NEEDA - National Emergency Equipment Dealers Association

This e-mail was sent to kentonp1@aol.com:

NFPA® Handbooks: Written by NFPA technical specialists and leading fire protection professionals, these roadmaps to the codes provide the reliable support to do jobs right and pass inspections the first time.

Avoid costly mistakes and project delays! Apply provisions correctly and confidently with information direct from the code source:

The complete code or standard text.
Authoritative commentary from experts who helped develop the code.
Practical examples of how to apply the code in specific situations.
Explanations of the rationale behind requirements.
Hundreds of illustrations, photos, charts and tables.
In-depth supplements that expand your knowledge of important topics.

NEC® Handbook
NFPA 70E®: Electrical Safety in the Workplace® Handbook
Life Safety Code® Handbook
Automatic Sprinkler Systems Handbook
National Fire Alarm Code® Handbook
Health Care Facilities Handbook
NFPA 25 Handbook

Solidify your code knowledge with exclusive Handbooks from NFPA!

Order by credit card at www.nfpacatalog.org or call NFPA toll-free at 1-800-344-3555.

NFPA members save 10% on every purchase,

MORE INFO?
NFPA®
1 Batterymarch Park,
Quincy, MA 02169-7471 USA

+1 617 770-3000 Fax: +1 617 770-0700

NFPA and National Fire Codes® are registered trademarks of the National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, MA

MEDUSA OFFERS EMERGENCY REPORTING SYSTEM FOR AMBULANCES
Originally Posted: June 20, 2007 5:05 PM
Last Updated: June 20, 2007 5:08 PM

Medusa Medical Technologies Inc electronic patient care reporting software, the Siren ePCR(TM) Suite, is in a pilot program for ground ambulances operated by Emergency Health Services Nova Scotia (EHS).

Siren ePCR Suite will be in all 150 of EHS' ground ambulances, as well as in both LifeFlight air ambulances, and more than 800 paramedics will have been trained by EHS to use the system.

The Siren ePCR(TM) Suite is an electronic patient care reporting system that improves the speed and accuracy with which paramedics can record patient information while in an ambulance en route to hospital.

With the system, patient data is recorded quicker and more accurately than with pencil and paper. Ultimately, Siren allows paramedics to spend less time documenting patients' ailments, and more time treating them. The user-friendliness of Siren has resulted in high rates of acceptance from paramedics. After participating in the pilot program, Peter Cholock, an EHS paramedic, told Medusa that "Siren has been received more positively than I could have ever imagined."

Chris d'Entremont, Minister of Health: _This new system will help paramedics track a patient's condition and treatment decisions quicker and more accurately, allowing paramedics to focus more time on patient care."

Medusa's contract with EHS positions Nova Scotia as Canada's first province to offer all of its residents the benefits of a complete electronic patient care solution in a pre-hospital/out of hospital emergency services environment.

Until now, this kind of technology was only available in a few major cities. And while putting Nova Scotia on the forefront of patient care reporting in Canada, the initiative will also create advances in pre-hospital emergency medicine for EHS. The Siren ePCR Suite includes data analysis tools that will allow EHS to generate reports to measure the performance of the system.

Medusa president & CEO, Scott Campbell: "Reports that used to take months to compile can now be generated in minutes. This will assist in developing enhanced procedures and practices for the entire
province."

Deborah MacKay, Director of Communications & Dispatch Services at EHS: "The introduction of electronic patient care reporting over the upcoming months for both the ground and air components of our system will truly bring us a step closer to full integration of documentation, as both groups will be documenting patient care using the same tools and the same format."

Tim Coolen, Vice President, Business Planning & Technologies for Emergency Medical Care (EMC), the management company contracted to manage the ground ambulance service: "Not only can patient care be enhanced through improved documentation and protocol development based on research, but the long-term administrative benefits to EHS can be very substantial. This product can help reduce our operating costs and improve operating efficiency."

Incorporated in 1998, Medusa develops information technology solutions for pre-hospital emergency data capture emergency medical staff effectiveness in patient care encounters.

US HOUSE: ANOTHER WEEK OF HEARINGS ON HOMELAND SECURITY ISSUES
Originally Posted: June 20, 2007 4:41 PM
Last Updated: June 20, 2007 4:41 PM

Tuesday, June 19, 2007 @ 11am
311 Cannon House Office Building

Ensuring We Have Well-Trained Boots on the Ground At the Border

à Subcommittee on Management, Investigations, and Oversight

Witnesses (partial): Colleen Kelley, National President, National Treasury Employees Union; TJ Bonner, President, National Border Patrol Council of the American Federation of Government Employees; Chief Charlie Whitmire, Chief Patrol Agent, United States Border Patrol Academy, Artesia, NM; Art Morgan, Director, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Field Operations Academy; Cindy Atwood, Assistant Director, Field Training Directorate, Federal Law Enforcement Training Center; Richard Stana, Director, Homeland Security and Justice Issues, Government Accountability Office

There will be a webcast of this hearing.

Tuesday, June 19, 2007 @ 1:30pm
1539 Longworth House Office Building

Keeping the Border Secure: Examining Potential Threats Posed by Cross Border Trucking

à Subcommittee on Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection

Witnesses: Bill Arrington, General Manager, Highway and Motor Carrier Division, TSA; Stephen Russell, Chairman and CEO, Celadon Group, Inc. (on behalf of ATA); Gregg Ward, Vice President, Detroit Windsor Truck Ferry; Raul Salinas, Mayor of Laredo

There will not be a webcast of this hearing.

Wednesday, June 20, 2007 @ 12pm
1539 Longworth House Office Building

You Don't Know What You Don't Know: Has the Department of Homeland Security Improved its Ability to Maintain Situational Awareness Since Hurricane Katrina?

à Subcommittee on Management, Investigations, and Oversight

Witnesses (partial): Col. Terry J. Ebbert, USMC (ret), Director, Office of Homeland Security & Public Safety, City of New Orleans; Eileen Larence, Director, Homeland Security and Justice Issues, Government Accountability Office; Frank DiFalco, Director, National Operations Center, Office of Operations Coordination, Department of Homeland Security

There will not be a webcast of this hearing.

Wednesday, June 20, 2007 @ 2pm
311 Cannon House Office Building

Hacking the Homeland: Investigating Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities at the Department of Homeland Security

à Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity, and Science and Technology

Witnesses: Scott Charbo, Chief Information Officer, Department of Homeland Security; Gregory Wilshusen, Director, Information Security Issues, Government Accountability Office; Keith A. Rhodes, Director, Center for Technology and Engineering, Government Accountability Office

There will be a webcast of this hearing.

1539 Longworth House Office Building
POSTPONED until July 12 @ 2pm

Challenges Facing First Responders in Border Communities

à Subcommittee on Emergency Communications, Preparedness, and Response

CHARLESTON FIRE: HUGE LOSS OF NINE FIRST RESPONDERS IN WAREHOUSE THAT DIDN'T HAVE FIRE SPRINKLERS
Originally Posted: June 20, 2007 10:36 AM
Last Updated: June 20, 2007 10:45 AM

An installed automatic fire sprinkler system would have saved lives in a furniture store and warehouse inferno that occurred in Charleston, SC on June 18. The fire resulted in the tragic deaths of nine fire fighters on whom the roof collapsed as they fought the fire.

During the fire, firemen warned of low or no water pressure to keep hoses going.

Fueled by combustible stored materials, the uncontrolled fire spread quickly through the unsprinklered building, apparently undermining the structure and leading to a roof collapse. Nine firefighters died battling the blaze.

According to the non-profit American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA), sprinklers would have controlled the fire, had they been installed in the building.

Sprinkler systems are designed to react fast, while fires are still small, providing additional time for occupants to safely escape and protecting emergency responders as they perform fire suppression and search and rescue operations. Sprinklers also reduce property damage.

FFSA President Steve Muncy mourned the loss of the firefighters as
Needless: "This fire may have had a completely different outcome had the
building been protected by a fire sprinkler system."

Muncy: "A fire like this is devastating on numerous levels, The loss to the families of these firefighters is unthinkable. The impact beyond this tragic loss of life is also significant. In a sprinklered building fire, first responders can perform their duties in an environment that is far less dangerous and uncertain, thanks to the sprinklers' earlyactivation. And after the fire, workers and customers are typically able toreturn to the building within a couple of days, sometimes less. But in structures without sprinklers, like this furniture warehouse, fires grow unchecked until the fire department arrives. In this case, nine firefighters lost their lives doing their jobs. The building is gone, and employees are also displaced."

The American Fire Sprinkler Association is a non-profit trade association that promotes the development of educational and training programs to maintain the quality and effectiveness of automatic fire sprinklers, encourages an expanded role for automatic fire sprinklers in protecting lives and property, disseminates information on labor, technology and business, and provides programs to enhance business practices for fire sprinkler contractors.
MORE INFO? www.firesprinkler.org or (214) 349-5965

MASSACHUSETTS: CONSIDERS CHANGING STATE PROCEDURES TO HELP SMALL BUSINESSES
Originally Posted: June 20, 2007 10:21 AM
Last Updated: June 20, 2007 10:21 AM

Massachusetts small businesses would benefit from administrative and regulatory reforms being considered in the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Businesses.

The proposed legislation would amend the state administrative procedures in two ways. First, it would clarify the information that should be included in the small business impact statement required by current law. Second, it would require agencies to consider less costly alternatives to proposed regulations that affect small businesses.

Small businesses play an important role in the Massachusetts economy. They represent more than 98 percent of the states businesses and employ more than half of the non-farm private work force. Because of their size, the overall importance of small businesses to the economy is often overlooked, Sullivan said.

Sullivan noted that Massachusetts law would benefit from the addition of a key componenttransparency in the rulemaking process. A transparent process allows small business owners to stay informed of agency actions that may have an adverse effect on their business and to participate in rule development.

Transparency also helps agencies gather information to formulate a more thorough, well-reasoned, and accurate economic impact analysis. Advocates for small businesses in Massachusetts support a requirement that agencies make the small business impact and regulatory flexibility analyses available for review by small businesses during the public comment period of a proposed regulation.

Since 2002, 37 state legislatures have considered regulatory flexibility legislation, and 21 states have implemented regulatory flexibility either through executive order or legislation. In addition to its cosponsors, the Massachusetts legislation has the support of key small business groups.

FAST DETECTION OF BIOLOGICAL THREATS AT LE BOURGET PARIS AIR SHOW
Originally Posted: June 18, 2007 2:57 PM
Last Updated: June 18, 2007 2:57 PM

A trio of advanced EADS sensors designed to detect homeland security threats that range from drugs and explosives to chemical, biological and nuclear hazards is being displayed for the first time at this weeks Paris Air Show.

These systems utilize EADS technologies that have been adapted to portable detection sensor applications at the initiative of the companys Chief Technical Officer and EADS Innovation Works, along with EADS SODERN in cooperation with EADS North Americas new Homeland Security Program Office.

Two of them the Laser Ion Mobility Spectrometry (LIMS) sensor and the Bio Detection System were evolved from development activity at EADS Innovation Works, the Group's center for corporate research, while the neutron interrogation sensor is based on defense and industrial systems already fielded by EADS SODERN.

This is an extremely important step for EADS, as it shows how advanced technology and systems from throughout the company can be identified and tailored for specific applications in the United States, said Ralph D. Crosby, Jr., Chairman and CEO of EADS North America. We are now seeking partners for the marketing and industrialization of these three very capable systems.

EADS has put a priority on identifying licensing opportunities for our companys technologies, and the three sensors unveiled at the Paris Air Show are an excellent example how we can bring new capabilities to the U.S. for homeland security threats, said EADS Chief Technical Officer Jean Botti.

The Laser Ion Mobility Spectrometry (LIMS) sensor detects chemical and explosive threats, as well as drugs. It can be used for personnel and baggage screening in public locations such as airports, train and subway stations, and cruise ship departure points; as well as at secure facilities, prisons and other sites. It collects and analyzes tiny amounts of vapor or particles, and utilizes advanced laser technology for significantly improved sensitivity and selectivity.

EADS application of an advanced laser for LIMS provides a system that is much faster and more versatile than currently-available systems, and is significantly less susceptible to false alarms.

The system prototype exhibited at the Paris Air Show is a book-sized LIMS system that has been integrated into a portal demonstrator, and further development is planned for a hand-held version.

The EADS Bio Detection System being shown at Le Bourget provides very fast detection of biological threats in drinking water. The system uses advanced micro-mechanical filters operating at 450 nanometers, can detect microscopic bio-hazards including bacteria and single organisms, is repeatable and provides results in 15 minutes. Operating automatically and unattended, it can deliver real-time alerts at reservoirs, in water systems and storage areas.

EADS development of the Bio Detection System began for a potential application on large commercial airliners, and the current desktop-sized demonstrator will be further reduced to a hand-held device.

Our Bio Detection System reduces detection from the current timeframe of hours or days to a matter of minutes, and it eliminates the need to take samples from the water source to a laboratory, explained Samuel D. Wyman III, the Vice President of Homeland Security Programs at EADS North America.

Also exhibited at the Paris Air Show is a suitcase-sized demonstrator of an EADS SODERN portable system for detection and identification of explosives and chemicals, as well as nuclear and radioactive materials. The technology has the potential to be developed for larger systems to screen the contents of cargo containers, trucks and checked luggage streams at airports. A system for land mine detection is at an advanced stage of development.

It uses EADS SODERNs fast 3D neutron penetration technology for the bulk inspection of luggage and shipping containers even in cases where heavily-shielded materials are inspected.

Wyman said the systems advanced neutron tube results in faster scanning than with existing equipment, and provides a greater sensitivity to smaller volumes of threat material. In addition, its technology drastically reduces false alarm rates. The sensor was evolved through EADS SODERNs more than 40 years of experience in designing and manufacturing neutron generators for government and commercial applications.

EADS North America is the North American operations of EADS, the second largest aerospace and defense company in the world. As a leader in all sectors of defense and homeland security, EADS North America and its parent company, EADS, contribute over $10 billion to the U.S. economy annually and support more than 190,000 American jobs through its network of suppliers and services. With 12 operating companies located in 30 cities and 17 states, EADS North America offers a broad array of advanced solutions to its customers in the commercial, homeland security, aerospace and defense markets.

MORE INFO? (www.eadsnorthamerica.com)

TEXAS, NEW JERSEY, NEW HAMPSHIRE, AND NEW YORK BUSINESSES, RENTERS AND HOMEOWNERS: JUNE DEADLINES TO OBTAIN FEDERAL DISASTER ASSISTANCE
Originally Posted: June 18, 2007 2:50 PM
Last Updated: June 18, 2007 2:50 PM

DEALERS; Please include these deadlines in your communications with any customers you have in Texas, New Jersey, New Hampshire or New York. They need to act immediately to get FEMA disaster assistance. Kenton Pattie, NEEDA Executive Director 703 850 8552 KentonP1@aol.com

TEXAS DEADLINE: JULY 2, 2007
Those affected by the April 21-24 07 severe storms and tornadoes have only two weeks left to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for possible state and federal disaster assistance. The deadline to apply for assistance is July 2, 2007.

"Anyone who lives anywhere in the designated counties and has been affected by these storms should apply for aid before the deadline," Federal Coordinating Officer Tony Russell said.

The registration period and the deadline apply to the disaster declaration that enabled residents and business owners in Denton, Maverick, Moore, Swisher and Atascosa Counties to register for federal/state recovery aid.

NEW JERSEY DEADLINE: JUNE 25, 2007

Only one week remains for homeowners, renters and business owners affected by the April nor'easter storm and flooding to apply for federal disaster assistance, said officials at the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

June 25 is the deadline to register with FEMA and to return disaster loan applications to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). To date, more than 15,000 residents in Bergen, Burlington, Camden, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, Somerset and Union counties have applied for assistance and more than $33 million in federal grants and low-interest loans have been approved.

PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE DEADLINE: JUNE 26, 2007

Only one week remains for New Hampshire residents and business owners who sustained damage from the severe storms and flooding occurring April 15 - 23 to apply for disaster assistance. The deadline to apply is June 26.

Albie Lewis, federal coordinating officer of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): "For individuals who have already applied, their cases will continue to be processed. We want people to understand that Tuesday, June 26th, is merely the end of the application period, which started April 27 when President Bush issued the major disaster declaration."

Loan applications to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for disaster-related losses to real and personal property and businesses of all sizes must also be submitted by that date. SBA officials encourage anyone who has received a disaster loan application to turn it in as soon as possible.
"Even if you have insurance, you should apply by June 26th if your home or business suffered damage in April's nor'easter," Michael Poirier, state coordinating officer, New Hampshire Homeland Security and Emergency Management, said. "You may find that you still have needs after your insurance settlement and you may qualify for financial assistance in the form of a low-interest disaster loan or grant."

Federal and state disaster recovery officials urge those who have not done so to apply as soon as possible. There are two easy ways to begin the application process. Residents may call FEMA's special toll-free number, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for those with speech or hearing impairment. Both numbers are available 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Residents with Internet access have the option to apply on the agency's Web site at www.fema.gov. Valuable recovery information is also available on the Web site.

Disaster officials also stated that residents waiting for a final insurance settlement should contact the FEMA Helpline at the same numbers above if their claim is paid or for any other updates to their claim information. If there have been changes to contact information, for instance, applicants should call the Helpline right away to ensure they receive their assistance as quickly as possible.

FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

ALBANY NY DEADLINE There are only a few days left for homeowners, renters, and business owners who suffered loss or damage from the April nor'easter to register for disaster assistance.
Assistance is available to all who qualify, as long as they register by the June 25, 2007 deadline, said officials from both the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the New York State Emergency Management Office (SEMO).

Those who suffered loss or damage from the April nor'easter should register, even if they are insured, or are waiting for a response from their insurance agent.

At the request of Governor Eliot Spitzer, President Bush signed a major disaster declaration for New York State on April 24, 2007. Homeowners, renters, and businesses in seven counties are eligible for Individual Assistance programs.

Those counties are Albany, Dutchess, Orange, Richmond (Borough of Staten Island), Rockland, Ulster, and Westchester.

Anyone affected by the disaster should register for assistance by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), or (TTY), 1-800-462-7585. Hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

Register anytime online at www.fema.gov. Registrants should use the name as it appears on their Social Security card when registering online.
FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

EQUIPPING AND TESTING A RESCUE BOAT
Originally Posted: June 18, 2007 1:34 PM
Last Updated: June 18, 2007 1:34 PM

NEEDA recently received a request for help in equipping a Rescue Boat funded by the hotels of the Dominican Republic. The hotels want to know what they need to do to equip this rescue boat. Below is US Coast Guard/Department of Homeland Security information. If you can provide additional information, please contact: Kenton Pattie, Executive Director, National Emergency Equipmenbt Dealers Association (NEEDA), PO Box 220, Annandale VA 22003

U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Lifesaving & Fire Safety Standards Division
G-MSE-4 HOME PAGE
RESCUE BOATS
APPROVAL GUIDANCE

USE THIS LINK TO FIND THE ACCEPTED INDEPENDENT LABORATORIES FOR THE EQUIPMENT APPROVAL CATEGORY LISTED BELOW

BUOYANCY MATERIALS ACCEPTANCE GUIDELINES
SEARCH LIGHTS FOR RESCUE BOATS
RETROREFLECTIVE MATERIAL FOR RESCUE BOATS
APPROVAL GUIDANCE
APPROVAL CATEGORY
EQUIPMENT
MRA APPROVAL
RESCUE BOAT (SOLAS)
APPROVAL CATEGORY: 160.156

APPROVAL GUIDANCE & INFORMATION: Rescue boats for commercial ships are approved to the standards of the Safety at Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS). These standards are in the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) Life-Saving Appliances (LSA) Code. Test procedures are in IMO's Recommendation on Testing of Life-Saving Appliances (IMO resolution MSC.80(71)). These IMO publications can be purchased from IMO publication distributors world-wide. The current IMO standards have not yet been brought into the Coast Guard's regulations in Title 46 of the Code of Federal Regulations (46 CFR 160.156). In order to approve rescue boats, the Coast Guard applies the rescue boat standards in the IMO LSA Code.

The requirements for Fast Rescue Boats, which are required to be carried on Roll-On/Roll-Off (Ro-ro) ferries, which carry passengers and their vehicles between different countries is also included in this guidance. The Coast Guard does not test materials or systems for approval but rather specifies the required test methods and minimum performance criteria for approval. The testing must be performed on the product by a Coast Guard Accepted Independent Laboratory.

Please see Rescue Boat Guideline 156 for the approval process and requirements.

LINKS: Fire Retardant Resin
Accepted Engine List
Rescue Boat Checklist

SUBMITTAL PACKAGE: Please submit the follow information in the Submittal Package:
· A cover letter requesting Coast Guard Type Approval of the equipment.
· Information as required by the Rescue Boat Guideline 156.

Please send the Submittal Package and other related information to the following address:

Commandant (G-MSE-4)
2100 Second Street, S.W.
Washington, DC 20593-0001

Once the equipment has been approved by this office it will received Coast Guard Type Approval and a Certificate of Approval (COA). The COA will be issued for 5 years and will remain valid during that time the period if product meets the testing of the Quality Control Program.

BUOYANCY MATERIALS ACCEPTANCE GUIDELINES
The Coast Guard uses the IMO requirements for acceptance of buoyancy material for SOLAS lifeboats and rescue boats. These same materials may be used in some ring buoys, life floats, buoyant apparatus, and the like. (For some domestic applications, materials meeting the 46 CFR 160.035 Mil specifications may also be used.)

For acceptance of any material we must have a full detailed test report, not just an approval certificate or other certification. We cannot proceed without the complete report. An accepted independent laboratory, or a ship classification society does NOT need to witness the tests.

The IMO tests are in section 6.2 of the IMO Recommendation on Testing (A.689)

We encourage you to use the IMO Test Report Forms for Lifeboat Buoyant Materials 4.3.3 LIFEBOAT BUOYANT MATERIAL, EVALUATION AND TEST REPORT to report your results.

An acceptable submittal in accordance with the above procedure will be added to our list of USCG accepted buoyancy material for use in SOLAS rescue boats and survival craft.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONs:

Q Will the Coast Guard accept our material based on a Class Society or foreign administrations approval/acceptance?
A No, we do not accept materials based on others approval certificates/documents, unless you submit the complete test report for the material that was the basis for the acceptance.

Q -- Shall we do a whole new test - following the IMO-recommendation?
A Yes, if you do not have a complete report from an earlier test, a complete new test will be required for SOLAS material acceptance.

Q -- Who and where will you recommend the test to be carried out?
A -- The tests may be performed in the manufacturers lab.

Q -- What is the estimated costs to get the U.S. Coast Guard approval?
A -- There is not a USCG fee at present.

Q -- Can we make foam samples with our own machinery or shall it be produced at the boat manufacturer?
A -- You may use your own machinery provided it produces the same product that boat builders will produce.

Q Does my report need to be written in English?
A Yes.

Q May I run some tests on one batch of material and other test on a different batch of material?
A -- In general all the tests should be run on material from the same batch/lot or better, each test on the same group of batches/lots. Otherwise there is no way to know how variations in the material are affecting the results.

Q - What is the difference between diesel fuel and fuel oil?
A IMO Resolution A.689 has been revised to add the "grades" of oil as follows:

6.2.3 In addition to the test in 6.2.2, specimens of the material should be immersed in each of the following for a period of 14days under a 100 mm head:
.1 two specimens in crude oil;
.2 two specimens in marine fuel oil (grade C);
.3 two specimens in diesel oil (grade A);
.4 two specimens in high octane petroleum spirit; and
.5 two specimens in kerosene.

The "grade" ratings do not appear to be any ASTM or other USA spec' but are ISO specifications (refer to ISO standards ISO 8216 and ISO 8217 - Petroleum products). "Bunker C" is a common terminology used in ships' fuels. We would accept test results run with Bunker C.

An adequate test report and documentation for approval should include the following:

The testing laboratory shall prepare a complete test report covering all of the testing done for assessment of the buoyant material. (This test report shall be kept on file, as long as the acceptance is in force, and for at least five years after the acceptance is terminated. The testing facility shall also keep a set of drawings and specifications describing the material inspected and tested. The test report, drawings, and specifications shall be made available on request to the Coast Guard. The test report should include:
(1) The name of the manufacturer.
(2) The name and address of the testing facility or laboratory.
(3) The trade name, product designation (such as model numbers), and a brief description of the equipment and/or material inspected or tested.
(4) The time, date, and place of each approval inspection and test.
(5) The name and title of each person performing, supervising, and witnessing the inspections or tests.
(6) The performance data for each test, including a description of each failure.
(7) A description or photographs of the procedures and apparatus used in the inspections or tests, or a reference to another document that contains an appropriate description or photographs.
(8) At least one photograph that shows an overall view of the equipment or material submitted for approval and other photographs that show.
(i) Design details; and
(ii) Each occurrence of damage or deformation to the equipment or material that occurred during the approval tests.

The above list is basically the same as 46 CFR 159.005-11.

SEARCH LIGHTS

Searchlights for Rescue Boats -- These searchlights are required to meet requirements described in the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) Lifesaving Appliances Code and Recommendation on Testing of Lifesaving Appliances. Currently, lifeboat and rescue boat manufacturers are responsible for making sure that the searchlights they supply with their boats meet these requirements. Replacement searchlights should be identical to the original, or meet ASTM F1003.

The searchlight must be permanently mounted on the canopy or must have a stanchion-type or collapsible-type, portable mounting on the canopy. The mounting must be located to enable operation of the searchlight by the boat operator. The searchlight's power source must be capable of operating the light without charging or recharging for not less than--

(A) Three hours of continuous operation; or
(B) Six hours total operation when it is operated in cycles of 15 minutes on and 5 minutes off.

If the searchlight's power source is an engine starting battery, there must be sufficient battery capacity to start the engine at the end of either operating period specified in A or B, above. The searchlight's power source must be connected to the searchlight using watertight electrical fittings.

RETRO-REFLECTIVE MATERIAL

Retro-reflective materials should be fitted on top of the gunwale as well as on the outside of the boat as near the gunwale as possible. The materials should be sufficiently wide and long to give a minimum area of 150 cm2 and should be spaced at suitable intervals (approximately 80 cm from centre to centre). If a canopy is fitted, it should not be allowed to obscure the materials fitted on the outside of the boat, and the top of the canopy should be fitted with retro-reflective materials similar to those mentioned above and spaced at suitable intervals (approximately 80 cm centre to centre). In the case of partially enclosed or totally enclosed lifeboats, such materials should be placed as follows:

.1 for detection by horizontal light beams - at suitable intervals at half the height between the gunwale and the top of the fixed cover; and
.2 for detection by vertical light beams (e.g. from helicopters) - at suitable intervals around the outer portion of the horizontal (or comparable) part of the top of the fixed cover;.3 retro-reflective materials should also be fitted on the bottom of lifeboats and rescue boats which are not self-righting.

NEW TEXAS LAW: WHEN PASSING REGULATIONS, WHAT IS THE IMPACT ON SMALL BUSINESSES?
Originally Posted: June 18, 2007 1:09 PM
Last Updated: July 5, 2007 1:58 PM

Texas took a major step in increasing transparency in government and promoting job-creating small businesses with the signing of House Bill 3430 by Governor Perry. Under this new law, the unique needs of Texas small businesses will be considered when state regulations are drafted.

The new law requires state agencies to prepare an economic impact statement about the small businesses affected by a proposed rule. It also requires a regulatory flexibility analysis that includes an agencys consideration of less burdensome ways of achieving the rules purpose.

By signing this bill, Governor Perry has reaffirmed not only the importance of transparency of regulatory proposals, but also the significant contributions of small businesses to the states economy, said Thomas M. Sullivan, Chief Counsel for Advocacy. Texas is fortunate to have an action-oriented legislature with strong support for small business. Sullivan praised Senators Eddie Lucio and Leticia Van de Putte as well as Representatives Gary Elkins and Mark Strama, the original co-sponsors of the legislation.

Small businesses are a key part of Texas economy. In 2005, according to Office of Advocacy research, 98.7 percent of Texas businesses were small businesses, employing 47.7 percent of the states private workforce.

The Texas small business community supported enactment of the regulatory flexibility measure. The legislative victory was achieved through the efforts of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB)/Texas, the Texas Association of Business, the Texas Manufacturers Association, and the Texas Association of Mexican-American Chambers of Commerce.

NFIB/Texas Executive Director Will Newton: "The new law is a win-win for small businesses and good government. Small businesses are important engines in our Texas economy and they are the first to feel the pinch of one-size-fits all regulations. This law changes that dynamic by requiring agencies to do a more thorough analysis of their regulatory impact on small business and making that information available to the public."

MOBILE COMMAND AND COMMUNCIATIONS VEHICLE INTRODUCED AT PORTLAND FIRE AND RESCUE EXPO
Originally Posted: June 18, 2007 12:58 PM
Last Updated: June 18, 2007 12:58 PM

National Interop, Inc.(Portland, OR), a national consultancy delivering interoperable command/communications systems for public safety agencies, will unveiled its Mobile Command/Communications Vehicle (MCCV) at the 07 Northwest Fire and Rescue Expo in Portland, Oregon.

During the event of a major emergency or search and rescue operation, this MCCV contains interoperable technology that will provide critical communications capabilities for emergency personnel and search and rescue teams. In addition, the vehicle is able to serve as a temporary replacement for a 9-1-1 center for the purposes of dispatching radio calls on multiple frequencies simultaneously.

National Interop says Oregon's Tillamook County Sheriffs Office and Tillamook 9-1-1 have purchased the Mobile Command/Communications Vehicle. The Tillamook County Sheriffs Office and Tillamook 9-1-1 funded the vehicle through federal and county grants.

The Tillamook MCCV was designed to use Radio Over IP (ROIP), a technology that is fast becoming the standard for state-of-the-art interoperability. It is also one of the first mobile ROIP systems deployed for a public safety agency in the U.S., and can provide backup to a 9-1-1 center as well as giving incident dispatchers a familiar radio console at an incident scene.

Todd Anderson, Tillamook County Sheriff: The MCCV will be critical to have on-hand in the event of a major emergency, such as a tsunami or search and rescue operation, to provide the information necessary to inform our teams about what they may encounter.

The technology the MCCV contains will help Tillamook 9-1-1 facilitate more effective communication among emergency personnel, which is imperative during major emergencies, said Eric Swanson, Tillamook 9-1-1 Administrator.

David Billstrom, CEO, National Interop: National Interop commends the Tillamook County Sheriffs Office and Tillamook 9-1-1 for their proactive vision in securing funding for this type of Mobile Command/Communications Vehicle that will help to ensure the safety of citizens living in their jurisdiction.

The MCCV can be operational within 10 minutes of arriving on-scene and does not require land-based infrastructure to be operational. This reflects the reality that at the start of a deployment there is limited personnel to operate the vehicle, yet the first hour of the incident is very demanding.

The trailer's design also lends itself to organizing rescue teams with a room partitioned off to allow a team to talk about the operation without distracting dispatch. The vehicle can also coexist and cooperate with other mobile command vehicles, which is common at most larger incidents.

This vehicle represents a second generation of the command/communications vehicle design with an emphasis on functionality from the users point of view. The vehicle was designed with an unusually large battery bank so that all systems can operate for at least an hour without a generator or shore power.

This new vehicle can also operate either automatically and/or intuitively, without requiring in-depth and unique training, and the environment is one that is familiar and comprehensive for incident dispatchers. The design also embraces the best of the current computer and communications technology, but also has room to grow and expand as more technology becomes available.

National Interop, Inc. serves public safety agencies by providing tactical and permanent communications systems. The companys staff includes current and former public safety first responders, VoIP and network experts, land mobile radio technicians, and system analysts and designers.

The company offers consultation, construction, and training services and creates communication systems that are flexible, economical, and scalable. National Interop, Inc. is privately held with offices in Seattle, Wash. and Portland, Ore.

MORE INFO? National Interop sales@nationalinterop.com or www.nationalinterop.com

EPIC: HELP FOR FIRST RESPONDERS IN RESTORING SERVICE TO DEVASTATED AREAS
Originally Posted: June 18, 2007 12:09 PM
Last Updated: June 18, 2007 12:29 PM

Recommendations found in the Katrina and 9/11/01 aftermath reports have yet to be fully implemented.

Key findings in the White House official report on the response to Hurricane Katrina: The lack of deployable, integrated and interoperable communications -- the ability to quickly field working communications that allows emergency and other first responders to talk to one another via radio and other communication systems in real time -- hindered rescue efforts and delayed the deployment of critical materials.

In 2004, the 9/11/01 Commission Report concluded that a similar breakdown in communications occurred hampering response times.

Both reports recommended a system to ensure reliable communication for first responders and civil authorities. While strides have been made, recent studies have shown that the recommendations found in the Katrina and 9/11/01 aftermath reports have yet to be fully implemented.

-- A report published in January 2007 by the Department of Homeland Security stated that progress still needs to be made.

-- In answer to a survey question posed by the United States Conference of Mayors, 80 percent of the 183 mayors said that they had not received sufficient federal resources to achieve full communications interoperability to ensure first responders would be able to communicate with state and local officials in the event of an emergency.

-- Datamonitor, an independent analytics and forecasting firm reported that state and local governments will boost their technology investment by 40 percent in the next five years as they struggle to overcome communications problems that stymie coordinated emergency response efforts.

PacStar and Spacenet Inc.are working together to create the Emergency Preparedness Integrated Communications (EPIC) system, a mobile emergency response solution that quickly restores emergency communications in the event of a disaster.

Based on a modified PacStar 5500 connected to a satellite terminal, EPIC provides federal, state and local officials as well as first responders unified communications, data access, streaming video capabilities, plus wireless and satellite connectivity.

The PacStar 5500 delivers private branch exchange (PBX) integration, data and video capabilities in an encrypted environment so first responders and emergency operations can get the entire range of information they need
to assess damage and begin recovery efforts.

Robert Frisbee, CEO of PacStar: "This exciting partnership will enable a truly important advancement in emergency preparedness.

Communications are often among the first systems to go down when a major disaster strikes, resulting in slow response times and an uncoordinated response. Having EPIC at the ready gives first responders access to reliable, easy to use communications, helping to save time and potentially lives.

Spacenet's high performance Connexstar satellite services for converged voice, video and data applications are an ideal complement to the PacStar 5500, providing a wireless network path that completely bypasses the local
infrastructure in the case of a disaster. The satellite kit includes a fixed- dish that can be manually configured and an emergency response grade on-demand satellite service.

David Myers, Spacenet Senior Vice President of Marketing & Corporate Development: "Working together, the combined solution of PacStar 5500 networking capabilities and Spacenet's high performance Connexstar services provide emergency responders and government officials with access to reliable satellite broadband communications."

Intended for use in disaster areas and extreme remote locations, the EPIC solution is designed to empower first responders, military troops, or anyone else working in an infrastructure-starved environment to quickly establish or re-establish a multi-faceted communications network. The EPIC solution enables the first responder community to use existing communications hardware (analog and IP phones) to interoperate with each other. This capability creates a seamless communications network onsite with connectivity to the Internet and the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) via a single interface.

Unlike other communications solutions that require a six ton truck and/or military-grade aircraft to transport, the EPIC system can be transported in an SUV, helicopter, or commercial aircraft. Two people can deploy EPIC within one hour, inclusive of the satellite connectivity.

In the event of an emergency, federal, state and local agencies will be able to call PacStar (888-872-1512) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and order the deployment of the EPIC package. The units will be pre-configured and shipped to the recommended staging area in three days. PacStar service engineers will be deployed along with the equipment to install the PacStar 5500 and Spacenet satellite service, train the responders on-site, and provide any additional support to ensure mission-critical communicationsare established where needed most.

Pacific Star Communications (PacStar(TM)) is a technology-based systems integrator providing total communications solutions that empower military units, federal, state and local government agencies and emergency responders with secure, reliable, interoperable command, control and communications capabilities in remote or infrastructure-starved areas. In addition, PacStar provides a full range of communications solutions to commercial businesses, as well as telecommunications service providers.
PacStar's deployable communications solutions include: the PacStar(TM) 5000 series with IQ-Core(TM) software, the PacStar(TM) 3000 series, the customizable PacStar(TM) 2000 series, along with patent-pending software and hardware technology and integration/installation services.

Founded in 1981, Spacenet Inc. is a provider of high-performance satellite and hybrid terrestrial networking solutions for business, government and home/small office customers in the United States and worldwide. Spacenet has a longstanding tradition of industry leadership and innovation, and today serves more than 100,000 network endpoints for customers including many Fortune 500 companies and major government agencies.

Spacenet's services include its custom satellite/hybrid network solutions for enterprise and government; Connexstar(TM) VSAT services for primary, backup and disaster recovery networks; and StarBand(R) broadband Internet by satellite. Spacenet is based in McLean, VA, and operates its own end-to-end services infrastructure including network management, field services and teleport facilities in McLean, VA; Atlanta, Georgia; and Chicago, Illinois. Spacenet is a wholly owned subsidiary of Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd.

MORE INFO? www.spacenet.com.or andrew.miller@zenogroup.com

OFFICE OF FEDERAL PROCUREMENT POLICY WANTS PERFORMANCE BASED CONTRACTS
Originally Posted: June 16, 2007 8:50 PM
Last Updated: June 16, 2007 8:52 PM

In an effort to get better results from Federal contracts with the private sector, the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (Office of Management and Budget, White House) wants more Federal agencies to insert performance standards into contracts. The goal? To have performance-based contracts for at least 45 percent of service awards over $25,000 FY 2007-2011.

Paul Denett, Office of Management and Budget: "In view of last year's success, agencies are encouraged to increase their use of performance based acquisition."

Idea? Build in rewards for contractors who meet or exceed specific goals.

Last year, 40 percent of $241.8 billion was performance-based, according to market research by Eagle Eye Publishers, Fairfax, VA.

The downside: excessive record keeping and reporting making the administration of a contract more costly and burdensome to the contractor.

On time delivery, prompt service and repair, quick installation, initially trouble free operation of installation would all be examples.

SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION PLANS FAST LENDING FOR BUSINESSES HIT BY DISASTER
Originally Posted: June 16, 2007 9:24 AM
Last Updated: June 16, 2007 9:24 AM

Facing a disaster, for example a hurricane like Katrina, the Small Business Administration is better prepared this year. Long delays in getting money to small businesses are a thing of the past according to SBA Administrator Steven Preston, now in his tenth month on the job.

SBA handled 420,000 disaster loan applications following Hurricane Katrina and other hurricanes in 2005, but could not process them promptly. Applications waited many months. Some applicants gave up, closed shop or withdrew their application.

SBA plans to use its 1,800 employees in the disaster laon section and another 900 in reserve to fill 2007-08 applications.

New computing has been installed to speed up processing.

Meanwhile Congress is working on legislation that would increase the maximum size of disaster loans and add more short term opportunities for small businesses.

COMMITTEE CHAIR SEEKS ANNUAL STATUS REPORT ON PANDEMIC INFLUENZA PLAN FROM HOMELAND SECURITY COUNCIL
Originally Posted: June 16, 2007 9:15 AM
Last Updated: June 16, 2007 9:15 AM

US House Committee on Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) sent a letter to President George W. Bush regarding the lack of an annual status report on the Implementation Plan for the National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza from the Homeland Security Council.

June 7, 2007

President George W. Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear Mr. President:

On May 3, 2006, the Homeland Security Council (HSC) released the Implementation Plan for the National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza. The Implementation Plan includes activities to be completed by various federal agencies within specified time periods. On December 18, 2006, the HSC released another report regarding the six-month completion status of these federal activities. To date, however, the HSC has yet to release an annual status report.

Continued delay in releasing this update suggests indifference by this Administration when it comes to dealing with the threat of emerging diseases, including pandemic influenza. The illnesses and deaths that continue to occur throughout the world from avian influenza indicate that we still have cause to worry. The recent deaths in Indonesia of a five year old girl on May 17th and a sixteen year old girl on May 29th illustrate this point, and indicate that avian influenza is still cause for concern.

Ive seen how easily a disease can make its way across our borders. Just yesterday, witnesses from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Homeland Security testified before the House Homeland Security Committee about the federal response to the extensively drug resistant tuberculosis incident. It is clear from the way the situation was handled that we have more work to do. We must maintain our national and international preparedness efforts if we are to have any hope of responding to the devastating effects of the next pandemic. If focus in the United States wanes, we will be ill-equipped both here and abroad to combat this threat. Obviously, this has already happened with tuberculosis.

It is critical that the public and private sectors understand how far the government has come in preparing for the impact of pandemic influenza, and how much further it has to go. Had this Administration already completed a number of activities prescribed by the Implementation Plan, the Federal governments response to the tuberculosis incident would have been better. For example, communication of health information regarding the patient and the disease he carried to our international colleagues would have occurred with greater alacrity; transporting the patient back to the U.S. also would have been safer and quicker.

Please release the annual status with all of the urgency that the exigent threat of pandemic influenza has created. Thank you for your attention to this request.

Sincerely,

Bennie G. Thompson
Chairman
Committee on Homeland Security

MORE INFO? Dena Graziano or Todd Levett (202) 225-9978.

HOMELAND SECURITY COMMITTEE SCHEDULE: WEEK OF JUNE 18-22, 2007
Originally Posted: June 15, 2007 10:35 PM
Last Updated: June 15, 2007 10:38 PM

I try to keep up with the hearings and work of the House Homeland Security Committee because it is so active and covers so many aspects that could potentially affect NEEDA members. You can see from my other NEEDA Newsletter stories that the committee covers many topics. For example, see the Thursday, June 21, 2007 @ 10am
1539 Longworth House Office Building
"Challenges Facing First Responders in Border Communities."

Here is another example of their weekly schedule, current as of June 15, 2007.

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

Tuesday, June 19, 2007 @ 11am
311 Cannon House Office Building

Ensuring We Have Well-Trained Boots on the Ground At the Border

à Subcommittee on Management, Investigations, and Oversight

Witnesses (partial): Colleen Kelley, National President, National Treasury Employees Union; TJ Bonner, President, National Border Patrol Council of the American Federation of Government Employees; Chief Charlie Whitmire, Chief Patrol Agent, United States Border Patrol Academy, Artesia, NM; Art Morgan, Director, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Field Operations Academy; Cindy Atwood, Assistant Director, Field Training Directorate, Federal Law Enforcement Training Center; Richard Stana, Director, Homeland Security and Justice Issues, Government Accountability Office

There will be a webcast of this hearing.

Tuesday, June 19, 2007 @ 1:30pm
1539 Longworth House Office Building

Keeping the Border Secure: Examining Potential Threats Posed by Cross Border Trucking

à Subcommittee on Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection

Witnesses: Bill Arrington, General Manager, Highway and Motor Carrier Division, TSA; Stephen Russell, Chairman and CEO, Celadon Group, Inc. (on behalf of ATA); Gregg Ward, Vice President, Detroit Windsor Truck Ferry; Raul Salinas, Mayor of Laredo

There will not be a webcast of this hearing.

Wednesday, June 20, 2007 @ 12pm
1539 Longworth House Office Building

You Don't Know What You Don't Know: Has the Department of Homeland Security Improved its Ability to Maintain Situational Awareness Since Hurricane Katrina?

à Subcommittee on Management, Investigations, and Oversight

Witnesses (partial): Col. Terry J. Ebbert, USMC (ret), Director, Office of Homeland Security & Public Safety, City of New Orleans; Eileen Larence, Director, Homeland Security and Justice Issues, Government Accountability Office; Frank DiFalco, Director, National Operations Center, Office of Operations Coordination, Department of Homeland Security

There will not be a webcast of this hearing.

Wednesday, June 20, 2007 @ 2pm
311 Cannon House Office Building

Hacking the Homeland: Investigating Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities at the Department of Homeland Security

à Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity, and Science and Technology

Witnesses: Scott Charbo, Chief Information Officer, Department of Homeland Security; Gregory Wilshusen, Director, Information Security Issues, Government Accountability Office; Keith A. Rhodes, Director, Center for Technology and Engineering, Government Accountability Office

There will be a webcast of this hearing.

Thursday, June 21, 2007 @ 10am
1539 Longworth House Office Building

Challenges Facing First Responders in Border Communities

à Subcommittee on Emergency Communications, Preparedness, and Response

Witnesses will be by invitation only

There will not be a webcast of this hearing.

DEADLINE FOR EXECUTIVE FIRE OFFICER PROGRAM IS JUNE 30, 2007
Originally Posted: June 15, 2007 2:47 PM
Last Updated: June 15, 2007 2:51 PM

The application date for the Executive Fire Officer Program (EFOP) is approaching. Interested candidates must submit their application package no later than June 30, 2007. Applicant packages received by this date will be considered for entry into the program scheduled between October 1, 2007 - September 30, 2008.

The EFOP is the USFA/National Fire Academy's longstanding executive education program. With over 2,500 graduates, the EFO program is designed to provide senior officers and others in key leadership roles with:

* An understanding of:

- the need to transform fire and emergency services organizations from being reactive to proactive, with an emphasis on leadership development, prevention, and risk-reduction;
- transforming fire and emergency services organizations to reflect the diversity of America's communities;
- the value of research and its application to the profession; and - the value of lifelong learning.

* Enhanced executive-level knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to lead these transformations, conduct research, and engage in lifelong learning.

The selected fire officers enhance their professional development through a unique series of four graduate and upper-division-baccalaureate equivalent courses. The EFOP spans a 4-year period with 4 core courses. Each course is 2 weeks in length. Each EFOP participant must complete an Applied Research Project that relates to their organization within 6 months after the completion of each of the four courses. A certificate of completion for the entire EFOP is awarded only after the successful completion of the final research project.

MORE INFO? www.usfa.dhs.gov/nfa/efop/

MAJOR PUBLICATIONS COVER THE BUSINESS DRIVE TO REPEAL 3% WITHHOLDING REQUIRED ON SALES TO GOVERNMENT
Originally Posted: June 15, 2007 1:31 PM
Last Updated: June 15, 2007 1:35 PM

NEEDA Newsletter has been alerting dealers to the new law that will make dealers and anyone selling to the government pay 3% withholding at time of sale regardless of the actual net taxable income of the company. Here are some publications that have reported on why the US Chamber of Commerce and others are advocating repeal of the law. For a copy of the articles NEEDA has published, search in the upper right of your Newsletter screen. Kenton Pattie, Executive Director of the National Emrgency Equipment Dealers Association 703 850 8552

May 30, 2007 - BNA - Industry Says Growing Interest in Repeal Of 3 Percent Withholding Could Force Issue
May 28, 2007 - Washington Technology - Tax law unfairly targets federal contractors
· May 12, 2007 - National Journal - Administration-On Second Thought
· April 25, 2007 - Architectural Record - Little-Known Law Could Cost Architects Plenty
· March 6, 2007 - The Hill - Defense contractors battle new witholding tax
· March 2007 - National Defense Magazine - Little Known Legislation Takes Federal Contractors By Surprise
· March 2007 - Black Enterprises - Hidden Tax Proposed for Small BusinessesCould cost an extra 3 percent
January 29, 2007 - Defense News - Industry Joins Protest Of Tax Withholding Plan
· December 15, 2006 - Federal Computer Week - ITAA opposes withholding tax on government contractors
September 15, 2006 - Silicon Valley / San Jose Business Journal - Congress urged to repeal withholding on contracts
· July 3, 2006 - Forbes - Pigeon Drop Budgeting
· June 1, 2006 - Fox News - Government Contractors Under the Gun
· May 12, 2006 - Government Executive - Tax withholding provision sparks uproar among contractors

FEMA EQUIPMENT AND TRAINING AWARDS SUPPORT TRAINING PROGRAM FOR 700 FIRST RESPONDERS IN NEW ORLEANS
Originally Posted: June 15, 2007 1:22 PM
Last Updated: June 15, 2007 1:23 PM

700 emergency responders from 47 states and Puerto Rico received training on equipment their departments through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agencys Fiscal Year 2006 Commercial Equipment Direct Assistance Program (CEDAP). This program in New Orleans included representatives from 19 departments who recieved accelerated training and equipment delivery because they were located in areas at high risk for hurricanes, tornados, or wildfires.

The CEDAP Training Conference was held at the New Orleans Marriott, 555 Canal Street. Representatives from the 19 high-risk departments recieved training on equipment to improve incident communications, either an incident commanders radio interface or radio interoperability system. Other responders trained on thermal imagers, devices used to detect humans and other warm-blooded creatures through building walls, a smoke-filled room, or in darkness.

CEDAP helps meet the equipment needs of smaller jurisdictions and eligible metropolitan areas by providing communications interoperability, information sharing, chemical detection, sensors, personal protective equipment, and other devices. Training and technical assistance are provided at the time technologies are delivered and transferred under the program to ensure recipients will be able to use awarded systems and devices fully and correctly.

Responders who recieved CEDAP training in New Orleans successfully competed with over 7,000 organizations for one of the 2,001 equipment and training awards made through the Fiscal Year 2006 program.

More than $34.6 million in FY 2006 equipment and training awards were announced in March. 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.

FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

MORE INFO? www.dhs.gov

AIRWIDE SOLUTIONS SUPPORTS TEXT MESSAGING DURING EMERGENCIES
Originally Posted: June 15, 2007 12:53 PM
Last Updated: June 15, 2007 1:07 PM

Airwide Solutions (Burlington, MA) a provider of mobile messaging infrastructure and applications, is spearheading the messaging infrastructure industry's drive to make better use of mobile phones to aid in emergency situations.

The Airwide Emergency Messaging Solution (EMS) is the first carrier-class system to help operators meet the growing need for public safety notifications, leveraging the untapped resource of global handset support for text messaging.

Unlike other systems that initiate one message for each recipient, Airwide EMS provides optimal efficiency by initiating one message that is delivered with unmatched speed to multiple subscribers.

Text messaging is an effective and reliable means of communicating during an emergency situation, and is a powerful way to reach people on the move or away from conventional media (i.e. television and radio).

However, thousands of text messages in minutes instead of hours. Airwide EMS helps mobile operators optimize their network for maximum efficiency and enables the instantaneous bursting of capacity to support the delivery of thousands of text messages each second.

Airwide will not charge operators who exceed their traffic
licenses for emergency alerts, enabling the widest reach in the shortest amount of time.

"The universal support for text messaging worldwide makes it an ideal vehicle for communicating critical information during times of emergency, and Airwide's involvement in this initiative solidifies the company's
position as an innovation leader in the messaging industry," said Greg Latour, senior vice president of technology development for Cellular South.

"The viability of emergency text messaging is an invaluable asset in emergency management, and is a service that is of great interest to Cellular South in our continued efforts to provide subscribers with messaging options that meet their needs -- and help protect them -- in the current global climate.

"While some emergencies are strictly regional, others may require national notification for safety. Other situations may mandate broad public awareness across borders while still others are localized to a particular group membership. The common denominator is that a message needs to reliably and quickly reach a group of individuals within minutes of an impending or currently occurring emergency. Airwide EMS provides the ideal foundation for implementing a rapid and effective notification system. Airwide EMS also represents a further step in addressing mobile operator requirements for Mobile Messaging 2.0 goals of meeting user demand for more control and functionality from messaging applications.

"More than 2.5 billion people worldwide use mobile phones, and for most people these devices never leave their sides. The industry is just realizing how these fixtures of everyday life can be used in real time to keep people safe," aid Vince Kadar, CTO of Airwide Solutions. "Airwide EMS
helps tap this vastly underutilized resource, giving the general public and specific groups advance notice that can make a critical difference in emergency situations."

The Airwide Approach -- Add Capacity, Improve Efficiency Unlike other approaches, Airwide EMS enables an operator to deliver a single emergency text message to multiple subscribers as opposed to generating one for each recipient.
The configuration allows operators to capitalize on the internal efficiencies of the Airwide messaging architecture, while also offering the ability to burst capacity when
needed. Airwide's tiered Fusion architecture is ideal for delivering these messages with industry-leading performance because it avoids the bottlenecks of traditional messaging architectures. The Fusion architecture breaks up monolithic messaging infrastructures into tiers, and this componentized approach enables rapid, efficient and intelligent delivery of messages.

The Airwide EMS incorporates functionality for creating and administering group lists as well as prioritizing message traffic, and is available in an array of packages to meet the varying needs of operators worldwide. The componentized nature of Airwide's mobile messaging infrastructure offerings, a key differentiator in the market, ensures operators can purchase only what they need. In addition, since all of Airwide's solutions are based on open standards they can be easily integrated with other products.

The varying configurations of the Airwide EMS are built on a foundation of elements from Airwide's core product line, including AirGate, AirMessenger Router and AirManager Reporting.

AirGate takes a single message and a list of recipients and generatesthe individual messages for delivery by AirMessenger Router, manages the connection settings and translates messages between the formats used by
external systems and the formats used by the mobile network. This ensures that all messages reach the recipients in the format that is supported by their handset and network. AirGate also allows operators to prioritize the inbound traffic, which is a key enabler of an effective emergency alert system.

AirMessenger Router optimizes the messaging infrastructure by incorporating first delivery attempt, load distribution and routing intelligence so that traffic can be dynamically allocated across the network's messaging elements in the most efficient manner.

AirManager Reporting collects, analyzes and summarizes messaging data to produce performance and management reports. In the context of the Airwide Emergency Messaging configuration, AirManager Reporting enables operators to see how effectively the emergency messages were delivered, enabling them to further improve the performance of their network.

Airwide Solutions is a leader in next-generation mobile
messaging infrastructure and applications. Its products allow more than 80 wireless operators in 46 countries to deliver and manage the millions of mobile messages their subscribers send every day. With a history of industry firsts -- including the first text message ever sent and the
introduction of the first SMS router and A2P MMSC the company continues to pioneer new technologies. Airwide's open Fusion architecture offers mobile operators more revenue options and a practical pathway to Mobile Messaging 2.0, while giving subscribers more messaging choices.

MORE INFO? www.airwidesolutions.com.

SMALL BUSINESSES BENEFIT FROM CLOSE RELATIONSHIPS WITH SMALL BANKS
Originally Posted: June 15, 2007 12:23 PM
Last Updated: June 15, 2007 12:23 PM

Relationship lending - with lending decisions based on bank-firm relations - dominates lending between small businesses and their primary bank provider, according to a report issued today by the Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration. Competing sources of bank financing, which are primarily larger institutions, tend to use standardized or transactional techniques, such as credit scoring, when making lending decisions.

Todays report adds to a series of banking studies which show that smaller banks can successfully use relationship lending to maintain their market niche, said Dr. Chad Moutray, Chief Economist for the Office of Advocacy. At the same time, larger institutions use of standardized techniques works to provide additional access to credit. The result is a financial market that tends to efficiently allocate capital to small businesses.

The study, A Two-Step Analysis of Standardized Versus Relationship Bank Lending to Small Firms, written by Dr. Polly Hardee with funding from the Office of Advocacy, notes that no conclusive evidence exists indicating that one lending technique dominates and improves credit availability. Moreover, the author concludes that the financial market, if allowed to function freely, efficiently allocates adequate financing to small firms regardless of the suppliers lending methodology.

Regional Advocate Christine Serrano Glassner issued the report during a presentation to the 9th Annual Bronx Bankers Breakfast. Borough President Adolfo Carrion, Jr. and the Business Initiative Corporation of New York hosted the event.

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

SHOULD EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES BE PROVIDED THROUGH THE FIRE SERVICE?
Originally Posted: June 14, 2007 8:40 PM
Last Updated: June 14, 2007 8:40 PM

Fire departments are best equipped to deliver emergency medical service, according to a new white paper.

Prehospital 911 Emergency Medical Response: The Role of the United States Fire Service in Delivery and Coordination was prepared by top EMS physicians from three different regions of the United States.

The 13-page report describes fire service-based EMS and the time-critical role of the fire service in providing emergency medical care.

It is critical that policy makers understand the importance of having emergency medical services provided through the fire service. Fire service-based EMS is prehospital emergency 9-1-1 medical response provided by the nations firefighter EMTs and paramedics. Due to the training, expertise, and equipment of fire service-based EMS responders, they are capable of simultaneously securing a scene, mitigating the hazard, and triaging, extricating, treating, decontaminating (if necessary), and transporting the patients who have been injured to an appropriate medical facility. Time efficiency is a key component of the best designed EMS systems. There is no service more capable of rapid multi-faceted response than a fire service-based EMS system.

Chief Dennis Compton: The fire service has a proud heritage of providing EMS services in local communities across America. What this white paper represents is an awareness that EMS begins the second a
9-1-1 call is placed and highly skilled and trained emergency medical personnel from local fire departments are dispatched to the scene to provide the first level of care to victims.

The paper is intended to help organizations as they continue efforts to educate local, state and federal officials about the role of fire-service based EMS. The paper underscores the importance of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant and SAFER programs in training and equipping fire service-based EMS and the role of the Federal Interagency Committee on Emergency Medical Services (FICEMS) in establishing federal EMS policies.

The Coalition has also produced a video, Fire Service-Based EMS: The Right Response, to complement the new white paper. It features a number of highly respected fire service-based EMS advocates who share their views about the important role of fire service-based EMS in local communities. The experts include Dr. Franklin Pratt, Medical Director, Los Angeles County Fire Department; Dr. Eugene Nagle, Miami Fire Department; Chief William Shorty Bryson, City of Miami Fire Department; and Chief Dennis Compton, International Fire Service Training Association.

The report was written by Dr. Franklin D. Pratt, Medical Director, Los Angeles County Fire Department; Dr. Steven Katz, Associate Medical Director, Palm Beach County Fire Rescue; and Dr. Paul Pepe, Riggs Family Chair in Emergency Medicine at Southwest Medical Center.

Members of the Fire Service-Based EMS Advocates Steering Committee include the Congressional Fire Services Institute, International Association of Fire Chiefs, International Association of Fire Fighters, National Fire Protection Association and the National Volunteer Fire Council.

A copy of the report is available on the website of each coalition steering committee member organization. Videos can be obtained by submitting a request to the Congressional Fire Services Institute at update@cfsi.org.

NEW WEBSITE firegrantdata.com ISSUES APPEAL FOR SUCCESS STORIES AND FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS; DEADLINE IS JUNE 15, 07
Originally Posted: June 14, 2007 2:36 PM
Last Updated: June 14, 2007 2:36 PM

On March 25, 2007, the steering committee for firegrantdata.com launched the new site in conjunction with the annual Congressional Fire Service Institute (CFSI) dinner.

We handed out more than 500 brochures over those two days to staff and Members of Congress. The receptiveness towards the site has been outstanding! We have had numerous positive comments about how great a tool it is.

For a launching point, we have developed a good product that has made a positive impact. However, for this program to be a useful tool it has to be updated, refreshed and enhanced on a regular basis as new data from DHS is released. The steering committee was pleased to support the launch of the product through time, contributions and other resources.

For firegrantdata.com to continue, we will need your support through your time, membership stories, and financial contributions. The initial financial support for the launch cost approximately $36,000, plus many hours of volunteer time.

This is where we need your help: We need success stories, volunteers and financial commitments to continue this project at a level that the steering committee has put forth for all of our benefit. We all know how important the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (FIRE) has been to the fire industry as a whole, and how SAFER has been influential in creating fire service related jobs within our communities.

The financial commitment to continue this program will range from $18,000 for minimal updates and maintenance to $36,000 for a first class program.

The steering committee is very happy to continue its leadership role in keeping firegrantdata.com going and setting up a mechanism to ensure the perpetuity of the program; however, we need to know at what level everyone is willing to support the program.

Please respond to Steve Austin (CFSI) or Steve Lawrence (FEMSA) by June 15, 2007 as to your willingness and ability to support the program from both a financial and physical participation point.

MORE INFO? firegrantdata.com

HONEYWELL OFFERS NEW LIGHT MATERIAL AS BODY AND VEHICLE ARMOR
Originally Posted: June 14, 2007 1:27 PM
Last Updated: June 14, 2007 1:50 PM

Honeywell has developed a new line of Spectra(R) fiber-based materials with improved ballistic stopping capability for body and vehicle armor.

The new line of materials, called Spectra Shield(R) II, has up to 20 percent greater ballistic performance than
Honeywell's standard Spectra Shield product line, which already uses one of the strongest man-made fibers in commercial use. Pound for pound, Spectra fiber is 15 times stronger than steel yet light enough to float.

Shield technology is a patented Honeywell process designed to optimize the ballistic performance characteristics of Spectra fiber.

For Spectra Shield II ballistic materials, Honeywell has adapted its patented shield technology to incorporate its new and improved fiber. Spectra S3000 fiber was developed specifically for use in armor applications to help manufacturers and the military counter new ballistic threats.

Joe Gelo, business director for Honeywell's Advanced Fibers and Composites business: "Our armor materials have been used to protect military and police personnel for nearly 20 years. We continue to invest in improving our materials to meet the future performance requirements of advanced military and law enforcement agencies. Our latest offering demonstrates our commitment to continued innovation in the ballistic protection arena."

Honeywell has completed upgrades of several production lines to manufacture the fiber used for Spectra Shield II and plans to make additional investments to meet the growing need.

Honeywell's patented Spectra Shield and Spectra Shield II materials are used in advanced armor systems for a wide a range of ballistic protection and security applications from bullet-resistant vests, breastplates, and helmets to combat vehicles and military aircraft -- where lightweight solutions and durability are critical. This latest Spectra fiber-based material, like Honeywell's existing products, is transparent to radar.

Spectra fiber is made from ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene using a patented gel-spinning process. The fiber exhibits high resistance to chemicals, water, and ultraviolet light. It has excellent vibration damping, flex fatigue and internal fiber-friction characteristics. It also has up to 60 percent greater specific strength than aramid fiber.

The various Spectra Shield products are manufactured by bonding parallel strands of fiber in place with an advanced resin system. In addition to Spectra fiber, Honeywell adapts this technology to other fibers, including aramid.

Honeywell also produces Spectra fiber for industrial applications such as rope and marine cordage. Honeywell maintains an active Spectra fiber and ballistic material research and development program aimed to meet increased demand for its high performance armor materials.

Honeywell Specialty Materials, based in Morristown, N.J., is a $4.7 billion, global leader in providing customers with high-performance specialty materials, including fluorine products; specialty films and additives; advanced fibers and composites; intermediates; specialty chemicals; electronic materials and chemicals; and technologies and materials for petroleum refining.

Honeywell International is a $33 billion diversified technology and manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes and industry; automotive products; turbochargers; and specialty materials.

Based in Morris Township, N.J., Honeywell's shares are traded on the New York, London and Chicago Stock Exchanges. It is one of the 30 stocks that make up the Dow Jones Industrial Average and is also a component of the Standard & Poor's 500 Index.

MORE INFO? www.honeywell.com

911 CALLS STILL DONT GIVE ACCURATE CALLER LOCATION INFO TO FIRE AND POLICE FIRST RESPONDERS: FCC FRUSTRATED IN SEEKING NATIONAL E911 GOAL
Originally Posted: June 13, 2007 5:32 PM
Last Updated: June 14, 2007 1:18 PM

NEEDA Newsletter has reported previously on various aspects of the goal of revealing the position of any cell phone user seeking help via 911.

Cellular companies need to provide more accurate information to firefighters who are trying to locate people calling 911 from mobile phones, according to the FCC. How to reach this goal is still up for debate.

The FCC is considering proposals that would require cell phone operators to provide more accurate information to police and firefighters who are trying to locate people calling 911 from cell phones.

The proposals have stirred debate among cell phone companies and public safety organizations about how to improve the accuracy of e911 and how to measure its effectiveness.

The FCC says it will seek public comment from the industry and public safety organizations on several issues that it believes could improve the accuracy of what's known as enhanced 911 service, or E911.

One proposal, supported by the FCC, would require cell phone operators to measure the accuracy of their location technology in smaller geographic areas. The commission is also looking at requiring mobile operators to use a hybrid solution that combines both Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite receivers in handsets and network-based location technologies to help pinpoint the location of callers.

The FCC said all accuracy requirements would also apply to voice over Internet Protocol services, such as Vonage, that allow people to move their service to new locations.

The new proposals, which if passed could cost the cell phone industry a lot of money in network upgrades, have stirred debate among cell phone companies and organizations representing public safety entities. While all agree that improving the accuracy of e911 is important, they disagree about how to measure its effectiveness and how to actually improve it.

Joe Farren, CTIA, cell phone industry rep: "We understand and support the chairman and commission's efforts to improve location accuracy; we share that goal. As part of that effort, we look forward to educating the commission on the state of technology, its limitations, and what can and cannot be accomplished now, and how to move forward in the future."

Emergency dispatchers can easily trace people who call 911 from a regular telephone. But that's not so easy with cell phones. People calling 911 from a cell phone could be anywhere. And relying on a caller to provide location information to a dispatcher is unreliable and puts callers at grave risk.

The FCC estimates that of the 200 million calls made to 911 each year, a third of them are from callers using a mobile phone. In many communities, more than half of 911 calls are placed from cell phones. Many people have come to depend on their cell phones, which they almost always have with them, in times of emergency. In fact, roughly 29 percent of people who bought a cell phone in the past year said they did so for emergencies, according to a Consumer Reports survey.

Patrick Healy, a spokesman for the National Emergency Number Association, or NENA, a group that promotes 911 research, planning, training and education: "With so many people using cell phones as their primary telephone, it's important to make this issue a priority."

More than a decade ago, the FCC mandated that wireless operators would have to provide E911 capabilities to at least 95 percent of their subscribers. At the end of last year, about 70 percent of the nation's 6,140 call centers had implemented the final phase for E911, according to NENA.

These call centers cover about 80 percent of the U.S. population. But the Rural Cellular Association claims that only about 25 percent of rural emergency call centers have implemented location services for E911.

While some regions of the country are still working on E911 capabilities, some industry experts say the accuracy of these services is still a problem. At last week's meeting, FCC commissioners expressed concern that emergency responders may not be able to find callers due to poor location information.

"A call to 911 is among the most important calls that any of us will ever make," said Commissioner Michael Copps. "Just consider the example of first responders focusing an exhaustive search for an injured caller on the ground next to 300 meters of highway--only to learn, too late, that the victim was actually 1,000 meters down the road."

The FCC already requires carriers to test their location systems and be able to pinpoint callers within certain distances. But carriers have been allowed to test their equipment and average the results over their entire national service areas or within a particular state, which means that good results in one region could skew the average, producing misleading data.

"Multistate or statewide averaging can mask the reliability of 911 outside of large urban areas," said FCC Chairman Kevin Martin. "For example, meeting location accuracy standards on average in the entire state of New York by providing enhanced 911 capability in Manhattan does not help first responders in Buffalo."

The FCC supports a proposal from the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials International (APCO) that specifies accuracy should be tested at the public safety answering point, or PSAP, level instead of on a statewide or regional basis. In a recent report, APCO reported that if accuracy were measured from the PSAP level, about 71 percent of tests made in seven sample regions would have failed to meet the FCC's standard for accuracy.

The cell phone industry opposes these new requirements. In a letter filed with the FCC, Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile USA, Dobson Communications and the Rural Cellular Association (RCA) said that changing the requirement would be "unwise" and "unlawful." They also fear that establishing stricter requirements would be too expensive, especially for carriers operating in rural areas.
Clay Dover, executive director for the RCA: "Rural carriers are doing everything they can to improve accuracy of E911. But in some of these areas you only have one cell tower, and you can't mandate companies build out a network for E911 compliance if it's cost-prohibitive."

Indeed, location accuracy can be especially problematic for carriers using GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) technology. These carriers, which include AT&T and T-mobile, use a network-based technology that uses signals from multiple cell phone towers to determine a caller's location.

But in some sparsely populated regions where there is only one cell phone tower, it's impossible to triangulate signals to get an accurate location. And putting up additional towers is too expensive.

Carriers that use CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) technology have their own challenges. These carriers, which include Verizon Wireless and Sprint Nextel, have embedded GPS receiver chips in handsets to track devices by satellite. This solution works well in a rural or suburban area where there is a direct line of sight between the satellite and the device, but it isn't as effective in cities where tall buildings can block satellite signals.

Both the network-based technology and the handset solutions can have trouble locating people inside large buildings, because some signals can't penetrate walls.

Due to these technology limitations, the FCC has applied two different sets of standards for accuracy compliance. Carriers using GPS-enabled handsets must be able to locate callers within 150 meters 95 percent of the time and within 50 meters about 67 percent of the time. Mobile operators using a network-based solution only need to locate individuals within 300 meters 95 percent of the time and within 150 meters 67 percent of time.

In an effort to address these issues, the FCC also has proposed looking at new technologies to improve accuracy. For example, it is currently seeking public comments on whether it should mandate the use of hybrid solutions that would combine network-based triangulation technology with handset-based satellite technology.

Verizon Wireless said it is already using a hybrid solution to help improve E911 accuracy as well as to provide location and navigation services to its subscribers. The way it works is that the system first uses a GPS receiver to get the location of the handset. If the signal isn't strong enough, the system then uses data from cell sites combined with satellite information to get a location. And if that doesn't work, it can use cell site data, which is similar to triangulation used on GSM networks, said Debra Lewis, a spokeswoman for Verizon.

Regardless of which rules, if any, the commission eventually adopts, Wanda McCarley, president of APCO, said it is important that the cell phone industry and public safety groups move forward to improve location accuracy, because it's what the public expects.

McCarley: "Carriers have limitations in terms of the technology that is available to them. We understand that. But I think it's clear that in some areas of the country people are not getting the services they expect. We need to deal with that and fix it.

IRS DOES NOT SEND E-MAIL REQUESTS FOR BANK ACCOUNT NUMBERS OR OFFERS TO SEND REFUNDS TO BANK ACCOUNTS
Originally Posted: June 13, 2007 4:59 PM
Last Updated: June 13, 2007 5:01 PM

The use of scam to suck information from small businesses has stooped to impersonating the clout of the IRS. Dealers beware of fake e-mail requests from "the IRS"!

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) warns computer users about phony e-mails designed to scare people into believing they are under tax investigation in order to give scammers access to their computer hard drives.

The tax agency said that the e-mail claiming to be from IRS Criminal Investigation falsely states that the person is under a criminal probe for submitting a false tax return to the California Franchise Board. Opening up an attachment to learn more about the complaint allows those behind the scam to gain remote access to the computer.

The IRS stresses that it does not send out unsolicited emails or ask for detailed personal and financial information, including PIN numbers, passwords or other credit card and bank information.

It says that people receiving questionable e-mails should not open attachments or click on any links. Instead, they should forward the e-mails to phishing@irs.gov. It said that since that mail box was opened last year, the IRS has received more than 17,700 emails from taxpayers reporting more than 240 separate phishing or scam incidents hosted in at least 27 countries and the United States.

Other scams try to entice taxpayers to enter a fake IRS web site and ask for bank account numbers or tell taxpayers the IRS is holding a refund for them as a ruse to obtain financial account information.

60% OF USA IS VULNERABLE: WHAT IF THE NEXT DISASTER HITS CENTRAL STATES?
Originally Posted: June 13, 2007 12:04 PM
Last Updated: June 13, 2007 12:04 PM

By Kenton Pattie, Executive Director
National Emergency Equipment Dealers Association

In 1983, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funded the creation of the Central United States Earthquake Consortium to reduce death, injury and damage resulting from earthquakes in an eight state region of Central USA.

Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee are leaders of this consortium.

But, 20 years after the Consortium began, Hurricane Katrina proved that we are still not prepared for major disasters. So a disaster in Central US that would be twice the size of Katrina is being used as a model to answer the questions: What are the lessons learned from Katrina? And, what can we do now if an earthquake with a magnitude of 8+ hit the New Madrid Fault area along the Mississippi River Basin.

Why New Madrid? Because this area was hit with earthquakes and many aftershocks 1811-1812 and because a moderate earthquake hit Evansville, Indiana in 2002 reminding everyone that the area is vulnerable to a repeat performance.

A national focus on disaster in Central USA gives us a chance to apply the lessons learned from Katrina and to apply the latest ideas for disaster response to any site in the US. Wherever we are hit, we should be ready and know how to respond.

In fact, there is a lot that can be done in preparation for a potential disaster, such as building codes that result in bridges, highways and buildings that withstand a major strike. Despite strict building codes in California, earthquakes there still damage freeways and buildings.

June 7 and 8, 2007, I participated in a program organized by the Business Civic Leadership Center, US Chamber of Commerce, titled Disaster Response and Recovery : New Madrid Fault Scenario." I was the only delegate from the fire industry.

There was a similar effort July 11, 2005 when the Chamber and Booz Allen Hamilton brought together 70 leaders to work on a Global Disaster Relief simulation which assumed an earthquake and tsunami such as the one in the Indian Ocean.

Among the conclusions was the view that there needs to be a better model for cooperation, for building confidence in others, and harnessing the information that is available. What may be lacking in the US is a culture of preparedness.

The concept that everyone effected by the disaster has to be self sufficient for 72 hours while help is mobilized is new to many citizens. In the case of an earthquake such as one in the New Madrid danger zone, there would be no warning such as we receive when a hurricane is approaching.

Initially, fuel supply for first responders would be nil or inadequate. Power would be out for hospitals, police stations, and government facilities.

Subjects such as mutual aid, loss of electricity, water, fire and law enforcement, pre-positioned supplies, sheltering, relocation, casualties, support of survivors of casualties, sick and contagious citizens, lack of medications, and credentialing and information sharing were all discussed. Some attending said that small businesses are the least prepared.

At some point, there will need to be massive help to ensure that businesses can re-open, find funds, and resume serving the area. Ensuring that there will be capital, loans, and a banking system available to businesses and citizens will take time.

Among the issues I raised: possible damage to or destruction of fire and police vehicles, dramatic lack of fuel for first responders, helicopters, hospitals and other emergency responders.

There is a lot to work on; the two days effort of the delegates just began the process.

I know there are emergency equipment dealers who will provide their expertise, experience, and passion for this subject in future meetings. And I know we all agree that the fire and emergency response industry has to step forward to participate, advise, and give our unique perspective. NEEDA members were involved in every one of the big US disasters in recent years and we are involved 24/7 in every local disaster . . . we have a lot of useful experience and working knowledge of what it takes to prepare and respond and recover.

MORE INFO? KentonP1@aol.com

$1 BILLION FOR INTEROPERABLE COMMUNICATIONS DURING DISASTERS
Originally Posted: June 13, 2007 10:30 AM
Last Updated: June 13, 2007 10:32 AM

Public Safety Interoperable Communications Grant Program NTIA and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) held a meeting in June to receive pulic comments about a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to implement the Public Safety Interoperable Communications (PSIC) Grant Program to help state, local and federal first responders better communicate during a natural or man-made disaster.

NTIA, in consultation with DHS, shall make payments not to exceed $1 billion in the aggregate through fiscal year 2010 to carry out the PSIC program. Grants will be awarded by September 30, 2007, and grant projects will be completed in Fiscal Year 2010.

The grant program, which covers public safety agencies in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and four U.S. territories, will assist public safety agencies in the acquisition of, deployment of, or training for the use of interoperable communications systems that can utilize reallocated public safety spectrum in the 700 MHz band for radio communication.

Public Safety Interoperable Communications Grant Program June 07 Public Meeting : John M. R. Kneuer, Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information, U.S. Department Of Commerce, welcomed participants. The covered program policies, present ways to avoid audit problems, and provided a question and answer session. Meeting will be held at the H. C. Hoover Building Auditorium, 1401 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC from 10am to 12pm.

MORE INFO? NTIA's Office of Telecommunications and Information Administration at (202) 482-5802 or DHS Office of Grants and Training 800-368-6498.

HARRIS POLL SHOWS HOW READY AMERICANS SAY WE ARE FOR DISASTER
Originally Posted: June 13, 2007 5:58 AM
Last Updated: June 14, 2007 1:43 PM

Memories of the horrible 2005 season may have begun to fade from people's memories, especially as the 2006 season was relatively storm free. But, with one named storm already in the books for this year, are people prepared to face what might be?

Americans say they are prepared to face unexpected events. Nine in ten (91%) say they are prepared to take someone to the hospital closest to their home in an emergency and 84 percent are prepared to put out a small cooking fire on the stove. Three-quarters are prepared to live for a few days with the supplies they have on hand if there was a catastrophic disaster and they could not get to the store.

Sixty-two percent of U.S. adults are prepared to turn off the electricity, gas and water in their home.

Looking more specifically into one area of preparedness, just over half (58%) say they are prepared for a long-term power outage or a disaster such as a hurricane, earthquake, flood, wild land fire or terrorist attack by having the necessary supplies, including extra food and water for three days. However, the number of those who say they are "very prepared" is just 14 percent compared to the 44 percent who are somewhat prepared.

These are some of the results of a Harris Poll of 2,563 adults surveyed online between April 10 and 16, 2007 by Harris Interactive(R). This survey was conceived and developed by Harris Interactive and was not commissioned by any organization. However, we sought and received valuable input from the American Red Cross on the subject of emergency preparedness.

The American Red Cross recommends five specific actions to be taken in order to prepare for a disaster, yet less than half of U.S. adults say that they have done any of these. Just under half (48%) have completed first aid or CPR training, while just over one-third (36%) have made a specific evacuation plan for how they would leave their home in the case of an emergency situation. Just over one quarter (28%) say they have put together a disaster supplies kit with water, food, medicine, and other supplies, while the same number have selected a person who lives outside their geographic region that family members can contact if they become separated after an emergency. One- quarter (24%) have established a specific meeting place to reunite in the event they and their family cannot return home.

One of the issues for many of those who have had to evacuate from areas is what to do with pets. Since six out of 10 (59%) households have pets, this is an important issue for many. Yet, of those with pets in their household, only one-third (37%) actually have a plan in place for their pet
or pets in the case of any emergency or disaster. Knowing that most hotels and shelters will not accept pets, if these people had to evacuate, more than four in five pet owners (84%) say they would do so and bring their pet with them. Just seven percent would evacuate and leave their pet behind while four percent would not comply with the evacuation order and stay at home with their pet.

While majorities of Americans say they are prepared, this does not seem to be the case. When asked if they had done certain action items, majorities say they have not. One wonders if the answers may have been different had these questions been asked right after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Has the mild 2006 season lulled people into a false sense of complacency?

"We would like you to think about your household's current state of preparedness for a variety of unexpected events. Please indicate if you think you and the people in your household are personally prepared for such an event."

Prepared? To take someone to the hospital closest to your home in an emergency Yes: 91%

"Now, thinking about you and your household, how prepared are you for a long-term power outage or a disaster such as a hurricane, earthquake, flood, wild land fire or terrorist attack by having the necessary supplies, including extra food and water for three days?"

PREPARED (NET) Yes 58%

Question: "Have you done any of the following actions to prepare in the event of an emergency of disaster situation?"

Completed first aid or CPR training Yes: 48%

Question: "Do you have any pets in the household?"
Yes 59%

Question: "Do you have a plan in place for your pet or pets in the case of an emergency or disaster?" Yes 37%

Question: "Imagine that residents in your area were ordered to evacuate because of a life-threatening disaster. Knowing that most hotels and shelters will not accept pets, which action are you most likely to take?"

Evacuate and bring your pet with you? Yes: 84%

Harris Interactive provides innovative research, insights and strategic advice to help its clients make more confident decisions which lead to measurable and enduring improvements in performance. Harris Interactive is widely known for The Harris Poll, one of the longest running, independent opinion polls and for pioneering online market research methods. The company has built what it believes to be the world's largest panel of survey respondents, the Harris Poll Online.

Harris Interactive serves clients worldwide through its United States, Europe and Asia offices, its wholly-owned subsidiaries Novatris in France and MediaTransfer AG in Germany, and through a global network of independent market research firms.

MORE INFO? www.harrispollonline.com or www.harrisinteractive.com

FEMA ANSWERS QUESTIONS FIRE DEPARTMENTS ASK ABOUT GRANT PROGRAMS
Originally Posted: June 12, 2007 9:20 PM
Last Updated: June 12, 2007 9:20 PM

Answer to questions Fire Departments ask concerning grant programs:

Is there any difference in qualifying for a vehicle award this year with respect to training?

Yes. If you request a vehicle, you must certify that personnel who will drive and operate the requested vehicle meet or exceed the national standards for drivers/operators (fire vehicles NFPA 1002, EMS DOT or KKK standards). This training may be accomplished via an established in-house training program or with grant funds added to the vehicle request. If you do not have an established program and are not requesting training fund with your application, your grant will be ineligible for funding.
It has been the AFG policy to allow up to 50 percent of the grant funds to be used for a down payment. Has that changed for this year's program?

To encourage better cash management practices, grantees may only request 25 percent for down payments.

How do I gain access to my department's previous year's application when I'm going to be the primary contact on the new application and I don't know the username and password from the previous year's application (i.e., lost password, previous contact is no longer available)?

Please note: This information can only be changed by authorized personnel.

Send us a letter explaining the need to change the main contact information. The letter must be on fire department letterhead and signed by the Chief of the department. To expedite this change you can fax a copy of the letter to Ms. Vicki Wade at 866-274-0942. The letter should be addressed to:

FEMA National Preparedness Directorate
Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program
Attn: Vicki Wade
245 Murray Lane - Building 410, SW
Washington, DC 20528-7000

The following information must be included in the letter:

- Grant Number
- Previous Main Contact Person's Name
- Explanation of why access to the grant is needed
- New Contact Person's Name
- New Contact Person's Mother's Maiden Name
- Date of Birth
- E-mail Address
- Two Phone Numbers

Soon after faxing the letter to Ms. Wade you will receive an email from us with your temporary password. If you do not receive this email within two days of faxing your request, look in your Junk Mail file. The electronic emails are sometimes filtered and sent directly to junk mail.

If that does not work, go onto the web site at www.firegrantsupport.com and choose e-grant application. You will get an application sign-in screen. Click on FORGOT PASSWORD and answer the two security questions and submit your request. The screen should tell you that you successfully submitted your request and that a temporary password is being emailed to your address. Go into your email and retrieve the temporary password. Again, if the message is not there, look in the junk mail file if it is not in your email box.

MORE INFO? Ms. Wade 202-786-9794.

CONGRESS STILL WAITING FOR BUSH ADMINISTRATION TO COMPLY WITH HOMETOWN HEROES LEGISLATION
Originally Posted: June 12, 2007 7:15 AM
Last Updated: June 12, 2007 7:15 AM

On Thursday, June 7th, 2007, a bipartisan coalition of 101 members of Congress from both the Senate and the House of Representatives sent a letter to President George W. Bush urging the immediate implementation of the Hometown Heroes Survivors Benefit Act.

The legislation, which was unanimously passed by both houses of Congress and signed into law more than three years ago, provides a one-time financial benefit to the survivors of public safety officers who give their lives in the line of duty as a result of a heart attack or stroke.

Unfortunately, as of today, the Department of Justice has ruled on only 46 of the 264 claims submitted under the Hometown Heroes provisions of the Public Safety Officers Benefit (PSOB) program the department has denied 40 claims.

Prior to the passage of this legislation, an unintended loophole in the PSOB regulations denied the benefit to families of public safety who suffered fatal heart attacks and strokes. The PSOB was created to make sure those individuals who served their communities as public safety officers had the piece of mind that their families would be cared for should they be called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice.

The Congressional Fire Service Institute (CFSI) has been working with Congressional allies, DOJ staff, the White House, and several of the national fire and emergency services and law enforcement associations to resolve this situation.

In 2004, the Institute awarded its Legislator of the Year Award to Congressman Bob Etheridge for sponsoring the Hometown Heroes legislation.

MORE INFO? www.cfsi.org

86 PERCENT OF FIRE DEPARTMENTS CONDUCT LESS THAN 10 HOURS A WEEK OF FIRE SAFETY EDUCATION; GOAL TO REDUCE 20,000 ANNUAL DEATHS AND 21 MILLION MEDICAL EMERGENCIES
Originally Posted: June 12, 2007 6:49 AM
Last Updated: June 12, 2007 6:52 AM

Survey says: Only a small percentage (12%) of U.S. fire departments have the benefit of assigning personnel exclusively to public education roles. Most of the public safety education outreach is carried out by personnel who are juggling multiple duties. While 86 percent of U.S. fire departments report that they perform some type of fire and life safety education outreach, most fire chiefs say they want to do more.

The Home Safety Council partnered with the Center for Injury Research and Policy at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health to conduct this first-ever national fire and life safety education survey.

Meri-K Appy, president of the Home Safety Council: "The Home Safety Council is committed to finding ways to support our nations fire chiefs as they seek to increase their community fire safety outreach."

The survey was paid for with a grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Chief Jim Harmes, president of the International Association of Fire Chiefs: When there are budgetary cuts in fire services, its usually in the fire prevention unit. So much time and money is spent training for and responding to fire and other incidents that many fire departments have limited resources left for prevention activities, such as fire safety educational outreach.

Fire is the third-leading cause of injury-related death within the home in the U.S., according to Home Safety Council research, causing an average of more than 3,400 fatalities each year. Fires and burns are a leading public health problem and, as representatives of the public health field, we are eager to partner with the fire service and help them do more to advance prevention. This survey is a great step toward forming those critical partnerships, said Andrea C. Gielen, director of the Center for Injury Research and Policy at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. The survey results clearly show that our fire leaders are pre-disposed and looking for ways to do more to educate the public. Were encouraged by the response and want to work with fire leaders to help them get the tools they need to improve the current state of public fire education.

Survey findings:

86% of fire departments conduct some type of FLSE, most frequently using uniformed personnel with multiple responsibilities (56%). Staff assigned exclusively to FLSE activities is rare (12%).

85% of fire departments spend less than 10 hours on FLSE per week.
Elementary school presentations (80%), fire safety week or month events (68%), older adult presentations (40%) and health fairs (40%) were the most frequently reported types of FLSE activities.

The focus of FLSE activities was most commonly reported as fire prevention (82%), fire escape planning (73%), smoke alarms (71%), and fire extinguishers (53%) while home fire sprinkler systems (5%), public health emergencies (11%) and disaster preparedness (24%) were reported less frequently.

Nationally, 68% of fire departments distribute or install injury prevention products, most commonly household smoke alarms (51%). Fire escape ladders (2%), bicycle helmets (8%), fire extinguishers (10%), smoke alarms for people with hearing difficulty (8%) and carbon monoxide detectors (14%) are less commonly distributed or installed.

Home Safety Council Supports Fire and Life Safety Education
For more than 10 years, the Home Safety Council has recognized and responded to the local fire service need for additional pubic education resources and is working hard to continue supporting the vital efforts of community fire and life safety educators.
For online access to all of HSCs fire safety resources for community educators, visit www.homesafetycouncil.org/expertnetwork.

A 35-item survey was mailed to a sample of 7,408 U.S. fire departments, randomly selected from the National Public Safety Information Bureau's 2006 Directory of Fire Chiefs and EMS Administrators. From the total population of 21,745 fire departments, the random sample was stratified by size of population served (<10,000, >10,000), region of the country (NE, MW, SE, S, W), and department type (volunteer, career, combination).

The Home Safety Council (HSC) is dedicated to preventing home related injuries that result in nearly 20,000 deaths and 21 million medical visits on average each year. Through national programs, partnerships and the support of volunteers, HSC educates people of all ages to be safer in and around their homes. The Home Safety Council is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

The Johns Hopkins Center for Injury Research and Policy is dedicated to high quality research that informs the establishment of programs and policies aimed at controlling the incidence, severity and consequences of injuries.

SMALL BUSINESS OFFERED NEW "COMPLIANCE GUIDE" WHEN US GOVERNMENT ISSUES NEW REGULATIONS AFFECTING SMALL BUSINESS
Originally Posted: June 12, 2007 6:30 AM
Last Updated: June 12, 2007 6:30 AM

Small businesses will get help in complying with new Federal regulations, due to Senator Olympia Snowe's (R-ME) amendment contained in the "U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007." Amendment 103, co-sponsored by Senators Michael Enzi (R-WY), Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Harry Reid (D-NV), John Kerry (D-MA), John Sununu (R-NH), and Pat Roberts (R-KS) strengthened section 212 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA).

Most small business owners and managers agree that new Federal rules and regulations are complicated and often far too burdensome on small companies. The new Small Business Compliance Guide idea may help owners and managers digest laws written in lengthy, awkward, and legaleese government lingo.

Section 212 requires federal agencies to publish a small business compliance guide for each final rule that has a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. Amendment 103 strengthens those requirements and further mandates that federal agencies annually report to Congress on their efforts to comply with Section 212.

"Research shows that American small businesses are disproportionately impacted by the burden of federal regulations," said Thomas M. Sullivan, Chief Counsel for Advocacy. "By requiring federal agencies to produce understandable and useable compliance guides, Congress has taken a step toward helping to reduce that burden."

As part of its ongoing training of federal agencies on how to comply with SBREFA and the Regulatory Flexibility Act, the Office of Advocacy will assist agencies with the development of small business compliance guides.

MORE INFO? www.sba.gov/advo.

CONGRESSIONAL HEARING ON FLOOD INSURANCE PROBLEMS CAUSED BY HURRICANES
Originally Posted: June 11, 2007 8:28 PM
Last Updated: June 11, 2007 8:28 PM

The Homeland Security Subcommittee on Management, Investigations and Oversight and the Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations is holding a public hearing on National Flood Insurance Program: Issues Exposed by the 2005 Hurricanes.

U.S. Representatives Christopher P. Carney (D-PA), Chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Management, Investigations and Oversight, and Melvin L. Watt (D-NC), Chairman of the Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations said the hearing will explore public and private sector insurance practices in the wake of the 2005 Hurricanes.

The subcommittees will examine the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), the interaction between the NFIP and private insurers and the allocation of wind vs. water insurance claims in light of preliminary findings from Government Accountability Office and Department of Homeland Security, Inspector General reports.

Rep. Carney: "Congress must ensure that every flood victim receives prompt and fair reimbursement for storm damage to their home. While the National Flood Insurance Program needs to be responsive when assessing damage and paying out claims to flood victims, it must also conduct better oversight to ensure that it's not being abused by its private insurance partners.

It is clear that the 2005 hurricanes (Katrina and Rita) exposed serious flaws in the insurance coverage and claims adjustment processes. This second hearing will continue responsible efforts by Congress to get the facts we need to insure that those flaws are corrected and that victims of future catastrophes are better protected, said Congressman Watt.

Congressman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the full Committee on Homeland Security, applauded the hearing and released the following statement:

Disaster insurance programs are supposed to care and comfort our families in the most desperate of times, but it seems as though many have been manipulated to provide opportunists the chance to make larger profits. In times of crisis, we have seen too many vulnerable communities tied up in bureaucratic red tape. It is essential that our nations disaster insurance programs be designed, administered, and overseen with the utmost of care and transparency.

Witnesses include: Matt Jadacki, Deputy Inspector General for Disaster Assistance Oversight, Office of the Inspector General, Department of Homeland Security; Orice Williams, Director, Financial Markets and Community Investments, GAO.

HOME SAFETY COUNCIL GETS $1 MILLION FOR FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY EDUCATORS: SOURCE IS FIRE PREVENTION AND SAFETY GRANT
Originally Posted: June 11, 2007 8:18 PM
Last Updated: June 14, 2007 1:52 PM

The nonprofit Home Safety Council (HSC) has been awarded a 2006 Fire Prevention and Safety Federal grant of
$1 million to support U.S. fire and life safety educators,
particularly through local fire departments.

Home Safety Council President Meri-K Appy: "We are
grateful that the Federal Emergency Management Agency's
Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate has
entrusted the Home Safety Council with this funding, which will be channeled into valuable tools and training that can be readily used by fire department educators across the country. This federal investment will directly benefit local fire and life safety education efforts, ultimately improving the safety of America's communities."

HSC's funded national plan will put proven fire safety and disaster preparedness teaching tools in the hands of fire service and classroom educators; provide safety educators with free access to Web-based professional development opportunities; and offer intensive training for high-risk target audiences in three states with exceptionally high fire-death rates.

During the grant year, HSC will distribute its popular Get Ready with Freddie! disaster preparedness educational materials to third and fourth grade teachers in the nation's 65,000 elementary schools and their local fire departments, reaching 13 million teachers, students and their families. A national "Kids Prepare America" contest will be conducted to showcase how students are driving family preparedness efforts at home, helping to increase their community's safety.

HSC will also host a minimum of 10 free Webinars virtual
seminars --aimed at members of the Home Safety Council
Expert Network, an online resource serving more than
5,000 fire and life safety educators. These Webinars will introduce participants to a range of proven home injury prevention and disaster preparedness teaching methods and tools and will feature a variety of national safety education experts.

The Home Safety Council will undertake a pilot implementation of state team-training workshops - expanding the distribution of the Home Safety Literacy Project and pairing fire service and literacy providers in three high fire-death-rate states. The goal is to create a state-level support system that will provide tools and guidance for conducting in-service training and technical assistance to local teams. This will enable fire departments and literacy providers, working together, to deliver\ specially-designed safety lessons to those in their\ communities who may otherwise miss the message -- adults with low-level reading skills.

Appy: "The Home Safety Council is eager to enhance our support of fire department safety educators. This national plan will help any fire department, large or small, expand its public fire safety education outreach and include key disaster preparedness messages - with minimal impact on budget or staffing resources."

The Home Safety Council (HSC) is a national nonprofit
organization solely dedicated to preventing home related injuries that result in nearly 20,000 deaths and 21 million medical visits on average each year. Through national programs, partnerships and the support of volunteers, HSC educates people of all ages to be safer in and around their homes. The Home Safety Council is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization located in Washington, DC.

MORE INFO? www.homesafetycouncil.org/expertnetwork or Shannon McDaniel, Brand Resources Group, Inc., 703-739-8341

IOWA COUNTIES GET GRANT TO SEND VITAL INFORMATION VIA WIRELESS TO HOSPITAL FROM AMBULANCES: FUNDS COME FROM USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT DISTANCE LEARNING AND TELEMEDICINE PROGRAM
Originally Posted: June 11, 2007 8:04 PM
Last Updated: June 11, 2007 8:04 PM

Fire officials in Mason City, Iowa, told the Globe Gazette new technology for ambulances has the potential for saving the lives of people having heart attacks. Mason City got a grant from the US Department of Agriculture Rural Development Distance Learning & Telemedicine program.

The grant funds technology that allows emergency physicians and cardiologists at Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa to receive electrocardiogram information from ambulances in nine counties through wireless transmission.

The City Council met in special session at noon Monday and approved sponsorship of a $369,000 grant application. Total cost of the project is $508,550. The Mercy Foundation is donation about $100,000. CL Tel donated about $39,000 for Clear Lakes participation.

There is no cost to the city, Fire Department's Jo Callicotte told the newspaper. When the grant is funded the Mason City Fire Department will be equipped with seven state-of-the art EKG/defibrillators valued at $131,715.

The technology can be used by ambulance services in Cerro Gordo, Butler, Floyd, Franklin, Hardin, Mitchell, Winnebago, Worth and Wright counties.

The first 90 minutes are critical when someone is experiencing problems, Callicotte told the newspaper.

Within the first 90 minutes, if we are able to intervene, the patient has the best chance for survival.

Prior to the installation of the new equipment, if the Fire Department gets a call to the northernmost part of Worth County, at least 30 minutes have been lost just getting there.

With the present equipment, ambulance personnel can give emergency room doctors a general overview of the patients condition.

With the new equipment, doctors will get a 360-degree view of the heart and can start assembling a team to treat the patient immediately, she said.

Assistant Fire Chief Jerry Bergdale: This will mean better care for more people a big step forward for health care in North Iowa.

COMPLY WITH DISABLED ACCESS LAW: TAKE A 50% TAX CREDIT TO COVER UP TO $5000 OF YOUR COSTS
Originally Posted: June 10, 2007 8:20 PM
Last Updated: June 14, 2007 1:56 PM

As a dealer if your emergency equipment company is open to the general public, or you have employees working for you, you are legally obligated to make the premises accessible to disabled individuals.

You may defray part of the expense with tax planning.

Ensure that most, if not all, of the dealers renovation costs qualify for the disabled-access credit; in this way you may write off half the costs. The disabled-access credit covers more than just installing ramps and guardrails.

An emergency equipment dealer can claim the disabled-access credit for making business premises more accessible to disabled individuals. As a qualified small business your company has gross receipts of $1 million or less, or you don't employ more than 30 full-time employees.

The credit you get is equal to 50 percent of the first $10,000-$10,250 of qualified expenses up to $5,000.

Your dealer expenses for providing access must be incurred to meet requirements established by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. A small business can claim the credit for the following costs:

Removing architectural, communication, physical or transportation barriers that prevent a business from being accessible to, or usable by, disabled individuals.

Providing qualified interpreters or other effective methods of making orally delivered materials available to hearing-impaired individuals.

Providing qualified readers, taped texts and other effective methods of making visually delivered materials available to visually impaired individuals.
Acquiring or modifying equipment or devices for disabled individuals.
Providing other similar services, modifications, materials or equipment. (IRC Sec. 44[c])

Dealers can claim the disabled access credit as part of the general business credit.

MORE INFO? Form 8826, Disabled Access Credit, www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f8826.pdf

RECOVERING FROM APRIL 07 NOR'EASTER? JUNE 25, 07 IS DEADLINE FOR APPLYING TO NJ OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, FEMA AND THE SBA
Originally Posted: June 4, 2007 3:08 PM
Last Updated: June 4, 2007 3:08 PM

There are only three weeks left to apply for disaster assistance for those New Jersey residents and business owners affected by the April 07 nor'easter. Monday, June 25, 07 is the last day to register for assistance, said officials at the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Federal and state officials urge others affected by the April severe storms and flooding to apply immediately by calling 800-621-FEMA or TTY 1-800-462-7585. Phone lines are operational from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, until further notice. Residents also may register for assistance online at www.fema.gov.

To date, more than 14,400 households have registered for federal disaster assistance and more than 13,000 home inspections have been completed. More than $15 million in grants have been approved through FEMA's Individual and Household Program. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved more than $11.7 million in low-interest disaster assistance loans to date. Homeowners, renters and business owners are reminded that June 25, 07 is also the deadline to submit SBA loan applications.

FEMA's temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

FEMA and NJOEM work together to coordinate the federal and state governments' roles in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

MORE INFO? www.fema.gov

SPARTAN STOCK SPLITS ON JUNE 28, 2007: BOARD CONFIDENT IN STRATEGY
Originally Posted: June 4, 2007 2:23 PM
Last Updated: June 4, 2007 2:25 PM

Spartan Motors, Inc. (Charlotte, MI) will offer a 3-for-2 stock split on June 28, 2007 to shareholders of record on June 14, 2007.

Shareholders will receive one additional share of common stock for every two shares held.

David R. Wilson, chairman of Spartan Motors: "This stock split represents the Board's confidence in Spartan's strategy for growth over the next three to five years."

As of March 31, 2007, Spartan had 21.5 million shares outstanding. Upon completion of the stock split, the number will increase to approximately 32.3 million shares outstanding. Spartan's previously announced regular dividend will be paid to shareholders on June 15, 2007 based on the total outstanding shares prior to the stock split.

John Sztykiel, president and CEO of Spartan Motors: "The market has rewarded our record results for 2006 and for the first quarter of 2007 with an appreciation in stock price, which is something we
are thankful for. However, we remain focused on being deliberate, effective and efficient in
our operations, while also remaining agile to capitalize on the evolving trends in transportation markets worldwide."

Spartan, which has had 3-for-2 stock splits in 2006, 1993 and 1991 designs, engineers and
manufactures chassis and vehicles for the recreational vehicle, fire truck, ambulance, emergency-rescue and specialty vehicle markets. The Company's brand names are Spartan(TM), Crimson Fire(TM), Crimson Fire Aerials(TM), and Road Rescue". The Company had 06 sales of $445 million and a work force of1,100 in Michigan, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and South Dakota.

MORE INFO? www.spartanmotors.com

VIRGINIA SHIFTS ENFORCEMENT OF THE STATE FIRE PREVENTION CODE, BEGINNING JULY 1, 08
Originally Posted: June 4, 2007 11:24 AM
Last Updated: June 4, 2007 11:24 AM

Effective, July 1, 2008, the Commonwealth of Virginia has transferred enforcement of the Statewide Fire Prevention Code from the Department of House and Community Development to the Department of Fire Programs under the Fire Services Board. Under this bill the State Fire Marshal will be employed by the Director of the Department of Fire Programs rather than the Director of the Department of Houseing and Community Development. Issuing the Statewide Fire Prevention Code remains with the Board of Housing and Community Development.

JULY 24, 2007 FEDERAL MINIMUM WAGE INCREASES TO $5.85: MORE SCHEDULED FOR 08 TO $6.55 AND TO $7.25 IN 09 . . . DEALERS NEED POSTERS FOR EMPLOYEE INFORMATION
Originally Posted: June 4, 2007 9:58 AM
Last Updated: June 4, 2007 9:58 AM

Dealers may wish to obtain employee information posters related to the Fair Minimum Wage Act, signed into law by President Bush as part of the Iraq funding bill. This legislation raises the minimum wage to $7.25 by the summer of 2009.

It has been nearly 10 years since the last federal minimum wage increase, and with the passing of this new wage hike, the minimum wage will be increased in three stages. The first increase will become effective July 24th of 2007 when the federal minimum wage becomes $5.85 per hour. The second increase to $6.55 per hour becomes effective 12 months later. The last increase to $7.25 per hour will become effective 24 months after the first increase.

As the federal minimum wage posting also contains the overtime and child labor provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act, it will be mandatory for dealers in all states to post updated notices, irrespective of the states minimum wage.

Robert Leland III, Director of Research for Personnel Concepts, has monitored the progress of this legislation and directed the development of updated posting compliance materials to meet the expected demand: The federal minimum wage increase creates an immediate need for employers to update their labor law posters.

With the complexity and frequent changes in federal and state labor laws, the compliance industry has experienced significant growth during the last 16 years. This growth has been fueled from businesses needing accurate and responsive sources for up-to-date labor posting materials.

For example, Space Saver-1 All-On-One State and Federal Labor Law Poster are by Personnel Concepts, enabling dealers to comply with all state and federal regulations for posting in one format. There are versions of the Space Saver-1 for each state and updates are continuously available as regulations change. Personnel Concepts also offers a worry-free subscription service that provides subscribers with automatic updates when a mandatory posting is revised.

FIRE DANGER IN STRUCTURES USING CORRUGATED STAINLESS STEEL TUBING IN GAS PIPING
Originally Posted: June 4, 2007 9:27 AM
Last Updated: June 4, 2007 9:41 AM

A Class Action Lawsuit against four manufacturers of a new type of fuel gas tubing says the installation of a lightning protection system remedies the fire risk associated with CSST (corrugated stainless steel tubing) gas piping systems.

Lightning traveling on the CSST can burn holes in the tubing and allow gas leakage and fire. CSST is a type of flexible piping that has been widely used in homes and commercial applications in recent years. Unlike traditional, heavy-walled gas pipes, CSST is extremely thin and therefore susceptible to damage from lightning. Such leaks have led to catastrophic gas explosions.

The CSST has been found to be susceptible to damage from direct and even nearby lightning strikes.

CSST has been used in recent years because it is easy to
install. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) however, no tests on the effects of lightning on CSST were conducted prior to its approval for use. One CSST manufacturer has acknowledged that the installation of a lightning protection system addresses the lightning hazard associated with CSST, yet homes with CSST are rarely equipped with lightning protection systems.

Lightning strikes the United States more than 25 million times each year. A single bolt of lightning can carry over 100 million volts of electricity, making the hazard to homes outfitted with CSST a serious concern.

Guy Maxwell, president of the Lightning Safety Alliance: "Lightning does not have to strike a building directly in order for the
CSST to be affected. The reports of CSST related fires that I have seen have involved strikes that were near the structure."

In March 2007, the four defendants in the Class Action suit filed in
the Circuit Court of Clark County Arkansas reached a Settlement. Under the guidelines of the Settlement, owners of structures in the U.S., in which CSST was installed prior to September 2006, can obtain vouchers to defray the cost of mitigating the CSST hazard. Remedies identified by the settling parties include installing a lightning protection system and/or making bonding and grounding connections to certain systems in a structure.

Bud VanSickle, executive director of the Lightning Protection Institute in Maryville, MO: "Unfortunately, there hasn't been a lot of publicity given to this situation which is estimated to affect a million or more homes. Property owners have just a few short months to take advantage of these vouchers. Whether property owners take advantage of the Settlement vouchers or not these folks have a serious fire risk in their homes that needs to be addressed."

The deadline to enter a claim under the CSST Settlement is September 5, 2007.

This settlement has been approved in the Clark County Circuit Court of Arkansas. The Defendants in the case, Titeflex Corporation, Ward Manufacturing, Inc., OmegaFlex, Inc. and Parker Hannifin Corp., are referred to throughout as Settling Defendants. The persons who filed the lawsuit are called Plaintiffs. The Effective Date of the Settlement is March 5, 2007.

The Settlement is final. As such, the Settlement Administrator anticipates mailing Payment Vouchers to eligible claimants beginning in early to mid April along with instructions on how to proceed. If you have filed a complete Claim, your Payment Voucher and detailed information regarding the remainder of the process will be sent. If your claim is incomplete, a letter requesting additional information will be sent. If the Settlement Administrator does not receive the required Claim information, you will not be able to receive any benefits from this Settlement.

Reminder: If you have not filed a claim yet, claims may be filed until September 5, 2007.

If you have any questions, please contact the Settlement Administrator. Updates to this website are summarized on the Recent Updates page.

A nationwide class action has been filed on behalf of any and all persons and/or entities who own structures in the United States in which CSST manufactured by Titeflex, Ward, OmegaFlex or Parker Hannifin was installed as of September 5, 2006. Plaintiffs allege that CSST poses an unreasonable risk of fire due to lightning strikes. The Settling Defendants deny these allegations and assert that their CSST is safe if properly installed in accordance with local codes and the manufacturers instructions. The Proposed Settlement is a compromise of disputed claims and does not mean the Settling Defendants are liable.

If you wish to claim the benefits of the Settlement, you must submit a fully executed Claim Form by September 5, 2007. You may complete and submit a Claim Form online or request that a Claim Form be mailed to you at the Submit a Claim Form page.

MORE INFO? 800-420-2916 or www.csstsettlement.com or Kim Loehr 804-314-8955 or LLpco@aol.com

HOUSE HOMELAND SECURITY COMMITTEE SCHEDULE FOR JUNE 4-8, 2007
Originally Posted: June 3, 2007 7:59 PM
Last Updated: June 3, 2007 7:59 PM

Keeping up its torid pace of 07 public hearings on emergency issues, the House Homeland Security Committee is holding another week of hearings! Here is a list of what's up this week:

House Committee on Homeland Security

Monday, June 4, 2007 @ 2pm
Our Lady of the Gulf Community Center
228 South Beach Blvd., Bay St. Louis, Mississippi

On Monday, June 4, and Tuesday, June 5, 2007, the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Management, Investigations, and Oversight, chaired by Rep. Chris P. Carney (D-PA), and the Subcommittee on Emergency Communications, Preparedness, and Response, chaired by Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX), will hold a joint field hearing in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi and a site visit to the Mississippi Gulf Coast and New Orleans. The hearing is entitled Empowering State and Local Officials Through Enhanced FEMA Regional Offices. Witnesses include Major Phil May, Regional Administrator, FEMA Region IV; Bruce Baughman, Director, Alabama Emergency Management Agency; Steve Delahousey, VP of Emergency Preparedness, American Medical Response; Brien C. Ruiz, President, St. Bernard Parish Fire Fighters Association (IAFF Local 1468).

There will not be a webcast of this event

Wednesday, June 6, 2007 @ 10am
311 Cannon House Office Building

The Committee on Homeland Security will meet to hold a hearing entitled The XDR Tuberculosis Incident: A Poorly Coordinated Federal Response to an Incident with Homeland Security Implications. Witnesses include Dr. Jeffrey Runge, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Homeland Security; Mr. W. Ralph Basham, Commissioner, Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security (Accompanied by Jayson P. Ahern, Assistant Commissioner, Office of Field Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection); Dr. Julie L. Gerberding, Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services (invited).

Thursday, June 7, 2007 @ 2pm
311 Cannon House Office Building

The Committee on Homeland Securitys Subcommittee on Border, Maritime, and Global Counterterrorism will hold a hearing entitled Project 28: The Future of SBInet. Witnesses will be by invitation only.

GREG CADE, VIRGINIA BEACH CHIEF; NEW US FIRE ADMINISTRATOR
Originally Posted: June 3, 2007 7:52 PM
Last Updated: June 3, 2007 7:52 PM

Chief Greg Cade is the new U.S. Fire Administrator taking over for Chief Charlie Dickinson, who currently serves Acting Fire Administrator.

Cade, chief of the Virginia Beach Fire Department for the past eight years, was nominated by President Bush on December 4, 2006 for the Administrator position. The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs conducted a confirmation hearing on March 16 and later voted unanimously to recommend his confirmation by the full Senate.

Senator Susan Collins, the ranking member of the Senate Homeland Security Committee and co-chairwoman of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus: Our Committee has worked hard to ensure that the Fire Administration has a special place within the Department of Homeland Security, serving not only as the voice of Americas firefighters, but also as one of the Secretarys principal advisors on first responder issues. Chief Cades 40 years of experience as a firefighter and emergency services coordinator will serve him well in the Administrators role.

The Fiscal Year 2007 Homeland Security Appropriations Act directed changes to the organizational structure of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

As of April 1, 2007, United States Fire Administration was transferred from the Preparedness Directorate back to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). In addition, the Office of Grants and Training which administers the FIRE Act program and SAFER, has also been placed under FEMAs authority.

CONGRESS ASKS DEFENSE TO COMMENT ON REQUIRED 3% WITHHOLDING ON EVERY DEALER SALE TO GOVERNMENT
Originally Posted: June 1, 2007 6:16 PM
Last Updated: June 1, 2007 6:16 PM

The following Report Language is contained in the Report (110-146) to accompany H.R. 1585, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008. As reported this year by the National Emergency Equipment Dealers Association, Congress has already OK'd a 3 percent withholding on sales to government entities. As you can see below, Members of Congress have heard our concerns -- it is a form of taxation which does not take into consideration net income but demands withheld taxes at the point of sale. Congress is asking: So how much is this going to cost government to manage this huge new 3 percent tax on business?

NEEDA is on the Procurement Committee of the US Chamber of Commerce and supports the Chamber's effort to repeal the law and relieve small businesses, such as emergency equipment dealers, from the unfair burden of paying the 3percent withholding tax on sales.

Kenton Pattie, NEEDA Executive Director
Kentonp1@aol.com

TITLE VIIIACQUISITION POLICY, ACQUISITION MANAGEMENT, AND RELATED MATTERS

ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST

Analysis of Contractor Payment Withholding

The committee is aware that the Secretary of Defense will be required to withhold three percent of certain payments to contractors, effective January 1, 2011, in accordance with the requirements of section 511 of the Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005 (Public Law 109222). The committee is concerned that there may be significant costs associated with the management and implementation of such a withholding system, as well as potential cost and performance impacts for contractors. There-fore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense to assess the impacts of compliance with section 511 and submit a report containing the assessment of this impact to the Senate Committee on Armed Services and the House Committee on Armed Services by April 1, 2008. Such an assessment should include, but is not limited to, the cost of modifications to defense financial accounting systems, additional personnel costs, and anticipated consequences for defense contractors in terms of performance, subcontractor management, and cost escalation.

WINTER IS HERE!!
Originally Posted: June 1, 2007 1:14 PM
Last Updated: June 1, 2007 1:14 PM

OK, it is warm outside! But June 1 is the first day of Winter in Australia! My wife and I visited Australia in 2006 during their Spring and saw some of their fleeting final days of cold -- some snow and very cold temperatures in Canberra, the Capital city, followed by some very mild days you'd love to have right now.

Winter or summer, Australia is a awesome, interesting, and inspiring country and well worth the many hours it takes to get there.

I hope you have a great summer.

Kenton Pattie, Executive Director
National Emergency Equpment Dealers Association (NEEDA)

DISASTERS RECEIVING FEDERAL ASSISTANCE IN 2007: JAN-MAY.
Originally Posted: June 1, 2007 12:38 PM
Last Updated: June 1, 2007 12:38 PM

Curious to see the number of disasters to which the Federal government has responded so far in 2007 (Jan-May)? Here is the list published by the US Fire Administration.

Major Disaster Declarations
Emergency Declarations
Fire Management Assistance Declarations

Major Disaster Declarations
Number Date State Title DFRNs Designated Counties
1705 25-May Iowa Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes
1704 25-May Rhode Island Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding
1703 25-May Kentucky Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Rockslides
1702 22-May South Dakota Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
1701 16-May Massachusetts Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding
1700 11-May Connecticut Severe Storms and Flooding
1699 6-May Kansas Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
1698 4-May Vermont Severe Storms and Flooding
1697 1-May Texas Severe Storms and Tornadoes
1696 1-May West Virginia Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides
1695 27-Apr New Hampshire Severe Storms and Flooding
1694 26-Apr New Jersey Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding
1693 25-Apr Maine Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding
1692 24-Apr New York Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding
1691 20-Apr Maine Flooding
1690 2-Apr New Mexico Severe Storms and Tornadoes
1689 13-Mar California Severe Freeze
1688 14-Mar Iowa Severe Winter Storms
1687 3-Mar Alabama Severe Storms and Tornadoes
1686 3-Mar Georgia Severe Storms and Tornadoes
1685 23-Feb Louisiana Severe Storms and Tornadoes
1684 23-Feb Pennsylvania Severe Storms and Flooding
1683 22-Feb Oregon Severe Winter Storm and Flooding
1682 14-Feb Washington Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, and Mudslides
1681 9-Feb Illinois Severe Winter Storm
1680 8-Feb Florida Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
1679 3-Feb Florida Severe Storms and Tornadoes
1678 1-Feb Oklahoma Severe Winter Storms
1677 1-Feb Oklahoma Severe Winter Storm
1676 15-Jan Missouri Severe Winter Storms and Flooding
1675 7-Jan Kansas Severe Winter Storm
1674 7-Jan Nebraska Severe Winter Storms

Emergency Declarations
Number Date State Title DFRNs Designated Counties
3275 30-Mar Iowa Snow
3274 13-Mar Indiana Snow
3273 23-Feb New York Snow
3272 15-Jan Oklahoma Severe Winter Storms and Flooding
3271 7-Jan Colorado Snow
3270 7-Jan Colorado Snow

Fire Management Assistance Declarations
Number Date State Incident
2695 16-May New Jersey Warren Grove Fire
2694 10-May California Island Fire
2693 9-May Georgia Bugaboo Scrub Fire
2692 9-May Florida Caloosahatchee Fire Complex
2691 9-May California Griffith Park Fire
2690 8-May Florida Black Creek Fire
2689 7-May Florida Suwannee Fire Complex
2688 5-May Georgia Roundabout Fire
2687 2-May Florida Deland Fire Complex
2686 26-Apr Georgia Kneeknocker Swamp Fire
2685 17-Apr Georgia Sweat Farm Road Fire
2684 26-Mar Florida 53 Big Pine Fire
2683 11-Mar California 241 Fire
2682 24-Feb New Mexico Belen Fire

Last Modified: Thursday, 31-May-2007 13:10:45

FEMA APPROVES FIRE MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE GRANTS TO FIGHT FIRES IN GEORGIA AND FLORIDA
Originally Posted: June 1, 2007 12:27 PM
Last Updated: June 1, 2007 12:27 PM

The U.S. Department of Homeland Securitys Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to reimburse costs to Georgia to fight the Harveytown Fire in Bryan County.

Georgia requested a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) late May 31, 2007. The blaze started May 27, 2007, but jumped containment and threatens about 240 residences in the City of Pembroke. About 140 people were affected by a mandatory evacuation order issued yesterday.
FEMA has also authorized the use of federal funds to reimburse costs to Florida to fight the Okeechobee Fire Complex in Glades, Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee and St. Lucie counties.

Florida requested a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) May 31, 2007. The complex includes about 20 fires, the largest being the Frog Light Fire which is burning on the Lake Okeechobee lake bed. Approximately 120 residences are threatened in the communities of Buckhead Ridge and Robberson Drive. That involves some 360 people, all of whom are under a voluntary evacuation order issued last night.

Federal fire management assistance is provided through the Presidents Disaster Relief Fund and made available by FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to cause a major disaster. Eligible state firefighting costs covered by the aid must first meet a minimum threshold for costs before assistance is provided. Eligible costs covered by the aid can include expenses for field camps; equipment use, repair and replacement; tools, materials and supplies; and mobilization and demobilization activities.
Federal fire management assistance is provided through the Presidents Disaster Relief Fund and made available by FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to cause a major disaster. Eligible state firefighting costs covered by the aid must first meet a minimum threshold for costs before assistance is provided. Eligible costs covered by the aid can include expenses for field camps; equipment use, repair and replacement; tools, materials and supplies; and mobilization and demobilization activities.

FEMA coordinates the federal governments role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

SAY "GOODBYE" TO YOUR WOOD BURNING FIREPLACE?
Originally Posted: June 1, 2007 12:13 PM
Last Updated: June 1, 2007 12:13 PM

The Los Angeles Times in a copyrighted story by Janet Wilson says: "As part of air pollution plans designed to meet Federal deadlines, South Coast Air Quality Management District officials have proposed a ban on wood-burning fireplaces in all new homes in Los Angeles, Orange and portions of Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

"In addition, on winter days when pollution spikes, wood-fueled blazes in all fireplaces would be banned in highly affected areas. That could amount to about 20 days a year, district officials said."

Other legislation would require installing pollution control devices or ending wood fireplaces altogether in 1.9 million Southern California homes.

Reason for this legislation? 7 tons of harmful nitrogen oxide (NOX) that comes from fireplaces.

LA Times: "The plan also includes truck-only lanes on the 710 and 15 freeways, and electric rail lines from Los Angeles' Westside to Ontario airport and from the ports to Inland Empire warehouses. Reducing paint thinner emissions and gas station and refinery leaks is also part of the host of proposed measures."

The LA Times added: "Air pollution regulations on fireplaces have been adopted in an estimated 50 counties, air districts or cities across the West, particularly in colder areas, said John Crouch of the Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Assn."

This type of legislation is opposed by various trade associations.

PA DISPUTE: HOW INVOLVED CAN STATE EMPLOYEES BE IN VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANIES?
Originally Posted: June 1, 2007 11:57 AM
Last Updated: June 1, 2007 11:57 AM

Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources employees often serve their local volunteer fire companies. But under a Pennsylvania ethics commission's opinions, if a spouse, child, parent or sibling of a DCNR employee were associated with a volunteer fire company
that competes with other volunteer fire companies as an applicant for funding from DCNR, that employee could not participate in the process of
providing funding to any of such volunteer fire company applicants.

New PA ethics opinions go even further: If a DCNR employee's immediate family member or his employer provides supplies or services to a volunteer fire
company, the public employee could not be involved in any grant or other program or process that might involve a benefit to that fire company.

PA Gov. Edward G. Rendell: "These examples illustrate the kind of disruption that the commission's opinions can cause to an agency and the public interest. The opinions also create a great deal of uncertainty among public officials and public employees regarding the scope of conflicts respecting 'clients' or 'customers' of immediate family members and the businesses with which they are associated and how this information can be maintained so that it is always current and accurate."

Rendell and Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen A. McGinty and Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Michael DiBerardinis filed for review in Commonwealth Court of the May 1, 2007
opinions of the State Ethics Commission.

MORE INFO? Doug Rohanna 717-783-1116

DAVE ROBINSON, PRESIDENT OF TYCO FIRE AND SECURITY, IS OUT AMIDST MAJOR CHANGES IN TYCO LEADERSHIP, SAYS TYCO PRESIDENT BREEN
Originally Posted: June 1, 2007 11:31 AM
Last Updated: June 15, 2007 1:16 PM

Dave Robinson, President of Fire & Security, will leave Tyco by the end of the fiscal year. Robinson joined Tyco in 2002 and has served in the Fire & Security role since 2003. Stated President Breen: "Dave assumed his responsibilities at a difficult time has been instrumental in stabilizing the business and building a foundation for the future. We thank Dave for his leadership of the Fire & Security segment as we prepare to transition to our new Tyco International structure."

MORE INFO? For the full story on big changes in Tyco management, click on the NEEDA Newsletter headline for this news item above.

CELLS ON WHEELS AND OTHER WIRELESS EQUIPMENT HELPING FIRST RESPONDERS IN GEORGIA, MINNESOTA, CALIFORNIA AND ARIZONA
Originally Posted: June 1, 2007 11:18 AM
Last Updated: June 18, 2007 12:39 PM

With wildfires scorching thousands of acres over the past month, firefighters and other emergency responders are using wireless phones to communicate. Wireless technologies allow first responders fighting wildfires to communicate over longer distances than many two-way radios and help coordinate the efforts of firefighters in remote areas.

In fires in Georgia, Minnesota, California and Arizona, the Verizon Wireless dispatched at the request of local authorities advanced mobile communications equipment, including Cells on Wheels (COWs),

Cells on Light Trucks (COLTs) and other support, including
working wireless phones, to either enhance coverage or establish a wireless network where one had not previously been operating to enable firefighters
and other emergency workers to communicate in remote areas where many
wildfires originate. COWs and COLTs can handle thousands of wireless calls
per hour when linked directly or indirectly to emergency telephone cables
and sometimes creating a wireless network that can span miles of burning
acreage.

For more on wireless communications for wildfire responders, click on the title of this NEEDA NEWSLETTER story.