NEEDA - National Emergency Equipment Dealers Association

Kenton Pattie
Executive Director
National Emergency Equipment Dealers Association

I recently published a story about veterans returning from the Middle East having difficulty in restoring their businesses or regaining their jobs.

I was asked: Are there any benefits to being a veteran owned firm?

President Bush issued execuitive order 13360 which calls for 3% of all Federal spending to go through service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses.

Recently 44 companies were selected to received Federal help. 600 companies applied. The companies are eligible for what is called:
Government Wide Acquisition Contracts (GWAC). The program does not guarantee any single company will win contracts, but it does set aside contracts and gives these companies a preference to be selected. A lot of small companies don't have the capacity or staff to serve "government wide needs" but this program gives veteran owned companies a "hunting license" or what might be considered a helping hand. I've heard the word "vetrepreneur" used to apply to these companies.

Generally, small companies like those chosen for this program are considered subcontractors. But under the GWAC program, the selected companies will be prime contractors . . . more in control of their marketing, sales and pricing. These veteran owned companies can go to any Federal agency seeking contracts.

MORE INFO? VETSGWAC.COM

25 FIRE VEHICLES RESPOND AS TWO BUILDINGS BURN IN MANCHESTER, ENGLAND
Originally Posted: April 30, 2007 5:02 PM
Last Updated: April 30, 2007 5:02 PM

More than 25 fire vehicles, police and paramedics were at the scene of a two building fire in Manchester, England, according to the BBC.

A number of nearby streets were closed by the fire. Firefighters who tackled two blazes in Manchester have said the buildings may have to be partially demolished before they can confirm if anyone was inside.

More than 120 firefighters were called to tackle the fires on Dale Street in the city's Northern Quarter.

A number of nearby roads, including Newton Street and Dale Street will remain closed until Tuesday morning, May 1, 2007.

A structural survey of the buildings will need to be done before rescue crews can enter the two properties.

A fire service spokesman could not confirm whether anyone was in the buildings during the fire until safety checks had been made on the structures.

Paul Duggan, Manchester Fire and Rescue Service: "This has been a large scale incident but we now only need 30 firefighters to dampen down the buildings."

He said that he believed that one of the buildings had been under reconstruction before the fire started and that the adjacent building had housed a number of small businesses.

"Until the structural survey confirms that it is safe to enter the buildings we cannot check to see if anyone is still inside," he added.

Traffic is being disrupted on nearby roads and motorists are advised to avoid the area, which is likely to remain cordoned off for about 24 hours.

PUC: NEW PIERCE TRUCK INTRODUCED APRIL 07
Originally Posted: April 30, 2007 4:43 PM
Last Updated: April 30, 2007 4:43 PM

The PUC or Pierce Ultimate Configuration (PUC) changes apparatus by removing the bulky pumphouse without reducing fire fighting capabilities.

Pierce considers news about the PUC to be the big news in the fire apparatus industry. The PUC was introduced at FDIC in Indianapolis April 07.

John Randjelovic, President of Pierce Manufacturing: To develop this product, Pierce conducted industry research to deliver what fire departments said they wanted and needed in a first response vehicle.

Five benefits of the PUC for fire fighters include, according to Pierce:

Easier to use
Easier to stay safer
Easier to store more
Easier to service and maintain
Easier to maneuver

In addition to eliminating the bulky pumphouse, the PUC features a simplified two-step pump shift operation. It also positions the pump operator next to hose connections rather than over them, and the pump panel is redesigned for easier use. Hosebeds, crosslays and ladder access are lowered for better ergonomic use. The entire pump system is also located above the frame for easier and quicker service and maintenance. With a shortened wheelbase for improved maneuverability (as low as 172*), the PUC also provides up to 500 cubic-feet of storage.*

The PUC is a dramatic improvement to fire fighting apparatus design. By eliminating the pumphouse, departments can use that extra space and room for equipment and gear, said Randjelovic. It provides many benefits to fire fighters and municipalities with a safer two-step pump operation and easier maintenance, which means the truck spends more time on the frontline than in a service bay.

The PUC, with patent-pending technology, is available on Pierce custom chassis, has a tank capacity of up to 1,600 gal., a pump range of up to 1,500 gpm, a 6-year standard warranty on the pump, a compartment load rating to 500 pounds each, and a 10-year structural warranty. Wheelbase offerings come in 172 to 212 (depending on body size and chassis).

Pierce Manufacturing Inc., a subsidiary of Oshkosh Truck Corporation, is a North American manufacturer of custom fire apparatus. Products include custom and commercial pumpers, aerials, rescue trucks, wildland trucks, minipumpers, elliptical tankers, and homeland security apparatus. In addition, Pierce designs its own foam systems and was the first company to introduce the Side Roll Protection" System to fire apparatus.

MORE INFO? www.piercemfg.com.

US GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE CRITICAL OF SECURITY ON CARGO ENTERING THE USA
Originally Posted: April 30, 2007 4:03 PM
Last Updated: April 30, 2007 4:03 PM

US Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, US Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA), and US Rep. Christopher Shays (R-CT) released a report conducted by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) on Federal efforts to secure U.S.-Bound Air Cargo.

The GAO found that though there have been steps taken to improve security for domestic air cargo, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is still falling short. Three years ago, Congress mandated TSA to develop technology to better identify, track and screen air cargo and issue a final rule to enhance and improve the security of air cargo transported on all passenger and cargo aircraft. TSA has yet to comply with this mandate. TSA has identified the primary threats but has failed to assess inbound air-cargo vulnerabilities.

"This GAO report reiterates the need for the 100 percent inspection of all cargo traveling on passenger planes," added Rep. Christopher Shays. "I think we owe it to all families who have lost loved ones in acts of terrorism to make our airlines as safe as we can."

For the complete story, click above on the headline of this story.

FEDERAL UNION CRITICIZES FEMA
Originally Posted: April 30, 2007 3:38 PM
Last Updated: April 30, 2007 3:38 PM

AFGE recommends:
FEMA be taken out of the Department of Homeland Security;
The current FEMA director be replaced;
Congress, either through the GAO or through some other reputable
independent organization, conduct a full review of FEMA operations and
remedy the agency's problems while there is still time to do so.

"Since coming under DHS, FEMA has rapidly deteriorated, becoming a
rudderless agency where problems are ignored or covered up, where funds are misspent and programs mismanaged, and where our best people are
demoralized, many of them leaving the agency," Bosner said. "Our orders
increasingly come from political appointees and executives who clearly do
not understand national-level emergency management. Experienced FEMA
employees at all levels continue to get the message that their experience
is of absolutely no value to FEMA or to DHS. In fact, FEMA experience now
appears to be a detriment to advancement within the agency."

AFGE represents 600,000 workers in the federal government and the government of the District of Columbia, including the largest constituency of DHS employees.

For the complete story, click above on the NEEDA Newsletter headline for this story

FEDERAL SIGNAL'S FIRST QUARTER 07 REVENUE: $292 MILLION . . . FIRE RESCUE UP 13%
Originally Posted: April 30, 2007 4:44 AM
Last Updated: April 30, 2007 4:44 AM

Federal Signal reported income from continuing operations of $6.1 million, for the first quarter of 2007 on revenue of $292 million.

Compare this to 06 when Federal Signal had earned $1.3 million from
continuing operations on revenue of $274 million.

Fire Rescue Orders of $107 million were 13% above the prior year quarter.
Continuing strong demand for Bronto articulated aerial apparatus in international markets was the major growth driver. US municipal fire
truck orders declined from the first quarter of 2006 as the business
continued to be adversely impacted by dealer transitions in the
domestic market.

Robert D. Welding, president and chief executive officer: "Our
first quarter results showed broad strength across the company, both in
terms of new business and operating performance. Internationally, sales
were up 34% and new order bookings grew at nearly the same rate. Operating
profits were higher, with each of our four groups reporting year-over-year
margin improvements. The Safety and Security Systems Group posted its fifth
consecutive quarter of double-digit order growth. We also acquired
Codespear during the quarter to further our transformation into a leading
provider of integrated security and well-being solutions. We are focused on
delivering further gains in 2007 as we execute upon our product leadership,
global expansion and operational improvement strategies."

Cash used for continuing operations totaled $8 million for the quarter,

Safety and Security Systems orders rose sharply to $98 million, a 24% increase from the prior year period. Police products showed the greatest strength, although each of the major product lines in industrial systems and public safety and transportation systems also reported substantial increases.

A 15% increase in revenue to $79 million was driven by strong volume in police products, both in the US and internationally. Also contributing to the increase were industrial electrical systems, mining products, hazardous area lighting, and parking systems.

Year-over year, the group's operating income improved to $9.5 million
from $7.4 million.

Fire Rescue Orders of $107 million were 13% above the prior year quarter.
Continuing strong demand for Bronto articulated aerial apparatus in international markets was the major growth driver. US municipal fire
truck orders declined from the first quarter of 2006 as the business
continued to be adversely impacted by dealer transitions in the
domestic market.

Federal Signal's portfolio of products include Bronto aerial devices, Elgin and Ravo street sweepers, E-ONE fire apparatus, Federal Signal safety and security systems, Guzzler industrial vacuums, Jetstream waterblasters and Vactor sewer cleaners. In addition, the company operates consumable industrial tooling businesses. Federal Signal was founded in 1901 and is based in Oak Brook, Illinois.

MORE INFO? www.federalsignal.com

EMTS, FIRE AND POLICE RESPOND TO SHOOTINGS IN KANSAS CITY
Originally Posted: April 29, 2007 9:36 PM
Last Updated: April 29, 2007 9:36 PM

"The emergency crews have been rushing to the scene unlike anything I have seen before," Lisa Hoffman, witness at the scene, said about shooting deaths at Ward Parkway shopping area, Kansas City MO. The shootings took place around 3:30 PM on Sunday, April 29, 2007.

"Dozens of fire crews, EMTs, medics and ambulances rushing from every direction up and down Ward Parkway and State Line and 75th."

This complicated story and similar ones filed from all over the United States show the importance of having community EMS, fire and law enforcement departments ready for all hazards.

For the full story, click on the headline of this NEEDA Newsletter story.

FIREFIGHTERS ARE BURN VICTIMS: TO HELL AND BACK
Originally Posted: April 29, 2007 9:11 PM
Last Updated: April 29, 2007 9:11 PM

Using real-life experiences of firefighters who are also burn survivors, the To Hell and Back II program was developed by The People's Burn Foundation (PBF) with volunteer and career fire service experts to teach basic situational awareness skills.

The program is endorsed by Deputy Fire Chief Billy Goldfeder, nationally recognized for the development of training programs on firefighter safety and survival.

A sample video clip of the program: at www.peoplesburnfoundation.org.

Battalion Chief Tom DeMint with the Poudre Fire Authority in Fort Collins, CO, and member of the To Hell and Back Development Team: The Foundation's work in delivering this kind of program for firefighters will have lasting effects. These programs will have a positive impact promoting firefighter health and safety and has already saved firefighters' lives and prevented firefighter injuries. This program effectively advances the message that 'Everyone Goes Home'."

The To Hell and Back II program has been embraced by firefighters and
trainers across the country who are resolute in making the program an
integral part of their training schedule.

"I just watched To Hell and Back and what an outstanding program it is! This is now a mandatory training program for all of our members," said one Massachusetts fire chief. "What an eye-reopening reality for the fire industry," said Lt. Steve Gamble with Atlanta Fire- Rescue. "Your organization will definitely save firefighter lives with this well done video. "I want to have a copy at every station," said Michael Gordon, Chief of Training for a Florida fire rescue department.

To Hell and Back I, the foundation for phase two of the program, is already a mandatory training program for firefighter I and II level training in Arizona. Other states are expected to follow. The program is also used in training at the National Firefighter Academy.

To Hell and Back II is a 50 minute program that includes five firefighter interviews and 3-D graphics replicating the incident scenarios that caused firefighter burn injuries or the death of fellow firefighters during fireground operations. Chief Goldfeder concludes each scenario with commentary and teaching tools that are designed to correct mistakes and reinforce proper protocols that save firefighter lives.

In the United States, a fire department responds to a fire every 20 seconds. Last year, more than 100 of first responders were killed on the job and hundreds more were injured -- many due to burns. Shawn Longerich, executive director of the People's Burn Foundation, said firefighter burn injuries can be significantly reduced when fundamental changes are made
that impact complacent behaviors and remind firefighters the importance of
wearing and respecting their personal protective equipment.

"The potential this program has for saving lives among the ranks of our career and volunteer firefighters cannot be overstated," Longerich said. "Despite all of the advances and improvements in firefighter protective gear and training techniques over the past decade, rising statistics indicate that firefighters continue to sustain burn injuries at record numbers."

The People's Burn Foundation also launched in April 2007 an associated To
Hell and Back program, this one designed specifically for community
awareness on the realities of burn injuries and burn prevention education.

To Hell and Back: Community Awareness is geared for adults and high school
students and is the first of its kind offering "reality TV" on what happens
to the skin when a burn injury occurs and the life-long impact of severe
burn injuries.

"I thought this program was a great reality check," said one high school student during pilot site evaluations. "I always knew about burns, but never the severe physical, mental, social, and financial consequences. I believe this program will be good for all high school students."

To Hell and Back: Community Awareness was developed after launching To
Hell and Back I for firefighters and EMS personnel in 2006. The People's
Burn Foundation received hundreds of calls and emails from firefighters
requesting a program for community prevention. To Hell and Back II for
community awareness will be delivered by firefighters and fire department
public educators for burn prevention and education in communities across
the country.

"I believe this is 'must see TV' for every high school student, parent and adult in our community," Longerich said. "It is graphic and powerful, and it is the reality of burn injuries. But what we really want people to remember is that burn injuries are preventable -- this means for firefighters and for general populations."

MORE INFO? www.PeoplesBurnFoundation.org

MASTIN TAKES OVER AS CHIEF, FIRE AND RESCUE DEPARTMENT, FAIRFAX COUNTY VA ON JUNE 3, 2007
Originally Posted: April 28, 2007 7:03 PM
Last Updated: April 28, 2007 7:03 PM

Ronald L. Mastin will become chief of the Fire and Rescue Department, Fairfax County, Virginia effective June 3, 2007. He was appointed by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.

Fairfax County has a population of one million and is along the Potomac River between Washington Regan Airport and Dulles International Airport in the Washington DC region of Northern Virginia. Mastin, a 34-year fire and rescue veteran, is currently the fire chief in Henrico County, VA.

He succeeds Michael Neuhard, who left Fairfax County on Feb. 2 to become deputy county administrator of Stafford County.

Mastin will receive an annual salary of $160,000.

As chief, Mastin will plan, coordinate and direct the overall operation of the Fire and Rescue Department, including fire suppression and prevention, emergency medical services, technical rescue and water rescue operations, hazardous materials abatement, life safety education and arson investigation services. He will be responsible for oversight of approximately 1,350 uniformed firefighters, 130 civilians and 325 operational volunteers.

Mastin has served as Henrico County fire chief since 2001 and he served in the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department from 1973 to 2001, including time as deputy fire chief. He is the chairman of the Scholarship Committee for the Virginia Fire Chiefs Association and a member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, Metro Section. Mastin also is a member of the Southeastern Fire Chiefs Association and vice president of the Metro Richmond Fire Chiefs Association.

Mastin earned a Bachelor of Science in fire administration and management from the University of Maryland and an Associate in Applied Science in fire administration from Northern Virginia Community College.

AMERICAN FIRE EQUIPMENT, HACKNEY, SCOTT AIR, ARLINGTON VA FIRE DEPARTMENT WORK TOGETHER WITH URBAN AREA SECURITY INITIATIVE GRANT FROM DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY FOR WASHINGTON CAPITOL REGION: SEE PROTOTYPE AT THE FIRE CHIEFS SHOW AUG 12-13, 2007
Originally Posted: April 28, 2007 6:35 PM
Last Updated: April 28, 2007 6:35 PM

American Fire Equipment, Woodbridge VA, was responsible for the eight High Performance Mobile Air Units purchased by the Arlington Co VA Fire Department for the National Capitol Region (NCR). The NCR includes the Arlington County Fire Department, District of Columbia Fire Department, Montgomery County Fire Department, Prince Georges County Fire Department, City of Alexandria Fire Department, Fairfax County Fire Department, Prince William County Fire Department, and the Loudoun County Fire Department.

These units can be used for local incidents and are rapidly deployable for use anywhere in the National Capitol Region. The prototype will be on display at the Fire-Rescue International in Denver August 12 and 13, 2007.

These units are being purchased under a Department of Homeland Security grant known as U.A.S.I. (Urban Area Security Initiative). Battalion Chief Doug Insley of the Arlington County Fire Department is the project manager for this initiative which is part of the NCR firefighter respiratory protection program.

Chief Insley led a task group to design a mobile air unit that would be able to sustain operations during any type of regional or localized emergency or disaster operation within the (NCR). These include such target hazards as the Pentagon in Arlington County, the Capitol and White House in DC, the CIA in Fairfax and all the other sensitive federal installations in the region as
well as the Metro Rail system which is the second largest in the United
States with an annual rider ship of 190 million people annually.

The group worked closely with Hackney and Scott Air to design a mobile unit that would meet the minimum requirements for filling a minimum of sixty one-hour, 4500 psi SCBAs per hour over a sustained period of time.

The concept also required the ability to transport not less than one hundred (100) filled 1 hour SCBA bottles and twenty (20) complete SCBAs with one hour cylinders. Another criteria was to keep the wheelbase to a manageable length due to the dense traffic patterns and tight office complex parking lots in the response areas.

Scott Air developed a compressor package within a fixed envelop requested by Hackney for the mobile application. The compressor is capable of manufacturing 60 or more cfm and can run for sustained numbers of hours in high temperatures and humidity. It will provide air to three separate fill stations that utilize the Scott RevolveAir 2X2. The RevolveAir
technology vastly increased the number of fills each operator was capable to maintaining each hour by removing the requirements for laborious cascading. Two are charging while two are being replaced. One station will be capable of cascade filling in case of emergency. A total of ten (10) 6000 psi ASME receivers store reserve air.

Because of the drop/pinch frame technology utilized by Hackney, the
wheelbase was capable of being minimized and yet transport all the equipment and fill stations. Because of the requirements for flood lighting during operations, Hackney developed an installation design for a 75kw direct-drive PTO generator that is mounted inside the left front compartment. All systems will be monitored by the V-MUX multiplexed electrical system. This includes text and visual notification of doors properly secured, awning not stowed, light tower not stowed and PTO engaged.

HURST JAWS OF LIFE TO DISTRIBUTE MODITECH CRASH RECOVERY SYSTEM
Originally Posted: April 27, 2007 5:41 PM
Last Updated: April 28, 2007 6:18 PM

Hurst Jaws of Life, Shelby NC, will now be the U.S. distributor for Moditech Crash Recovery System® (CRS) software.

The Crash Recovery System® is a software application that provides complete interactive configurations for over 20,000 vehicle makes and models. (All American models vehicles are included from the year 2000 and forward.)

Specially developed for rescue workers, it provides an invaluable source of information for extracting people from crash accident vehicles. After selecting a specific model, the interactive system displays a top and side view of the vehicle, indicating the safety features in various color schemes.

By operating the right side screen buttons, all vehicle body components can be virtually removed to display the safety features. Besides exact location and technical specifications of potentially hazardous components, it also indicates how they can be safely removed or disabled. Compatible with most current PC or laptop computer, the software is easily used at the accident scene when the information is crucial.

Moditech, an IT firm based in the Netherlands, has partnered with Hurst for exclusive U.S. distribution of their software and license subscriptions to the rescue industry.

Moditech Rescue Solutions B.V. is a dynamic IT company that specializes in the design and implementation of mobile information systems for emergency aid and rescue teams. This is built on more than ten years of experience in data acquisition and software development for the collision repair industry. Over the years, Moditech Rescue Solutions B.V. has developed close relationships with car manufacturers all around the world. This ensures that the information sources at Moditech Rescue Solutions B.V. are continuously up to date, now and in the future.

Hurst Jaws of Life® is a division of Hale Products Inc. Hale Products Inc. is the worlds leading provider of emergency services in applications such as defense, rescue, firefighting, and industry. Hale Products trademarks include Jaws of Life, Hale Pumps, Hurst, Godiva Pumps, FoamMaster, and CAFSMaster. With manufacturing and sales facilities in England, Germany, and Singapore, Hale Products is the largest manufacturer of products in its categories to the emergency services worldwide. Hale Products is a unit of IDEX Corporation, a manufacturer of proprietary fluid handling and industrial products. IDEX shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol IEX.

ROSENBAUER FIREFIGHTING TECHNOLOGY: REPORTS STRONG SALES YEAR DESPITE DROP IN WORLD MARKET
Originally Posted: April 27, 2007 5:23 PM
Last Updated: April 27, 2007 5:25 PM

Rosenbauer Firefighting Technology says its revenues are up 16%. Total assets up 22%They report "record level of orders." Their stock dividend is up 40% and they are splitting their stock 4 shares for 1 share. They have 1,425 employees, up 3% and an order backlog up 46%, a company record. This was in a news release April 27, 2007.

The 2006 financial year was the best yet in the companys history, the company says.

The company mentions the Metz Aerials as a key factor in its turnaround along with sales in the US.

For more information about Rosenbaur, click on the NEEDA Newsletter headline for this story.

S CORPORATION: POPULAR WAY FOR MANY SMALL BUSINESSES; CHANGES EFFECTIVE 2008
Originally Posted: April 27, 2007 4:33 PM
Last Updated: April 27, 2007 4:36 PM

Proposed regulations to the S Corporation rules wont be effective until 2008 at the earliest, because they are applicable to wages paid on or after the first day of the year following their publication in final form in the Federal Register, which had not happened by early 2007.

S corporations are likely to remain a favored entity, especially for smaller businesses. As long as business owners are poised to take advantage of pass-through treatment of income, gains and losses and need a greater level of formality than partnerships and LLCs, they will choose an S corporation structure. Theyre also likely to find clearer and simpler tax rules as its governance continues to be refined.

S corporation owners can protect themselves against personal liability and have their income and gains taxed only once, as opposed to the double exposure of C corporations and their owners at the corporate level and again on individual returns.

In 1997, S corporations became the most common type of entity filing a corporate return with the IRS. Since then, their numbers have continued to grow, reaching about 3.6 million and making the S corporation the most popular corporate entity in America.

The cornerstone of Americas small business community, the S Corporation Association of America calls it.

Although the structure resting on that cornerstone has been relatively stable, several legal and regulatory developments in recent years that affect such areas as electing and maintaining S corporation status, limits on flow-through of losses, basis issues, payroll taxes, built-in gains, annual returns and international issues. S corporation dealers must keep informed about changes, which affect many aspects of governance and operation.

Heres an overview of how the S corporation landscape has evolved, with some new landmarks and a few extra bends in the road to business success.

Congress increased the maximum number of shareholders in an S corporation to 100 and modified the law to allow certain family members with a common ancestor to be treated as a single shareholder. As the IRS advised in notice 2005-91, any family member can make the election by notifying the corporation and identifying himself or herself as well as the common ancestor and designating the tax year in which the election takes effect. The common ancestor cannot be more than six generations removed from the youngest descendant shareholder. The spouses and former spouses of the common ancestor or any lineal descendant may also be counted as family members. Also, estates of deceased family members and family members who own stock through certain trusts will not be counted as separate shareholders.

For more information on S Corporations, click the headline of this NEEDA Newsletter story.

WILDFIRES CONTINUE TO THREATEN URBAN AREAS: PROBLEM NEEDS NEW NATIONAL FOCUS
Originally Posted: April 27, 2007 12:51 PM
Last Updated: April 27, 2007 12:51 PM

Fire service leaders are increasingly concerned about the impact on urban areas of wildfires. NEEDA Executive Director Kenton Pattie served recently on a committee proposing ways to address the problem. The Congressional Fire Service Institute Advisory Committee passed a resolution recently proposing a new focus on the threat wildfires pose to urban areas.

As an example of what might happen, the news in the last few days has included the town of Waycross GA which was threatened by a wildfire.

Waycross was spared when the wind shifted away from the 15,000-people town. The fire is near the Okefenokee Wildlife Refuge, one of the nation's oldest wetland areas.

More than 300 firefighters from at least six states including Georgia battled the blaze: hitting the fire from the ground and from the air with tankers and water-dropping helicopters.

Another blaze, the North Fargo Fire which burned about 2,300 acres near the town of Fargo in Clinch County, was 90 percent contained.

BUILDING LIQUID NATURAL GAS TERMINALS IN LONG ISLAND SOUND AND BALTIMORE HARBOR? POSSIBLE TARGET FOR TERRORISTS?
Originally Posted: April 27, 2007 12:22 PM
Last Updated: May 1, 2007 5:02 PM

The US House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation held a hearing at the University of Maryland School of Law (Baltimore) on the proposed Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) terminal near the Port of Baltimore. Chair of the subcommittee is US Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD).

Cummings is concerned about a gap in Coast Guard protection which results in local first responders providing protection and emergency response for terminal.

The project if approved would be: $400-million LNG facility and $250-million service pipeline under the direct authority of the U.S. Coast Guard. Local residents have raised questions about LGN terminal impact on port operations. Others express concern for the safety of the Port of Baltimore. And there is the question: Who responds if there is an attack or threat to the facility?

AES Corp., a Virginia-based power company, filed an application for the plant and the pipeline in January 2007 with Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). FERC will probably make a decision by December 2007. Opposition to the plan is increasing.

Cummings: "Today's hearing provided a thorough examination not only of the Sparrow's Point project, but of the many repercussions of our nation's decision to build new liquid natural gas (LNG) terminals. I do not believe that Baltimore is the most suitable location for a new LNG terminal. There is no reason to place these terminals - which are obvious terror targets - in highly populated areas."

The project if approved would be: $400-million LNG facility and $250-million service pipeline under the direct authority of the U.S. Coast Guard. Local residents raised questions about theimpact on port operations and the safety of the Port of Baltimore.

A Federal judge has overturned a Baltimore County zoning ordinance which would have stopped the project. The issue is still in federal court; decision will be made in May 07. FERC and the U.S. Coast Guard will be publishing a final report on the safety of the project.

Cummings will hold another hearing May 7, 2007 to examine the proposed LNG terminal in Long Island Sound. Connecticut and New York are opposed to that project.

For the complete story, click on the NEEDA Newsletter headline for this story.

CONGRESS HOLDS HEARING ON SMALL BUSINESSES: VICTIMIZED BY COUNTERFEITING AND PIRACY
Originally Posted: April 26, 2007 1:39 PM
Last Updated: April 26, 2007 1:39 PM

Small and medium-sized businesses have been victimized by counterfeiting and piracy.

ABRO Industries, a company in South Bend, IN that makes glues, tapes, and epoxies, and sells products in over 150 countries, has seen more than 40 of their products counterfeited. The companys president estimates that these fakes cost them about 15 million dollars a year spending almost a million in legal battles to protect their IP.

At a recent Congressional hearing in Washington DC, Tim Demarais, VP of ABRO discussed one of their adversaries, Hunan Magic of China. They have taken IP violation to a whole new level. Demarais didnt know of the problem until he went to a trade show and Hunan Magics Booth was displaying their productsstealing not only their products, but their company name. When ABRO was just getting its start, Demarais used a picture of his wife on their epoxy package.

Knowing exactly who the model was, Demarais asked Hunan Magics general manager if he knew. The GM responded that it was a western model. Demarais pulled his wallet out of his pocket and showed the GM a picture of his wife. At the next trade show, the packaging had changed slightly with a face of an Asian woman pasted over the original photo of his wife.

Eastman Machine Company of Buffalo, New York is a 4th generation family-owned company that makes top-of-the-line cutting tools for the apparel industry. They were competing and succeeding globally and adding high-paying jobs to the local economy until criminals in China stole the designs, model numbers, and colors of Eastmans patented products. The name they used: Westman. The results were devastating for Eastman. Sales dropped 50%. Almost 100 employees lost their jobsthats more than half their workforce. The heartless counterfeiters had no regard for the livelihood of these hardworking individuals and what happened to them as a result of their actions.

Pirates dont care who they hurt. In September of 2006, the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) unleashed two new assets in their fight against piracyLucky and Flo, two Black Labrador Retrievers. It took the MPAA over nine months and $17,000 to teach the dogs to detect polycarbonates, chemicals used in the disc manufacturing process. After being equipped with these keen sniffing skills, the dogs were sent to Malaysia, one of the worlds top illegal movie producers and exporters. Their mission: to sniff out pirated CDs and DVDs.

After hearing of Lucky and Flos assignment and their successes, pirates began using chemical sprays to try and confuse the dogs and mask the scent. Further proving their desperation, the malicious Malaysian pirates offered a bounty for the two loveable Labradors heads. But nothing can stop Lucky and Flo. In one months time, the two dogs uncovered 1.2 million pirated dics more than 1/5 of the total seizures made last year. Way to take a bite out of crime!

MORE INFO? www.thetruecosts.org

IDEAS FOR EMERGENCY DEALERS TRYING TO COLLECT ON PAST DUE ACCOUNTS
Originally Posted: April 26, 2007 11:24 AM
Last Updated: April 26, 2007 11:24 AM

Outstanding invoices are the scourge of every small business owner. Many dealers dont want to spend their time and energy on phone calls and e-mails to customers about payment, but some steps can be taken before an invoice is overdue that can lead to effective collections.

If you have a collection idea that works for you, and you are willing to share it with other dealers, e-mail your idea attn: Kenton Pattie, NEEDA Executive Director: KentonP1@aol.com

Accounting software products such as Intuit's Quickbooks Billing Solutions offer efficient and effective invoicing tools. Intuit's program requires just a couple of click to send your invoice to a professional mailing service that prints and mails your invoice, typically the next business day.

Once the invoicing is complete, easing your clients' abilities to pay can reduce the time and resources your firm expends on collections.

Some computer software makes paying invoices by the dealer's customer easier by allowing the customer to go on line to access a pass-word protected Web page where they can pay invoices, view billing history, print invoices and submit inquiries.

Some practice dealers find that the customer is more likely to pay on time if payment terms are made clear in contracts before work begins. Many also require large deposits or up-front retainer fees in order to help with their cash flow.

Gini Dietrich, owner of a Chicago-based public relations firm, instituted a two months up-front retainer fee because her cash flow was so poor that she came close to going out of business, timesargus.com reports. I wasnt very good at asking for the money, Dietrich said.

Even when businesses specify payment terms on their invoices and spell out progress payment dates for ongoing work in their original contracts, some customers will still take their time paying. The dealer phone call becomes necessary!

Its important to make that dealer call both effective and friendly to avoid damage to the relationship, Michelle Dunn says, writing for entrepreneur.com.

Confidence is the key to success in making those calls about late payments Dunn says. When making these calls, she recommends that the dealerr:

Come up with a greeting that is pleasant and projects confidence. The customer or client is not likely to want to discuss the overdue payment and is not likely to respond to a dull or boring message.

Speak Up - Imagine that the person is sitting opposite you and speak in a clear but not loud tone.

Focus - Keep your own attention on the subject of the call. Dont allow yourself to be distracted.

Relax - Sit up straight, Dunn says and dont play with paper clips or pens when you are making the call. Use your face, voice and posture to convey confidence.

Its important for a dealer to document all collection calls, Dunn adds, and to observe the requirements of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), which says when you can and cannot call a debtor. For example, calls by a dealer may be made Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m. and on Sunday only if there has been no response during the week.

GRANT APPLICATION DEADLINE MAY 4: Few Days Remain in FY07 Fire Grant Application
Originally Posted: April 25, 2007 1:38 PM
Last Updated: April 25, 2007 1:38 PM

The Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program office is reminding fire departments and non-affiliated emergency medical organizations that ten days now remain in the FY2007 fire grant application period. The application period for AFG began March 29, 2007, at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time and ends 5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on May 4, 2007. If you have started an application, please be sure to complete it and submit it before the deadline. All applications must be submitted (hit the submit button in the online application) to be considered for a grant award.

AFG makes available competitive grants for equipment, training, firefighter and first responder safety and response vehicles. AFG applications are automated and accessible via the AFG web site: www.firegrantsupport.com. The web site contains important information on the AFG, including the FY2007 funding priorities and program guidance, a web based tutorial on the application process, a listing of frequently asked questions, and other materials. Fire departments that have questions regarding this grant opportunity should contact the Help Desk at 1-866-274-0960 or at firegrants@dhs.gov.

The AFG is administered by the Department of Homeland Security in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration. The AFG program assists rural, urban and suburban fire departments throughout the United States. In addition the AFG accepts applications from nonaffiliated EMS organizations for the activities (equipment, training, vehicles, etc.) for which fire departments are also eligible to apply.

The AFG program office offers three grant opportunities in each year. AFG "fire grant" funds are used by the nation's firefighters and first responders to increase the effectiveness of firefighting and emergency response operations. The application period for SAFER grants is scheduled for June of 2007. SAFER grants provide funding for the hiring of firefighting personnel and incentives for volunteer recruitment and retention. The third grant opportunity will be in September 2007 when the AFG program office opens an application period for Fire Prevention and Safety grants. These grants support not only fire departments, but also other organizations experienced in fire prevention and in firefighter safety research. Through the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2007, Congress provided $662 million for the Assistance to Firefighters Grants, with $115 million of the funding specified for SAFER grants and a minimum of $27 million for the Fire Prevention and Safety grants.

MORE INFO? www.firegrantsupport.com

GRANT APPLICATION DEADLINE MAY 4: Few Days Remain in FY07 to Submit Fire Grant Application
Originally Posted: April 25, 2007 1:38 PM
Last Updated: April 25, 2007 1:38 PM

FIRE FIGHTING IN SKYSCRAPERS AND OTHER PUBLIC BUILDINGS: NEW IDEAS TO HELP FIREFIGHTERS
Originally Posted: April 24, 2007 7:50 AM
Last Updated: April 24, 2007 4:57 PM

BBC in the British Isles runs this TV story at 9 PM:

When a fire gets out of control in a skyscraper it tests fire fighters to their limits. Predicting how a fire is behaving high up in a building is almost impossible.

The fire fighters who entered the Twin Towers on 11 September 2001 could only guess at what was happening almost 1000 feet above them. That fateful day brought about the death of 343 New York fire fighters.

Jose Torero believes fire fighters need not be put in such danger and that new technology could have saved many of the 343 fire fighters who died doing their duty that day. He believes he could even have saved the Twin Towers.

He has spent the last ten years developing a system that could change the way fires are fought forever. It's called Firegrid. It's a revolutionary approach to fire fighting that could save thousands of lives, giving man the upper hand on one of his oldest enemies.

Several NEEDA Newsletter stories have mentioned the proposal by NEEDA Executive Director Kenton Pattie: Install monitoring systems in public buildings such as sky scrapers which would function like back boxes on airplanes -- continuously monitoring the conditions of a building and transmitting data when the building is in crisis or healthy.

This NEEDA recommendation was adopted in the final version of the Federal NIST report on the World Trade Center 9-11-01 but has not been accommodted by the building owner and construction industries. Nor has it been integrated into US building standards.

The University of Edinburgh:

Our mission is to establish a cross-disciplinary collaborative community to pursue fundamental research for developing real time emergency response systems, using the Grid, beginning with fire emergencies.

The challenges are:
Sensing: Data collection from the emergency location with instantaneous and continuous relay to the emergency response system (involving a large array of sensors communicating with each other as a network and with the response system via the Grid;

Modelling: Simulation tools running in a predictive mode to model the evolution of the fire, establish its impact on the structure (and therefore predict the collapse), while also analysing the intervention alternatives and evacuation strategies;

Forecast: All simulations, analyses and communications to be achieved faster than the evolution of the emergency in real time;

Feedback: Processing of the continuously updated sensor and simulation data relayed back to the active response systems at the emergency location and to the emergency services to assist their intervention;

Response: Effective co-ordination of all intervention by a command and control system using an intelligent execution support aid.

US DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY'S FEMA OPEN APPLICATIONS FOR COMMERCIAL EQUIPMENT DIRECT ASSISTANCE TO FIRE DEPARTMENTS
Originally Posted: April 23, 2007 2:12 PM
Last Updated: April 23, 2007 2:12 PM

The U.S. Department of Homeland Securitys Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has opened application period for $33.7 million in equipment and equipment training awards for first responders through its 2007 Commercial Equipment Direct Assistance Program (CEDAP).

Since its inception in fiscal year 2005, more than $69.7 million in equipment and equipment training has been awarded through CEDAP to law enforcement agencies, fire, and other emergency responders.

Eligibility for the CEDAP is limited to law enforcement agencies, fire, and other emergency responder organizations with specific financial and capability needs. Equipment and equipment training awards are offered in five categories: personal protective equipment; thermal imaging, night vision, and video surveillance tools; chemical and biological detection tools; information technology and risk management tools; and interoperable communications equipment.

CEDAP equipment awards are integrated with state planning processes for regional response and asset distribution. Each states administrative agency has the opportunity to review applications submitted by first responder organizations within their state to ensure that equipment requests are consistent with their state homeland security strategy.

Applicants may review the program solicitation through the Responder Knowledge Base at www.rkb.mipt.org. The application submission period is open via the web site from April 25 through 11:59 p.m. EDT, May 29.

CEDAP is highly competitive and designed to complement the departments other grant programs. The program strengthens regional response, mutual aid, and interoperable communications capabilities across the nation by providing local homeland security partners essential equipment and equipment training that they may not otherwise be able to afford.

MORE INFO? www.rkb.mipt.org or www.dhs.gov.

NOMINATE A FIRE DEPARTMENT TO RECEIVE FREE MICHELIN TIRES
Originally Posted: April 23, 2007 1:57 PM
Last Updated: April 23, 2007 2:02 PM

Michelin, Greenville SC, the tire manufacturer, will double the amount of tires it donates to first responders across the U.S. in 2007 through its Michelin's Driving America's Safety program forfirst responders.

Michelin's Driving America's Safety program dedicates resources to educating and supporting road safety for today's drivers, first responders and future generations.

Communities and individuals across America can play a role in ensuring that safe and reliable tires are on an emergency vehicle for their community by nominating first responders for a new set of Michelin(R) tires. The nomination process, begins April 23, 2007 and ends on November 23, 2007.

Key elements of the Michelin Driving America's Safety program for first
responders include:
* Recognizing Local First Responders: Twenty-five communities were awarded new tires this month for their first responder emergency vehicles. Fifty first responders and their vehicles will be selected for new tires in early 2008 through this year's nomination process across America.

Ryan Sutter, reality television star from "The Bachelorette" and firefighter for Vail Fire and Emergency Services will serve as national spokesperson for the
program to raise awareness for the program and tire safety.

Tire Maintenance Tips for National Tire Safety Week, April 22-28, 2007:
Michelin reminds drivers as part of its Michelin Driving America's
Safety initiatives to check tire pressure and tread wear this week
before the spring and summer travel season kicks into high gear.

Firefighters and EMS personnel across the country respond to more than
500,000 emergency calls every day and communities rely on quick responses
to medical emergencies, fires and rescue efforts.

However, numerous fire departments and EMS squads across the country face financial difficulties when it comes to maintaining equipment.

"Tire maintenance is essential to emergency responder vehicles and many
fire departments and EMS units struggle to maintain their vehicles," said Ryan Sutter. "Through this Michelin program, communities have the opportunity to recognize the brave efforts of local first responders and help them maintain vehicle safety by nominating them for new tires."

How to Nominate Your Local First Responders?

Beginning April 23, 2007, nominate a local firefighter or EMT at the
Michelin Web site, http://www.michelinman.com

RUSSIAN FIRM PROPOSES BUILDING EXTERIOR RAIL SYSTEM FOR FIRE, CLEANING, REPAIR
Originally Posted: April 23, 2007 1:27 PM
Last Updated: April 23, 2007 1:27 PM

Electronic letter below received by NEEDA. Normally, we do not reproduce this type of solicitation. We receive quite a few . . . for example one to deliver tremendous amounts of water to wildfire's using retro fitted 747s.

The solicitation below is from Russia. I do not know if it has merit, but it has been registered so it is further along that other solicitations we receive!

NEEDA does not endorse or support such solicitations. But, in this case I felt sharing the idea might be useful to a US company. Kenton Pattie, NEEDA Executive Director

Source of this solicitation:
Mr. Pavel V. Korchagin,
Inventor of the ARC System

www.arcproject.ru
korchagin@arcproject.ru
007-916-803-6596 (Tel)
007-495-707-6728 (Fax)
99-39, Dubninskaya ul., Moscow,
127474, Russian Federation

"We are looking for partners for introduction and development of the Automatic Rescue Climber technology (ARC System) in the USA and other countries. This invention is a complex of several conceptual models of an absolutely new robotic technical device for servicing high-rise constructions and skyscrapers. These models are already patented in the Russian Federation, USA and some other countries.

For the full letter of solicitation, click on the headline of this NEEDA Newsletter story.

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATION CALLS FOR CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS ON EMTs, LICENSES, AND HELP WITH SUBSTANCE ABUSE: RESULT OF SACRAMENTO BEE INVESTIGATION
Originally Posted: April 23, 2007 12:46 PM
Last Updated: April 23, 2007 12:46 PM

The Sacramento Bee's investigation of Californias Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA) has resulted in introduction of SB 254 a bill to make California's 70,000 emergency medical technicians subject to mandatory criminal background checks and carry licenses issued by the state Emergency Medical Services Authority by 2009. The Bees stories by Andrew McIntosh are copyrighted; for reprints 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550.

Sen. Roy Ashburn: "The Bee series got the attention of the emergency medical services in California as well as the private ambulance industry, which has embraced statewide EMT licensing and mandatory background checks.

The Bee investigation reports 289 EMTs have been disciplined and convicted of crimes since 1998. Under Ashburn's bill, employers would be notified whenever an EMT is arrested.

The Bee: Carroll Wills, a spokesman for the California Professional Firefighters, said the union -- which represents EMTs and paramedics -- does not oppose mandatory background checks or a diversion program but has not yet taken a position on the bill. Wills may draft his own solutions, the Bee said.

For more about the Bee and this legislation click on the story headline above.

CATERPILLAR REPORTS DEALERS ADDED $600 MILLION TO INVENTORY IN 06 BUT ARE REDUCING INVENTORY IN 07
Originally Posted: April 23, 2007 12:04 PM
Last Updated: April 23, 2007 12:04 PM

Caterpillars North American dealers added about $600 million to inventory during the first quarter of 2006 and reduced inventory slightly in the first quarter of 2007.

While dealer inventories usually increase during the first quarter, the improvement in 2006 was a joint effort with dealers and Caterpillars goal of improving velocity throughout the value chain.

Caterpillar reports a sharp drop in demand for on-highway truck engines.

Caterpillar Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jim Owens told a group of financial analysts and institutional shareholders at the bauma trade show in Munich, Germany: Despite slowing economic growth in the U.S., the rest of the world is doing quite well. . . The first quarter was a great demonstration of Caterpillar's broad global and industry reach. Our sales and revenues and profit per share continued to increase despite significant weakness in two important U.S. industries-housing and on-highway truck engines.

With 2006 sales and revenues of $41.5 billion, 80 year old Caterpillar, (Peoria, IL) is the world's leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines and industrial gas turbines.

For the complete story click on the headline of this NEEDA Newsletter story.

MORE INFO? www.cat.com

Originally Posted: April 23, 2007 5:33 AM
Last Updated: April 23, 2007 5:33 AM

INDIANAPOLIS/FDIC. E-ONE showed its HP 100 Platform at the 2007 Fire Department Instructors Conference.

With a narrow 15 6 jack spread, the E-ONE HP 100 Platform requires less space for side-to-side setup.

For the complete story, click on the headline of this NEEDA Newsletter story filed from Indianapolis.

SPARTAN OFFERS 94 INCH METRO STAR CAB AND 96 INCH GLADIATOR CAB
Originally Posted: April 23, 2007 5:20 AM
Last Updated: April 23, 2007 5:20 AM

INDIANAPOLIS/FDIC SHOW. Spartan Chassis, a subsidiary of Spartan Motors, Inc. a manufacturer of custom fire truck cabs and chassis featured three show trucks at FDIC Including its demo that showcases 94-inch and 96-inch cabs in a single vehicle.

In June 2007, Spartan Chassis will consolidate its fire truck product line down to two base models: the Metro Star 94-inch cab and the Gladiator 96-inch cab.

For the complete story, click on the headline of this NEEDA Newsletter story filed from FDIC in Indianapolis.

52 FIRE PREVENTION AND SAFETY GRANTS TO FIRE DEPARTMENTS
Originally Posted: April 22, 2007 8:17 AM
Last Updated: April 23, 2007 11:27 AM

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today the first round of Fiscal Year (FY) 2006 Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) grants, awarding 52 grants totaling $4 million to fire departments and fire prevention organizations throughout the United States.

For more info, click on the headline of this NEEDA Newsletter story.

FEMA SEEKS NEW CHIEF OF NATIONAL FIRE PROGRAMS
Originally Posted: April 22, 2007 7:56 AM
Last Updated: April 22, 2007 7:56 AM

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is looking for a new Chief, National Fire Programs. The job is open April 11-May 9, 2007. Salary range is $110,363-$143,471. Location: Emmitsburg, MD site of the National Fire Academy.

The new Chief will be the principal fire program expert within National Fire Programs and provides advice to the US Fire Administrator in matters related to emergency management, fire protection, fire prevention, fire suppression, firefighter health and safety, arson mitigation, emergency medical services, hazardous materials, terrorism, wildland fires, fire services and allied professional training, incident management systems and public fire education.

For the job posting, click on the headline of this NEEDA Newsletter story.

FDIC 2007 IS SUCCESS: RECORD ATTENDANCE
Originally Posted: April 22, 2007 7:36 AM
Last Updated: April 23, 2007 11:25 AM

Ulrich Schumann of Frankfurt, Germany was in the Indianapolis newspaper demonstrating Pennsylvania-based Hale Products' foam fire-fighting equipment. 900 exhibitors attended Fire Department Instructors Conference in Indianapolis. FDIC sais it had 27,000 participants, a record.

The conference's 900 exhibitors showed 15,000 pieces of equipment.

Eric Schlett, with New Jersey-based PennWell Fire Corp., puts on the event at the Indiana Convention Center. The show will be in Indianapolis until 2013.

William Brown, an Indianapolis Fire Department battalion chief, said fire departments around the country have limited budgets and try to maximize that money by attending conventions like FDIC because it offers a broad range of features.

IRS REVENUES UP: BUT ARE AGENTS SPENDING MORE TIME IN NON-REVENUE PRODUCING AUDITS?
Originally Posted: April 20, 2007 8:22 AM
Last Updated: April 20, 2007 8:22 AM

The Government Accountability Office (GAO), in its April, 2007 report on the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), reports an increases in revenue collected as a result of IRS enforcement programs but added there is the massive gap between federal taxes owed and federal taxes paid. According to the latest official estimate this so called "tax gap" is estimated to be over $300 billion.

IRS data tracking the outcomes by corporate size shows unproductive hours rose as the size of the corporations increased. In the last five years the nonproductive audit time for corporations with assets of $250 million has doubled.

Although audit dollar recommendations for the largest corporations increased substantially from fiscal years 2001 to 2005, they declined by about 15 percent, from $30.1 billion in 2005 to $25.5 billion in 2006, a drop of $4.6 billion in potential IRS audit revenue.

Everson says his interest is in assuring that all American taxpayers, including corporations, pay their fair share of federal taxes.

During a March 20, 2007 hearing before the US House Ways and Means Oversight Subcommittee the commissioner said that improving corporate compliance is "a top priority of mine...." He added that "we are doing our level best to improve compliance here."

The commissioner reported that "IRS enforcement efforts have increased in virtually every area." Concerning the agency's specific programs regarding corporations, Everson said the number of audits has increased.

In a meeting with the American Institute of Certified Public in 2006, Deborah Nolan, Commissioner of the IRS's Large and Mid-Size Business Division, defended the agency's audit policies. Nolan told the accountants that the service's emphasis on speeding up the audits had been done "in a smart way, and all of our statistical indicators indicate that our agents made very sound decisions."

RS revenue agents are now spending more of their time on corporate audits that produce no revenue for the government than they did in the recent past, according to agency data obtained under the Freedom of Information Act by the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC).

The year-to-year growth in nonproductive audit time defined by the IRS as face-to-face examination hours that produced "no change" results occurred for corporations in every asset class.

For the full story click on the NEEDA Newsletter headline above.

ONLY ONE QUARTER OF SMALL BUSINESS ASSOCIATIONS OFFER HEALTH CARE PLANS
Originally Posted: April 20, 2007 7:30 AM
Last Updated: April 20, 2007 7:30 AM

The LA Times says fewer than one-quarter of small business associations still offer basic health care plans, long the choice of self-employed professionals, contractors and freelancers, according to the American Society of Association Executives.

NEEDA has considered various insurance these plans for its members. But once companies take a look at our business they lose interest, commented NEEDA Executive Director, Kenton Pattie. Congress has been considering without success authorizing plans associations can provide to their members, he said.

Many, including the American Bar Association, which dropped its health care benefit in 2006 for lawyers, say they would like to offer these plans and may resurrect them.

The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) offers supplemental insurance such as catastrophic or long-term care insurance.
Associations that once used the health plans as membership recruiting tools began leaving the health care market about ten years ago because of costs related to mandates that they cover every member, regardless of pre-existing conditions.

The Professional Golfers Association had extended coverage to 1,000 members until the plan was discontinued in 1996, as costs rose and younger members purchased more affordable insurance.

If you can get cheaper coverage through the individual market, thats what you do, said Mila Kofman, an associate professor at Georgetown Universitys Health Policy Institute, the Times reports.

Few affordable health care options remain in the individual market for the self-employed, making Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), with some of their new features more attractive in 2007.

INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIRE CHIEFS (IAFC) PLANS AUGUST 23-25, 2007 CONVENTION AND TRADE SHOW WITH LOFTUS ASSOCIATES
Originally Posted: April 20, 2007 7:04 AM
Last Updated: April 20, 2007 7:32 AM

Loftus Associates, Reston VA, will be the audio visual production and management partner of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) at IAFC's annual convention: Fire and Rescue International (FRI) for 2007 (Atlanta 8/23-25), 2008 (Denver) and 2009 (Dallas).

The Department of Defense Fire and Emergency Services Conference (DoD) is co-located with FRI and will work with Loftus Associates.

IAFC, founded in 1873, is one of the 10 oldest associations in the nation and celebrates its 134th anniversary this year. FRI is also one of the country's largest conferences and expositions, a member of the Tradeshow 200 with over 675 exhibiting companies and is attended by more than 15,000 people from over 40 countries around the world.

"The mission of the IAFC is to provide leadership to career and volunteer chiefs, chief fire officers and managers of emergency services organizations throughout the international community through vision, information, education, services and representation to enhance their professionalism and capabilities. We selected Loftus Associates to work with us this year based on their innovative ideas and cutting edge technology that will provide our participants with a unique and memorable event." commented IAFC Interim Executive Director Mark Light, CAE.

"We have an exciting venue and strong program lineup for this year's event and especially appreciate Loftus Associates commitment to expense management as we prepare for our event", said Michelle Biersner, CMP, IAFC director of conferences.

For full story, click on the NEEDA Newsletter story headline above.

MORE INFO? www.LoftusAssociates.com or Elise Lindsey: elindsey@loftusassociates.com or (703) 476-4600

CRIMSON AND DARLEY COMBINE TO SELL BOOMER
Originally Posted: April 19, 2007 11:03 AM
Last Updated: April 19, 2007 3:50 PM

INDIANAPOLIS/FDIC NEWS: Crimson Fire, Brandon SD, has signed a strategic partnership agreement with W.S. Darley & Co. to market and sell its new Boomer device overseas.

Crimson, which is a subsidiary of Spartan Motors, Inc. introduced the Boomer at FDIC the emergency-rescue industry's largest trade show in Indianapolis.

The Boomer is a new crossover product that combines five emergency- rescue functions into a single device that is more versatile, less costly and more compact than other equipment available today.

The agreement allows Darley, an Illinois-based manufacturer of pumps, apparatus and firefighting equipment, exclusive rights to sell the Boomer outside of North America through its network of dealers in more than 100 countries. Crimson's network of authorized dealers will handle all North American sales.

Crimson Fire is a manufacturer of custom fire trucks and other rescue vehicles. A subsidiary of Spartan Motors, Inc., Crimson is committed to quality, value and innovation. Drawing on 130 years of excellence in fire truck manufacturing, Crimson manufactures a full line of pumpers, rescues, aerials, quick-attack vehicles and other emergency-rescue vehicles from its facilities in Pennsylvania and South Dakota.

Founded in 1908, W. S. Darley & Company is a manufacturer and distributor of firefighting pumps, fire apparatus, and firefighting equipment. Darley has a current customer base of more than 50,000, which includes federal, state and local governments as well as customers in over 100 countries. Darley is headquartered in Melrose Park, Illinois and has manufacturing, engineering and operations in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin and Toledo, Oregon.

MORE INFO? Click on the headline of this NEEDA Newsletter story filed from Indianapolis, IN.

SENATE COMMITTEE ASKS: ARE SARBANES-OXLEY RULES HURTING SMALL BUSINESSES?
Originally Posted: April 18, 2007 5:16 PM
Last Updated: April 18, 2007 5:16 PM

The U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship held a hearing today on the impact of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act on smaller public companies.

Chief Counsel for Advocacy Thomas M. Sullivan said, "The topic of how the Sarbanes-Oxley Act impacts small business is an important one, and the small business community will benefit by this Committee's focus on the proposals under consideration by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB)."

Sullivan noted that Advocacy's involvement with the issue began in 2002 when the office asked then Chairman Oxley and Chairman Sarbanes to include flexibility in their bill sufficient to avoid unnecessary impacts on small public firms. Since then, Advocacy has issued several comment letters to the SEC and the PCAOB, held public roundtables, and given testimony before the U.S. Congress.

Sullivan said that "There is a compelling record demonstrating that the costs of complying with Section 404 are large and disproportionately high for small public companies. . . Advocacy believes that the excessive cost of Section 404 internal controls reporting may restrict a new generation of small innovative companies from seeking capital in the U.S. capital markets."

MORE INFO? For the full story, click on the headline of this NEEDA Newsletter article.

HOUSE HOLDS HEARING APRIL 24, 2007 ON PREPAREDNESS FOR SCHOOL SAFETY
Originally Posted: April 18, 2007 4:10 PM
Last Updated: April 18, 2007 4:38 PM

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

The tragedy at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, April 16, 2007 is another reason to support emergency response in the US for "all hazards" because four hospitals and over 13 emergency medical technician teams and ambulances, plus many law enforcement elements, were involved in the response to the shooting of students and professors on the SW Virginia campus of Virginia Tech.

So, it's not surprising that Congress is holding a prompt hearing on "school safety" April 24, 2007. The Committee? None other than the Committee on Homeland Security.

We have come a long way from the Federal government's singular focus on the hazard of terrorism to the broader definition of hazards to include local issues such as university and public school safety.

Many in the fire and emergency business have stressed that the focus must be on "all hazards" and various Federal officials use this term now in their public statements, instead of the one-note "terrorism threat" that followed so many months after 9-11-01.

There is no doubt that preparation must include terrorism. But in the case of Virginia Tech, the terror came from a different direction. Enough to make everyone wonder just how safe are our children and youth and schools are and what are we doing to make sure that we are prepared to protect them at all costs.

Everyone in pubic safety including fire and EMT departments are involved in being preared for any hazard to any community. The Virginia Tech tragedy will help underscore the importance of the "all hazrds" concept of readiness.

One more thing: dealing with depressed and suicidal citizens who have access to weapons requires considerable community participation and far more public and professional education than exists today.

I am on the Youth Depression and Suicide Task Force (YSAD) here in Fairfax County, VA and we are holding a one day Conference on college age and military service age depression and suicide Tuesday, May 8 at St. Mathews church on Rt. 236 in Fairfax, VA.

This is our third all-day conference, to which ministers and other citizens have been invited to increase the awareness and knowledge of key responders to the extensive amount of depression and suicide in our community. The meeting is supported by such organizations as the Fairfax Partnership for Youth, Crisis Link, Fairfax County Public Schools social workers, and others.

We welcome the interest of the Committee on Homeland Security and we appreciate how difficult it is to stretch from terrorism to depression and suicide as threats in the US. But there are no isolated incidents -- there are common causes that can occur in any community, any city, and there are common elements needed to respond.

The whole public safety force in every community must be considered part of the resources we have and they certainly need to be supported by the Federal effort to respond to "all hazards."

Many Federal resources were sent to Blacksburg to help this week. Any other community would want the same help -- and help in being prepared which includes a community-wide stand down to become more skilled at dealing with depression and suicide and misuse of weapons.

The Committee on Homeland Security has long considered school safety a major priority. In fact, at the end of March, Chairman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), held a school safety forum in Mississippi to discuss some of the same issues that have been raised by yesterday's unfortunate incident at Virginia Tech University.

In response to yesterday's tragedy, the House Committee on Homeland Security will hold a full committee hearing to examine how the federal government can contribute to school safety and precisely what role they have in strengthening community response and preparedness.

More specifically, the Committee will consider ways to bridge the communication gap between Federal, State, and Local partners and to raise awareness on the need for effective preparedness and response plans.

Tuesday, April 24, 2007 @ 10am
311 Cannon House Office Building
Washington DC

NEW FEDERAL LAW: YOU MUST WITHHOLD AND SUBMIT TO IRS 3% OF ALL DEALER SALES
Originally Posted: April 17, 2007 10:29 AM
Last Updated: April 17, 2007 1:22 PM

"Should you have to submit to the goverment 3 percent of every sale you make as a form of withholding -- giving the US government your money long before you have a tax obligation to pay? Section 511 (of the Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act, Public Law 109-222) mandates all businesses pay the three percent as an advance on your Federal taxes based on every sale of vehicles, equipment, supplies and services. More and more organizations which represent small businesses are calling for the repeal of Section 511.

"Do you mind advancing the Federal government three percent of all your sales many months before your taxes are due? If so, you will want to support HR 1023, a bill in the US House of Representatives which removes this threat to your businesses. The law, passed quietly and without public hearing or public notice, is already on the books so it will be uphill getting it repealed. But it can be done with support of HR 1023 by small businesses."

There is an upcoming hearing on Contractor Tax Enforcement. It is Thursday, April 19, 2007 at 1:00 PM in 2154 Rayburn Building, Washington DC, by the US House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Government Management, Organization, and Procurement. The witnesses are scheduled to be Paul Denett from the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (Office of Management and Budget) and Mark Everson from the Internal Revenue Service.

The Chairman of the Subcommittee, Rep. Edolphus Towns, is going to introduce a bill that day or shortly thereafter that addresses the issue of companies receiving federal contracts when they have outstanding tax liabilities. It is going to be very similar to a bill in the 106th Congress by Rep. Turner, HR 4181. The bill will go further than the recent proposed rule: http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=36521&sid=5. While this doesnt address our 3% issue, the staff expressed general opposition to the 3% withholding issue and felt their upcoming bill was a better way to get at the bad actors.

HEARING INFO:
The Contractor Tax Enforcement Act and Amendments to Title 31 of the United States Code
SUBCOMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT MANAGEMENT, ORGANIZATION, AND PROCUREMENT
THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2007, 1:00:00 PM, IN 2154 RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING

I have written previously about the new 3% withholding law and I feel strongly it should be repealed -- a very hard thing to do: getting a law off the lawbooks. We are looking for a way to stop the government from requiring that you withhold 3% and pay to the IRS the 3% on each financial transaction of your dealership. Instead of waiting until the end of the year, the IRS would have your money every day of the year, even if you made no or limited profits on your business. Most small business owners I know are firmly against this law and support the repeal of the law before it comes into effect next year.
Kenton Pattie, NEEDA Executive Director

MORE INFO? Go to most recent NEEDA Newsletter story on this subject:
SECTION 511 REQUIRES DEALERS TO ADVANCE FEDS 3 PERCENT ON EVERY SALE; THIS FORM OF WITHHOLDING WILL HURT SMALL BUSINESSES LIKE YOURS
Originally Posted: April 4, 2007 7:52 PM
Last Updated: April 17, 2007 10:19 AM

LEATHERMAN DONATES 400 WAVE MULTI-TOOLS TO PORTLAND, OREGON, FIREFIGHTERS
Originally Posted: April 16, 2007 1:20 PM
Last Updated: April 16, 2007 1:25 PM

Portland, Oregon, firefighters are grateful to receive a donation of 400 of the the Leatherman handy pocket-sized tool at the Portland Fire and Rescue Training Center, 4800 NE 122nd.

"In the past years, we've seen significant budget cuts in all of our City agencies, including Portland Fire & Rescue," says Fire Commissioner Erik Sten. When the private sector steps up like this to help the firefighters, they are also making Portland more safe and livable."

MORE INFO? Click on the headline of this NEEDA Newsletter story.

SMALL BUSINESSES GENERATE 50% OF DOMESTIC BUSINESS
Originally Posted: April 16, 2007 12:03 PM
Last Updated: April 16, 2007 12:03 PM

Small business is a big contributor to the nation's economy, generating 50 percent of the private, nonfarm gross domestic product (GDP), according to a study released April 16, 2007 by the Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The Small Business Share of GDP, 1998-2004, written by Katherine Kobe
of Economic Consulting Services with funding from the SBA's Office of Advocacy, is the first study of its kind to use the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) as the basis for analysis. Use of this system allows the small business share of total GDP to be categorized into 16 major industrial sectors. The small business share of the GDP in each major industrial sector in 2004 ranged from 18 percent of the information sector
to 85 percent of other services.

For the full story, click on the headline to this NEEDA Newsletter story. To contact the Small Business Administration call (202) 205-6533.

BBC MENTIONS BREATHING APPARATUS IN THREE APRIL 07 STORIES
Originally Posted: April 16, 2007 11:31 AM
Last Updated: April 16, 2007 12:06 PM

The British Broadcasting Company (BBC) reported the use of breathing apparatus by firefighters making rescues in three fires last week. British news reporters seem to be keen on firefighters wearing breathing apparatus, much as reporters in the US are keen on mentioning the use or nonuse of car safety seat belts in stories about car accidents.

For the BBC reports mentioning breathing apparatus from recent days, click on the headline of this NEEDA Newsletter story.

AXSYS TECHNOLOGIES TO ACQUIRE CINEFLEX CAMERA SYSTEMS
Originally Posted: April 15, 2007 6:58 PM
Last Updated: April 15, 2007 6:58 PM

Axsys Technologies, Inc. has acquired substantially all of the assets of Cineflex LLC, a privately held manufacturer of high-precision gyro-stabilized aerial camera systems, for $27 million in cash, with possible additional cash consideration to be paid upon the attainment of certain revenue targets fixed over the next 36 months.

Axysys Technologies sells Viper XP Thermal Imager for the public safety fire, surveillance and Homeland Security markets.

Cineflex is in the design and manufacture of highly stable, multi-sensor, multi-axis surveillance platforms serving customers in federal and local government, and in the motion picture and electronic news gathering industries.

Management will conduct a conference call to discuss the acquisition on Friday, April 13, 2007 at 10:00 am ET. To participate in the call dial 1-866-356-3377 and entering conference pass code 57151357. The conference call will be webcast live via the Investor Relations section of the Company's web site at www.axsys.com. A replay of the webcast will be available shortly after the conclusion of the call for a period of approximately 90 days.

MORE INFO? Click on the headline of this NEEDA Newsletter story.

MARYLAND OFFERS APRIL 26, 2007 FIRE AND RESCUE PROGRAM
Originally Posted: April 15, 2007 3:39 PM
Last Updated: April 15, 2007 3:39 PM

On April 26, 2007 at 1:00pm the University of Maryland Center for Firefighter Safety Research and Development will conduct a Research Symposium and Demonstrations regarding the new firefighter safety technologies that have been developed at the University of Maryland. The presentations and demonstrations will be conducted at the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute in Classroom #1, located in College Park.

MORE INFO? Click on the headline of this NEEDA Newsletter story or go to
dwashington@mfri.org or info@mfri.org

DEMOLITION EXPLOSIVES DROPPED THE TWIN TOWERS 9-11-01: FACT OR FICTION? NEEDA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SUPPORTS FINDINGS OF 3-YEAR NIST STUDY OF THE COLLAPSE
Originally Posted: April 14, 2007 6:22 PM
Last Updated: April 14, 2007 6:22 PM

Talk shows and news media have recently revisted the question: Why did the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center collapse 9-11-01? Talk shows, for example, have entertained the idea that the buildings were brought down by explosives.

This whole subject was the focus of a very intensive technical study by the national Insitute of Standards and Technology (NIST). As a member of the Advisory Committee of the Congressional Fire Service Institute I sat through several presentations by NIST experts who conducted this study, including a presentation on their final report.

The NIST review of all the facts over several years and their highly professional approach to the question was very impressive. Subsequently, NIST not only explained exactly why and how the Twin Towers collapsed but they made a series of recommendations on new standards and other requirements that are needed to prevent future building disasters such as the one 9-11-01.

I am including in NEEDA Newsletter a summary of the NIST research to help those NEEDA members who are puzzeled by the 2007 allegations about the World Trade Center disaster. In particular, NIST discounts the allegation that the buildings were brought down by explosives placed in the towers. In fact the NIST report directly addresses the various alternative theories that were advanced after 9-11-01.

The NIST report concluded: "In summary, NIST found no corroborating evidence for alternative hypotheses suggesting that the WTC towers were brought down by controlled demolition using explosives planted prior to Sept. 11, 2001. NIST also did not find any evidence that missiles were fired at or hit the towers. Instead, photographs and videos from several angles clearly show that the collapse initiated at the fire and impact floors and that the collapse progressed from the initiating floors downward until the dust clouds obscured the view."

I think TV viewers are free to reach their own conclusions. Having heard the most extensive presentation of the facts in this case, and having read the final report and the recommendations for the future, I am convinced that NIST has got it right.

It has been a special privilege to know the NIST leaders in this study and to follow their work on this and other fire related matters.

NIST did include in their final report one recommendation which I made: future public buildings of this nature should have embedded measuring devices that monitor the building health, trasmitting their findings to a remote site for regular inspection. And should such a building be damaged, all the physical evidence would be recorded, just as a black box in an aircraft records the progression of an air disaster. My recommendation would need to be adopted as a building standard and architects, construction firms and building owners would need to adhere to it. I think this is a reasonable idea and its time has come.

But, in making my recommendation, which was adopted by NIST in their final recommendations, I never doubted the professional findings of NIST. I do not share the TV talk show line that the Twin Towers were brought down by a demolition technique. Read the NIST report and you may well agree with me.

As your Executive Director, I am confident that the NIST findings give us all the most accurate explanation for the horrific destruction that took place 9-11-01. Hopefully, before anyone makes up their minds from popular talk shows, they will review the extensive study NIST did.

MORE INFO? Click on the headline of this NEEDA Newsletter story and read the summary of the 3-year NIST study of the World Trade Center disaster. As an expert on fire disasters, if you would like to share your views with NEEDA, I will be glad to receive and share with others your thoughts and recommendations: Kenton Pattie, NEEDA Executive Director KentonP1@aol.com 703 850 8552

FIRE DEPARTMENT MERGER FREES MONEY TO PURCHASE NEW RESCUE PUMPER; BUDGET SAVINGS OF 8 PERCENT
Originally Posted: April 14, 2007 4:24 PM
Last Updated: April 14, 2007 4:30 PM

"Four months after the Portage des Sioux and West Alton volunteer fire agencies merged to become the Rivers Pointe Fire Protection District, officials say the transition is going smoothly," according to Susan Weich, St. Louis Post Dispatch.

"All the goals we've set out to accomplish have been going straight through, and everything is right on target if not ahead of schedule," said former Portage des Sioux fire Chief Kurt Machens, who is board president of the new 64-square-mile district.

The consolidation has led to savings, such as a $5,000 cut in administrative services, which amounts to about 8 percent of this year's $66,000 budget" the St. Louis Post Dispatch story says.

Perhaps the biggest change will be the purchase of a new rescue pumper for the Portage des Sioux station. Six bids ranging from $198,000 to $231,000 will be considered May 7. The new pumper will replace a 1975 model.

TYCO, OWNER OF TYCO FIRE AND SECURITY, WILL REPORT ON SECOND QUARTER RESULTS 8:30 AM TUESDAY, MAY 8, 2007
Originally Posted: April 14, 2007 3:49 PM
Last Updated: April 14, 2007 3:49 PM

Tyco, the Bermuda based company, will hold an 8:30 AM telephone conference before its second quarter results are released Tuesday, May 8, 2007.

The call can be accessed in the following ways:

1. At Tyco's website: http://investors.tyco.com.
2. By telephone: For both "listen-only" participants and those participants who wish to take part in the question-and-answer portion of the call, the telephone dial-in number in the United States is (800) 700-7133. The telephone dial-in number for participants outside the United States is (612) 332-1020.

An audio replay of the conference call will be available beginning at 12:00 p.m. on May 8, 2007 and ending at 11:59 p.m. on May 15, 2007. The dial-in number for participants in the United States is (800) 475-6701. For participants outside the United States, the replay dial-in number is (320) 365-3844. The replay access code for all callers is 869971.

Tyco International Ltd. is a global, diversified company that provides vital products and services to customers in four business segments: Electronics, Fire & Security, Healthcare, and Engineered Products & Services. With 2006 revenue of $41 billion, Tyco employs 240,000 people worldwide.

MORE INFO? www.tyco.com.

SPARTAN MOTORS SPENDS $8 MILLION ON TWO NEW FACILITIES: WILL FREE UP PRODUCTION SPACE FOR FIRE AND RV VEHICLES
Originally Posted: April 14, 2007 3:24 PM
Last Updated: April 14, 2007 6:53 PM

Spartan Chassis, Inc., a subsidiary of Spartan Motors, Inc. has purchased two manufacturing facilities near its headquarters in Charlotte, MI.

The facilities, which total 80,000 square-feet, will help Spartan meet anticipated increased demand from its military customers to supply and integrate key chassis components for Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles, while also creating capacity at Spartan's other facilities for fire truck and motorhome chassis production.

"We are growing our overall capacity to meet the sustained demand we are seeing for our specialty chassis products," said Richard Schalter, president of Spartan Chassis. "Along with our newly constructed 107,000-square-foot fire truck cab and chassis facility, the new facilities will allow us to grow market share for existing products, while also introducing new products."

Spartan Motors, which also manufactures emergency rescue vehicles under the brand names of Crimson Fire, Crimson Fire Aerials and Road Rescue, reported sales of $445 million in 2006.

Spartan Motors reported it is spending $8 million to purchase and renovate the two facilities, and expects the two recently purchased facilities to be operational in the third quarter of 2007.

"Our recent capacity additions are improving efficiency at Spartan Chassis, as we can better specialize and focus production within a facility on just RV, fire truck or specialty vehicle products," said John Sztykiel, president and CEO of Spartan Motors.

"Overall, the dynamic of added capacity and efficiency will help us grow as we focus on becoming the premier manufacturer of specialty vehicles and chassis in North America."

The MRAP vehicles are designed to protect their occupants from a combination of mines, rocket-propelled grenades, or RPGs, and improvised explosive devices, or IEDs, through their V-shaped hull, raised chassis and improved armor. According to U.S. government reports, roadside bombs and IEDs account for 70 percent of U.S. deaths and injuries in Iraq.

Spartan Chassis, Inc., a subsidiary of Spartan Motors, Inc. , is a developer and manufacturer of custom chassis for recreational vehicles, fire trucks and specialty vehicles.

MORE INFO? www.spartanmotors.com or Richard Schalter, President
rjschalte@spartanchassis.com 517-543-6400

HOUSE COMPLAINS HOMELAND SECURITY DEPARTMENT IS IGNORING LAWS AND CONGRESSIONAL REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION
Originally Posted: April 14, 2007 7:25 AM
Last Updated: May 4, 2007 5:53 PM

US House of Representatives is getting angry over missed deadlines at the US Department of Homeland Security. This giant agency is having trouble responding to Congressional requests for information. Congress asks agencies for information as part of Congressional oversight responsibilities. Once Congress passes a law they follow up with letters and public hearings asking about the implementation of the new law. Each year, Congress gives Homeland Security its marching orders. But this year in particular, the tension between the Congress and the Department has risen because Members of Congress don't feel the Department is being as cooperative as it should be. The Congressional concern is that certain laws passed will not be observed and certain Congressionally set goals will not be reached due to inattention in the Department.

To get a taste of the Congress-Department tension, click on the headline of this NEEDA Newsletter story to read one of the numerous letters between Congress and the Department in which Congress complains about the failure of the Department to reply.

If you want to contact the Committee yourself, here's their address:

United States House of Representatives(Committee on Homeland Security (H2-176, Ford House Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20515 (Phone: (202) 226-2616 | Fax: (202) 226-4499(http://homeland.house.gov

MORE INFO? Click on the headline of this NEEDA Newsletter story.

JUSTICE DEPARTMENT SUES NO 2 TAX PREP COMPANY: WHO DOES YOUR ACCOUNTING AND TAX WORK?
Originally Posted: April 14, 2007 7:03 AM
Last Updated: April 14, 2007 7:03 AM

The Justice Department has sued to shut down 125 franchises of No. 2 U.S. tax preparer Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. after the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) accused the outlets of submitting thousands of fraudulent returns that cost the government more than $70 million.

The Justice Department said the Jackson Hewitt Tax Service franchises' fraudulent practices included using phony W-2 forms, bogus deductions and fuel tax credits and false claims regarding the earned income tax credit.

Employees were encouraged to ignore telltale signs of fraudulent information and to file claims even when it was obvious customers were using fake W-2 forms or false deductions.

"I am deeply disturbed by the allegation that a major franchisee of the nations second-largest tax preparation firm is intentionally preparing improper tax returns with inflated refunds," said IRS Commissioner Mark W. Everson.

Jackson Hewitt Tax Services Inc. is the nation's second largest tax preparer. The franchises were either totally or partially owned by Farrukh Sohail, the Justice Department said, and involved "a pervasive and massive series of tax-fraud schemes," according to court filings.

Sohail and other defendants "created, directed, fostered, and maintained a business environment" at the Jackson Hewitt franchises "in which fraudulent tax return preparation is encouraged and flourishes," according to court documents.

A sample of returns prepared by franchises connected to Sohail found 31 percent contained false information such as phony earned income tax credit claims, bogus deductions and fraudulent W-2 forms.

For more info, click on the headline of this NEEDA Newsletter story.

SHOULD YOUR COMPANY HAVE RESTRICTIONS ON EMPLOYEE INTERNET USE?
Originally Posted: April 14, 2007 6:49 AM
Last Updated: April 14, 2007 6:49 AM

Businesses are becoming more and more strict when managing employee Internet use at work, a new survey shows. A national poll from Robert Half Technology revealed more than three-quarters (78 percent) of chief information officers (CIOs) polled recently said their company has either installed content-filtering or blocking software, instituted policies that detail acceptable Web browsing, or done a combination of both.
The poll includes responses from more than 1,400 CIOs from a stratified random sample of U.S. companies with 100 or more employees.

As part of the poll, CIOs were asked, "Which of the following are reasons for your company's policies limiting employees' Web browsing?" Among those who limit employee Web access, 75 percent it was to prevent employees from accessing inappropriate content at work; 71 percent said to prevent virus attacks, installation of malware, etcetera; and 62 percent said to keep employees from wasting time at work.

"All companies should have a corporate policy in place that outlines acceptable Web use by employees," said Katherine Spencer Lee, executive director of Robert Half Technology. "Communicating and explaining Web access policies, along with the risks associated with Web browsing, helps employees understand why these guidelines are in place."

Lee added that companies must inform new hires of expectations from their first day on the job. "Including Web access policies in new-hire training and restating the information on the company intranet or in internal newsletters, for example, reinforces this message."

As an emergency equipment dealer or EMS supply company, what policy works best for you? Reply to KentonP1@aol.com (attn: NEEDA Executive Director Kenton Pattie)

IS BUYING AN ESCAPE HOOD OR OTHER TYPE OF RESPIRATOR THE BEST WAY TO THE BEST WAY TO PROTECT MYSELF?
Originally Posted: April 13, 2007 2:26 PM
Last Updated: April 13, 2007 2:26 PM

The National Institute for Occupational Safety has published some advice on using respirators by first responders.

After reading this piece on respirators, let NEEDA know your views: KentonP1@aol.com

For more information, click on the headline of this NEEDA Newsletter story.

FIRST RESPONDER AUTHENTICATION CARDS (FRAC) ID FIRE FIGHTERS AT INCIDENT SITE
Originally Posted: April 13, 2007 12:22 PM
Last Updated: April 13, 2007 12:22 PM

Sorting out who's who in the chaos of an incident may be helped by the use of First Responder Authentication Cards. Some cards have been issued in Arlington and Alexandria, Virginia, and other jurisdictions for test purposes. Need for the cards is the fear that someone could infiltrate an important property, such as the Pentagon, during a fire or explosion there and go undetected.

Meanwhile, there are those in Homeland Security who want all first responders to carry smart cards that prove the holder's legitimate ID and the level of training the first responder has achieved. Those without the training needed for a particular incident would be excluded.

Federal officials complain (in meetings attended by NEEDA Executive Director Kenton Pattie) that there were resonders who showed up on 9-11-01 in New York City and in the Gulf Coast area during Katrina who did not have credentials for situation response in that area. First responders respond that when they volunteer for work in a disaster area, they should not be rejected because of a training credential.

In the Washington DC area, the Office of National Capital Region Coordination is coordinating a major initiative to use a smart identity card system for emergency responders. These smart cards would allow first responders from across the region the ability to quickly and easily access government buildings and reservations in the event of a terrorist attack or other disaster. The initiative is designed to remedy access problems such as those encountered by state and local emergency officials responding to the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon.

As previously reported by NEEDA Newsletter, in February 2006, NCR coordinated a multi-agency demonstration to test the interoperability and usability of this credentialing trust model through simulated emergency incidents at federal, state, and local facilities, including the Pentagon, a Virginia state facility, a port controlled by the State of Maryland, and a checkpoint in a Maryland county.

The Winter Fox Interoperability Demonstration (WFID) was conducted by the Department of Homeland Security Office of National Capital Region Coordination and hosted by the Pentagon Force Protection Agency, the State of Maryland, and the Commonwealth of Virginia.

For the demonstration, approximately 500 First Responder Authentication Cards (FRACs) were issued to senior federal, state, and county public safety officials.

The Federal Information Processing Standard 201 (FIPS 201) compliant smart identity cards enabled users to electronically validate their identities in order for relying parties to make informed decisions for granting or denying access. Standardized electronic identity verification was required for various levels of perimeter security at all demonstration sites regardless of agency affiliation.

FEMA REGION THREE DIRECTOR SARUBBI SPEAKS TO VIRGINIA FIRST RESPONDERS
Originally Posted: April 13, 2007 11:44 AM
Last Updated: April 13, 2007 11:44 AM

Jonathan Sarubbi, the new Region III director for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, will speak Thursday, April 19 at the Virginia Emergency Management Conference. Sarubbi, appointed to his current post in March, 2007 previously served as vice president of marine operations for the International Registries, Maritime and Corporate Administrators of the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

Prior to that, Sarubbi served for 26 years at the U.S. Coast Guard, directing strategic planning, day-to-day operations, training, exercises and logistics.

The annual conference, April 17-20, 2007 will be in Williamsburg.

MORE INFO? www.vaemergency.com/newsroom/events/vema2007.cfm. Register online at/www.vemaweb.org

SMALL UNMANNED HELICOPTERS SEND VIDEO TO INCIDENT COMMAND: HAVE A FUTURE IN EMERGENCY FIRE RESPONSE
Originally Posted: April 13, 2007 9:15 AM
Last Updated: April 13, 2007 9:16 AM

Rotomotion Corp., Emmen Aerospace, Neural Robitics, Bell Helicopter, Octatron, and Yamaha Motor Co. all have at least one thing in common: they are working on unmanned helicopters which will hover over critical emergency sites while broadcasting above-the-scene video images that help first responders.

The original interest in these helicopters came from the US military agencies. The craft are small -- about one fourth the size of a full sized helicopter -- and can go places emergency responders can't reach.

Police departments in Hong Kong, New Tork and Los Angeles have already been using these helicopters in emergency and traffic control situations.

Already, the Federal Aviation Administratin has certified the Eagle Eye TR 918 which is built by Bell Helicopter. The Eagle Eye will be used for experimental purposes. Bell says one of the intended purposes of the Eagle Eye is oil and gasline pipeline patrol and security.

In contrast, Japan already has in service 1,600 unmanned RMAX Autonomous helicopters. One of the applications: pest control in agricultural areas.

The Condor, manufactured by Condor, has four surveillance camera modes including infared zoom with a spotlight and laser pointer.

These helicopters are 3-10 feet long can carry video equipment up to 50 pounds. Some may weigh only 16 pounds, the weight of a Tour de France racing bicycle.

Custom made helicopters with surveillance gear may cost up to $200,000 while the Rotomotion helicopters mentioned above may cost up to $60,000. Rotomotion is currently working on 30 new orders after having a successful 06 when it built 30 helicopters.

Federal homeland security agencies are looking at the product

MORE INFO? Emmen Aerospace is in Myrtle Beach SC, Neural Robitics Inc. is in Huntsville AL, Bell Helicopter is part of Textron in Ft. Worth TX, Octatron is in La Verne CA, and Yamaha Motor Co. is in Cypress CA.

INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIRE FIGHTERS SEEKS BEST FIRE PHOTOGRAPHY: DEADLINE MAY 1, 2007
Originally Posted: April 11, 2007 9:32 PM
Last Updated: April 11, 2007 9:35 PM

The International Association of Fire Fighters invites print and broadcast media to enter the 2007 Media Awards Contest, honoring reporting and photography that best portray the professional and dangerous work of fire fighters and emergency personnel in the United States and Canada.

"Professional fire fighters across the Unites States and Canada
appreciate the media's efforts to expose the importance of providing first
responders with the appropriate resources and equipment to safely and
effectively protect their communities and the nation, whether it's responding to a house fire, a medical emergency or in the event of another natural or man-made disaster," says IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger.

Entries must have been published or broadcast between January 1 and
December 31, 2006. Deadline is May 1, 2007.

The International Association of Fire Fighters, headquartered in Washington, DC, represents 280,000 full-time professional fire fighters and paramedics who protect 80 percent of the nation's population.

MORE INFO? www.iaff.org/build/public/07rules.html

NEEDA MEMBERS CONTINUE TO QUESTION THE GSA 1122 PROGRAM WHICH GIVES STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT BUSINESS TO MANUFACTURERS WITH GSA CONTRACTS
Originally Posted: April 9, 2007 1:13 PM
Last Updated: April 9, 2007 1:13 PM

"I attended a meeting in Orlando, FL on 1122 and discussed the program with many of those involved. They pointed out that state and local governments needing aviation fuel can obtain it through 1122 . . . just another example of how very broadly the words "drug interdiction" are interpreted by GSA. Advocates for 1122 tried to prohibit me from attending the meeting because NEEDA has criticized the program. I went to the meeting expecting to discuss
the program, but since the meeting I have neither heard from or received any information requested from the meeting sponsors.

"NEEDA recently received several questions about the US GSA 1122 program which allows state and local govenments to buy products for public safety directly from manufacturers who have Federal contracts. Companies with a GSA Multiple Awards contract for one or more products are eligible to sell products under 1122. While the GSA Multiple Awards program was designed to serve Federal agencies, GSA has had a 20-year campaign to penatrate the state and local market so as to increase the size of the contracts they award to large companies. Almost no dealers in the fire and emergency equipment business are GSA contractors, nor would they qualify in most cases."

Kenton Pattie, NEEDA Executive Director, KentonP1@aol.com

VETERANS RETURNING FROM IRAQ NEED MORE HELP RESTORING THEIR SMALL BUSINESSES; SMALL BUSINESSES WHO LOSE KEY EMPLOYEES TO RESERVE DUTY NEED MORE HELP TO STAY IN BUSINESS
Originally Posted: April 7, 2007 2:46 PM
Last Updated: April 9, 2007 12:24 PM

The US General Services Administration is awarding $5 billion in technology service contracts to 43 small businesses owned by service-disabled veterans.

But many veterans returing from Iraq, having had to leave their own small businesses with little notice, are getting no help in re-establishing their business. They need financing; but it is hard to get. The 43 small businesses getting contracts from the GSA had products or services the government wants; but for many veterans their business is too small to meet the GSA's requirements. For example, they don't offer national coverage.

Of the 500,000 reservists who have been called into duty since the US re-entered Iraq in the past five years, many owned or were employees of small businesses. But during this five years, the Small Business Administration has only made 271 loans to businesses affected by reservist deployment to Iraq.

One reason given for so many few loans? Most small businesses don't know the SBA offers low interest disaster laons to reservist-dependent companies.

The Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee is proposing that Congress expand the Small Business Administration's military reservist disaster loan program.

Some of the committee's recommendations are in the latest Iraq war appropriations bill. For example a reservist-dependent small biz can apply for a disaster loan from 90 days after the reservist's discharge up to one year.

The committee recommends SBA offer grants up to $25,000 to reservists who own small businesses and make loans of up to $100,000 to reservists without requiring collateral.

Senator John Kerry (D-MA) and chair of the committee said "We shouldn't just say thank you to the men and women who fought to protect this country; we should show them we're grateful and help them get back on their feet."

The Small Business Administration's staff for veterans business development is looking at the Senate proposals.

The Iraq war has encouraged more small businesses to think twice before hiring a reservist.

While the Federal government has a goal of awarding 3 percent of prime contracts to small businesses owned by service-disabled veterans, the most recent figure is only .6 percent (2005).

This is a serious problem for some small businesses and an unfortunate problem for veterans and their families.

NEEDA urges the Senate and the Bush Administration to resolve the problem facing veterans, their companies, families and small business employers.

A new report released by the Senate Small Business Committee in March 2007 said recently discharged veterans are experiencing higher unemployment rates, that reservists are experiencing high rates of income loss during deployment, and that a smaller percentage of small business loans are going to veterans.

If your company has a Reservist on duty in Iraq or your family has a Reservist who gave up a small business to go to Iraq, please share your story with NEEDA: PO Box 220, Annandale VA 22003

MORE INFO? Click on the headline of this NEEDA Newsletter story.

MAY 20-26, 2007: EMS WEEK IN USA
Originally Posted: April 6, 2007 4:42 PM
Last Updated: April 6, 2007 4:55 PM

EMS Week is May 20-26, 2007 when the nation should express appreciation and support for Emergency Medical first responders who serve every community every day of the year.

NEEDA salutes the Emergency Medical Services. Dealers who provide products, supplies and services to EMS units are included as NEEDA members.

The National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT), recommends Congress establish an EMS Caucus similar to the Congressional Fire Service Caucus. NEEDA belongs to the Advisory Committee of the Congressional Fire Service Institute which addresses fire, EMS, homeland security and related issues.

SMALL BUSINESSES SPEND MORE TO COMPLY WITH GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS THAN BIG BUSINESSES
Originally Posted: April 6, 2007 4:35 PM
Last Updated: April 6, 2007 4:35 PM

The U.S. Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy commissioned research by Dr. W. Mark Crain that shows firms with fewer than 20 employees annually pay 45 percent more per employee to comply with federal regulations than their larger counterparts do.

The cumulative regulatory burden, according to Dr. Crain's research, amounts to over $1.1 trillion. The share of that burden for the smallest of businesses is $7,647 per employee annually.

Clearly, one-size-fits-all regulatory approaches have a much larger impact on small businesses. Moreover, many times these firms are caught in a web of safety, tax, and environmental regulations when small businesses are not part of the problem that the regulations are attempting to solve. Over 25 years ago, Congress recognized this dilemma and passed the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA).

The RFA helps protect small business from unnecessary regulatory burdens. It requires federal regulators to draft small business impact statements whenever they propose new rules. Also, the RFA requires that agencies consider less burdensome alternatives that do not undermine the intent of the regulations.

President Bush issued Executive Order 13272; "Proper Consideration of Small Entities in Agency Rulemaking," which enhanced the requirements of the RFA and helps ensure that small business has a place at the table when regulatory decisions are made. Progress has been made in the four years since signing the Executive Order. The yearly average cost of major regulations issued during this Administration is 54 percent less than over the previous 20 years and over $62 billion of regulatory costs have been filtered out of new regulations before they were finalized.

The cumulative regulatory burden of $1 trillion is a wake up call that more needs to be done to reform rules and regulations that have a disproportionate impact on small business. Evidence has shown that reform can occur while strengthening the underlying regulatory protections for border security, transportation safety, investor and financial security, environmental protection, and workplace safety.

NEW PERSONAL ALERT SAFETY SYSTEM (PASS) UNITS: AUGUST 31, 2007
Originally Posted: April 5, 2007 10:28 AM
Last Updated: April 5, 2007 10:52 AM

Scott Health and Safety, MSA and Survivair are all making alarms that meet the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards for Personal Alert Safety System (PASS). The deadline for new PASS units is Friday, August 31, 2007.

Many fire departments use their Federal Fire Act grant money to buy SCBA units. The new units which meet the new PASS standard will exceed the 1981-82 standards for SCBA and PASS systems.

The new standard was written in part because previously made PASS alarm signals sometimes filed at high temperatures, according to the Fire Fighrer Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program, which is part of the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

Federal testing revealed that PASS sound signals dropped at 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).

The problem was the focus of an MSNBC television report.

After August 31, only units that meet the new standard may be sold.

The principal changes contained in the 2007 edition of NFPA 1982 are summarized as follows:

New water immersion requirements and testing for PASS where PASS is exposed to 350° F for 15 minutes and then to water submersion in 1.5 meters (4.9 ft) also for 15 minutes for each of 6 cycles; and PASS examined to determine no water ingress, all PASS signals must function properly, and electronic data logging functions must operate properly; following this, PASS is re-immersed in the test water for additional 5 minutes with the power source compartment(s) open, and following the 5 minutes the PASS is removed from water and wiped dry, then the electronics compartment is opened and examined to determine no water ingress;

New high temperature functionality requirements and testing to now have PASS mounted in a circulating hot air oven at 500° F for 5 minutes and the PASS alarm signal must function at or above the required 95 dBA sound level, electronic data logging functions must operate properly, and no part of the PASS can show evidence of melting, dripping, or igniting;

New tumble-vibration requirements and testing for PASS where PASS is "tumbled" in a rotating drum for 3 hours and the PASS alarm signal must function at the required 95 dBA sound level and electronic data logging functions must operate properly;

New "muffling" of the alarm signal requirements and testing for PASS where PASS is mounted on a test subject and evaluated in five positions (face down w/arms extended, supine left, supine right, fetal right w/knees drawn to chest, fetal left w/knees drawn to chest), and the alarm signal must function at or above the required 95 dBA sound level.

For a complete report based on the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommendations, click on the headlines of this NEEDA Newsletter story.

DRIVERS OF FIRE APPARATUS NEED MORE TRAINING: FIREAPPARATUS.COM
Originally Posted: April 5, 2007 10:14 AM
Last Updated: April 5, 2007 10:14 AM

Twenty-five firefighters died in vehicle crashes in 2005. The US Fire Administration says vehicle crashes are the second leading cause of fatal injuiry to firefighters.

There are several training pathways beginning with the required commercial dirvier's license (CDL) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1002 course. Joe Mercieri, writing in FireApparatus.Com says firefighters need more than the NFPA course: start with a thorough understanding of all departmental driving protocols and operating procedures, he recommends. Then become familiar with vehicle control.

INTEROPERABILITY: EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT IT . . . SOME COMPANIES HAVE SOLUTIONS . . . WHAT IS HAPPENING IN YOUR MARKET?
Originally Posted: April 4, 2007 9:26 PM
Last Updated: April 4, 2007 9:59 PM

Almost every fire and emergency meeting I've attended in recent years has featured the topic "interoperability." There has been a lot of talk, but it is pretty complicated. The Federal Emergency Management Administration and the Homeland Security Department and the Department of Defense are asking for solutions. The Federal government is awarding grants to help local governments -- as much as one billion dollars!

If you would like to share your views of interoperability and what direction the concept is going in your market, e-mail Kenton@aol.com. I'd be very intersted to hear from you.

MORE INFO? Click on the headline of this NEEDA Newsletter story.

SECTION 511 REQUIRES DEALERS TO ADVANCE FEDS 3 PERCENT ON EVERY SALE; THIS FORM OF WITHHOLDING WILL HURT SMALL BUSINESSES LIKE YOURS
Originally Posted: April 4, 2007 7:52 PM
Last Updated: April 17, 2007 10:19 AM

"Should you have to submit to the goverment 3 percent of every sale you make as a form of withholding -- giving the US government your money long before you have a tax obligation to pay? Section 511 (of the Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act, Public Law 109-222) mandates all businesses pay the three percent as an advance on your Federal taxes based on every sale of vehicles, equipment, supplies and services. More and more organizations which represent small businesses are calling for the repeal of Section 511.

"Do you mind advancing the Federal government three percent of all your sales many months before your taxes are due? If so, you will want to support HR 1023, a bill in the US House of Representatives which removes this threat to your businesses. The law, passed quietly and without public hearing or public notice, is already on the books so it will be uphill getting it repealed. But it can be done with support of HR 1023 by small businesses."

There is an upcoming hearing on Contractor Tax Enforcement. It is Thursday, April 19, 2007 at 1:00 PM in 2154 Rayburn Building, Washington DC, by the US House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Government Management, Organization, and Procurement. The witnesses are scheduled to be Paul Denett from the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (Office of Management and Budget) and Mark Everson from the Internal Revenue Service.

The Chairman of the Subcommittee, Rep. Edolphus Towns, is going to introduce a bill that day or shortly thereafter that addresses the issue of companies receiving federal contracts when they have outstanding tax liabilities. It is going to be very similar to a bill in the 106th Congress by Rep. Turner, HR 4181. The text of that bill is pasted below. The bill will go further than the recent proposed rule: http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=36521&sid=5. While this doesnt address our 3% issue, the staff expressed general opposition to the 3% withholding issue and felt their upcoming bill was a better way to get at the bad actors.

HEARING INFO:
The Contractor Tax Enforcement Act and Amendments to Title 31 of the United States Code
SUBCOMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT MANAGEMENT, ORGANIZATION, AND PROCUREMENT
THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2007, 1:00:00 PM, IN 2154 RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING
Kenton Pattie, NEEDA Executive Director

NATIONAL FIRE ACADEMY: WHAT COURSES DO THEY OFFER IN 07?
Originally Posted: April 4, 2007 5:57 PM
Last Updated: April 7, 2007 2:22 PM

Click on the headline above for more in depth info on National Fire Academy courses. Or go directly to the websites listed below.

"As you may know, I have attended meetings at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland. It is a great place to visit as the impressive memorial to fallen firefighers is there on the campus. But, if you are intersted in the training they offer, here is the list of current offerings. Top presenters and teachers are attracted to the Academy to serve on the faculty. There is a dormatory and campus-like setting in the mountains. I know quite a few NEEDA members are also members of their local fire department or have employees who also work in the fire service. Check all the courses they offer by clicking on the headline to this NEEDA Newsletter story."
Kenton Pattie, NEEDA Executive Director

Vacancies exist in the following NFA courses at the National Emergency
Training Center in Emmitsburg, Maryland. You may refer to the Internet
at www.usfa.dhs.gov/nfa/ for more information, or contact the Admissions
Office via email netc-admissions@dhs.gov or by phone at (301) 447-1035.
Completed applications may be faxed to (301) 447-1441. If interested,
apply immediately!

The FY08 First Semester Application Period opens in less than 1 month on May 1, 2007 and closes on June 30, 2007. Complete application information is available on the USFA Web site.

MORE INFO? www.usfa.dhs.gov/nfa/ or www.usfa.dhs.gov/applications/nfacsd/

EXAMPLE OF DATA BASE AVAILABLE RE 2006 FIRE ACT GRANTS: WHO GOT WHAT?
Originally Posted: April 3, 2007 2:32 PM
Last Updated: April 3, 2007 2:32 PM

Readers asking questions about the 2006 Fire Act Grant program will be interested in this data source -- for example, very detailed . . . who bought what? Gives you an idea of what data you can obtain from the Federal goverment about grants.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) awarded $1,744,986 in direct assistance grants to 25 fire departments and first responder organizations under the department's Fiscal Year (FY) 2006 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program. Additional phases will soon be announced that will total $485 million in AFG grant awards to approximately 5,000 fire-related organizations nationwide.

Meanwhile, applications are being accepted for 2007 grants. See earlier NEEDA Newsletter item with application info.

MORE INFO AND TO SEE THE LIST? www.firegrantsupport.com/awards

RAIL AND TRANSPORTATION ACT WILL OFFER GRANTS AND OTHER HELP TO LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO IMPROVE SAFETY AND PREPARE FOR EMERGENCY RESPONSE
Originally Posted: April 2, 2007 4:51 PM
Last Updated: April 2, 2007 5:26 PM

The Rail and Public Transportation Security Act of 2007, which has just been passed by the US House of Representatives, closes the security gaps facing rail and public transit and focuses on training, grants, security planning, research and development, worker whistleblower protections, and hazardous materials transportation.

Investments to enhance the security of our nations surface transportation systems have not kept pace with the needs. Last year, the Federal Government invested $4.7 billion in aviation security improvements, while spending only $136 million on transit and rail security, even though five times as many people take trains as planes every day, Oberstar said. Passage of a robust rail and public transportation security bill by the House of Representatives is long overdue.

Kenton Pattie, NEEDA Executive Director: "Fire departments and public safety agencies should study this legislation and work with other local government agencies to plan joint, region-wide solutions that could and should be funded with Federal dollars."

MORE INFO? Click on the headline of this NEEDA NEWSLETTER story.

SAFER GRANTS TO FIRE DEPARTMENTS: TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF FRONTLINE FIREFIGHTERS
Originally Posted: April 2, 2007 1:44 PM
Last Updated: April 2, 2007 1:44 PM

NEEDA has received several inquiries about the "SAFER GRANTS" program, following last week's CFSI dinner in Washington DC. Click on the headline and get the latest information on the distribution of 06 SAFER GRANTS.

Kenton Pattie, NEEDA Executive Director

APPLICATION PERIOD FOR FY 2007 ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTERS GRANTS
Originally Posted: April 1, 2007 9:33 PM
Last Updated: April 1, 2007 9:33 PM

The Department of Homeland Security's Office of Grants and Training (G&T) will accept applications for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2007 Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) beginning March 29, 2007, at 8:00 a.m. The deadline for receipt of the applications is May 4, 2007 at 5:00 p.m. EDT. The AFG, which will be distributed in phases throughout FY 2007, will ultimately award approximately $492.3 million.

Eligible applicants for the FY 2007 AFG are fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical service (EMS) organizations operating within the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, American Samoa, or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Interested applicants may submit two separate applications for consideration under each of the following two program areas:

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

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

MORE INFO? Click on the headline of this NEEDA Newsletter story for application information

KATRINA IMAGES REPLACED WITH PRE-KATRINA PICTURES: POSSIBLE DECEPTION ANGERS CONGRESSIONAL SUBCOMMITTEE
Originally Posted: April 1, 2007 8:58 PM
Last Updated: April 1, 2007 9:07 PM

While you can get Google space maps of New Orleans, many people have seen Google images which were made prior to Katrina even though the viewers wanted to see the status of their property or neighborhood. On a service called Google Earth, you can get a look at New Orleans that is post Katrina and current. But the pre-Katrina images have made many unhappy and how the issue goes to the US Congress.

"Google's replacement of post-Hurricane Katrina satellite imagery on its map portal with images of the region before the storm does a "great injustice" to the storm's victims," according to the House Committee on Science and Technology's subcommittee on investigations and oversight.

MORE INFO? Click on the headline of this story