland security strategy as disorganized, and said the state's organizational structure lacked a single point of responsibility and oversight.

"Even before I took office a year ago, we knew there were problems in this area," Gov. Ritter said. "So we moved quickly to begin creating a new homeland security vision and strategy. Establishing the Governor's Office of Homeland Security is the next step toward greater efficiency, greater accountability and greater coordination."

"The problem with our homeland security mission isn't that our departments aren't working hard on their pieces of the mission," Gen. Whitney said. "The problem has been a lack of integration across functional areas because coordination wasn't available at the right level. The Governor's Office of Homeland Security aligns the responsibility with the authority at the appropriate level for coordinating all of those efforts."

The Homeland Security Office physically will be located in the Multi-Agency Coordination Center in Centennial for the time being. It will house 14 employees, and it will be fully operational by July.

The Office will coordinate all state and local homeland security initiatives and administer federal grants related to homeland security. The Office will:

·        Work with various state agencies and the state's nine all-hazards regions to develop and implement the state's homeland security strategy;

·        Build partnerships with first-responders, agencies and citizens in the public and private sectors;

·        Administer federal grants in compliance with federal, state and local laws and regulations;

·        Oversee expenditures made by grantees of homeland security grants;

·        Provide technical assistance to grantees of homeland security grants; and

·        Provide oversight for homeland security training and exercise programs.

Legislative Alert – SB-026, Reduced Ignition Propensity Cigarettes [Action Needed]

Fire-Safe Cigarette Legislation Heard; Scheduled for Committee Acton

SB08-026, Concerning a Requirement that Cigarettes Sold in Colorado Meet Specified Standards for Reduced Ignition Propensity (Sen. Hagedorn, Rep. White) was heard by Senate Health and Human Services Committee on January 23, 2008 and witness testimony was taken.  The bill was taken off the table and laid over until Wednesday, January 30^th for amendments by the Sponsor.

The only two people to testify were Dave Nuss of NFPA and CSFCA Executive Director Paul Cooke.  Nuss discussed the national impact of cigarette-caused fires and discussed what RIP cigarettes are.  Cooke testified on the state impact of cigarette-caused fires and the CSFCA goal to reduce the state’s fire problem.  Sen. Hagedorn briefed the committee on the work that he had done to get all stakeholders on board with this bill, but indicated that amendments were necessary to address concerns raised by the Department of Revenue and one of the tobacco manufacturers.

In addition, the Colorado State Fire Chiefs’ Association has requested that Sen. Hagedorn allow an amendment to the bill that would allow any moneys collected from fees and penalties, in excess of those needed to administer and enforce the act, be used by the Division of Fire Safety, for fire safety and prevention programs, including firefighter training and certification.  Sen. Hagedorn has conceptually agreed to the amendment and it is being drafted.

SB08-026 is scheduled for action by Senate Health & Human Services Committee on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 - Upon Adjournment (approximately 9:30 AM) in Senate Committee Room 352.

Link to bill:  http://www.colofirechiefs.org/08Legisature/026_01.pdf

What the bill does:

SB08-026 requires all cigarettes sold in Colorado on or after July 31, 2009, to be tested for, and to meet, specified standards for reduced ignition propensity.  The bill was drafted in accordance with the model legislation – which is based on New York State’s law.  New York became the first state to have a fire-safe cigarette law when legislation was signed on December 31, 2003.  The New York law became effective June 28, 2004.

To date, 22 states have signed fire-safe cigarette legislation.  That means 52% of the U.S. population is now or soon will be better protected from cigarette fires.

Our last effort to enact fire-safe cigarette legislation in Colorado was during the 2005 session.  HB05-1329 by then-Rep. Tom Plant and Senator Tom Wiens was lost on third reading in the House on a vote of 32-33.

Action needed:

1.      We need folks to contact the members of Senate Health and Human Services Committee by Email and/or phone and express their support for the bill.  This is particularly important if you are a constituent of one of the members.  This must be accomplished prior to tomorrow’s hearing.

2.      Uniforms in the audience in support of the bill is always welcome and appreciated (no testimony will be taken).

A copy of the handout information provided to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee is here.

Members of Senate Health and Human Services Committee:

The Senate Health and Human Services Committee members are:

Sen. Bob Hagedorn, Chairman (D)

SD 29 (Arapahoe County)

Cap: 303-866-4879

E-mail: SenBob@msn.com

Note:  There is no need to contact Sen. Hagedorn unless it is to thank him for running the bill or supporting the CSFCA amendment

Sen. Betty Boyd, Vice-Chairman (D)

SD 21 (Jefferson County)

Cap: 303-866-4857

E-mail: betty.boyd.senate@state.co.us

Sen. Bill Cadman (R)

SD 10 (El Paso County)

Cap: 303-866-2737

E-mail: bill.cadman.senate@state.co.us

Sen. Shawn Mitchell (R)

SD 23 (Adams, Broomfield, Weld Counties)

Cap: 303-866-4876

E-mail: shawn.mitchell.senate@state.co.us

Sen. Paula Sandoval (D)

SD 34 (Denver)

Cap: 303-866-4862

E-mail: paula.sandoval.senate@state.co.us

Sen. David “Dave” Schultheis (R)

SD 9 (El Paso County)

Cap: 303-866-4835

E-mail: dave.schultheis.senate@state.co.us

Sen. Lois Tochtrop (D)

SD 24 (Adams County)

Cap: 303-866-4863

E-mail: lotochtrop@aol.com

For more information about Reduced Ignition Propensity Cigarettes, including articles and copies of research reports, go here or visit the Coalition for Fire-Safe Cigarettes website.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Paul L. Cooke

CSFCA Executive Director

Posted: 01-29-08

Legislative Alert – HB-1110, Income Tax Deduction for Wildfire Mitigation [Action Needed]

HB08-1110, Concerning an Income Tax Deduction For a Landowner's Direct Costs Incurred in Performing Wildfire Mitigation Measures (by Rep. Witwer; also Sen. Kopp) is scheduled to be heard by House Finance Committee on Wednesday, January 30, 2008 at 1:30 PM in Room LSB-A.

HB08-1110 allows an income tax deduction for a landowner who performs wildfire mitigation measures on private land in a wild land-urban interface area.

Link to bill

What the bill does:

For income tax years beginning January 1, 2009, this bill establishes a state income tax deduction for 50 percent of a landowner's direct costs in performing wildfire mitigation measures on their property, up to the lesser of $2,500 or the landowners federal taxable income. The bill further specifies that the mitigation measures must be performed within wild land-urban interface areas and be authorized by a community wildfire protection plan for the landowner to claim the deduction.

Fiscal impact:  the deduction may result in an annual loss of General Fund revenue of approximately $1 million.

Action needed:

1.      We need someone to testify on behalf of the Colorado State Fire Chiefs’ Association in support of this bill.

2.      We need others to be in the audience and/or testify in support of the bill.

3.      We need folks to contact the members of House Finance committee by Email and/or phone and express their support for the bill.  This is particularly important if you are a constituent of one of the members.  This must be accomplished prior to tomorrow’s hearing.

Members of House Finance Committee:

Rep. Joel Judd, Chariman (D)

HD 5 (Denver)

Cap: 303-866-2925

E-mail: joeljudd@aol.com

Rep. Debbie Benefield, Vice-Chairman (D)

HD 29 (Jefferson County)

Cap: 303-866-2950

E-mail: debbie.benefield.house@state.co.us

Rep. Alice Borodkin (D)

HD 9 (Denver, Arapahoe Counties)

Cap: 303-866-2910

E-mail: aliceb321@aol.com

Rep. Douglas Bruce (R)

HD 15 (El Paso County)

Cap: 303-866-5525

E-mail: Doug@DouglasBruce.com

Rep. K. Jerry Frangas (D)

HD 4 (Denver)

Cap: 303-866-2954

E-mail: kjerry.frangas.house@state.co.us

Rep. Michael Garcia (D)

HD 42 (Arapahoe County)

Cap: 303-866-3911

E-mail: michael@michaelgarcia.info

Rep. John Kefalas (D)

HD 52 (Larimer County)

Cap: 303-866-4569

E-mail: john.kefalas.house@state.co.us

Rep. James "Jim" Kerr (R)

HD 28 (Jefferson County)

Cap: 303-866-2939

E-mail: james.kerr.house@state.co.us

Rep. Jeanne Labuda (D)

HD 1 (Arapahoe, Denver Jefferson Counties)

Cap: 303-866-2966

E-mail: jeanne.labuda.house@state.co.us

Rep. Kent Lambert (R)

HD 14 (El Paso County)

Cap: 303-866-2937

E-mail: kent.lambert.house@state.co.us

Rep. Kevin Lundberg (R)

HD 49 (Larimer, Weld Counties)

Cap: 303-866-2907

E-mail: kevin@kevinlundberg.com

Please let me know if: (1) you will be at the Capitol to testify, or simply as a show of support: and (2) if you contacted your member of House Finance and they gave you an indication of how they would vote.

Thank you,

Paul L. Cooke

CSFCA Executive Director

Posted: 01-29-08

Draft Colorado First Responder Authentication Credential (COFRAC) Standard Released for Public Comment

National Fire Academy Announces New Online Course

Emmitsburg, MD – The U.S. Fire Administration’s (USFA) National Fire Academy (NFA) is pleased to announce the release of its newest online course, Command and Control Decision Making at Multiple Alarm Incidents Self Study (Q297).  In early 2007, efforts began to redesign several of the NFA’s resident courses using a blended learning format, whereby a portion of the newly revised course is available online.  Q297 is the first course available under the new format.  This new self study course is the precourse assignment for the resident course Command and Control Decision Making at Multiple Alarm Incidents (R297); however, anyone interested can enroll in the course.

“We are pleased to make this course available not only to the fire and emergency services, but to the general public as well,” said U.S. Fire Administrator Greg Cade.  “This particular course serves to broaden the student’s knowledge and understanding of the use and significance of the Incident Command System.”

This course and additional online courses are available through the NFA’s online training site, NFA Online. Students who successfully complete the courses have instant access to their NFA certificate of completion and transcript.  Additional information on the USFA and the NFA is available on the USFA Web site.

Posted 1-25-08

Student Recruitment for Management of Emergency Medical Services (Pilot Offering)

The United States Fire Administration (USFA), Department of Homeland Security, is conducting a pilot class at the National Emergency Training Center (NETC) in Emmitsburg, Maryland, for its newly revised 2-week course, P150 - Management of Emergency Medical Services (MEMS).

The purpose of a pilot class is to assure that the materials are appropriate and accurate prior to replacing the old course in the normal course rotation. Students will be asked to provide feedback and comments on the course throughout its delivery. Students will receive a National Fire Academy course completion certificate.

The pilot class is scheduled to be delivered June 9-20, 2008 with students to arrive Sunday, June 8 and depart Friday, June 20, 2008.

Course Description

This course focuses on management practices as they relate to emergency medical services (EMS). This interactive and fast-moving course will enable participants to deal more effectively with day-to-day management issues that supervisory-level managers are likely to encounter. Personnel, resource management, research and quality improvement techniques are some of the major components of this course. Upon completion of this course, the students will be able to enhance the quality and overall effectiveness of their EMS operation through the use of management techniques. 

Selection Criteria

Individuals with management responsibility for part of an EMS delivery system, e.g., a fire department, a hospital, or a public or private EMS agency. Individuals with decisionmaking responsibility within an EMS system, e.g., EMS council membership, EMS program management/coordination, training, medical control, etc. 

Prerequisites: IS700 and IS800; ICS-100 and ICS-200 or equivalent.

Examples for ICS100 and ICS200 are:

·         Q462 - Introduction to ICS for Operations Responders (available through