Congress Passes FY 2008 DHS Appropriations Funding: Includes Increased Funding for FIRE and SAFER Grant Programs (12/20/07)

CSFCA President Briefs Joint Budget Committee on the “State of the Colorado Fire Service” (12/12/07)

Colorado First Responder Authentication Credentials (COFRAC) - Policy on Background Check Adjudication (12/04/07)

Message Concerning Email Addresses (11/09/07)

Division of Fire Safety Announces Leadership Conference Sponsorship Awards (11/07/07)

USFA Releases Mitigation of Cooking Fires Report (11/07/07)

Second Semester National Fire Academy Application Period is Now Open (11/01/07)

Loveland’s Sunridge Garage Fire & Explosion Information Release (10/31/07)

Application Period Open: Fiscal Year 2007 Fire Prevention and Safety Grants (10/18/07)

Department of Justice Updates Policy on PSOB Benefits (10/08/07)

Collective Bargaining Bill Introduced in Senate (10/02/07)

Fire Agencies to Study Consolidation (09/28/07)

The IAFC and the USFA Develop Report on Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Firefighters and EMS Responders (09/24/07)

Berthoud Extrication Challenge - September 21-23, 2007 (08/14/07)

MSEC / CSFCA Wage and Benefit Survey Available (08/07/07)

Department of Homeland Security Opens Application Period for Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Services (SAFER) Grants (07/27/07)

Division of Fire Safety Adopts Emergency Rules for School Safety Inspections and Plan Reviews (07/23/07)

U.S. House Passes H.R. 980, the Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act of 2007 (07/18/07)

2007 IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial Observance/Fire Apparatus Procession (07/17/07)

Fire Service Calls on Congress to Investigate PSOB Program (07/12/07)

Gov. Ritter Announces Major Changes to Colorado Homeland Security Programs (07/12/07)

NIOSH releases the Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation Report on the Line-of-Duty Death of Denver Fire Lieutenant Rich Montoya (07/11/07)

Police, Fire Families Fight for U.S. Death Benefit (07/10/07)

2008 Emergency Response Guidebook; Electronic Version will be Available (07/10/07)

Westminster Public Safety Recognition Foundation – 5th Annual Benefit Golf Tournament (07/10/07)

Gov. Ritter Announces Chris Olson as Director of Division of Emergency Management (07/03/07)

Greater Brighton FPD Selects New Chief (06/02/07)

USFA Announces New Web-based Online Training System (06/25/07)

USFA and the National Volunteer Fire Council Release Comprehensive Guide to Retention and Recruitment (06/20/07)

Nine Charleston Firefighters Perish in Blaze (06/19/07)

FEMA Announces Membership of National Advisory Council (06/19/07)

Auditors Report Reveals Abysmal Enforcement of Fire and Life Safety in Schools by State Agency (06/13/07)

Aurora Names Interim Fire Chief (06-05-07)

Chief Greg Cade Confirmed As U.S. Fire Administrator (05/25/07)

IAFC Encourages You to Meet with Federal Legislators (05/25/07)

Residential Fire Sprinklers Receive Unprecedented Support at Building Safety Hearing (05/23/07)

Member Alert: Urge President Bush to Implement Hometown Heroes Act (05/18/070

USFA Emphasizes Support for Residential Fire Sprinklers (05/17/07)

2007 Safety Stand Down Resources Now Available (05/16/07)

Teller County Fire Chiefs' Open (05/15/07)

Colorado Fallen Firefighters Foundation – 10th Annual Benefit Golf Tournament (05/14/07)

First Semester National Fire Academy Application Period Is Now Open (05/13/07)

Burglar Alarms Emitting Smoke Causing Concern for Fire Chiefs (05/11/07)

Public Safety Leadership Institute Created (05/07/07)

Legislative Session Ends Early (05/04/07)

2007 Colorado Fallen Firefighters Foundation Memorial Service

Reminder — FIRE Act Grant Applications Due May 4 (04/27/07)

Only 8 Days Remain in FY2007 Fire Grant Application Period (04/27/07)

DHS Awards Almost $4 Million in Fire Prevention and Safety Grants (04/24/07)

IAFC Asks President Bush to Examine PSOB Program (04/23/07)

DHS Announces $29.1 Million Available For National Preparedness Training Initiatives (04/17/07)

Cancun Fire Department in Need of Equipment Donations (04/14/07)

4th Annual Fairways To Heaven Event (04/14/07)

Baskin-Robbins 31 Cent Scoop Night in Honor of NFFF (04/11/07)

Columbine Memorial in Need of Contributions (04/07/07)

2007 AFG Application Period Now Open (03/30/07)

Apprenticeship Program in Need of Host Departments (03/29/07)

Kentucky Will Require Fire-Safe Cigarettes (03/27/07)

Gov. Ritter’s Budget Office Releases First Economic and Revenue Forecast (03/26/07)

Gov. Ritter Announces Agenda for "Bridges To The 21st Century" Transportation Summit (03/26/07)

Harvard Medical School Study on Firefighter Deaths from Heart Disease (03/22/07)

Underwriters Laboratories Moves Closer to Completing E85 Fuel Dispenser Requirements (03/22/07)

Safety Officers Denied On-Duty Death Benefits (03/21/07)

National Effort to Eliminate Novelty Lighters (03/20/07)

Keep Going Hall of Fame Looking for Firefighters (03/16/07)

IAFC Releases Strategic Plan (03/15/07)

Fire Service Award for Excellence 2007 (03/14/07)

Four Years Later - A Second Needs Assessment of the U.S. Fire Service (03/12/07)

Preparing for Disasters, Natural or Otherwise (03/09/07)

Genesee Fire Protection District Adopts Resolution (03/07/07)

2007 International Fire Fighter and EMS Safety Stand Down (03/05/07)

2007 Edition of NFPA 1600 Released (03/03/07)

Proposed Amendments to Constitution and Bylaws Adopted (03/03/07)

PASS Performance Issues Addressed in New Edition of NFPA Standard (02/28/07)

PASS Device Safety Issue (02/28/07)

Olme Resigns as Fire Chief (02/28/07)

The Trouble With Ethanol (02/14/07)

Legislation Introduced in Response to MRSA Crisis

December 21, 2007 - As a devastating drug-resistant staph infection known as MRSA affects patients in hospitals, first responders such as police, firefighters and emergency medical personnel, schoolchildren and other individuals in public places across the country, U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) has introduced a package of legislation to combat the crisis. 

Congress Passes FY 2008 DHS Appropriations Funding: Includes Increased Funding for FIRE and SAFER Grant Programs

December 20, 2007 - Last night, Congress passed the fiscal year (FY) 2008 omnibus appropriations bill. President Bush is expected to sign the bill into law. 

The approximately $550 billion omnibus spending bill for the federal government—excluding funding for the Department of Defense that was passed before Thanksgiving—includes funding for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.  

This legislation includes a number of successes for America’s fire service; it includes an increase of more than $75 million for the SAFER grant program, an increase of $13 million for the FIRE grant program, a $50 million increase for the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) grants, a $7.5 million increase for Urban Search and Rescue Teams and level funding for the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA). 

The legislation also appropriates $2.8 billion to prevent and fight wildland fires, including $300 million emergency funding; it returns funding in FY 2008 to nearly $6 million for the Rural Fire Assistance program in the U.S. Department of the Interior and provides level funding for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Volunteer Fire Assistance program. 

“The IAFC is thankful for the commitment of Congress to meet the needs of America’s fire and emergency medical services,” said IAFC President Steven P. Westermann. “These are very positive numbers, especially considering the president’s intent to hold the line against spending,” added Chief Westermann. 

Below are some of the highlights of the legislation.

1) DHS Funding: The bill includes the following funding levels:

$ In Millions

	FY 2007	President’s FY 2008 Budget Req.	FY 2008
USFA	46.8	43.3	43.3
FIRE Grant program	547.0	300.0	560.0
SAFER Grant program	115.0	0.0	190.0
UASI Grants	770.0	800.0	820.0
SHSGP	525.0	250.0	950.0
Emergency Management Performance Grants	200.0	200.0	300.0
Urban Search and Rescue Teams	25.0	25.0	32.5
Communication Grants	0.0	0.0	50.0

The FY 2008 USFA funding does not include $3.5 million for the Noble Training Center in Anniston, Ala., which has been transferred to the Emergency Management Institute. The omnibus appropriations bill does include an extra $1 million to develop a web-based version of the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) to improve the timeliness and accuracy of NFIRS data and identify national trends in fire and emergency medical services. 

2) Wildland Fire Programs: The omnibus appropriations bill includes $2.8 billion to prevent and fight wildland fires, including $300 million in emergency funding. Specifically, the bill appropriates the following levels for the following programs:

$ In Millions

	FY 2007	President’s FY 2008 Budget Req.	FY 2008
Rural Fire Assistance	0.0	0.0	5.9
Volunteer Fire Assistance	13.8	17.0	13.8

Overall, first responder grant programs will receive $4.1 billion in FY 2008, which is $1.8 billion above the president’s initial budget request and $693 million more than in FY 2007.  Yet, this is still down from a high of $4.8 billion in FY 2004, even as homeland security preparedness costs continue to rise. 

CSFCA President Briefs Joint Budget Committee on the “State of the Colorado Fire Service”

December 12, 2007 – On December 11^th, CSFCA Douglas Forsman briefed the Joint Budget Committee (JBC) of the Colorado Legislature on the “State of the Colorado Fire Service”.  The purpose of this briefing was to inform the JBC on some of the more pressing issues facing the Colorado fire service in its efforts to reduce the loss of life and property and to protect Colorado’s citizens and institutions from all types of emergencies.  Joining Chief Forsman in this meeting was Chief David Parmley, CSFCA Vice-President, and Paul Cooke, CSFCA Executive Director.  Download the briefing paper (pdf)

Senator Moe Keller (District 20-Jefferson County), Vice-Chairman of the JBC, chaired the meeting in the absence of JBC Chairman, Representative Bernie Buescher (District 55-Mesa).  All other members of the JBC were in attendance, including: Rep. Jack Pommer (District 11-Boulder); Rep. Al White (District 57-Garfield, Grand, Jackson, Moffat, Rio Blanco, Routt Counties); Sen. John Morse (District 11-El Paso County); and Sen. Steve Johnson (District 15-Larimer County).  Mr. Craig Harper, the JBC Analyst for public safety was also in attendance.

Chief Forsman opened his presentation with an overview of Colorado’s fire problem, noting that, “while the impact of fire in terms of lives and property loss is significant, the overall impact on the Colorado economy (in terms of lost jobs, business and tax revenues, long term medical care, and escalating insurance premiums) is estimated to be three-quarters of a billion dollars annually.”  Chief Forsman noted that the Colorado fire service is doing a lot to prevent these losses, “but much more needs to be done.”

Chief Forsman provided the JBC with a profile of the Colorado fire service, noting that “of the approximately 395 fire departments in the state, 62% are all-volunteer departments, 27% are a combination of career and volunteer, and only 11% are fully-paid departments.”  He also pointed out that approximately 63% of the firefighters in the state are volunteers.  Chief Forsman then briefed the JBC on the expanded role of the fire service, noting that it has evolved into “an all-risk, all-hazard response organization.”

The discussion of the expanded role of the fire service elicited discussion from Sen. Keller regarding the impact of “lift assist” calls on fire departments.  She advised those present that she has been working with the West Metro Fire District and the Department of Public Health and Environment to address the growing problem of assisted living facilities relying on the fire department to respond when an elderly person has fallen and needs assistance back to bed, and is otherwise uninjured.  Chief Forsman thanked Sen. Keller for her efforts in this area.

The next topic presented by Chief Forsman was the difficulty being faced by volunteer fire departments across the State in their efforts to recruit and maintain volunteer firefighters.  He thanked the JBC for the support provided for firefighter pensions and accidental death and disability, but indicated that “additional funding assistance for volunteer recruitment and retention incentives could have a significant positive affect on this problem.”

Chief Forsman then shifted his discussion to the State’s role in fire safety, noting that “while the provision of fire prevention and control has historically been the responsibility of local government, the state has a role to play in reducing the fire problem, both in terms of central leadership and in the funding of statewide programs that promote the safe and effective delivery of services.”  He then noted that “a coordinated and effective approach at the State level does not exist in Colorado.”

Chief Forsman indicated that the Division of Fire Safety is charged with meeting some of the statewide fire safety responsibilities, but that it has been plagued with insufficient resources since its creation, and that many of its programs are cash-funded by local fire departments.  He advised the JBC that “the Division’s responsibility to provide firefighter training, to coordinate resources in the event of a major incident, to administer the fire incident reporting system, and to certify firefighters and hazardous materials responders cannot be met when the State provides no funding for these activities.”

Chief Forsman identified the programs of the Division of Fire Safety that were in need of funding from the State General Fund.  These were:

·         Provide funding to the Division of Fire Safety to allow it to continue its administration of the Emergency Resource Mobilization Plan and ROSS.

·         Provide funding to the Division of Fire Safety to allow it to continue its administration of the National Fire Incident Reporting System.

·         Provide funding to the Division of Fire Safety to replace the certification database program.

·         Provide resources within the Division of Fire Safety to coordinate a statewide firefighter and first responder training program.

He expressed the desire of the CSFCA for favorable action by the JBC to address these critical needs.

Following the formal briefing, members of the JBC asked several questions of the panel.  Of particular note, Rep. White inquired on the potential for the “Big Fire” as a result of the beetle kill.  Chief Parmley responded that “the threat of the “Big Fire” in Colorado’s wildland urban interface areas is real and will be with us for quite some time as the needles fall from the trees and the trees fall and litter the forest floor.”  He indicated that there is immediate need to find uses for the timber while it is still salvageable.  Both he and Chief Forsman noted that the CSFCA has had meetings with members of Colorado’s Congressional Delegation to address this concern.

The briefing was concluded by Chief Forsman thanking the JBC for the opportunity for the CSFCA to present its concerns and indicating the Association’s willingness to address any follow-up questions that may arise.

Colorado First Responder Authentication Credentials (COFRAC) - Policy on Background Check Adjudication

At the CSFCA Annual Meeting in Breckenridge on November 29^th, Micheline Casey, Director of Identity Management for the Governor's Office of Information Technology made a presentation on the Colorado First Responder Authentication Credentials (COFRAC).  Ms. Casey also presented the proposed Policy on Background Check Adjudication.

Click here to download a copy of the COFRAC presentation.

Click here to download a copy of the proposed Policy on Background Check Adjudication.

Click here to download a copy of FEMA’s senior policy analyst testimony to Congress on November 15th regarding FEMA’s direction on first responder credentialing and resource typing.

For questions concerning the Colorado First Responder Authentication Credentials (COFRAC) or the proposed Policy on Background Check Adjudication, contact:

Micheline Casey, Director

Identity Management

Governor's Office of Information Technology

micheline.casey@state.co.us

Posted 12-4-07

Message Concerning Email Addresses

November 9, 2007 - Today I went through the process of “cleaning up” Email addresses that I use to distribute member correspondence.  Those Email addresses that consistently “bounce” back because the user is not known to the ISP were deleted from the list (a total of 46).  However, those Email messages that bounce because of one of the following error messages were left in the list:

·      The message exceeded the maximum size the user accepts.

·      Disk Quota Exceeded. Message cannot be delivered because the recipient has exceeded their disk space limit for email.

If you are not receiving the Member Updates from the Colorado State Fire Chiefs’ Association, please check to ensure that:

1.  Your Email system accepts messages from “coloradofirechiefs.org”; and

2.  Your mailbox is not full.

Then send an Email to me at paul@coloradofirechiefs.org with your name, department and position, and I will get you added to the list.

Please also note that before deleting Email addresses I verified them against the State’s Resource Mobilization Database at www.co-mobilization.org.  Thus, if I had the wrong Email address for you, it is likely that the Division of Fire Safety also has the wrong Email address.  To correct this, send a message to Marlinda Acevedo at the Division of Fire Safety at marlinda.acevedo@cdps.state.co.us.

Thank you,

Paul L. Cooke

Executive Director

Division of Fire Safety Announces Leadership Conference Sponsorship Awards

November 7, 2007 – The Colorado Division of Fire Safety is pleased to announce the award of sponsorships to attend the 16^th Annual Colorado State Fire Chiefs Leadership Conference to be held in Breckenridge, CO on November 30 - December 1, 2007.

The Division received a total of 45 sponsorship applications.  These applications were evaluated based on completeness, demonstrated need, benefit to the community served, and whether the applicant was the recipient of a previous sponsorship.

This year’s sponsorships are to be awarded to:

·         Marshall Cook, Acting Fire Chief, Lamar Fire Department

·         Chris Bornholdt, Emergency Operations Deputy, Garfield County Sheriff’s Office

·         Tony Aspromonte, Fire Chief, Mancos Fire Protection District

·         Mike Harvey, Fire Chief, Plateau Valley Fire Protection District

·         Julia Davis, Assistant Fire Chief, Hasty-McClave Volunteer Fire Department and Ambulance Service

·         David W. Jiles, Fire Chief, Big Thompson Canyon V. F. D.

·         Scott Mefford, Deputy Chief, Genesee Fire and Rescue

·         Gene Stanley, District Fire & Medical Chief, Southern Park County Fire Protection District

·         Bob Kittridge, Fire Chief, El Paso County Wildfire Crew

Sponsorships cover the cost of attendees’ conference registration fees and lodging.  Meals and mileage are the responsibility of the department and/or the individual receiving the sponsorship.

Questions concerning the sponsorship awards should be directed to Theresa Staples at the Division of Fire Safety, at (720) 852-6735 or theresa.staples@cdps.state.co.us.

USFA Releases Mitigation of Cooking Fires

Report

November 7, 2007 (Emmitsburg, MD) - The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) announced today the completion of a report and accompanying educational tools on behavioral mitigation of cooking fires. The report, Behavioral Mitigation of Cooking Fires Through Strategies Based on Statistical Analysis, and accompanying educational videos and presentation are the result of a USFA partnership with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to develop sound, research-based recommendations for behavioral mitigation strategies to reduce cooking fires in the United States and the resulting injuries and deaths.

"Protecting people from fires and preventing fires are central to NFPA’s mission," said James M. Shannon, NFPA President and CEO.  "We were especially pleased to partner with USFA on this project because cooking fires wreak havoc on thousands of lives each year – they are the leading cause of fires in the home.  What has been learned through this project will further strengthen NFPA’s efforts to minimize cooking fires."

Unattended cooking is the single leading factor contributing to cooking fires.  According to the USFA’s National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) data, from 1999 to 2003, cooking equipment had been left unattended in 37 percent of the reported home cooking equipment fires overall and was a factor in 45 percent of the deep fryer fires and 43 percent of the range fires.  In addition, unattended equipment was a factor in 42 percent of the cooking fire deaths and 44 percent of the injuries. 

Some type of combustible material too close to the cooking equipment was a factor in 13 percent of home cooking fires, 24 percent of the associated deaths, and 12 percent of the associated injuries, making heat source too close to combustibles the second leading factor contributing to ignition for home cooking fires, after unattended equipment.  Finally, 55 percent of the people who were injured in U.S. home cooking fires were injured when they tried to fight the fire themselves.

"We are keenly aware cooking continues to be the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries.  These materials are expected to help people to understand the importance we place on this fire safety activity,” said U.S. Fire Administrator Greg Cade.  "Through this partnership with NFPA, we plan to reduce the fires from this cause, prevent injuries and save lives."

The project recommends educational messages for safe home cooking that address several behaviors including:  staying alert and watching what you are cooking, keeping things that can catch fire apart from heat sources, knowing what to do if you have a cooking fire and your clothes catch fire, properly installing and using cooking equipment, preventing and treating scalds and burns, and having working smoke alarms.

A copy of the report and educational tools can be downloaded from the U.S. Fire Administration website at: www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/research/other/cooking-mitigation.shtm.

Second Semester National Fire Academy Application Period is Now Open

November 1 marked the opening of the second semester fiscal year (FY) 2008 application period for the U. S. Fire Administration’s National Fire Academy (NFA). The application period runs from November 1 through December 31, 2007. The second semester includes those courses scheduled for delivery April 1, 2008 through September 30, 2008.

The second semester 2007-2008 schedule can be found here.

Interested applicants are reminded that in addition to the course specific selection criteria and course specific prerequisite requirements, they must also have ICS 100 and ICS 200 level training in order to be considered for any NFA course.

The application period for the first semester 2007-2008 academic year (10/1/07 - 3/31/08) is closed but applications for courses with vacancies are being accepted. Applications for course vacancies must be received at least six weeks before the course start date for the applicant to be considered for the course. Vacancies within six weeks of the course start date shall only be filled from the established wait list, so it's important to apply early.

To view first semester courses with vacancies, click here.

For more information or to download an application, go to: http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/nfa/about/attend/apply.shtm.

Loveland’s Sunridge Garage Fire & Explosion Information Release

October 31, 2007 - On Saturday, October 27^th at 21:28, a first alarm assignment (3 Engines, 1- 105’ Quint, Battalion Chief and a Thompson Valley EMS Paramedic Unit) were dispatched to the 4400 block of Sunridge Drive in north Loveland on a report of a residential structure fire. Quint 5 arrived on scene within three minutes and reported heavy smoke showing from the garage portion of a two story single family home. The Quint 5 crew met with the homeowner who stated that a propane tank was on fire and that everyone was out of the structure.

The Quint 5 Crew entered the front door of the home with a 1.75” attack line; the walk-in door to the garage was just inside the front door of the house. Battalion 1 arrived on scene and established Command. Quint 5 reported heavy smoke, no visibility and moderate heat in the garage; they were unable to advance more than five feet into the garage due to the high volume of storage in the garage. Command advised the Crew to pull back out of the garage and hold the fire to the garage portion of the structure.

The Engineer from Quint 5 and the Crew of Engine 4 were ordered to cut an access hole in the garage door, while Engine 1’s Crew stretched a second attack line to the front of the structure. At approximately 21:35 the Engineer from Quint 5 was in the process of cutting the access hole with a circular saw, the crew from Engine 4 was positioned on the driveway approximately half way between the garage door and the street. The Engine 4 Crew was in the process of donning their SCBA masks and gloves.

At 21:36 an explosion occurred blowing out one side of the garage door and engulfing the three firefighters operating in the driveway in a fireball. The three firefighters were thrown by the explosion to the end of the driveway. The firefighters were immediately attended to by Thompson Valley EMS personnel and two of the firefighters were transported to the Medical Center of the Rockies, the third firefighter (the Quint 5 Engineer) was un-injured.

Once the explosion occurred Command requested a second alarm and an addition EMS unit. A 2.5” line was deployed to extinguish, the now heavy fire in the garage. The fire was declared under control at 21:54. During the overhaul several large propane tanks were located in the garage. Units remained on scene for several hours completing overhaul work. The Loveland Fire Prevention Bureau is conducting an investigation into the cause of the fire and explosion.

The Quint 5 Engineer was fully bunkered out with SCBA on at the time of the explosion, one layer of his hood was burnt and his portable radio antenna was melted, but he sustained no injuries. The Engine 4 Crew was still in the process of donning their SCBA masks and firefighting gloves at the time, these two firefighters sustained first and second degree burns to their hands. They were treated and released from the hospital later that night. They should return to full duty within 30 days.

For more information contact: Greg Ward, C Shift Battalion Chief, Special Operations, Loveland Fire Rescue at wardg@ci.loveland.co.us or (970) 962-2477 – Fire Station 1.

IAFC and the U.S. Department of Transportation Partner to Create Hazardous Materials Fusion Center

Fairfax, Va., Oct. 30, 2007 –The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) has signed a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHSMA) to lead the development of a new data center that will collect and analyze hazardous-materials incident data in order to enhance first-responder tactics, operations, policy and training.

The Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Fusion Center (Hazmat Fusion Center) will build a secure, web-based network to facilitate information sharing for first responders training for and responding to hazardous materials incidents. This knowledge-base will help ensure that hazmat incidents are handled safely and securely. It will be the first such hazmat data center for the first-responder community, but both the effort to create it and the results it will produce will encompass a broader range of stakeholders. It will provide crucial knowledge for all decision makers on the transportation and delivery of hazardous materials.

“Our new partnership will help us do a better job accessing and sharing information to improve the safety of hazardous materials transportation,” said PHMSA Acting Administrator Krista Edwards.  “It will prevent accidents and improve our capability to respond to those we cannot prevent.”

Under the agreement, IAFC will spearhead the project, providing program management, technical advisors and subject matter expertise, and will establish initial data-collection efforts. The cooperative agreement is for a one-year period, with options to renew for four additional one-year terms. Year One of the program will focus on establishing the data center’ technical and human elements from the ground-up.

“The IAFC is proud to be a part of this landmark project with the Department of Transportation,” said IAFC President Chief Steven P. Westermann, CFO. “The days of moving forward on program policy decisions and technical solutions without data are over. The fire and emergency service, government and industry will finally have the national-level information they need to create effective, data-driven practices for response and mitigation to hazardous materials incidents.” 

The Hazmat Fusion Center will serve three purposes.

1. Information collection, which will include:

• Developing a central location for the collection of information on the nation’s hazmat teams (location, capabilities, equipment, etc.)

• Creating a repository for hazmat incident reporting on a secure web portal and a toll-free phone number for incident reporting

• Forming Regional Incident Survey Teams (RIST), which will be deployed to serious hazmat incidents to collect information on first-responder activity

• Developing a method for increased communication and trust-building among the nation’s first-responder hazmat community

• Incorporating information from various sources (utilizing the Enterprise Approach of the U.S. Department of Transportation), including federal agencies and the private sector

2. Analysis of information collected, which will include:

• Developing effective practices, planning tools and resources for first responders

• Creating after-action reports from RIST-investigated hazmat incidents

• Providing recommended requirements for equipment and training for hazmat teams

• Identifying trends and patterns for the prevention and mitigation of hazmat incidents

• Interpreting data to assist the development of high-tech hazmat response equipment and training

• Ensuring that multi-agency reporting is streamlined so a redundant reporting system is not created

3. Dissemination of information and analysis, which will include:

• Recommendations for safely responding to hazmat incidents

• Training materials for first responders (such as quarterly curriculum materials, training drills, conferences, and email blasts)

• Identification of the most frequently shipped and most hazardous materials

• Data-based recommendations to industry and transporters for improved safety of shipping containers and processes

• Data for use inclusion in national-level decision-making processes

Established in 1873, the International Association of Fire Chiefs represents the leadership of over 1.2 million firefighters. IAFC members are the world's leading experts in firefighting, emergency medical services, terrorism response, hazardous materials spills, natural disasters, search and rescue, and public safety legislation. 

Smoke Alarm Recommendations Reissued

Fairfax, Va., Oct. 29, 2007 – News of the house fire that tragically took the lives of seven university students in South Carolina this weekend has further spurred the discussion on the efficacy of certain types of smoke alarms, as well as some speculation regarding the alarms involved in the blaze.  

Application Period Open: Fiscal Year 2007 Fire Prevention and Safety Grants

The Department of Homeland Security recently posted the FY07 Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) Grants Program Guidance on the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) Program Website. The application period opened on October 22, 2007, at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).  Applications for these grants must be received by November 30, 2007, at 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time).
 

FP&S grants support projects that enhance the safety of the public and firefighters from fire and

related hazards. The primary goal is to target high-risk populations, firefighter safety and mitigate high incidences of death and injury. Examples of the types of projects supported by FP&S include fire prevention and public safety education campaigns, juvenile fire setter interventions, media campaigns, and arson prevention and awareness programs.

The applicant tutorial is available through the www.firegrantsupport.com Website.  The tutorial will provide you with valuable grant information and will walk you through the preparation and submittal of competitive applications.  In addition, the applicant tutorial will provide an overview of the funding priorities and evaluation criteria.  Applicants who have questions regarding the Fire Prevention and Safety Grants opportunity should contact the help desk as soon as possible at 1-866-274-0960 or at firegrants@dhs.gov. 

During the application period, the help desk will operate Monday to Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Eastern Time), but is prepared to revise hours of operation based on volume, demand, holidays and urgency to complete the FP&S Grants application period and processing for FY07.

The AFG Program is administered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Grants Program Directorate in coordination with the U.S. Fire Administration.

FY07 Fire Prevention and Safety Grants Program Guidance – visit www.firegrantsupport.com/fps/guidance/.

FY07 Fire Prevention and Safety Grants FAQs – visit www.firegrantsupport.com/fps/faq/07/.

Posted 10-18-07

Department of Justice Updates Policy on PSOB Benefits

On October 5, 2007, the Department of Justice issued two policy memorandums to the Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program, which it claims will significantly change the determination process for applications made under the Hometown Heroes Survivor Benefits Act.

The new policy, which is effective immediately, clarifies the language of the law and is intended to fix the problems that have been plaguing the determination process. As of Thursday, a total of 202 Hometown Heroes claims were pending, with 21 approved and 57 denied. A total of 26 appeals had been filed.

First, the memorandum states that classification for routine and non-routine activity will not be dependent on the department or public safety agency claiming it to be so. It now means that a firefighter responding to an incident will be considered non-routine due to the amount of stress the firefighter undergoes when performing the activity.

Previously, the Department had denied claims in which firefighters suffered a fatal heart attack during emergency response, with the justification that emergency response does not necessarily constitute, "nonroutine stressful or strenuous physical" activity.

Second, no medical history records will be requested of claimants in cases where nothing in the claim file suggests that either something other than the line of duty may have caused the fatal heart attack or stroke or that it was more likely than not that the heart attack was imminent. Unless information in the claim file suggests that the deceased person knew or should have known of the presence of heart disease and aggravated the condition by his or her own behavior, then a coroners report suggesting a previous condition will not be considered.

The Colorado State Fire Chiefs’ Association (CSFCA), which had joined the IAFC and other national fire service groups in lobbying the President for changes and had contacted the Colorado congressional delegation, welcomed the new guidelines.  "I am pleased the Department of Justice has gotten the message and it appears will be implementing the Act as Congress intended," said CSFCA President Douglas P. Forsman.

The Public Safety Officers' Benefit Program is a one-time payment of nearly $303,064 to the families of fallen public safety officers. The Hometown Heroes Act, which was signed into law in December 2003, was intended to make it possible for public safety officers who die from heart attack or stroke caused by participation in emergency response to