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Newletters From January, 2005
MORE FIRE ACT GRANTS RELEASED BY WASHINGTON AS 2004 FUNDING DRAWS TOWARD AN END; FIRE ACT ADMINISTRATOR C. SUZANNE MENDER MAY LEAVE BUSH ADMINISTRATION
Originally Posted: January 31, 2005 11:31 PM
Last Updated: January 31, 2005 11:38 PM
The Bush Administration still distributing Federal Fire Act matching grants for the 2004 year. Outgoing Secretary Tom Ridge announced 145 grants to fire departments in the thirty-second round of the Fiscal Year 2004 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program.
Once the 2004 program is complete, 8,000 awards worth nearly $750 million in direct matching assistance to firefighters throughout the country.
The Fire Act administrator C. Suzanne Mencer, Director of the Office for Domestic Preparedness (ODP) is reportedly leaving the Bush Administration. She had previously worked in the Justice Department but came over to Homeland Security to administer the police grant programs she had been administering along with the Fire Act grants which had been part of the Fire Administration.
The thirty-second round of grants provides $11,559,210 to help local fire departments purchase firefighting equipment, fund firefighter health and safety programs, enhance emergency medical services programs, and conduct fire education and prevention programs.
The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program is administered by the Department's Office for Domestic Preparedness in cooperation with the Department's United States Fire Administration.
On March 1, 2003, the Office for Domestic Preparedness became a part of the Department of Homeland Security. The Homeland Security Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-296) designated ODP as the principal federal agency responsible for the preparedness of the United States for acts of terrorism, including coordinating preparedness efforts at the federal level, and working with all state, local, tribal, parish, and private sector emergency response providers on all matters pertaining to combating terrorism, including training, exercises and equipment support. To support this mission, ODP administers a number of programs that provide a wide array of support to our nation's emergency preparedness and response community.
For previous NEEDA NEWSLETTER stories about the Fire Act grant program, use the "Search" application in the upper right of your NEEDA NEWSLETTER screen.
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JOHN K. FINLEY: FINLEY FIRE EQUIPMENT: SEPTEMBER 4, 1928 TO JANUARY 27, 2005
Originally Posted: January 31, 2005 10:55 PM
Last Updated: January 31, 2005 10:55 PM
NEEDA reports the recent death of John K. Finley, 76, of McConnelsville, OH. He created his company March 3, 1972 but also served as Mayor and Councilman of McConnelsville for over 31 years. His political leadership led to a new swimming pool, new water and sewer systems. He belonged to the M & M Volunteer Fire Department from March 8, 1951. He was a firefighter, driver, pump operator, training officer, Captain, and Treasurer.
He belonged to the West Virginia Fire Association, Ohio Fire Chiefs Association, Ohio Fireman's Association.
Memorial contributions may be made to: the M & M Vol. Fire Dept., 77 S. Fourth Street, McConnelsville, OH 43756; The Church of the Gospel Ministry, 210 N. Kennebec Ave., McConnelsville, OH 43756 or the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
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BOSTON GLOBE REPORTS MANY FIRE DEPARTMENTS DON'T MEET THE NEW 6 MINUTE INCIDENT RESPONSE TIME STANDARD
Originally Posted: January 31, 2005 9:49 PM
Last Updated: January 31, 2005 9:49 PM
NEEDA has previously reported cutbacks in fire service personnel and funding and a shortfall in Federal, state and local government support for the fire service, despite 9-11-01 when the national saw how important first reponders are.
For example, NEEDA reported that Congress has cut the Fire Act matching grant program for 2005. Funding has gone for homeland security rather than the fire service even though the fire service will be the first to respond to all incidents. NEEDA recommends that the Bush Administration respond to the problems outlined by a January 31, 2005 Boston Globe story by recommending more funding for the fire service.
The Boston Globe story was written in two parts by Bill Dedman, Globe Correspondent.
The Associated Press carried a summary of the Boston Globe story; the AP version appeared in many daily paperson Monday, January 31, 2005 NEEDA finds.
For some selection from the Globe story, click on the headline of this NEEDA NEWLSETTER report. Or go to www.bostonglobe.com
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Originally Posted: January 26, 2005 2:05 PM
Last Updated: January 26, 2005 2:12 PM
Some large federal contractors have been miscoded as small businesses, resulting in skewed procurement statistics according to the Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The report found that in Fiscal Year 2002 $2 billion in federal contracts were miscoded as going to small rather than large businesses.
The study examined the contracts given to the 1,000 largest (in dollar volume) federal small business contractors in FY 2002. Information from the federal governments Individual Contract Action Report (ICAR) was merged with the authors proprietary data on parent firms and with other commercial and federal databases. The report found that 44 of the top 1,000 small business contractors were not, in fact, small businesses. Their contracts coded as small business contracts totaled $2 billion.
Kenton Pattie, Executive Director of the National Emergency Equipment Dealers Association: "Even the $750 million a year Federal Prison Industries has posed itself as a small business, according to Congressional sources who oppose the expansion of Prisons into services such as refurbishing fire apparatus."
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OSHKOSH FIRE AND EMERGENCY SALES INCREASED 58 PERCENT
Originally Posted: January 25, 2005 2:54 PM
Last Updated: January 25, 2005 2:54 PM
Oshkosh operating income increased principally due to strong performance in the Company's defense and fire and emergency segments, while the Company's European refuse business exhibited continued weak performance.
Sales increased 30.8 percent in the first quarter of fiscal 2005. Sales continued to improve, and due to $47.6 million of sales contributed by recent acquisitions. Operating income increased 44.7 percent to $67.6 million, or 10.5 percent of sales.
Oshkosh Truck Corporation (Oshkosh WI), a manufacturer of trucks and truck bodies, had net income increase of 36.6 percent to $40.6 million, on sales of $644.9 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2004. This compares with net income of $29.7 million on sales of $493.2 million for last year's first quarter.
Oshkosh Truck Corporation (Oshkosh WI), a manufacturer of trucks and truck bodies, had net income increase of 36.6 percent to $40.6 million, on sales of $644.9 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2004. This compares with net income of $29.7 million on sales of $493.2 million for last year's first quarter.
Fire and emergency segment sales increased 58.0 percent to $194.2 million for the quarter. Operating income was up 58.9 percent to $18.4 million, or 9.5 percent of sales. The JerrDan and BAI acquisitions contributed revenues of $43.6 million and operating income of $3.0 million. Sales and operating income from other businesses in this segment grew 22.5 percent and 32.7 percent, respectively, for the quarter. The higher sales level for these businesses reflected strong order flow for fire apparatus and airport products during fiscal 2004, largely due to continued recovery in municipal spending nationwide and federal homeland security funding, which fueled purchases by federal agencies, states and municipalities. Operating income margins for these businesses improved due to an improved sales mix.
For the full story on Oshkosh results click the headline above. For more info on Oshkosh, go to the "Search" function in the upper right of your NEEDA screen.
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FIRE ACT GRANTS DUE BETWEEN MARCH 7 AND APRIL 8, 2005
Originally Posted: January 24, 2005 5:41 PM
Last Updated: January 24, 2005 5:41 PM
The Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program offers schedule applicant workshops for the 2005 Fire Grants.
For 2005 Congress has appropriated $600M for Fire Act Grants.
The application period is scheduled for March 7 to April 8, 2005. Potential applicants and interested parties can view the schedule, as well as other fire grant program information, at the website under "MORE INFO?" below.
AFG Program expects to revise and update the schedule, as new locations are added or currently scheduled workshops are amended. Potential applicants are encouraged to check the AFG website from time to time to verify information in the schedule.
Requests for additional workshop locations should be made to one of your AFG regional representatives.
The Fire Grants for this year are very similar to those from last year. There is little change. One change is that the Congress has directed the program office to award a limited number of grants (on a competitive basis) to Emergency Medical Service (EMS) organizations that are not affiliated with a fire department.
The AFG program office, in addition to updates of the schedule, plans in the near future to post a copy of the PowerPoint presentation used at the workshops; Fiscal Year (FY) 2005 Program Guidance; frequently asked questions (FAQ's), and; a link to the online tutorial for the FY2005 application. All of these will help an applicant submit a competitive application for the FY 2005 fire grants. In FY2004, the online tutorial was especially helpful for applicants, and received over 80,000 individual visits.
MORE INFO? www.firegrantsupport.com firegrants@dhs.gov, or 1-866-274-0960 (toll free)
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DEFENSE LOGISTICS PUBLICIZES 1033 PROGRAM TO GIVE FEDERAL PROPERTY TO STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
Originally Posted: January 24, 2005 5:26 PM
Last Updated: January 24, 2005 5:26 PM
Since 1995, the Defense Logistics Agency's Law Enforcement Support Office, Fort Belvoir, VA., has been responsible for transferring excess Department of Defense equipment suitable to counter drug and terrorism activities to federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.
Through the authority of the National Defense Authorization Act's 1033 program, LESO has transferred more than 8 million items from office equipment to aircraft and more than $633 million worth of vehicles in the last 10 years. The benefits of LESO's program have been as diversified as a police officer's duty to protect and serve.
With an automated, Web-based system for law enforcement agencies, or LEAs, to place requests for equipment, LESO acts as a liaison between DLA and state coordinators to check, verify and approve the requests if the department qualifies. Once the department or state has used up an item, it goes to the appropriate Defense Reutilization and Marketing Office, a field activity of DLA, and is disposed or recycled.
Due to the accessibility and fluidity of the 1033 program's automated system, places such as Clayton County, N.C., and 17,000 other qualifying local LEAs have made strides in their crime-fighting efforts.
LESO was able to transfer six cars worth about $300 a piece to the state that were then packed by the Clayton County Police Department with $8,000 in surveillance equipment. With cameras hidden inside the car's interior, officers in Clayton County have made many arrests due to the success of the video backup, and most defendants plead guilty instead of going to trial.
In the last seven years, the vehicles have helped officers throughout North Carolina confiscate almost $3 million in illegal drugs, $750,000 in cash and make more than 3,000 arrests.
Even with the word on the street about the surveillance cars, the program still has found a way to fool the criminals. "Once one of the vehicles gets recognized, then people won't do business with it," said Neil Woodcock of Law Enforcement Support Services for North Carolina. "So, we can take it back and send it somewhere else in the state and other folks can use it."
While the vehicles can be advantageous for local police departments to beat crime, the 1033 program also offers a variety of excess equipment for disaster relief, such as military clothing and boots.
"This is an excellent program," LESO Director Army Lt. Col. Harvey Robinson said, "because it not only saves the taxpayer money, it gives law enforcement agencies an opportunity to get equipment at no cost to assist them in taking criminals off the street or obtain equipment to assist in state emergencies."
The Sheriff's Office in Lake County, Fla., was able to coordinate with LESO to obtain equipment needed to begin clean-up efforts after four hurricanes hit almost each corner of the state last fall.
"During the recent hurricanes," Sgt. Cliff Matthews of the Lake County Sheriff's office stated in a letter to Florida state coordinator David Peace, "we used almost every piece of equipment we had. I want to say thank you for supervising the program that allows us to acquire this equipment. These things would not have been available to us had it not been for the 1033 program."
Items transferred included four High-Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWV), generators used at shelters, lift stations, and cots and blankets, according to Matthews. Lake County was also able to dispatch crews to take the equipment to other hard-hit counties. The success of the program's ability to offer the items has encouraged many of the law enforcement officers and county government agencies in Florida to learn more about the program so they can better prepare their agencies.
According to Peace, Florida received about $4 million worth of equipment during 2004 through the 1033, and the benefits have reached many diverse areas in the state.
Wakulla County, a lower economically developed area in the panhandle of the Sunshine State, was a proud recipient of a free 800-kilowatt generator for a jail complex and one of its police offices. "We took two tractors to haul it down there," Peace said. "There is no way the county could have afforded that generator out of their tax dollars."
Even if a state has not been devastated by natural catastrophes, some that do not have ample funding, according to Army Lt. Col. Thomas Powers and state coordinator for Vermont, have found the program very useful. Vermont has outfitted some of its police offices with furniture from the LESO program that would not have been readily available. Now funds that went to administrative areas, according to Powers, can go to concentrating on personnel for counter drug efforts.
"Vermont is a small state," Powers said, "so a program like 1033 is really great for us. Much of the local government can't afford the equipment they have, so the support has been excellent."
Having been state coordinator for four years, Powers knows Vermont takes care of the items it receives. With many small towns having one person to fill the role of police and fire chief, many of the items LESO transfers are shared throughout the state to extend their shelf life.
Powers admits the LESO 1033 program has made it very easy to acquire needed items for deprived counties. "The automation system is great," he said. "I can go to the online screen from anywhere, even on the weekends, to check it and make approvals. It's an almost seamless process."
While the support local LEAs receive to combat crime and provide aid to those who have suffered from natural disasters is a pivotal part of the 1033 program, LESO has also transferred equipment to help keep local law enforcement officers afloat, literally.
According to Indiana State coordinator David Cardinal, assistance from the 1033 helped to tackle a major drug trafficking ring along Lake Michigan. On one occasion, a drug trafficker lined his boat with a metal ramming device and pushed it into a police boat. The pressure not only sank the boat, it plummeted nine officers who were aboard into the water.
To better man the waters, Indiana acquired a 41-foot Coast Guard cutter through the 1033 program. The use of the cutter enabled the police to catch the criminals who had endangered those police officers' lives and has helped reduce drug trafficking that flows from Lake Michigan to Gary, IN.
LESO also authorizes federal, state and local governments to purchase law enforcement equipment at a discounted rate through the 1122 program. During the last four years California has saved more than $3.5 million purchasing products through the 1122 program vs. buying products at retail prices.
The Defense Logistics Agency provides supply support, and technical and logistics services to the military services and to several civilian agencies. Headquartered at Fort Belvoir, Va., DLA is the one source for nearly every consumable item, whether for combat readiness, emergency preparedness or day- to-day operations.
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CALIFORNIA OFFERS AMNESTY TO THOSE WHO STILL OWE BACK TAXES
Originally Posted: January 24, 2005 5:04 PM
Last Updated: January 24, 2005 5:04 PM
California has a $8.6 billion debt and is offering those who owe back taxes the opportunity to pay up without paying penalties, the San Jose (CA) Mercury News says.
The state's first tax amnesty program in two decades will give everyone who underestimated or didn't pay tax the opportunity to settle up with the state.
California, which is owed an estimated $6.5 billion in unpaid taxes, is hoping to generate the largest windfall
in history from amnesty programs, looking to raise $640 million in personal income taxes, business income taxes, and sales and use taxes.
This is bringing in badly needed revenue to the state,' said Assemblywoman Judy Chu, D-Monterey Park, who wrote the amnesty bill. Every dollar counts. That is $600 million less of cuts we have to make to seniors and the disabled.'
Pay up now since the state plans to hit those who don't pay by March 31, 2005 with stiff new penalties, the Mercury News reported, adding that these penalties could also hurt well-intentioned taxpayers who are legitimately contesting tax bills or learn too late that they underpaid their taxes.
Most people thinking of the word `amnesty' are thinking of a guy hiding in the woods who is told he won't be shot,' Ernie Dronenburg, a partner with Deloitte & Touche, told the Mercury News. This can be an ambush for people who aren't paying attention or who don't have tax counsel.'
California lawmakers vowed to never offer the amnesty program again after the last time it was offered in 1984. But with the state budget deficit skyrocketing to $17 billion last year, legislators changed their minds, the Mercury News reported.
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US SENATOR MIKE DeWINE OF OHIO SELECTED AS CO-CHAIR OF THE CONGRESSIONAL FIRE SERVICES CAUCUS
Originally Posted: January 24, 2005 4:49 PM
Last Updated: January 24, 2005 4:49 PM
The Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI) says US Senator Mike DeWine (OH) will serve as a Co-Chairman of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus starting in the 109th Congress.
Unanimously recommended by the leadership of the Fire Caucus, Senator DeWine will work with his fellow caucus leaders to increase awareness on Capitol Hill about the challenges facing our nation's fire and emergency services. As one of the fire and emergency services' strongest advocates on Capitol Hill, Senator DeWine has been instrumental in getting many important pieces of legislation passed. Most recently, Senator DeWine played an integral role in the effort to reauthorize the highly successful Assistance to Firefighters (FIRE Act) Grant Program. In 2001, he was one of a select group of members of Congress who received the CFSI Legislator of the Year Award for his work on the FIRE Grant Program.
"I look forward to working with members of the caucus to increase funding for fire and emergency services across the nation," Senator DeWine said in a statement released after accepting the position of Caucus Co-Chair. "Fire-based first responders are the first line of defense when protecting families from the devastating effects of fire. We need to ensure they have all the resources they need to effectively do their jobs."
Senator DeWine currently serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee, the Judiciary Committee, the Select Committee on Intelligence, and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. He succeeds Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell (CO) who retired from the Senate following the 108th Congress.
CFSI will hold its annual dinner on Thursday, April 7, 2005. You are invited: either register to sit at the NEEDA table or register directly with CFSI www.cfsi.org
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NEEDA PRAISES FOUNDATIONS FOR HELPING ORGANIZATIONS MEET FIRE AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS; PRAISES AP FOR REPORTING THIS POSITIVE STORY ON FIRE SERVICE
Originally Posted: January 24, 2005 4:43 PM
Last Updated: January 24, 2005 4:43 PM
According to a copyrighted story by the Associated Press "Some nonprofit groups that were facing financial troubles because of stricter state fire regulations will remain in business thanks to millions in grants from a group of Rhode Island foundations.
"The Champlin Foundations announced $17.9 million in grants for state nonprofit groups.
"Some of the recipients faced possible closure by July [05] because they could not afford upgrades needed to comply with state fire safety regulations, adopted after The Station nightclub fire in February 2003 killed 100 people and injured more than 200 others.
"The Varnum House Museum in East Greenwich will use its $9,580 Champlin grant to install emergency lighting and replace its 1950s-era smoke detectors.
"The Urban League of Rhode Island also had an outdated sprinkler system, and was looking at whether it had to close before receiving an $87,000 grant, said Executive Director Dennis B. Langley.
"The Champlin Foundations focus on helping deserving organizations with their capital projects, such as improving facilities and purchasing equipment."
NEEDA salutes these foundations for helping ensure that these nonprofits could stay in business. NEEDA praises the Associated Press for covering this incident of excellence in foundations helping nonprofits meet fire and safety requirements in their community.
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NY TIMES PUBLISHES STORY ABOUT THREE FALLEN FIREFIGHTERS LOST ON BRUTALLY COLD SNOW DAY IN NEW YORK
Originally Posted: January 24, 2005 4:18 PM
Last Updated: January 24, 2005 4:28 PM
The New York Times of Monday, January 24, 2005 has a story titled "3 Fire fighters Killed in Blazes in Brooklyn and the Bronx" by James Barron (page A 16).
According to the Times two died in "a desperate plunge from an apartment in the Bronx as they tried to escape a fire that had burst through from the floor below." The other died after being trapped in a Brooklyn basement.
The day featured severe snow and blizzard conditions.
There was a "sudden loss of water pressure in a hose" after which fire went through the ceiling of the Bronx apartment trapping firefighters on the 4th floor, according to the Times. "Mayday calls went out on their radios as they headed out the windows." Two of the six who jumped did not survive.
There is an investigation as to why the watner pressure failed. A frozen hydrant was involved. "A hose might have burst, or been blocked by icy debris" the Times reported.
The Brooklyn fire broke out during a children's party on the first floor. The firefighter who died became tangled in a coat rack as he was trying to get out of the basement. Other members of his unit went back in for him, found him unconscious but breathing but he arrived at the hospital unconscious and never regained consciousness. Seven other firefighters sustained injuries but no one at the house where the children's party was underway was hurt.
Every year, firefighters die in the line of duty. Like these incidents, they are all horrifying tragedies affecting families, fire stations, departments and citizens. There is a national effort underway to help reduce the number of fire deaths resulting from incidents, but there is no escaping the constant danger and peril these men and women face daily. NEEDA salutes the New York Times for giving an A-section half page story with pictures of the fallen firefighters and the charred Brooklyn apartment building where two died jumping for safety.
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FIRE SERVICE DINNER IN WASHINGTON DC APRIL 7, 2005: YOU ARE INVITED
Originally Posted: January 24, 2005 4:00 PM
Last Updated: January 24, 2005 4:00 PM
The 17th Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner and Seminars will be held on April 7, 2005. Once again the dinner will be held at the Hilton Washington and Towers. This year's theme is "Protecting Our Communities& and Everyone Goes Home." Throughout the day, CFSI will conduct workshops on Capitol Hill covering many of the important issues currently facing our nation's fire services. "These seminars are very informative, professional and contain the latest information and insider views for leaders in the fire service," said James "Pat" Griffin, President of the National Emergency Equipment Dealers Association and Treasurer of American Fire Equipment, Woodbridge VA.
Members of the US House of Representatives and US Senate will attend along with top Federal government officials responsible for various aspects of fire, emergency, public safety and homeland security. Many fire departments send representatives and most fire and emergency professional and trade associations purchase tables to which members invite their guests, spouses and Washington contacts.
For example, the National Emergency Equipment Dealers Association (NEEDA) will have one or more tables at this event and you are invited to be at this table: Just e-mail KentonP1@aol.com. Kenton Pattie represents NEEDA on the CFSI Advisory Committee.
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OHIO AWARDS $77.8 MILLION IN 2005 HOMELAND SECURITY GRANTS
Originally Posted: January 18, 2005 6:39 PM
Last Updated: January 18, 2005 6:39 PM
Ohio receives $77.8 million in 2005 federal homeland security grants to strengthen Ohio's ability to prevent, respond to and recover from potential acts of terrorism.
The $77.8 million will go to fund six different programs.
Ohio is also holding a trade show for public safety responders. Dealers are invited: April 20th and 21st, 2005
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PIERCE PROVIDES FBI COMMAND VEHICLE
Originally Posted: January 18, 2005 12:51 PM
Last Updated: January 18, 2005 10:20 PM
Pierce Manufacturing Inc.(Oshkosh Truck Corporation) received a contract from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to provide a 34-foot custom command post vehicle.
The unit has been delivered and is in place for the Presidential inauguration Thursday, January 20, 2005. in Washington DC. The Pierce heavy-duty command vehicle will be used in national situations, such as terrorist activities, hostage situations and natural disasters.
The Pierce vehicle includes a command center, galley and a conference area. The vehicle is equipped with landlines, Telular and satellite telephone systems, a camera system, LCD TV monitors, DVD/VHS combination decks, color printers, DSS receivers and a camera system.
Oshkosh Truck is a Fortune 1000 company with products marketed under the Oshkosh(R), Pierce(R), McNeilus(R), Medtec(R), Geesink, Norba, Jerr-Dan(R) and CON-E-CO(R) brand names. The company and had annual sales of $2.26 billion in fiscal 2004.
For other news about Pierce and Oshkosh, use the "Search" function in the upper right of your NEEDA Newsletter screen.
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WILDFIRE FIREFIGHTERS URGE NEWS MEDIA TO IMPROVE REPORTING
Originally Posted: January 13, 2005 12:29 PM
Last Updated: January 13, 2005 12:29 PM
News stories about wildland fires have too much sensationalist hype and hysteria "A Reporter's Guide to Wildland Fire," says. The guide was issued for use by print, radio and TV reporters by Firefighters United for Safety, Ethics, and Ecology (FUSEE), a national firefighters' group.
"The net result may produce riveting stories, but this misses an opportunity to more accurately and fully inform the public with the facts," said Timothy Ingalsbee, the country's foremost fire sociologist and author of the guide. "Rather than being villains, wildland fires are natural disturbances that have affected forest ecosystems for millennia," he said. "Reporters do great service to the public when they break free from standard scripts and official sources that typically depict wildfire events with war metaphors and 'catastrophe' mentalities."
Among the "myths" the Guide tackles are: "We can prevent wildfires and fireproof our forests;" "Commercial logging and forest road-building help prevent wildfires;" "Recent summers have been the worst wildfire seasons in history;" and "Most wildfires burn in densely forested areas of National Forests." The Guide also suggests new terminologies, such as "high-severity wildland fires," instead of "catastrophic wildfires."
The Guide for example, suggests new terminologies, such as "high-severity wildland fires," instead of "catastrophic wildfires."
For other NEEDA Newsletter stories on wildfires, use the "Search" function in the upper right of your NEEDA Newsletter screen.
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FIRE FIGHTERS UNION PRAISES HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY NOMINEE MIKE CHERTOFF
Originally Posted: January 13, 2005 12:05 PM
Last Updated: January 13, 2005 12:05 PM
The General President of the International Association of Fire Fighters, AFL-CIO/CLC, Harold Schaitberger, praised the nomination of Michael Chertoff as the new Bush Administration Secretary of Homeland Security: "Mr. Chertoff's initial comments yesterday that he looks forward to working with frontline defenders to improve our homeland security is exactly the kind of team-focused approach the Department needs to deliver the personnel, training and gear that will prevent a greater loss of life and property in the event of another attack."
The IAFF, is the 16th largest union among the 63 national unions that make up the AFL-CIO, representing 267,000 professional fire fighters and emergency medical personnel who protect 80 percent of the nation's population.
More than 2,900 affiliates protect nearly 6,000 communities in Canada and the U.S. The IAFF lobbies in Washington and funds candidates through its Political Action Committee, FIREPAC.
For other NEEDA Newsletter stories on Homeland Security, use the "Search" function in the upper right of your NEEDA Newsletter screen.
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DOCUMENTARY WHAT 245 HOURS OF TRAINING ARE LIKE FOR ANTI-TERRORISM OFFICERS
Originally Posted: January 13, 2005 11:51 AM
Last Updated: January 13, 2005 11:53 AM
A new documentary on anti- terrorism training follows Anti-Terrorism Officers (ATO) as they prepare to deploy to such critical infrastructure as energy plants, chemical facilities and seaports.
This documentary was created to expose the viewer to the 245 hours of training that ATOs receive prior to deployment into environments where terrorism is a critical threat.
In this documentary ATOs complete high-speed tactical training in a dormant power plant where they engage in search and neutralize exercises armed with AR-15 semi-automatic rifles. The students go through the Anti-Terrorism Officer classroom training, which includes hands-on training with inert bombs. Viewers will also watch as ATOs train in Rules of Engagement, Advanced Weapons Qualification, Close Quarters Battle Tactics, Facility Defense and Level III Hazmat Technician (Chem/Bio) Training.
For the compelete NEEDA Newsletter story on this new documentary, click on the headline. For other NEEDA stories on terrorism or homeland security, use the "Search" function in the upper right of your NEEDA Newsletter screen.
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US CHAMBER PROVIDES NEEDA WITH REPORT ON BUSINESS ISSUES IN WASHINGTON
Originally Posted: January 13, 2005 10:48 AM
Last Updated: January 13, 2005 10:48 AM
On behalf of its members, NEEDA belongs to the US Chamber of Commerce. Kenton Pattie, Executive Director, has been serving on the Chamber's procurement committee and attends various Chamber meetings representing dealers and small businesses in Washington DC. Here is the Chamber's latest report to members.
To read the report, click on the NEEDA Newsletter headline for this story. To comment on the Chamber's report, e-mail: KentonP1@aol.com.
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PIERCE, MEDTEC BRAND MANUFACTURER WILL REVEAL LATEST FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE JANUARY 25, 2005: TUNE IN TO CONFERENCE CALL
Originally Posted: January 13, 2005 10:40 AM
Last Updated: January 13, 2005 10:40 AM
Oshkosh Truck Corporation (OSHKOSH, WI), a manufacturer of specialty trucks and truck bodies, will issue its first quarter fiscal 2005 financial results on Tuesday, January 25, 2005.
A live conference call will be held at 11:00 AM EST and will be available simultaneously, in a listen-only format, via webcast.
Oshkosh Truck Corporation is a manufacturer of specialty trucks and truck bodies for the defense, fire and emergency, concrete placement and refuse hauling markets. Oshkosh Truck is a Fortune 1000 company with products marketed under the Oshkosh(R), Pierce(R), McNeilus(R), Medtec(R), Jerr-Dan(R), Geesink, Norba and BAI brand names. The company is headquartered in Oshkosh, Wis., and had annual sales of $2.3 billion in fiscal 2004.
To access the webcast, use www.oshkoshtruckcorporation.com
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PLANT PEST IS WILDFIRE THREAT; QUICKBIRD IMAGES BEING USED TO MAP THE EXTENT OF TAMARISK IN KANSAS
Originally Posted: January 13, 2005 10:18 AM
Last Updated: January 13, 2005 10:20 AM
DigitalGlobe(Longmont CO) tells NEEDA that Kearny County, KA. and Native Communities Development Corp. (NCDC) are using DigitalGlobe's QuickBird satellite image products for mapping Tamarisk, an invasive plant species that has infested the banks of the Arkansas River. The effective management of Tamarisk has critical implications for wildfire prevention.
Tamarisk presents a significant fire hazard since it monopolizes water resources and deposits thick layers of dry brush and leaves that create a strong fuel source. In addition, the dense Tamarisk branches impede wildlife access to water sources. Not commonly eaten by native wildlife, the plant also alters soil salinity and lowers water quality for water creatures.
Using QuickBird satellite imagery and Feature Analyst Software from Visual Learning Systems (Missoula, MT), in addition to proprietary algorithms, NCDC created a detailed inventory used for developing treatment and control plans. NCDC also created visual, image-based maps to assist in communicating with government agencies and private landowners.
For the complete NEEDA Newsletter story, click on the headline. For more info on the use of GPS and satellites in fire prevention, click on the Search function in the upper right corner of your NEEDA Newsletter screen.
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SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION TRYING AGAIN IN 2005 TO DECIDE "WHAT IS A SMALL BUSINESS?"
Originally Posted: January 10, 2005 4:55 PM
Last Updated: January 10, 2005 4:55 PM
The U.S. Small Business Administration bombed in 2004 in changing the "size standards" which determine which dealers and other small firms can bid on or win government contracts.
There are many preferences for various kinds of companies and being a "small" company -- by the SBA definition -- is a key benefit.
But, small companies justifiably get unhappy when they are deliberately excluded from some business because some Federal bureaucrat has ruled that the dealer is really not small.
SBA has never agreed to the idea that a dealer is a dealer -- that dealers and distributors are generally small. This is true in most industries.
SBA wants comment on:
1. approaches by which to simplify size standards,
2. calculating business employment size,
3. use of receipts to measure business size,
4. designating size standards on federal procurements,
5. establishing a separate set of size standards for federal procurement,
6. establishing tiered size standards for small business sub-categories,
7. simplification of the affiliation and joint venture provisions,
8., grandfathering existing small businesses from revised size standards,
9. identifying the use of size standards on non-SBA federal programs and regulations and the impact of size standards changes.
The SBA also will conduct public meetings across the US on size standards to listen to ideas and concerns from small business owners and managers. Information on these meetings will be announced in 2005.
The agency also is seeking comments regarding the participation of small businesses that are majority-owned by venture capital firms in the Small Business Innovation Research Program and the relationship between franchisors and franchisees in the Temporary Staffing industry. The SBA will consider a new size standards proposal once a thorough review of comments received from the public is completed. The public will have an additional opportunity to comment on those specific changes once they are formally proposed.
MORE INFO? Go to SBAs Size Standards website or visit Federal eRulemaking Portal. Comments for this advanced notice are due by February 1, 2005.
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FEMSA EVALUATES FIREHOUSE EXPO AND FIRERESCUE INTERNATIONAL TRADE SHOWS
Originally Posted: January 9, 2005 3:51 PM
Last Updated: January 9, 2005 3:51 PM
The Fire Emergency Manufacturers and Services Association (FEMSA) has issued another in its long series of Excel spreadsheets containing fire trade show evaluations. The last two Trade Show Report
Cards for 2005:
Firehouse Expo
FireRescue International
MORE INFO? FEMSA.ORG
For other information about FEMSA, use the "Search" function in the upper right of your NEEDA Newsletter screen.
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FEMA ANNOUNCES NEW NATIONAL RESPONSE PLAN (NRP) ONLINE TRAINING
Originally Posted: January 9, 2005 3:44 PM
Last Updated: January 9, 2005 3:44 PM
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security for has issued the new IS-800 The National Response Plan (NRP), an
Introduction.
This course introduces emergency management practitioners to
the NRP, including the concept of operations upon which the plan is built, the roles and responsibilities of the key players, and the organizational structures used to manage response resources. The NRP provides a framework to ensure all response elements work together whenever this nation
and residents are threatened.
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WHAT IF A FIREFIGHTER DIES IN THE LINE OF DUTY? ANSWERS BY THE FEDERAL GROVERNMENT
Originally Posted: January 9, 2005 3:36 PM
Last Updated: January 9, 2005 3:59 PM
On-duty firefighter fatalities should now be made to the Unites States Fire Administration (USFA) online by using the
notification form on the newly redesigned USFA Web site
http://www.usfa.fema.gov/applications/ffmem/notification.jsp
.
Despite continued advances in firefighting equipment,
Incident Command System training, operations and safety training and improved communications, 107 firefighters died in the line of duty in the United States in 2004 according to figures from the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
All notifications are also sent to the National Fallen Firefighter Memorial Foundation for separate Line of Duty Death (LODD) criteria evaluation: www.usfa.fema.gov/fatalities/memorial/criteria.shtm.
The fatality notices posted at the grounds of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial and on the USFA Web site immediately after a firefighter's death are for notification purposes only.
For on-duty deaths reported to USFA immediately following the fatal incident, a notice will be posted and the flags flown at half-staff at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial. The name will also be added to the Firefighter Memorial Database (http://www.usfa.fema.gov/fatalities/).
For the complete story, click on the headline above.
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BUSH ADMINISTRATION AGREES TO CLINTON ADMINISTRATION'S RULES HELPING EMPLOYEES WITH PREEXISTING CONDITIONS GET HEALTH INSURANCE WHEN WORKING FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
Originally Posted: January 1, 2005 10:00 AM
Last Updated: January 1, 2005 10:00 AM
Small businesses may soon be able to include all employees, even if one or two employees have preexisting conditions and thus were previously omitted from the company health insurance plan. New Federal rules limit when preexisting conditions can be excluded from coverage. The new rules also call for a prompt open period in which employees formerly excluded from health care coverage can reapply. These changes for the first time implement provisions in the 1996 Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, a major accomplishment of the Clinton era.
While the law is over seven years old, new rules cannot go into effect until they are issued by the Federal departments responsible for the issues involved. Public hearings and various draft documents preceeded the issuance of these new rules.
For example, the final regulation:
* Requires group health plans and group health insurance issuers to include, concurrently with the certificate of creditable coverage provided to individuals when they lose coverage under the plan, an educational statement on their HIPAA rights.
* Includes model language that group health plans and group health insurance issuers can use for the new educational statement.
* Recognizes health plans maintained by foreign governments, and by the U.S. government (such as Veterans Administration coverage) as creditable coverage that can be used to reduce the length of or eliminate a preexisting condition exclusion.
* Offers sample language that plans and issuers can use to satisfy their obligations to provide participants notices of preexisting condition exclusions.
* Clarifies that certain plan benefit restrictions are in fact preexisting condition exclusions that must comply with HIPAA's limitations on such exclusions.
For the full story, click on the headline of this NEEDA Newsletter article.
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