NEEDA - National Emergency Equipment Dealers Association

Stephen L. Rosenstein, Baltimore Sun
December 23, 2007

Small business owners are not always the best employee motivators.

Some are so wrapped up in operational issues that their people skills fall short. If your business already has employees or plans to hire them, these individuals will be critical to your success. You need to learn how to elicit good results from your employees without micromanaging every detail of their work.

Most business owners delegate work to an employee, only to find a finished task that isn't what they envisioned. In most cases, it is poor communication. Some people try to save time and manage by e-mail. Direct contact builds trust and rapport.

Establish your business mantra and keep repeating it. Instead of asking if an employee understood your instructions, ask what specific steps the person would take to complete the task.

Highlight the positive work an employee performs and correct mistakes without making them personal.

Strive to be a visual manager. The people who work for you deserve your attention. Make time for one-on-one as well as group meetings.

MORE INFO? smallbiz@baltsun.com

WASHINGTON STATE FIRES KILL 1,195 PEOPLE IN LAST 20 YEARS
Originally Posted: December 24, 2007 6:30 PM
Last Updated: December 24, 2007 6:30 PM

Approximately 3,500 to 4,000 people die every year from fire and thousands of people are injured. Just in Washington State over the last 20 years 1,195 people lost their lives in fire. King County averages about 11 fire deaths per year.

Cooking, smoking, heating, electrical, and arson are some of the major causes of fire in general, and careless smoking is the leading cause of fire deaths. About one-third of all fires occur in residential properties; one-third involves natural vegetation (brush or wildland); and the remaining third involves vehicles, outside equipment and storage, and other locations. Most fires are human-caused and are preventable, while only a small percentage of fires are actually due to natural acts such as lightening.

In order for a fire to occur, three elements in the right combination are required - heat or ignition source, fuel, and oxygen. How a fire behaves primarily depends on the characteristics of available fuel and other conditions. In wildland fires, weather conditions and terrain are key factors. Weather plays a role in the forms of wind, precipitation, and lightening. Drought, snow pack, and local weather conditions can also expand the length of the fire season. Terrain is an additional factor, as the topography of a region or local area influences the amount and moisture of available fuel.

Structure Fires: a fire of natural or human-caused origin that results in the destruction of homes, businesses, and other structures in populated, urban or suburban areas. Fast-spreading structure fires can quickly threaten a large amount of people, as well as tax the resources of local fire-fighting jurisdictions. Structure fires can also be potential secondary hazards of earthquakes and riots.

Wildland Fire: a fire of natural or human-caused origin that results in the uncontrolled destruction of forests, field crops and grasslands. Depending weather conditions, fuel and topography, wildland fires can spread rapidly and may require additional firefighting resources, lasting days or months to prevent further extension and extinguishment of fire..

Wildland-Urban Interface: a fire of natural or human-caused origin that occurs in or near forest or grassland areas where isolated homes, subdivisions, and small communities are also located. With the growth and urbanization of King County, and more comprehensive transportation systems, the potential for wildland urban or interface fire increases. As a result of this urban interface, the effects of these fires can be the combined consequences of both structure and wildland fires. Urban interface fires can encroach onto residential properties and structure fires can invade wooded areas. Interface fires can also be quite difficult to fight, as remote locations of residential properties in wooded areas can increase firefighting response times to those isolated areas.

CONGRESS ALARMED THAT SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNTS OF KATRINA-RITA APPROPRIATIONS HAVE NOT BEEN SPENT IN TEXAS BY THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION
Originally Posted: December 21, 2007 4:37 PM
Last Updated: December 21, 2007 4:37 PM

Rep. Bennie G. Thompson, Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security and Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee, Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection have been told that much of the aid to support Hurricane Rita victims has not been spent or disbursed. The State of Texas has only spent $1.1 million of an estimated $500 million in federal funds for housing assistance and infrastructure repair and only 13 of 4,300 applicants have received new homes as of September 2007.

It is absolutely alarming to learn that Texas has spent less than 1 percent of its federal aid for a storm that occurred in 2005, said Rep. Thompson. It is apparent that the transition of the Disaster Housing Assistance Program from FEMA to HUD has not been smooth. My Committee plans to hold a hearing to look into the sources of the funding received, why accounting and reporting measures are not in place and most importantly, why the funding has not reached those who are still in need of assistance.

Rep. Jackson-Lee a: As a senior member of the Homeland Security Committee, it saddens me during this holiday season to see people living on the edge of lifes disaster. The survivors of Hurricane Rita are a high priority for this Committee under the chairmanship of Congressman Bennie Thompson. We fought hard to get FEMA trailers and transitional housing money directly to the people who are most in need. I personally traveled to Southeastern Texas after the storm. I saw the huge devastation that many were not aware of. It is unspeakable that more than two years after the tragedy, elderly citizens and families are living again on the edge of disaster without their own housing. All government officials have to answer now including the state of Texas as to why the $500 million dollars sent for relief has not been used for the survivors of Hurricane Rita who still remain in the eye of the storm. I am grateful to Chairman Thompson that this hearing will be called so that lives of families in Southeastern Texas can be restored.

MORE INFO? Dena Graziano or Adam Comis (202) 225-9978

DANGER: PORTABLE GENERATORS . . . FEMA
Originally Posted: December 21, 2007 9:39 AM
Last Updated: December 21, 2007 9:39 AM

The Department of Homeland Securitys Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has joined with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in issuing a warning to consumers confronted by the recent winter weather. When theres a power outage, exercise caution when using portable generators.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an invisible killer. You cant see or smell it. A generators exhaust contains poisonous CO which can kill you in a matter of minutes.

Last year, at least 65 people died from generator-related CO poisoning. Many of the deaths occurred after winter storms knocked out power.

Follow these important generator safety tips:

Never use a portable generator inside a home, garage, shed or other partially enclosed space, even if doors and windows are open.
Place portable generators outside only, far away from the home. And keep the generator away from openings to the home, including doors, windows and vents.
Read the label on the generator and the owners manual, and follow the instructions.
Install CO alarms with battery backup in the home outside each sleeping area.
Get to fresh air immediately if you start to feel sick, weak or dizzy. CO poisoning from exposure to generator exhaust can quickly lead to incapacitation and death.
Last year, CPSC mandated a new danger label on generators manufactured after May 14, 2007. The label states that, "Using a generator indoors CAN KILL YOU IN MINUTES."

FEMA and CPSC also caution people to never use charcoal for cooking in the home. Every year individuals lose their lives attempting to cook with charcoal when power is out. Charcoal fires should only be used outside of the home.

DEALERS: HOW TO SNAP OUT OF A SALES SLUMP
Originally Posted: December 19, 2007 2:38 PM
Last Updated: December 19, 2007 2:38 PM

By Colleen Francis

Sales people who have a poor start at the beginning of a year, often find themselves struggling for the rest of the year to catch up. The good news is, whatever you're experiencing, we've all been there at least once. The bad news is, most of us don't know exactly how to snap out of a slump, and start making sales.

First, don't panic! If you're in panic mode, you can't be creative, and creativity is exactly what you need right now. Besides, prospects can smell desperation in sales people. If you panic, your prospects will sense that you're desperate, and they'll avoid you. Just take a deep breath, stay calm and focus on what needs to be done.

Next, don't get down on yourself. Think about a time in your past when you were in a similar situation, and how you were able to climb out if it. Focus on that positive experience, instead of focusing on the negative.

Third, don't get angry. Anger will be misinterpreted by your clients, peers and managers as being emotional or out of control. Whenever you find yourself becoming angry, try to be as honest as possible, and focus on solutions and optionsnot on laying blame.

Last but most definitely not least, don't quit! The worst thing you can do during a slump is to stop trying. The Chicago White Sox were on the verge of a 90-year slump before winning the World Series last year. Yet during that entire period, their team motto stayed the same: "Win, or die trying." Guess it paid off for them in the end.

To help you snap out of a slump and get back on track for the New Year, try some of the following tips:

1. Reconnect to your plan.
Review your goals and commit to the action plan you set for yourself at the beginning of the yearand, if it's not working for you several months down the line, create a new one! One client of mine recalculates his plan after every month he doesn't hit his quota, to ensure his quota for the next month includes both what he was supposed to do PLUS whatever he missed last month. This helps him redefine his actions and gain clarity on exactly how many calls he needs to make, meetings he needs to secure and business he needs to close to get back on track.

2. Get back to basics.
Once, after Tiger Woods had spent hours on the practice green sinking hundreds of puts, a commentator asked him why he was still practicing considering how consistent he had been. Tiger responded: "I don't like the way the ball is rolling into the cup." That's mastering the basics.

Slumps are almost always caused by not having enough qualified buyers in the pipelinein other words, not enough prospecting. If you find yourself in a slump, start by looking internally, not externally. Remember that the slump is your slump, not someone else's. Be strong enough to realize this, and take corrective action.

3. Stay away from life suckers.
You know who they are. The ones who lies in wait at the water cooler, just so they can whine, moan and complain to whatever poor, parched soul happens to wander by. The ones lurking in the lunchroom way past 1 p.m. to tell you about how nothing is ever right, and they're always getting the short end of the stick. Life suckers can't help you; they have problems of their own.

4. Change your mood.
Listen to your favorite song, comedian or motivational speaker in the car on your way to your next sales meeting. This will help put you into an excellent, upbeat mood when you start your presentation, which will cause you to shineand your prospect to take a shine to you.

5. Change your environment.
This could be as simple as de-cluttering your office. It's impossible to feel fresh and excited about what you do if you can't see your desk. A chaotic work environment will make you depressed to be there, and if you're depressed to be at work, you won't snap out of your slump.

6. Take your boss to work.
Take your boss with you on calls for a week. This will force you to be more prepared and on your best behavior. You'll also probably receive more feedback than you probably want. Instead of rejecting this feedback, use it to be better.

7. Prove that money can buy a little happiness.
Buy something you can't afford. This is radical, and not many of you will like the idea or think it's responsible, but it works better great as a personal pick me up. Just don't make it a regular habit.

Having a slump is not the end of the world, so long as it's short, temporary and you know what to do about it.

Know what motivates you. Be disciplinedit's the one thing that separates the best from the mediocreand stay focused on those activities that you know will pull you out of the slump. And remember to keep it all in perspective.

You are responsible for your slump, and only you can change it. But you can change it, and once you accept the fact that you can reverse your fortune, you'll already be on the road to recovery.

Colleen Francis, Sales Expert, is Founder and President of Engage Selling Solutions (www.EngageSelling.com). Armed with skills developed from years of experience, Colleen helps clients realize immediate results, achieve lasting success and permanently raise their bottom line.

HISTORIC WHITE HOUSE BUILDING FIRE HITS VP CHENEY'S OFFICE
Originally Posted: December 19, 2007 1:36 PM
Last Updated: December 19, 2007 1:36 PM

Fire hit the Eisenhower building where most White House employees work. Vice President Cheney's office office was damaged by smoke and water from fire hoses, White House spokesman Scott Stanzel said. The vice president was not in the building at the time; he was in the West Wing of the White House with President Bush, assording to the Associated Press in a copyrighted story.

District of Columbia (Washington DC) fire units responded to the fire.

More than 1,000 people who work in the building were evacuated. The AP says the fire broke out on the second floor of the building around about 9:15 AM. and was under control within a half hour, District of Columbia fire department spokesman Alan Etter said.

Afterward, Bush and Cheney appeared on West Executive Avenue, between the White House and the damaged building, to thank District of Columbia firefighters. A fire tanker nearby still had its ladder extended to a window on the blackened second floor.

The blaze was located in Cheney's suite of ceremonial offices. His working office is in the West Wing. Secret Service spokesman Darrin Blackford said the building was evacuated as a precaution. District of Columbia firefighters poured water on the blaze, broke windows and moved furniture onto a balcony.

There were no reports of serious injuries, Etter said. A U.S. Marine stationed at the building smashed a fifth-floor window to escape from the smoke and had to be rescued from the ledge, he said. The man suffered a minor cut to his hand.

The building remained evacuated while firefighters ventilated the smoke, Etter said. The displaced employees were sent to other offices or went home.

Investigators were working to determine the cause of the blaze, Etter said. The smoke appeared to come from an electrical closet on the building's second floor.

The Executive Office Building, a commanding structure with a granite, slate and cast iron exterior at the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and 17th Street, houses the Office of Management and Budget and staff of the National Security Council and other agencies.

Originally built for the State, War and Navy Departments between 1871 and 1888, the building was renamed in honor of President Dwight Eisenhower during the Clinton administration.

CONTRACTS WITH THE US GOVERNMENT POSE MANY PROBLEMS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES: WILLIAM T. KEEVAN
Originally Posted: December 19, 2007 1:24 PM
Last Updated: December 19, 2007 1:24 PM

Small government contractors who operated for decades in a highly regulated and politically charged environment, now face increased government oversight and public criticism, says William Keevan, consultant.

He sites:

the increasingly stringent government audit and oversight that contractors now face;
how government contractors can manage and reduce their business and compliance risks;
the business risks faced by government contractors that are generally not encountered by companies operating in the commercial marketplace;
government contracting regulation complexities and impact on contractors operations
public and Congressional misperceptions about government contractors; and
steps government contractors should take when an investigation is launched.

Keevan has written on government contract accounting, costing and pricing matters, as well as implications of the Sarbanes-Oxley for government contractors and their management, directors, and independent auditors.

He has testified before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce and is a frequent speaker on financial accounting, cost accounting, corporate governance, and regulatory compliance matters. Keevan has testified as an expert in federal court, before the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals, in arbitration proceedings and in numerous depositions.

Formerly a senior partner with Arthur Andersen LLP, Mr. Keevan directed the firms Study of Government Audit and Other Oversight Activities Relating to Defense Contractors conducted on behalf of the Presidents Blue Ribbon Commission on Defense Management (the Packard Commission).

He served for six years on the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Defense Contractors Committee, three of which he served as Chairman.

MORE INFO? 212-833-3464 dwilson@kroll.comor or emilie.moghadam@fleishman.com

DUBUQUE (IOWA) FIRE DEPARTMENT USES MOBILE RESCUE WIRELESS BY BIO-KEY INTERNATIONAL
Originally Posted: December 19, 2007 1:03 PM
Last Updated: December 19, 2007 1:03 PM

BIO-key International, Inc. (Wall, NJ), a finger-based biometric
identification and wireless company, was selected by the Dubuque (Iowa) Fire Department for MobileRescue(TM), BIO-key's wireless messaging and data product for fire and emergency response.

By utilizing MobileRescue, Dubuque's Fire Department uses laptops --
installed in the agency's ambulances and command vehicles -- as well as
desktop computers used by shift commanders. MobileRescue also allows
Dubuque County's 911 Center to dispatch fire apparatus and rescue units to incidents and to communicate while first responders are en route and on scene.

Dubuque Assistant Fire Chief Rick Steines: "With MobileRescue's interface to the county's computer aided dispatch (CAD) system, they know the current status of every unit. Additionally they're not tying up our tactical voice radio channels sending address and other information, which is now available to the responder on their screen."

MobileRescue enables the city's fire and rescue agencies to
communicate with its police officers who also respond to most calls for
service. The police department has been a user of MobileCop(R),
BIO-key's wireless law enforcement messaging and query solution, since
1994.

Michael DePasquale, President and CEO of BIO-key: "Deploying both fire and police systems ultimately reduces costs, generates savings in training and enables inter-agency information sharing."

BIO-key International, Inc., develops identification services to law enforcement departments, public safety agencies, government
and private sector customers.

BIO-key's mobile wireless technology provides first responders with critical, reliable, real-time data and images from local, state and national databases.
Over 750 police departments in North America use BIO-key
Solutions

MORE INFO? www.bio-key.com

US SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION SAYS SMALL BIZ WAS STRONG IN 06
Originally Posted: December 19, 2007 12:45 PM
Last Updated: December 19, 2007 12:45 PM

Small businesses continued to lead growth in the U.S. economy in 2006, according to an annual report issued by the Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Advocacy Chief Economist Chad Moutray: Todays report shows that overall, small firms continue to drive a resilient U.S. economy." In releasing this annual report, we are pleased also to showcase new research by economists in the field of small business and entrepreneurship.

The study, The Small Business Economy: A Report to the President for 2007, is the Office of Advocacys annual report on the state of small business in America.

The report reviews the economic environment for small businesses in the year 2006, including the financial and federal procurement marketplaces. New research focuses on minority- and veteran-owned businesses, social entrepreneurship, and pre-venture planning. Other chapters and appendices provide data on small business and an update on Office of Advocacy initiatives.

The Office of Advocacy, the small business watchdog of the federal government, examines the role and status of small business in the economy and independently represents the views of small business to federal agencies, Congress, and the President. It is the source for small business statistics presented in user-friendly formats, and it funds research into small business issues..

The Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is an independent voice for small business within the federal government. The presidentially appointed Chief Counsel for Advocacy advances the views, concerns, interests of small business before Congress, the White House, federal agencies, federal courts, and state policy makers.

MORE INFO? web.sba.gov/list/ or (202) 205-6533

SORRY, I FORGOT YOUR NAME . . . TEN TIPS ON HOW TO REMEMBER NAMES
Originally Posted: December 18, 2007 8:42 PM
Last Updated: December 18, 2007 8:42 PM

The ability to remember names is an important business skill that gives you an advantage in business settings.

How you remember names is based on your learning style and personality.

Here are ten ways to remember names combines visual, aural, and strategic techniques! Just don't forget your national trade association's name is: National Emergency Equipment Dealers Association (NEEDA)!!

1. Repetition, Repetition, Repetition

As soon as you hear a name, repeat it back to the person. "It's good to finally meet you, Karen - I hear you're the expert on mufflers."

If you don't do this, you will forget her name within ten seconds of meeting her. Also be sure to repeat the name aloud in the beginning, during and at the end of the conversation. This will allow you to widen various areas of your memory circuit.

"That's a great story Stephanie!" "Wow Tony, you obviously know your hockey." If you speak the name, hear the name, and listen to yourself say the name, you will remember it.

2. Inquiry

The number one rule in interpersonal communication is to show a genuine interest in the other person. So, ask your new colleague to explain the personal significance of their name. Ask if they go by a nickname. Inquire about the culture from which their name was derived. The spelling question is also effective. Even if Dave or Bob is only spelled one way you can always ask if they prefer "Dave," "David," "Bobby" or "Robert."

In so doing, you show them you care about them as a person. You also transform their name from an arbitrary fact into a meaningful representation of them. Ultimately, you will flatter them and make them feel appreciated.

3. Dramatize Faces

You probably remember faces better than you remember names. Great! This will only make it easier when you dramatize someone's face and associate facial feature with their name. For example, if their nose or hair is particularly memorable, make a connection using alliteration with their name. Brian has bright red hair. Lucy has a long nose.

The trick is to make your associations and dramatizations memorable and interesting. Remember, that which is exaggerated and ridiculous is memorable.

4. Forget About You

"Did I give him the 'cold fish' handshake?" "Did I even look into her eyes?" "Do you think she noticed the logo on my company briefcase?" If you try too hard to make a good first impression, odds are you will have no idea to whom you make a good first impression to!

So don't think about yourself! Forget about you! Concentrate on them. When you become too self-conscious and nervous during the moment of introduction, it will interfere with your memory.

5. Write Them Down

If you are a visual learner, write down the name of the person. This is a flawless method to remember. Most networking functions and meetings take place where tables, pens, and paper are available.

Throughout the conversation, look down at the name in front of you, and then look at the person. Maria. Then look at the name again. Maria. Then look at the person again. Maria. You'll never forget.

The additional benefit when you do this, unbeknownst to you, is that at least one other person in your group will see you write the name down. Talk about a good first impression!

6. Inner Monologue

Imagine you've already used Samantha's name during the conversation. You seem to have it committed to memory. Then again, you don't want to overuse her name aurally. Even if a person's name is the sweetest sound they will ever hear, you don't want to make it too obvious that you use the repetition trick.
Fortunately, there are countless opportunities during the conversation to quickly say the name to yourself while you look at their face:

while they get a pen

while they take a drink

while they get something out of their desk

while they laugh at your hilarious joke.

It only takes a few seconds to look at someone and silently think to yourself, "Samantha. Samantha. Samantha." Don't worry; you won't miss anything if you choose to do this at the appropriate times.

7. Introduce Someone Else

"Have you met my coworker Patty?" you ask the nameless person. "I don't believe I have," he says, "My name is Roger. It's nice to meet you Patty." Roger. That's his name! You thought it was Antonio! Thank God you introduced him to someone else or you would be floating up the eponymous creek.

Furthermore, if you introduce someone you just met to another person, it allows you to:

take control of the conversation

show your willingness to encourage connections, and

expand someone else's network of colleagues.
8. Listen and Look for Name Freebies
More often than not, you won't be the only person who knows the name of your new colleague. This means that other people will say their name, and you will be reminded. No charge. All you have to do is pay attention.
Also remember to keep your eyes open for subtle, visual reminders such as business cards, receipts, nametags, jewelry, table tents, and personal papers. Without getting too nosey, it will be easy to identify these name freebies that paint you out of your memory corners.

9. Practice. Practice. Practice.

That's the hard part. But over time you will learn how these different techniques for name memory will work best for you.

10. Attitude. Attitude. Attitude.

That's the easy part. However, while practice enhances your name memory over time, it only takes a few seconds to decide to change your attitude. Don't let yourself think that you can't remember names. In fact, from this moment on, you are no longer bad with names. Combine this new attitude with your recently acquired skills, and you'll never have to say "Hey you!" again.
These ten effective techniques to remember names will be helpful to cross the chasm between you and a potential colleague or associate. When you identify and amplify someone's name, you won't suffer a loss of face. Ultimately, your interactions and conversations will become more personal and comfortable.

Scott Ginsberg is the author of three books and a professional speaker on this subject!

MORE INFO? Front Porch Productions 314/256-1800 or scott@hellomynameisscott.com

MSA SELECTS WILLIAM LAMBERT AS BOARD MEMBER AND CEO ELECT OF MSA
Originally Posted: December 17, 2007 5:53 PM
Last Updated: December 17, 2007 5:53 PM

The Board of Directors of MSA (Pittsburg, PA) has elected William M. Lambert a director. William M. Lambert, MSA's President and Chief Operating Officer, is a news member of the MSA Board of Directors. He will succeed John T. Ryan III as Chief Executive Officer upon Ryan's retirement in May of 2008. Lambert, 49, joined MSA in 1981 as design engineer.

John T. Ryan III, MSA Chairman and CEO: "Bill has dedicated his entire career to MSA and the safety industry, and he has a true passion for understanding the needs and desires of our customers. The leadership and perspective he will bring to the Board, gained not only from his diverse experience at MSA, but also from his outside involvement with several highly respected safety organizations, will certainly strengthen the Board's depth as we focus on enhancing MSA's position as the global leader in sophisticated safety."

Over his 26-year career with MSA, Lambert as a design engineer, developed a revolutionary life-saving system that allows firefighters to quickly replenish their breathing apparatus air-supplies in emergency situations. The patented device, known as the Quick-Fill(R) System, remains an important MSA product to this day.

Lambert has served the company in a variety of capacities, including Product Line Manager for air-line respirators, Nuclear Industry Specialist, Project Engineer for self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) development, Director of Marketing for safety products, Vice President/General Manager of the company's former Safety Products Division and President, MSA North America.

Lambert received a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from
Penn State University in 1980 and a master's degree in Industrial
Administration from Carnegie Mellon University in 1990.

A registered professional engineer in Pennsylvania, Lambert is
Chairman of the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) of
Arlington, Va., and also serves as secretary for the National Fire
Protection Association's technical correlating committee on Fire and
Emergency Services Protective Clothing and Equipment. In addition to his
professional affiliations, Lambert is a Director of the Pittsburgh
Civic Light Opera and the Southwestern Pennsylvania chapter of the American
Red Cross.

Established in 1914, MSA manufactures and supplies sophisticated safety products that protect people's health and safety. Sophisticated safety products typically integrate any combination of electronics, mechanical systems and advanced materials to protect users against hazardous or life-threatening situations. The company's comprehensive line of products is used by workers around the world in the fire service, homeland security, construction and other industries, as well as the military. Principal products include self-contained breathing apparatus, gas masks, gas detection instruments, head protection, respirators and thermal imaging cameras. The company also provides a broad range of consumer and contractor safety products through retail channels. These products are marketed and sold under the MSA Safety Works brand. MSA has annual sales of approximately $950 million, manufacturing operations throughout the United States and Europe, and more than 40 international locations.

MORE INFO? www.msanet.com.

CALIFORNIA INCOME SHORTFALL MAY BE $14 BILLION; UP $4 BILLION FROM PREVIOUS ESTIMATE; WILDFIRES
Originally Posted: December 15, 2007 5:34 PM
Last Updated: December 15, 2007 5:34 PM

Californias top budget analyst, Elizabeth Hill, released a report projecting a $9.8 billion hole in next years budget, which was significantly more than the $6.1 billion the Schwarzenegger administration had previously estimated.

California Administration officials have since revised their projections, taking into account the sluggish housing market and costs associated with the Southern California wildfires. And the outlook appears even worse than Elizabeth Hill thought.

The administration confirmed that the deficit would exceed $10 billion.

Weve known that it was going to be much larger than $6.1 billion, said
administration spokesman H.D. Palmer. We have the benefit of having more
economic data to refine our estimates.

Palmer declined to specify exactly how much larger the shortfall would be
until the governor finished briefing legislative leaders. But unnamed sources
indicated that the governors office has pegged the figure at around $14 billion.

CONGRESS STILL HAS NOT REPEALED THE 3% WITHHOLDING LAW
Originally Posted: December 15, 2007 4:41 PM
Last Updated: December 15, 2007 4:41 PM

by Kenton Pattie
Executive Director, National Emergency Equipment Dealers Association (NEEDA)
KentonP1@aol.com
703 850 8552

As Congress winds down the 2007-2008 first session, it is amazing to see Congress still in action this late in the year! Normally, they have adjourned by this time.

NEEDA is following very closely the 3% tax withholding law, which needs to be repealed before it imposes serious harm on the income of emergency equipment dealers.

In the House. H.R. 1023 to repeal the 3% withholding requirement has 237 cosponsors, which means we have more than half the House of Representatives supporting the NEEDA position on this issue.

Meanwhile, Senate bill S. 777 has 10 cosponsors.

As mentioned in NEEDA Newsletter, Senator Coleman and Senator Collins recently introduced S. 2394, which repeals the 3% withholding requirement, and it also includes language with the purpose of preventing companies from receiving contracts that have an outstanding tax liability.

The House version of the Tax Extenders package, H.R. 3996, includes a one-year delay for the 3% withholding requirement. The Senate is currently in the process of finalizing their language for this bill and it may also include a one year delay in the implementation of the 3% withholding law on emergency equipment dealers.

This continues to be a very serious issue: Congress has already passed an obscure law which allows the Administration to take 3% for every sale you make to a local, state or Federal buyer. The Federal government will take 3% of your income for up to a year at which time you will have to petition to get it back. The IRS can deny your getting your money back if they dispute any part of your total company tax filing. Even if the IRS challenges a single expense item you have filed, they can keep you from getting $3 million in income!

Because of the 3% withholding law, the IRS may force you to hire a tax attorney to fight to get money you earned a year ago.

NEEDA supports the repeal of the 3% withholding law and thus the elimination of the problem.

Some Members of Congress support postponing the implementation of the 3% withholding law while it is studied for a year. While it doesn't take a lot of study to see this law will hurt a lot of small businesses like yours, the study will also show that the law will raise the administrative expenses of local, state and Federal agencies which buy fire and emergency vehicles, equipment and supplies. Already, for example, the Defense Department is concerned and they are studying the extra cost of separating the 3% at the point of every sale and the added administrative expense they will have in keeping track of all this money owed legitimately to dealers like you.

The Bush Administration maintains that the 3% withholding will punish the companies that are not paying their fair share of taxes and sends a message of fiscal discipline: pay your taxes or you will permanantly lose 3% of your sales income and be disbarred from making further sales to any local, state or federal agency.

Of course, the 3% withholding law is not necessary because there are plenty of laws which the Federal govenrment has available to enforce payment of taxes. Why punish all dealers when only a few companies may have tax issues they are working on with the IRS?

Most small businesses in the United States don't know about this 3% law. When told about it, they are astonished that their legitimate income can be conviscated by the Federal govenrment even when there is no dispute about the product sold or the service provided.

The Bush Administration sees the 3% withholding law as a way to increase Federal income. But, since most of the 3% will be paid back to companies after each tax year, the law produces little or no real boost in Federal income. Rather, the 3% withholding law is a cheap and totally dumb slight of hand which makes the Federal Treasury books look better for the first year while small companies like yours suffer the loss.

The truth is that the 3% withholding law will take profitability and needed income from small businesses, soaking it out of the private sector and storing it in the Treasury of the government sector. Not really the right way to solve serious economic problems!

NEEDA recommends that the 3% withholding law be repealed. We recommend that dealers who sell to the local, state or Federal government markets take a similar position.

I have heard people in our industry say the problem has been taken care of. But, it hasn't. It won't be "taken care of" until the law is repealed. And as you can see from my reports to the industry, the problem has not be taken care of . . . we are on the playing field but it takes a touchdown we haven't scored yet to win.

Every amendment and bill mentioned above has been the result of contact with Congress. As long as Congress knows that the 3% withholding law is not acceptable to emergency equipment dealers like you, our chance of repealing the law are good.

But, just the fact that we have been working all 2007 on this issue should tell you that solving the problem is not easy and the Administration lobbyists at the US Treasury and IRS are not going down without a vigorous fight.

I hope you will express your views to your House and Senate members.

SZTYKIEL, SPARTAN TEAM, AND FIRE FIGHTING VEHICLES ON SHOW AT THE RITZ-CARLTON, NEW YORK CITY, MONDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2007 AT NOON, EASTERN
Originally Posted: December 15, 2007 3:10 PM
Last Updated: December 15, 2007 3:10 PM

John E. Sztykiel, President and CEO of Spartan Motors, Inc. (CHARLOTTE, MI), will appear in New York City Noon, Monday, Dec. 17, 2007 before financial experts.

The presentations, including those from several industry experts, will
be available to the public via a live webcast. An archive of the webcast
will be available on Spartan's website for one year.

Several next generation vehicles will be on display outside New York City's Ritz-Carlton Hotel (50 Central Park South at 6th Avenue) for public viewing,
including a MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) military vehicle, a
Spartan Furion chassis, a Crimson Fire Boomer fire truck, a Road Rescue
ambulance and a new Newmar motorhome riding on a Spartan mid-engine
chassis.

MORE INFO: www.spartanmotors.com/webcasts.asp

WHILE PRESIDENT BUSH IS FOR REPEAL OF ALTERNATIVE MINUMUM TAX, THE HOUSE OFFERS AN AMENDMENT; THE SENATE IS UNLIKELY TO ACT ON AMT
Originally Posted: December 15, 2007 2:54 PM
Last Updated: December 15, 2007 2:54 PM

"First, this is a truly exceptional month! Congress is meeting at a time when most years, Members are at home or anywhere but Washington. It is a pleasure to walk in the Capitol Hill halls as there are so few tourists and visitors," commented Kenton Pattie, NEEDA Executive Director.

TheHouse Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles B. Rangel (D-NY) introduced the AMT Relief Act of 2007, new legislation that would provide a one-year fix to the alternative minimum tax (AMT) currently poised to affect an estimated 23 million taxpayers.

"You may recall that here on NEEDA Newsletter, I previously reported that Congress seems likely to fix the AMT although there is so little time left this issue may roll over until next year. But, here we are in mid-December with news to report on AMT . . . I would never have predicted this end of the year Congressional activity!" Kenton Pattie, NEEDA.

Congressman Rangel's bill, H.R.4351, passed in the House at 6:45 p.m. Wednesday, December 12, with a vote of 226-193, with three Democrats crossing party lines to vote with Republicans in opposition to the bill.

Chairman Rangels bill offers a response to Senate legislation that would provide AMT relief without adding to the national debt.

Chairman Rangels legislation removes provisions that would tax carried interest of private equity managers at ordinary income rates instead of the current capital gain tax rates, but would retain the provision to close a tax loophole that allows hedge fund managers to defer taxes by sheltering their pay in offshore tax havens.

Rangel's bill includes a tax cut to millions of families by enhancing the refundable child tax credit, estimated to help more than 12 million children nationwide. Other provisions in the bill would raise taxes to businesses.

"Senate Republicans have defined themselves as an obstacle to providing responsible AMT relief, suggesting that provisions in previous legislation were too controversial to pass Congress this year," said Chairman Rangel.

"This new bill removes those controversial pay-fors, and incorporates provisions that have been suggested to receive broad support in the Congress. The House will consider and pass this legislation [Wednesday], giving the Senate one more chance to do the right thing and pass this critical tax relief without adding to the deficit.

The White House has threatened to veto the proposed House legislation, and the Senate leadership has indicated this latest House legislation is unacceptable. "The Senate will not pass a short-term fix for some, if it includes a permanent massive tax hike for others," said Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY).

Democrats and Republicans in both chambers have agreed that an AMT fix before year-end is imperative, however Democrats in the House continue to push for revenue-neutral legislation, whereas the Senate has passed an AMT fix that would not be paid for with other tax increases.

Without the AMT fix, the federal government would enjoy an additional $50 billion in revenue in 2008 with the AMT set to affect over 20 million taxpayers with income in the $75,000 to $200,000 range with an average expected increase in 2007 taxes of $2,000 per family.

Meanwhile, the IRS is standing by, noting that each day of legislative delay will delay the processing of tax returns and refunds in the spring of 2008.

White House press secretary Dana Perino says President Bush supports removal of the AMT altogether, and short of that, recommends a one-year patch that would add to the deficit. "The President is against raising taxes," said Perino in a White House press conference. "What he would be willing to discuss are cuts in the budget. The President is not going to raise taxes on the American people. It's especially wrong at this time when we're facing a headwind from the housing market and we have a credit crunch that we're trying to deal with."

The House is expected to pass Rangel's latest legislation. But it is likely to die in the Senate. Sooner than later all these legislators will go home for the Christmas holiday recess!!

RACE FLORIDA IN JANUARY! FIREFIGHTERS CHALLENGED TO PARTICIPATE
Originally Posted: December 5, 2007 5:33 PM
Last Updated: December 5, 2007 5:33 PM

The Lake Okeechobee Palm Beach County, FL offers four Lake Okeechobee Survivor Series Adventure Races starting at Pahokee Marina at 8:00 a.m. on January 20, 2008. The first of the four adventure races or "Extreme Sports at the Lake" will be a three hour event, the shortest of the four scheduled races, to test the participants in running, biking, and challenging tasks with a grueling natural backdrop.

Course Designer Kenneth Lutz has also issued a challenge to fire
departments and law enforcement units throughout the state, "Florida's fire
and law enforcement departments love competition, are in great physical
shape and we have a trophy specially designed for each."

This series of Adventure Races is part of Lake Okeechobee Regional
Economic Alliance's overall mission to bring attention to the wild side of
Palm Beach County and improve the region's economy and tourism. Pahokee,
South Bay and Belle Glade will all host portions of the races throughout
the series.

To register for "Extreme Sports at the Lake," teams and individuals may
call the Belle Glade Chamber of Commerce at 561.996.2745 or go to the
website http://www.lakeOsurvivorseries.com to download an application. Competitors
can also register at http://www.active.com. The participation fees are $40 Singles
(previous adventure race experience required), $60 Doubles and $80 Triples.

Register by January 5, '08 to be guaranteed the event
t-shirt.

The event is being held in cooperation with the Lake Okeechobee
Regional Economic Alliance (LORE), the Palm Beach County Sports Commission and the Palm Beach County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

IAFF UNHAPPY ABOUT WAY CAUSE OF FIREFIGHTER DEATHS ARE HANDLED IN CHARLESTON, SC
Originally Posted: December 4, 2007 10:03 PM
Last Updated: December 5, 2007 5:31 PM

The International Association of Fire Fighters General President Harold
Schaitberger issued a statement about a settlement the South Carolina Department of Labor,Licensing and Regulation, Office of Occupational Safety and Health reached with the city of Charleston:

"This settlement is a travesty. It's an insult to the memory of the
nine fire fighters who died in the Sofa Super Store fire, to their families
and to the fire fighters who remain on the job," President Schaitberger
said.

"Despite the formal, written request of the fire fighters union to
South Carolina OHSA, and the mayor's promise during the October release of
the fire safety consultant report to involve employees (and their
representatives) in addressing the department's problems, not one of our
members was asked to participate in this settlement process and it remains
a complete mystery as to how OSHA arrived at this settlement, especially as
it relates to items that they incorrectly assume are being fixed. It
certainly did not do so based upon interviews with those who are most
likely to be affected by its actions -- the Charleston fire fighters," he
said.

"Changing a single word -- from 'willful' to 'unclassified' -- doesn't
change the fact that the city is guilty and was found guilty by South
Carolina OSHA of acting in a manner that the department leadership knew
could kill fire fighters," he said.

"Why has the city spent two months negotiating with OSHA over the
wording in its citation when it could have spent that time to improve a
deficient fire department and protect the lives of fire fighters and the
citizens of Charleston?" President Schaitberger asked.

"It has been made clear by the facts uncovered by a number of separate
investigations, including the panel set up by the mayor, that the
irresponsible manner in which Chief Rusty Thomas runs the Charleston Fire
Department likely played a deadly role in the tragic deaths of the fire
fighters. South Carolina OSHA is not acting in the best interests of
workers in the state. And the result is already being felt by fire fighters
in Charleston because this chief is already refusing to implement new
procedures promised by the mayor and is telling fire fighters to get used
to the way it was before the fire because that's the way it's going to be,"
President Schaitberger said.

The International Association of Fire Fighters, headquartered in
Washington, DC, represents more than 287,000 full-time professional fire
fighters and paramedics who protect 80 percent of the nation's population.

MORE INFO? www.iaff.org.

SENATORS OFFER REPEAL OF LAW THAT PENALIZES DEALERS BY WITHHOLDING 3% OF ALL SALES INCOME
Originally Posted: December 4, 2007 12:46 PM
Last Updated: December 4, 2007 9:59 PM

By Kenton Pattie, Executive Director
National Emergency Equipment Dealers Association (NEEDA)
KentonP1@aol.com 703 850 8552

Throughout 2007, NEEDA has been warning dealers that Congress has passed a new law which will take 3% out of every local, state and federal payment to a dealer who sells fire vehicles, fire equipment or repair services.

Senator Coleman and Senator Collins have now introduced S 2394 the bill below, which repeals the 3% withholding requirement. S. 2394 also includes language preventing companies from receiving contracts that have an outstanding tax liability.

Without the passage of a repeal bill, small businesses like yours will be penalized every year by having 3% of every payment owed to you diverted. Say you made a sale in December, you would have to claim the 3% when you file your taxes in the next year and hope that the IRS is willing to release the funds back to you. In effect it becomes a way for the Federal government to borrow from dealers, keep your money for a year, leave it up to you to make a good case for why you should get the 3% released to you!

I have stated that the law is dumb and a severe imposition on emergency equipment dealers. Fortunately, there are members of the US Congress who are willing to work for you on repeal of the law.

Here is one such bill to repeal the anti-dealer law. S. 2394 makes sense and it merits the support of dealers:

110THCONGRESS
1STSESSION
S. 2394
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to simplify, modernize, and
improve public notice of and access to tax lien information by providing
for a national, Internet accessible, filing system for Federal tax liens,
and for other purposes.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
NOVEMBER16, 2007
Mr. COLEMAN(for himself and Ms. COLLINS) introduced the following bill;
which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance
A BILL
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to simplify,
modernize, and improve public notice of and access to
tax lien information by providing for a national, Internet
accessible, filing system for Federal tax liens, and for
other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-1
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 2
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; AMENDMENT OF 1986 CODE. 3
(a) SHORTTITLE.This Act may be cited as the 4
Good Government Contractor Act of 2007. 5
(b) AMENDMENTOF1986 CODE.Except as other-6
wise expressly provided, whenever in this Act an amend-7
ment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment 1
to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, the reference 2
shall be considered to be made to a section or other provi-3
sion of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. 4

SEC. 2. REPEAL OF IMPOSITION OF WITHHOLDING ON CER-5
TAIN PAYMENTS MADE TO VENDORS BY GOV-6
ERNMENT ENTITIES. 7
The amendment made by section 511 of the Tax In-8
crease Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005 is re-9
pealed and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall be 10
applied as if such amendment had never been enacted. 11
SEC. 3. FAR CONTRACTOR QUALIFICATIONS. 12
(a) INGENERAL.Not later than 180 days after the 13
date of the enactment of this Act, the Civilian Agency Ac-14
quisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations 15
Council shall amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation 16
issued under sections 6 and 25 of the Office of Federal 17
Procurement Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 405 and 421) to pro-18
vide that for a prospective contractor to be determined re-19
sponsible, such contractor must not have any tax debt. 20
(b) TAXDEBT.For purposes of this section, the 21
term tax debt means an outstanding debt under the In-22
ternal Revenue Code of 1986 which has not been paid 23
within 180 days after an assessment of a tax, penalty, or 24
interest and which is not subject to further appeal or a 25
petition for redetermination under such Code. Such term 1
does not include a debt that is being paid in a timely man-2
ner pursuant to an agreement under section 6159 or sec-3
tion 7122 of such Code. 4

SEC. 4. FINAL RULE PROMULGATION. 5
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enact-6
ment of this Act, the Civilian Agency Acquisition Council 7
and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council shall 8
make final the proposed rule FAR Case 2006011 (Rep-9
resentations and CertificationsTax Delinquency). 10
SEC. 5. NATIONAL TAX LIEN FILING SYSTEM. 11
(a) FILINGOFNOTICEOFLIEN.Subsection (f) of 12
section 6323 (relating to validity and priority against cer-13
tain persons) is amended to read as follows: 14
(f) FILINGOFNOTICE; FORM. 15
(1) FILINGOFNOTICE.The notice referred 16
to in subsection (a) shall be filed in the national 17
Federal tax lien registry established under sub-18
section (k). The filing of a notice of lien, or a certifi-19
cate of release, discharge, subordination, or non-20
attachment of lien, in the national Federal tax lien 21
registry shall be effective for purposes of deter-22
mining lien priority regardless of the nature or loca-23
tion of the property interest to which the lien at-24
taches. 25
(2) FORM.The form and content of the no-1
tice referred to in subsection (a) shall be prescribed 2
by the Secretary. Such notice shall be valid notwith-3
standing any other provision of law regarding the 4
form or content of a notice of lien. 5
(3) OTHERNATIONALFILINGSYSTEMS.The 6
filing of a notice of lien shall be governed by this 7
title and shall not be subject to any other Federal 8
law establishing a place or places for the filing of 9
liens or encumbrances under a national filing sys-10
tem.. 11
(b) REFILINGOFNOTICE.Paragraph (2) of section 12
6323(g) (relating to refiling of notice) is amended to read 13
as follows: 14
(2) REFILING.A notice of lien may be refiled 15
in the national Federal tax lien registry established 16
under subsection (k).. 17
(c) RELEASE OF TAX LIENS OR DISCHARGE OF 18
PROPERTY. 19
(1) INGENERAL.Section 6325(a) (relating to 20
release of lien) is amended by inserting , and shall 21
cause the certificate of release to be filed in the na-22
tional Federal tax lien registry established under 23
section 6323(k), after internal revenue tax. 24
(2) RELEASEOFTAXLIENSEXPEDITEDFROM 1
30TO10DAYS.Section 6325(a) (relating to release 2
of lien) is amended by striking not later than 30 3
days and inserting not later than 10 days. 4
(3) DISCHARGE OF PROPERTY FROMLIEN. 5
Section 6325(b) (relating to discharge of property) 6
is amended 7
(A) by inserting , and shall cause the cer-8
tificate of discharge to be filed in the national 9
Federal tax lien registry established under sec-10
tion 6323(k), after under this chapter in 11
paragraph (1), 12
(B) by inserting , and shall cause the cer-13
tificate of discharge to be filed in such national 14
Federal tax lien registry, after property sub-15
ject to the lien in paragraph (2), 16
(C) by inserting , and shall cause the cer-17
tificate of discharge to be filed in such national 18
Federal tax lien registry, after property sub-19
ject to the lien in paragraph (3), and 20
(D) by inserting , and shall cause the cer-21
tificate of discharge of property to be filed in 22
such national Federal tax lien registry, after 23
certificate of discharge of such property in 24
paragraph (4). 25

(4) DISCHARGE OF PROPERTY FROMESTATE 1
ORGIFTTAXLIEN.Section 6325(c) (relating to es-2
tate or gift tax) is amended by inserting , and shall 3
cause the certificate of discharge to be filed in the 4
national Federal tax lien registry established under 5
section 6323(k), after imposed by section 6324. 6
(5) SUBORDINATION OF LIEN.Section 7
6325(d) (relating to subordination of lien) is amend-8
ed by inserting , and shall cause the certificate of 9
subordination to be filed in the national Federal tax 10
lien registry established under section 6323(k), 11
after subject to such lien. 12

(6) NONATTACHMENT OF LIEN.Section 13
6325(e) (relating to nonattachment of lien) is 14
amended by inserting , and shall cause the certifi-15
cate of nonattachment to be filed in the national 16
Federal tax lien registry established under section 17
6323(k), after property of such person. 18
(7) EFFECTOFCERTIFICATE.Paragraphs (1) 19
and (2)(B) of section 6325(f) (relating to effect of 20
certificate) are each amended by striking in the 21
same office as the notice of lien to which it relates 22
is filed (if such notice of lien has been filed) and 23
inserting in the national Federal tax lien registry 24
established under section 6323(k). 25

(8) RELEASEFOLLOWINGADMINISTRATIVEAP-1
PEAL.Section 6326(b) (relating to certificate of re-2
lease) is amended 3
(A) by striking and shall include and in-4
sert , shall include, and 5
(B) by inserting , and shall cause the cer-6
tificate of release to be filed in the national 7
Federal tax lien registry established under sec-8
tion 6323(k), after erroneous. 9
(9) CONFORMINGAMENDMENTS.Section 6325 10
is amended by striking subsection (g) and by redes-11
ignating subsection (h) as subsection (g). 12
(d) NATIONALFEDERALTAXLIENREGISTRY. 13
(1) INGENERAL.Section 6323 is amended by 14
adding at the end the following new subsection: 15
(k) NATIONAL REGISTRY.The national Federal 16
tax lien registry referred to in subsection (f)(1) shall be 17
established and maintained by the Secretary and shall be 18
accessible to and searchable by the public through the 19
Internet at no cost to access or search. The registry shall 20
identify the taxpayer to whom the Federal tax lien applies 21
and reflect the date and time the notice of lien was filed, 22
and shall be made searchable by, at a minimum, taxpayer 23
name, the State of the taxpayers address as shown on 24
the notice of lien, the type of tax, and the tax period, and, 25

when the Secretary determines it is feasible, by property. 1
The registry shall also provide for the filing of certificates 2
of release, discharge, subordination, and nonattachment of 3
Federal tax liens, as authorized in sections 6325 and 4
6326, and may provide for publishing such other docu-5
ments or information with respect to Federal tax liens as 6
the Secretary may by regulation provide.. 7
(2) ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION.The Secretary 8
of the Treasury shall issue regulations or other guid-9
ance providing for the maintenance and use of the 10
national Federal tax lien registry established under 11
section 6323(k) of the Internal Revenue Code of 12
1986. The Secretary of the Treasury shall take ap-13
propriate steps to secure and prevent tampering with 14
the data recorded therein. Prior to implementation 15
of such registry, the Secretary of the Treasury shall 16
review the information currently provided in public 17
lien filings and determine whether any such informa-18
tion should be excluded or protected from public 19
viewing in such registry. 20
(e) TRANSITION RULES.The Secretary of the 21
Treasury may by regulation prescribe for the continued 22
filing of notices of Federal tax lien in the offices of the 23
States, counties and other governmental subdivisions after 24
December 31, 2008, for an appropriate period to permit 25

an orderly transition to the national Federal tax lien reg-1
istry established under section 6323(k) of the Internal 2
Revenue Code of 1986. 3
(f) EFFECTIVEDATE.The amendments made by 4
this section shall apply to notices of lien filed after Decem-5
ber 31, 2008. The national Federal tax lien registry (es-6
tablished under section 6323(k) of the Internal Revenue 7
Code of 1986) shall be made operational as of January 8
1, 2009, whether or not the Secretary of the Treasury has 9
promulgated final regulations establishing such registry. 10
SEC. 6. FEDERAL TAX CONVICTION DATABASE. 11
(a) IN GENERAL.The Attorney General of the 12
United States shall establish and maintain a database con-13
taining the names of individuals and entities with convic-14
tions for Federal tax offenses under the Internal Revenue 15
Code of 1986. Such database shall be accessible and 16
searchable by the head of any Federal agency for purposes 17
of verifying information provided by prospective contrac-18
tors. 19
(b) ADMINISTRATIVEACTION.The Attorney Gen-20
eral shall issue regulations or other guidance providing for 21
the maintenance and use of the database established 22
under subsection (a). The Attorney General shall take ap-23
propriate steps to secure and prevent tampering with the 24
data recorded therein. 25

SEC. 7. REQUIRED ACCESS TO REGISTRY AND DATABASE. 1
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enact-2
ment of this Act, the Civilian Agency Acquisition Council 3
and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council shall 4
amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation issued under 5
sections 6 and 25 of the Office of Federal Procurement 6
Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 405 and 421) to require a con-7
tracting officer making a determination of responsibility 8
with respect to any prospective contractor to access the 9
national Federal tax lien registry established under section 10
6323(k) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and the 11
Federal tax conviction database established under section 12
6 of this Act. 13
SEC. 8. CAUSES FOR DEBARMENT AND SUSPENSION. 14
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enact-15
ment of this Act, the Civilian Agency Acquisition Council 16
and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council shall 17
amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation issued under 18
sections 6 and 25 of the Office of Federal Procurement 19
Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 405 and 421) 20
(1) to provide as a cause for either contractor 21
debarment or suspension the knowingly making of 22
false statements regarding Federal tax information, 23
including on the Online Representations and Certifi-24
cations Application or to the Central Contractor 25
Registry, incurring a tax debt (as defined in section 26
3(b)), or the conviction or imposition of a civil judg-1
ment for the commission of Federal tax evasion or 2
any other Federal tax offense, and 3
(2) to require the debarring official or sus-4
pending official to provide a statement of expla-5
nation for the nondebarment or non-suspension of 6
any contractor in any determination involving any 7
cause for debarment or suspension described in 8
paragraph (1). 9

FIREFIGHTERS BILL OF RIGHTS EFFECTIVE JAN 1, 2008 IN CALIFORNIA
Originally Posted: December 2, 2007 12:46 PM
Last Updated: December 2, 2007 12:46 PM

January 1, 2008 the Firefighters Procedural Bill of Rights will be law in California.

With support from both political parties and a signature from Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Assembly Bill 220 by Assemblywoman Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles) extends to firefighters the same fundamental on-the-job employee protections that now exist for police officers.

In the publics mind, public safety professionals are on the same team, said California Professional Firefighters President Lou Paulson. We face the same split-second decisions & the same high-stress situations & the same danger to life and limb. In signing this measure, Governor Schwarzenegger is recognizing that all first responders should be on an equal footing when it comes to protecting our due-process rights.

AB 220 is supported by California Professional Firefighters to secure a consistent procedural standard for all first responders police, firefighters and public agency EMS personnel when they are the targets of investigation or interrogation by their superiors.

The landmark measure is designed to apply common-sense principles of fairness and professionalism to the process of investigating and disciplining first responders. As with the original Peace Officers Bill of Rights approved in the 1980s, AB 220 puts in place basic procedural safeguards that recognize the unique role of first responders:

No more unreasonable interrogation. The law requires that interrogation be conducted at reasonable hours, with compensation and without verbal or physical threats or extortion;

Protection of basic rights. Individuals must be advised of their rights and secures the right of representation in any and all interrogations; prohibits unwarranted search of personal property or forced submission to polygraph testing;

Maintaining professionalism. Authorizes recording any interrogation by employer or employee, and gives each access to the others recordings and transcripts; statements made under duress cant be used in judicial proceedings;

Preserving appeal rights. Appeals process must conform to state Administrative Procedures Act.

California Firefighters supported a half-dozen different measures which failed to enact these basic protections.
The new law enjoyed overwhelming support from both political parties, including near-unanimous support in the California Assembly. In addition to Schwarzenegger, the measures champions included Assemblywoman Bass, Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, Senate President Don Perata and Assembly GOP Leader Mike Villines. andGOP Assemblyman Todd Spitzer.
Legislation giving firefighters administrative safeguards in instances where they are being investigated, interrogated and, as a result subjected to unwarranted punitive action, has been signed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
AB 220, authored by Assembly Majority Leader Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles), was approved 29-11 by the Senate on September 11th and unanimously by the Assembly in June. It was signed October 13th, less than a month after winning overwhelming, bipartisan support in the Legislature (Chapter No. 591. Statutes of 2007).
The action by the governor and the legislature caps a 20-year struggle to extend common-sense job protections to all first responders. Currently, these protections apply only to law enforcement.

WHAT THE BILL DOES

In 1975, the California Supreme Court determined that public employees, including firefighters, have certain due process protections on the job. In that decision (a.k.a. the Skelly case), the Court ruled that public employees are entitled to a "pre-disciplinary hearing," thereby allowing them an opportunity to respond to charges and/or request a reduction or elimination of any proposed discipline. Pursuant to Skelly, a firefighter must be given a written notice of proposed disciplinary action that includes: a statement of the nature of the proposed discipline, the effective date of the proposed discipline, the reasons for the discipline, the specific policy or rule violated and a statement advising the employee of the right to respond orally or in writing.
Beyond Skelly rights, firefighting personnel have not been granted any other administrative safeguards when subject to investigation and interrogation for alleged misconduct that may result in punitive action. Peace officers and members of a fire departments arson-investigating unit, however, have had administrative protections available to them under current law for years. AB 220 remedies this inequity.

AB 220 extends the following specified procedural protections to public agency firefighters, paramedics and EMTs when they find themselves subject to investigation and interrogation by an employer or certifying agency for alleged misconduct in conjunction with events and circumstances involving the performance of their job-related duties:

1. Protects firefighters, EMT-Ps and EMTs against being prohibited from engaging in or being required to engage in political activity or from being prohibited from serving as a board member of a school district or local agency where they are not employed.

2. Requires the following when firefighters, EMT-Ps and EMTs are under investigation or subject to interrogation:

a. Interrogation must occur at a reasonable hour on duty and if conducted off-duty, the firefighter, EMT-P or EMT must be compensated for that time and cannot be punished for missing work due to the interrogation;

b. Prior notification of name, rank and command of the person in charge of the interrogation and the nature of the investigation must be given;

c. Interrogation must be for a reasonable time period with reasonable breaks to attend to any physical needs and must be void of offensive language or threats of punitive action or promise of reward in exchange for information;

d. Prohibits statements made under duress from being admissible in a subsequent judicial proceeding, with specified exceptions;

e. Allows interrogations to be recorded and gives the firefighter, EMT-P or EMT access to the recording, as well as a transcribed copy of the notes made by a stenographer or any reports or complaints made, except those required by law to be kept confidential. Confidential notes cannot be entered into the firefighters personnel file;

f. Requires the firefighter, EMT-P or EMT to be informed of his/her constitutional rights if it becomes apparent that he/she may be charged with a criminal offense;

g. Guarantees the right of the firefighter, EMT-P or EMT to have a representative present if an interrogation is likely to result in charges or punitive action;

h. Prohibits the firefighter, EMT-P or EMT from being loaned or reassigned if another member of his/her department would not normally be given the duty under similar circumstances.

3. Protects a firefighter, EMT-P or EMT from being subject to punitive action for exercising his/her rights under this Act or for any alleged misconduct if the investigation of the allegation is not completed within one year of discovery.

4. Prevents a fire chief from being removed without providing him/her with written notice, the reason or reasons for removal, and an opportunity for administrative appeal.

5. Requires an administrative appeal by the firefighter, EMT-P or EMT to be conducted in conformance with rules and procedures adopted by the local agency consistent with the Administrative Procedures Act (APA).

6. Requires the firefighter, EMT-P or EMT to read and sign any adverse comment before it is entered into his/her personnel file. If he/she refuses to sign a comment, it will be noted and they will be required to initial it.

7. Gives the firefighter, EMT-P or EMT 30 days to submit a written response to an adverse entry in his/her personnel file.

8. Prohibits the firefighter, EMT-P or EMT from being compelled to submit to a lie detector test against his/her will, as well as from being disciplined for refusing to submit to one.

9. Prohibits the firefighter, EMT-P or EMT from being required to disclose financial information unless otherwise required by law or obtained through court order.

10. Prohibits the locker/storage space of a firefighter, EMT-P or EMT from being searched, except under specified conditions.

11. Makes it unlawful to deny a firefighter, EMT-P or EMT the rights guaranteed by the bill.

12. Provides that a malicious violation of the act would subject the employer-agency to a civil penalty of up to $25,000, in addition to actual damages and reasonable attorney's fees.

13. Requires an employer to provide to, and obtain from, an employee a formal grant of immunity from criminal prosecution, in writing, before the employee may be compelled to respond to incriminating questions in an interrogation.

GEORGIA PACIFIC AWARDS GRANTS TO VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS
Originally Posted: December 2, 2007 9:10 AM
Last Updated: December 2, 2007 9:10 AM

The Georgia-Pacific Bucket Brigade(TM) is rewarding the dedicated work
of local community fire departments by providing more than $100,000 in
grants this year to units across the country. During the past two years,
the program has provided more than $200,000 in support nationally, along
with donations of fire safety materials and hundreds of cases of tissue and
paper products for fire departments' use.

The program is meeting critical needs during a time in which increased
demand for volunteer firefighters is putting additional strains on
available resources to equip them. Volunteers comprise 72 percent of all
firefighters in the United States, according to the National Volunteer Fire
Council (NVFC) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Of the
total estimated 1,136,650 volunteer and paid firefighters across the
country, 823,350 are volunteers.

SAN DIEGO WOEFULLY UNPREPARED FOR WILDFIRES; CHIEF SAYS "WE'RE GOING TO LOSE HOMES"
Originally Posted: December 1, 2007 8:23 PM
Last Updated: December 1, 2007 8:23 PM

By Mark Sauer and Tony Manolatos
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITERS
December 1, 2007

If this is all we have, we're going to lose homes, Fire Chief Tracy Jarman said.

For San Diego Fire Chief Tracy Jarman, the loud-and-clear message of October's wildfires was simple: The city is on its own.

In her most strident comments since the devastating fires, the city's normally soft-spoken fire chief echoed her predecessor and sounded alarms raised by many others in recent years, including Sen. Dianne Feinstein in a hearing this week.

San Diego is woefully unprepared to deal with wildfires, Jarman said. The latest firestorms demonstrated that in the first 24 to 48 hours, when wildfires do most of their damage, the city can't expect much help from Cal Fire, the state fire agency.

Jarman itemized what is needed to get the city up to national standards, as the last chief, Jeff Bowman, did before he resigned:

At least 20 new fire stations; at least 50 more engines; a second firefighting helicopter; a solid brush-clearance plan; stricter building codes; and a stronger state, county and federal presence in fighting local wildfires.

But in a wide-ranging interview yesterday, Jarman was realistic about what she expects to get.

As fire chief of a cash-strapped city with an aversion to raising taxes, she accepts that not much is likely to change by the time the next fire season rolls around.

I'm going to do the best I can with these resources, said Jarman, 51, who has spent her entire career with the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department and is among those closest to Mayor Jerry Sanders.

If this is all we have, we're going to lose homes.

Because they started outside the city, the Witch Creek and Harris fires that eventually swept through San Diego were under the jurisdiction of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. As the blazes gathered strength, San Diego sent dozens of firefighters and engines, as well as Copter One, to join the fight.
But it was clear where the flames were headed, Jarman said. Wildfires driven by Santa Ana winds tend to start in the backcountry and blow westward into the city.

Jarman described in vivid detail the moment on Oct. 22, the second day of the fires, when she realized her department was on its own.

A separate blaze, the Guejito fire, had crossed into Rancho Bernardo and merged with the Witch Creek fire. So Jarman made a desperate call to Cal Fire: The city immediately needed air support and 150 strike teams that's 750 fire engines and 3,000 firefighters.

San Diego Fire Chief Tracy Jarman said at least 20 new fire stations are needed beyond the 46 the department already has. But she knows this likely won't happen soon, so she is asking for 50 more fire engines.
Cal Fire's response: Nothing was available.

It wasn't a city fire, it was Cal Fire's fire. So either stop it before it gets into the city, or give me the resources to stop it once it gets here, said Jarman, who didn't sleep during the fires' first 48 hours.

When her request came in, Cal Fire's crews were battling blazes in Poway, Escondido, Rancho Santa Fe and in several other communities south and east of San Diego.

The state agency threw everything it had at the fires, Cal Fire spokesman Mike Jarvis said, but it wasn't enough. There was nothing left to offer San Diego.

We're in charge of the wildland-urban interface, Jarvis said. We have to take care of what we're responsible for first.

That left Jarman and her crews to confront the fire in Rancho Bernardo, where they expected it to enter San Diego. Fueled by gusts up to 90 mph and an endless supply of dry brush and structures, the wildfire was poised to burn all the way to the Pacific.

Jarman ordered 480 firefighters half of her department to Rancho Bernardo.

We were using every vehicle we had to get firefighters to the fire lines ambulance rigs, pickup trucks, she said. Ford Motor Co. donated 10 four-wheel-drive vehicles.

The primary concern was protecting lives. Although 365 homes were destroyed in Rancho Bernardo, no one died there. With the resources we had, our firefighters did a fantastic job, she said.

Jarman has largely managed to avoid the spotlight despite being in the middle of two high-profile incidents in October: the wildfires and the La Jolla landslide, where firefighters rushed to secure gas lines and escort residents from their precarious homes.

Jarman, who started as a recruit in 1984, took over as chief 17 months ago. She was groomed for the job by Bowman, who resigned after four years as chief in large part because he couldn't get the resources that Jarman is now requesting.
Bowman wanted an additional 22 fire stations, each with one engine and staffed by at least 12 firefighters. That would cost $100 million, plus $40 million annually in personnel and operation costs.

The department has 46 fire stations, 924 firefighters and a $181 million budget.

Jarman said there is no one answer to improving San Diego's day-to-day operations and its ability to fight wildfires.

Twenty-two more fire stations is just part of it. We need to look at things like vegetation management, building design, having enough reserve fire engines, she said. Let's work together to tackle all of these issues.

Feinstein drew attention to the understaffing problem at a public hearing this week, when she learned that the fire station in densely populated Rancho Bernardo serves 24 square miles. That is far from the standards set by the National Fire Protection Association, which says a station should not cover more than 9 square miles.

Jarman agrees that Rancho Bernardo needs an additional station, but she said tying that need to what happened in the wildfire misses the point.

Twenty-two more stations would have given me five more strike teams, she said. So, sure, we probably would have saved more homes, but it wouldn't have had a significant impact.

The overwhelming majority of runs firefighters make are for medical emergencies; fewer than 5 percent of the department's more than 100,000 annual calls are for fires.

Fire Station 33, on Bernardo Center Drive, is among the city's busiest. On average, its crews respond to emergencies in five minutes or less just 37 percent of the time; the national standard is 90 percent.

Jarman knows that getting more stations isn't likely anytime soon. So she's asking for fire engines 50 more added to the 64 the city has.

The lack of engines, she said, became her biggest frustration during the October wildfires; the city had many more firefighters than engines to carry them.

Jarman expects that devastating wildfires, once a rare spectacle in Southern California, will become almost commonplace as millions of new residents and homes encroach on the wildland-urban interface.

She admitted that when the Cedar fire burned through San Diego in 2003, she thought it was a 100-year fire the fire of my career.

But October's fires proved her wrong.

We are going to see this again and again, Jarman said. It's global warming we are seeing things we have never seen before.

ROANOKE FIREFIGHTER AGE 39 SUFFERS CARDIAC ARREST IN HOUSE FIRE
Originally Posted: December 1, 2007 7:30 PM
Last Updated: December 1, 2007 7:30 PM

By Mason Adams

A Roanoke, Virginia, firefighter who suffered cardiac arrest while battling a house fire on Friday afternoon has been upgraded to good condition.

Roanoke is located along Interstate 81 in the southwestern part of Virginia, approximately an hour's drive from Blacksburg, the home of Virginia Tech, and the border between Virginia and West Virginia.

Scott Hetherington, 39, was among a group of firefighters called to a house fire the 1100 block of Ferdinand Avenue Southwest about 3 p.m. When they arrived flames were coming from the back of the home. Firefighters entered the front of the house to make sure no one was inside.

A neighbor said she saw Hetherington come outside a few minutes later and go to his knees. He was dragged to the sidewalk, where firefighters and medics administered CPR.

Hetherington was listed in stable condition on Friday night, but this morning Carilion Clinic spokesman Eric Earnhart said hed been upgraded to good condition.

Five people three adults and two children were displaced by the house fire. The two children suffered minor injuries, and their dog perished.

NIGHT SHIFT IS NOT GOOD FOR FIREFIGHTERS' HEALTH
Originally Posted: December 1, 2007 6:01 PM
Last Updated: December 1, 2007 6:03 PM

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has concluded "Occupional exposure as a firefighter is possibly carcinogenic." The study says firefighters have a high risk for cancer and heart disease.

The first strike against firefighters is the fact that they often work night shifts.
All employees who work night shifts have less exposure to sunlight and thus lose the values of melatonin which protects their DNA. Production of melatonin is interrupted when people are up at night with lights on. Night work goes with being a firefighter.

The second strike against firefighters, based on the study, is that firefighters are exposed to smoke, chemicals and dust and thus from these substances alone have a higher risk of cancer and stroke than other workers.

One researcher admitted "I don't think we understand fully what it is about shift work that might be causing cancer." But researchers see shift work as interrupting the circadian cycle and thus firefighters are a prime candidate for disturbed circadian cycles.

The study was conducted by a team of 24 scientists who sifted through evidence of many studies the examined the body's innner clock being interrupted.

Source: Maggie Fox, Reuters News Service "Cancer linked to night shifts . . . Risk also high for firefighters" Washington Times, December 1, 2007, Page A2.