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Newletters From September, 2007
CEDAP OFFERS ASSISTANCE TO SMALL COMMUNITIES SEEKING EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT
Originally Posted: September 27, 2007 4:37 PM
Last Updated: September 27, 2007 4:37 PM
The Commercial Equipment Direct Assistance Program (CEDAP) program helps meet the equipment needs of smaller jurisdictions by providing communications interoperability, information sharing, chemical detection, sensors, personal protective equipment, technology, and training in using the equipment, devices, and technology. Awards are made to law enforcement and emergency responder agencies not currently eligible for funding through the Department's Urban Areas Security Initiative grant program.
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SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS AND EMPLOYEES CAN BENEFIT BY DEVELOPING PERSONAL BRANDS -- REPUTATION AS RELIABLE EXPERTS, PROMPT . . . SOMEONE PEOPLE LIKE TO DO BUSINESS WITH
Originally Posted: September 27, 2007 2:27 PM
Last Updated: September 27, 2007 2:27 PM
It is not only owners and managers of emergency equipment dealers who need to build a brand in order to be successful, but the individuals within the company who also need to commit to some personal marketing. That means that you and key people who meet with fire departments and other decision makers must market yourselves - it will help your firm.
The brand you and your salesforce projects is your promise, your image, your good name, and a way to distinguish yourself from others in your market area. It is useful for you to have a personal brand that can work on your behalf, building your own career and reputation as a leader, supporter of the fire service - at the same time as you are building loyalty for your firm. Enhancing your self-brand, and the image of your salespeople and technicians, will ultimately enhance your firm's image.
As a professional you will find that when you market yourself it is easier to develop meaningful relationships. As you promote your own brand, others can more easily understand the benefits of working with you. As a result, you will have more opportunities for new business. Your brand helps you solidify your reputation as a person of influence in your community and as an expert in the key niches where you have developed a core competency.
You might ask how you can go about creating your self-brand. It is most effective to approach this in basically the same way you would if you were about to brand your firm:
Identify what is most unique about you. This may be your attitude, your skills, your expertise, your education and training, your previous service, or your network of relationships.
Develop a process for marketing yourself. This includes writing your own mission statement, performing a situational analysis on yourself to determine your strengths and weaknesses while identifying opportunities and threats you face.
Put your branding plan on paper. This gives it legitimacy and forces you to think about your message, your audience, and the initiatives that will keep your brand alive.
Demonstrate value. You will be sought after when your brand accurately presents you as an expert. People want to work with those who provide solutions, so prepare to offer resources, introductions, industry information, and business or economic news that are relevant for your audience.
It is important for you to consider that your firm benefits as much as you do when your employees embrace personal marketing. Because you are recognized and respected in the community, your reputation reflects well on your firm.
Your personal marketing techniques attract new clients to the firm and help raise retention at the same time. Your individual efforts enhance your firm's visibility and your efforts help it to gain top of mind awareness in the business community. Think about who you are and all that you have to offer - and then start marketing!
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DRAFT: NATIONAL RESPONSE FRAMEWORK TO BE ISSUED BY FEMA
Originally Posted: September 26, 2007 9:39 PM
Last Updated: September 27, 2007 8:09 AM
By clicking on the title of this NEEDA Newletter story, you will see a national document in its draft status. You are invited to write to FEMA with suggestions on how it can be strengthened and improved.
This document, dated September 2007, explains the common discipline and structures that have been exercised and matured at the local, State and national levels over time. It captures key lessons learned from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, focusing particularly on how the Federal Government is organized to support communities and States in catastrophic incidents. Most importantly, it
builds upon the National Incident Management System (NIMS), which provides a consistent national template for managing incidents.
The term response as used in this Framework includes immediate actions to
save lives, protect property and meet basic human needs. Response also includes the execution of emergency operations plans, actions to support short-term recovery and some short-term mitigation activities. The Framework is always in effect and can be implemented as needed on a flexible, scalable basis that can help improve response. Response does not
include prevention, protection or long-term recovery and restoration activities needed by communities to rebuild their way of life.
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EMS AIR AMBULANCE HAS ARRAY OF LIFE-SAVING EQUIPMENT
Originally Posted: September 26, 2007 6:03 PM
Last Updated: September 26, 2007 6:03 PM
Amanda Pedersen, Medical Device Daily Staff Writer in a copyrighted story reports:
"Helicopters offer an unrestricted line of sight," Don Hubbard, a completions manager at Texas Aviation Services (TAS; Fort Worth, Texas) told Medical Device Daily. "The quickest way from point A to point B is a straight line - that's what you get with a helicopter."
TAS, a helicopter technical services company, said it is boosting its service offerings to airborne EMS helicopter operations and hospitals.
It has teamed with Lifeport (Woodland, Washington) for new medical interior configurations, expanding its technical workforce, and investing for broader technical capacities at its Fort Worth TX facilities in order to take on more air ambulance rotorcraft projects, the company said.
Hubbard said TAS develops "flying ambulances" that are equipped with a wide array of medical equipment for a range of life-saving offerings: multiple stretchers and mounting devices, defibrillators and monitors. Added to this are communications devices to allow the air medical crew to coordinate with the hospital about the patient's status.
Besides responding to emergency scenes, the company's helicopters also provide hospital-to-hospital transportation, Hubbard said.
TAS has performed 96 new "completions" for EMS fleet operators in the past 10 years, according to Tim Woodward, the company's president. He said the company's most recent air ambulance helicopter was delivered to Omniflight (Addison, Texas).
"TAS has over 20 years of experience in creating flying emergency rooms for air medical customers,"said Steve Townes, chairman of TAS and its parent company, Ranger Aerospace and Aeronautics (Grapevine, TX). " Our strategic teaming with Lifeport, combined with Ranger's proven access to growth capital, means we can focus even more on the unique needs of our air medical customers."
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APPLICATION PROCEDURES ANNOUNCED FOR THE 2008 HARVARD FIRE EXECUTIVE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
Originally Posted: September 26, 2007 1:30 PM
Last Updated: September 26, 2007 1:40 PM
Application procedures have been announced for the 2008
Harvard Fire Executive Fellowship Program. The program is once againsponsored through a partnership between the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), the International Fire Service Training Association/Fire Protection Publications (IFSTA/FPP), the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the Department of Homeland Security - United States Fire Administration (USFA). Each organization will fund the tuition costs of two individuals for a total of eight fellowships.
"Reflecting on all of the professional development opportunities I have experienced in my career, the State and Local Program at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government by far was very profound," said U.S. Fire
Administrator Gregory Cade in announcing the 2008 Program. "The curriculum, faculty, and setting were truly outstanding. Most importantly, as a former Fire Chief, I know the State and Local Government Program has provided me with experiences and tools to confront the many challenges facing fire and emergency services today.
The program was and continues to be particularly valuable when examining and understanding the relationships between careerists, elected, and appointed officials."
Eight senior fire executives will be awarded fellowships to attend Harvard's annual "Program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government." The 3-week program is conducted on the Harvard campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Selected Fellows would be assigned to attend
one of the two session dates: June 8-27, 2008 or July 6-25, 2008. Fellows must be available to attend either session.
Applicants are responsible for travel costs to the final interview process (scheduled for April 16, 2008) in Emmitsburg, Maryland, and if selected, also to Cambridge. Housing will be provided at the National Emergency Training Center (NETC) for the interview process in April.
Fellows are expected to continue their professional contributions to fire and emergency services in light of their State and Local Program experience.
The following criteria and guidelines have been established for the 2008 program:
* Application is open to senior fire executives who have
demonstrated significant career accomplishments and have the potential to impact and initiate change. Attainment of a senior position is less important than demonstrated experience in facilitating significant change within a public sector setting.
* Preference may be given to applicants who are graduates
of the National Fire Academy's "Executive Fire Officer Program," although program completion is not a prerequisite. Preference may also be given to applicants who have completed graduate-level degree programs or course work.
* Individuals whose organizations have been represented in
the Harvard Fellowship Program during 2005, 2006, or 2007 will not be considered. The program is available to international participants.
Application Instructions:
(Please follow these four steps carefully as the application procedures have changed from prior years).
1. Applicants must complete and submit the Harvard/Kennedy School of Government Application For Executive Education. This form can be obtained by entering the following URL in the browser window:
http://ksgexecprogram.harvard.edu/download/ksgapp.doc
This form-fillable document can then be completed for submission to the address listed below, not to Harvard. It is recommended that this form be saved to your computer. For the question "Who will be the financial sponsor of your participation?" please enter "IAFC/IFSTA/NFPA/USFA
Fellowship." Make sure that you attach your essay responses (250 words or less for each of three questions).
2. Enclose a current resume or curriculum vitae.
3. Enclose a letter of recommendation from your senior official. If the applicant is the Chief then the letter should be written by the jurisdictional head (e.g., Mayor or City Manager). Otherwise, the recommendation should be from the Fire Chief.
4. Please do not submit your application package directly to the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. Mail the application package (traceable mail with receipt is recommended) no later than February 11, 2008, to the following address:
Harvard Fellowship Program International Association of Fire Chiefs
c/o Ms. Elena Slavinsky
4025 Fair Ridge Drive - Suite 300
Fairfax, Virginia 22033-2868
Application packages postmarked after February 11, 2008, will not be considered.
For questions regarding application procedures only, please contact Ms.Kathleen Carter at the U.S. Fire Administration @ (301) 447-1349 or mailto:kathleen.carter@dhs.gov
For more information please refer to the United States Fire
Administration/National Fire Academy Web site:
http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/training/nfa/higher_ed/degree_programs/harvard or the Harvard University/John F. Kennedy School of Government Senior Executives in State and Local Government Web site:
http://ksgexecprogram.harvard.edu/ProgramDetail.aspx?programID)&sessionIDE1
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SENATE HOLDS HEARING OCTOBER 4, 2007 IN DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING ROOM 226 ON ADMINISTRATION'S FAILURE TO IMPLEMENT THE HOMETOWN HEROES SURVIVORS BENEFIT ACT
Originally Posted: September 26, 2007 12:46 PM
Last Updated: September 26, 2007 1:05 PM
By Kenton Pattie
Executive Director
National Emergency Equipment Dealers Association (NEEDA)
The US Senate Judiciary Committee has schedule a hearing for Thursday, October 4th, 2007 at 2:30 PM Room 226 Senate Dirksen Office Buildingon the issue of DOJ failing to implement the Hometown Heroes Survivors Benefit Act as intended by Congress. I know this is an important issue for many fire and emergency response professionals and their national organizations.
NEEDA members are invited to attend this hearing to help provide a strong fire service presence at the hearing to send a message to both the Committee and the Bush Administration that we are standing behind the survivors who have been affected by the failure to implement the Hometown Heroes Survivors Benefit Act. It is unusual for the Executive Branch to deliberately decline to implement a law passed by Congress, so this should be a dramatic exchange between the legislative branch and the execuitive branch of our government.
Hearing will be held 2:30PM in Room 226 of the Senate Dirksen Office Building. The nearest Metro stops are Union Station and South Capitol.
If you drive there is a large multilevel parking lot at Union Station. Again, from Union Station and from South Capitol, your walk to the Dirksen building will be under 10 minutes. Be prepared for security procedures at the entrance. To guide you to the building, ask any policeman. At the Metro stops there are excellent street maps of the Capitol Hill area.
Once at the committee room, feel comfortable seating yourself. There may be an initial waiting line and there may be police or a staffer at the door; but as a citizen you have the privilege and right to attend the hearing and you are welcome to enter the hearing room for the proceding. My advice is to arrive early; the hearing will probably run for two hours.
Call me at 703 850 8552. (Kenton Pattie)
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INSTANT TOUCH SCREEN CRITICAL INFO FOR FIRST RESPONDERS
Originally Posted: September 26, 2007 11:43 AM
Last Updated: September 26, 2007 11:47 AM
Informed(R) Digital Field Guides MDC Edition 2007(TM) bundles Informed Publishing's library of popular law enforcement, fire/rescue and emergency medical field guides into software that operates on mobile computers in
emergency response vehicles. An innovative "tap browser" provides instant touch-screen access to critical information, and user-programmable buttons customize the software to meet regional requirements.
"Today's first responders need immediate access to situation-specific information, and they need information they can trust," said Informed Publishing President Chris Barnes. "This software meets those needs, letting responders focus on the situation at hand, rather than searching through hand-written notes or trying to compile the information from a variety of different sources. It's a one-stop resource for response, no matter what kind of emergency they face."
Informed(R) Digital Field Guides MDC Edition 2007(TM) uses a new "tap browser" that lets users access information within 3 to 4 finger taps. The program's customizable interface provides user-assigned buttons for information frequently needed and large icons make it easy to use while
operating the vehicle.
Built on the .NET framework, the software operates on any Windows-based platform, including MDC systems, laptops, desktop computers and, soon, mobile phones and PDAs.
After 12 months of development and field-testing, Informed has begun the national rollout of its new software application. Among the first agencies to use it is the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, who deployed the software in over 500 vehicles.
Informed(R) Digital Field Guides MDC Edition 2007(TM) is available in the standard version for law enforcement or the ALS version for fire/rescue and healthcare. The software is available by subscription ($60/year/computer), which includes support and regular updates, ensuring
that first responders and their departments always have current information available.
Since 1986, Informed Publishing, Portland, Oregon has been the leading producer of field-reference products for fire fighters, nurses, emergency care professionals, law enforcement officials and homeland security personnel.
MORE INFO? www.informedguides.com or Elise Manley (888) 624 8014
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NATIONAL FIRE ACADEMY, EMMITSBURG, MARYLAND OFFERS TRAINING COURSES
Originally Posted: September 26, 2007 11:29 AM
Last Updated: September 26, 2007 11:33 AM
Vacancies exist in the following NFA courses at the National Emergency Training Center in Emmitsburg, Maryland. You may refer to the Internet at www.usfa.dhs.gov/nfa/ for more information, or contact the Admissions Office via email netc-admissions@dhs.gov or by phone at (301) 447-1035.
Completed applications (FEMA Form 75-5) may be faxed to (301) 447-1441.
The NFA policy of only 1 stipend-supported trip per fiscal year remains. However, a qualified individual may seek to participate without stipend assistance. Indicate with your application that you are aware of this restriction when you apply for the course.
All vacancies are filled on a first come, first served basis and
qualified by using the Student Selection Criteria listed on Web site: www.usfa.dhs.gov/nfa/
R149 EMS: Management of Community Health Risk
3/3/08-3/14/08 11 vacancies
R203 Fire Dynamics-Fire Modeling
12/10/07-12/21/07 2 vacancies
R333 Fire Service Financial Management
1/21/08-2/1/08 1 vacancies
R335 Administration of Public Assistance For Community Recovery
2/24/08-2/29/08 19 vacancies
3/16/08-3/21/08 22 vacancies
R359 Discovering the Road to High Risk Aud-1 week
3/16/08-3/21/08 8 vacancies
R491 NFIRS: Program Manager
11/25/07-11/30/07 20 vacancies
2/24/08-2/29/08 21 vacancies
R506 Executive Planning
1/7/08-1/18/08 5 vacancies
R508 Partnering for Fire Defense & Emergency Services Planning
2/3/08-2/8/08 5 vacancies
R810 VIP: Leadership & Administration
2/17/08-2/22/08 15 vacancies
R815 VIP: Challenges for Local Training Officers
2/17/08-2/22/08 11 vacancies
R822 VIP: Advanced Safety Operations & Management
2/17/08-2/22/08 13 vacancies
R826 VIP: Presenting Effective Public Education Programs
2/17/08-2/22/08 18 vacancies
The following Pilot offerings of new courses have vacancies. (Note that participation in a pilot does not count against the one stipend per year policy.)
P335 Administration of Public Assistance For Community Recovery
11/11/07-11-16/07 22 vacancies
P492 NFIRS: Stands of Cover
12/2/07-12/07/07 23 vacancies
P493 Advanced NFIRS
3/16/08-3/21/08 14 vacancies
P526 Long Term Recovery Planning
11/11/07-11/16/07 13 vacancies
2/10/08 - 2/15/08 24 vacancies
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FIRE CHIEFS AND US FIRE ADMINISTRATION ISSUE REPORT ON EFFECTS OF SLEEP DEPRIVATION ON FIRE FIGHTERS AND EMS RESPONDERS
Originally Posted: September 25, 2007 7:37 PM
Last Updated: September 25, 2007 7:39 PM
The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), Emmitsburg MD, and the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) announce the release of The Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Fire Fighters and EMS Responders.
This new report is based on a comprehensive literature review of fatigue and sleep deprivation in other industries (primarily the transportation and medical fields) and features applications to the fire and emergency services as appropriate, along with useful mitigation strategies. A resource section is included.
"We were pleased to work closely with the IAFC on this initiative," said Chief Gregory B. Cade, U.S. Fire Administrator. "We have long known the stresses that long-term operations place on all firefighters. The impact of sleep deprivation is an important issue to the health and safety of firefighters and EMS responders, and the residents they
protect."
This program is a result of a partnership between the IAFC and USFA, with assistance from the faculty of Oregon Health & Science University. In addition to the report, a self-guided, computer-based training program has been developed.
"This is an in-depth culmination of available sleep-deprivation research that, if taken seriously, should keep the fire chief awake at night," said IAFC President Chief Steven P. Westermann. "The research can apply to any busy station, volunteer or career, with any of the traditional schedules, not just the newer 48/96 schedule. The report ends by providing several recommendations, not the least of which is how to spot sleep deprivation."
MORE INFO? www.iafc.org/sleep or www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/research/safety/sleep_deprivation.shtm
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HOMELAND SECURITY AWARDS $238,000 GRANT TO US BRANCH OF INSTITUTION OF FIRE ENGINEERS FOR FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY NATIONAL STRATEGIC AGENDA
Originally Posted: September 25, 2007 3:48 PM
Last Updated: September 25, 2007 3:49 PM
The United States Branch of the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE - USA) was awarded a $238,000 grant from the Department of Homeland Security to develop and distribute a National Strategic Agenda for Fire and Life Safety that can be used by federal fire and life safety agencies and organizations. In partnership with federal and private entities, the IFE will identify and bring together organizations with commitment and expertise in fire prevention to execute a gap analysis and establish recommendations for a National Strategic Plan for Fire Prevention in the United States.
This is a unique opportunity to bring together the many fire safety organizations in this country to develop a cohesive, unified strategy to address the vital needs of fire prevention, said Jim Crawford, chairman of the initial steering committee proposing the grant application and fire marshal in Vancouver, Washington. President Truman first called for a strong focus on fire prevention at the President's Fire Prevention Conference of 1947, and this call has been repeated in the report American Burning and its subsequent updates. By bringing together the best and the brightest from throughout the United States, we will have the power to develop a strategy that will help to protect our citizens through a proven tool fire prevention.
This project comes at a time when a number of states and communities across the country are seeing a higher rate of fire deaths, which points to the importance and the need to focus on strong prevention efforts. Each year, approximately 3,500 people are killed by fires in the United States, which is one of the highest, per capita, in the industrialized world, according to the U.S. Fire Administration.
The Institution of Fire Engineers USA is an organization dedicated to promoting and encouraging the improvement of the science and practice of fire engineering, prevention and suppression. The IFE is a British based fire engineering organization with 36 branches (chapters) and 11,000 members worldwide.
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12,100 FIRES SPREAD BEYOND BOUNDARIES CAUSING 18,600 EXPOSURE FIRES IN 2004
Originally Posted: September 25, 2007 7:50 AM
Last Updated: September 25, 2007 7:59 AM
The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) has issued a
special report examining the causes and characteristics of fires that lead to exposure fires. The report, Fires and Exposures, developed by the USFA's National Fire Data Center, is part of the Topical Fire Research Series and is based on 2004 National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) data. In 2004, an estimated 12,100 fires spread beyond their boundaries and caused an estimated 18,600 additional fires referred to as exposure fires. These source fires and their subsequent exposure fires resulted in an estimated total of $803 million in direct losses, 875 injuries, and 275 fatalities.
"Preventing exposure fires involves controlling the spread of fire," explained U.S. Fire Administrator Greg Cade. "It is critical to ensure sprinklers are installed to prevent fire spread. The installation of fire sprinkler systems can save lives, prevent injuries, and greatly reduce property losses."
Forty-nine percent of all source fires, those fires leading to exposure fires, occur in structures. Additionally, twenty-eight percent of the source fires are vehicle fires, and 21 percent are outside fires. Structure source fires have over seven times the fire death rate, over five times the loss rate, and over four times the fire injury rate as the average structure fire.
MORE INFO? www.usfa.dhs.gov/downloads/pdf/tfrs/v7i2.pdf
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IRS CONCERNED THAT SOME SMALL BUSINESSES ARE INCORRECTLY CLAIMING LOSSES ON 1040
Originally Posted: September 20, 2007 4:55 PM
Last Updated: September 20, 2007 4:55 PM
The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) has issued a report presenting the results of a review to determine what actions the US Internal Revenue Service is taking to address noncompliant, high-income Small Business/Self-Employed (SB/SE) Division taxpayers who claim business losses using a U.S. Individual Income Tax Return (Form 1040) Profit or Loss From Business (Schedule C) for activities considered to be not-for-profit. This audit was part of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration's Fiscal Year 2007 audit plan.
In general, if a taxpayer has hobby income and expenses, the expense deduction should be limited to the hobby income amount. About 1.5 million taxpayers, many with significant income from other sources, filed Form 1040 Schedules C showing no profits, only losses, over consecutive tax years 2002 - 2005 (4 years); 73 percent of these taxpayers were assisted by tax practitioners. By claiming these losses to reduce their taxable incomes, about 1.2 million of the 1.5 million taxpayers potentially avoided paying $2.8 billion in taxes in tax year 2005.
TIGTA has indicated to the IRS that changes are needed to prevent taxpayers from continually deducting losses in potentially not-for-profit activities to reduce their tax liabilities.
According to IRS estimates, incorrect deductions of hobby expenses account for a portion of the overstated adjustments, deductions, exemptions, and credits that result in about $30 billion per year in unpaid taxes. The IRS faces considerable challenges in administrating the tax law for taxpayers who take Schedule C losses year after year for potentially not-for-profit activities.
Several recent efforts demonstrate these challenges. In an effort to change noncompliant taxpayer behavior, the IRS sent letters to taxpayers with potentially tax-abusive, home-based businesses as an alternate treatment to save audit resources. However, the taxpayer response rate was low, and IRS researchers concluded that the use of letters would not necessarily be productive as a tool to induce self-correction.
The IRS also conducted correspondence examinations. However, these examinations did not always deter taxpayers from continuing to claim hobby losses in succeeding tax years.
Internal Revenue Code (I.R.C.) Section 1834, Activities not engaged in for profit, also referred to as the "hobby loss" provision, and related Treasury Regulation 1.183-15 do not establish specific criteria for the IRS to use to determine whether a Schedule C loss is a legitimate business expense without conducting a full examination of an individual's books and records. The purpose of the hobby loss provision was to limit the ability of wealthy individuals with multiple sources of income to apply losses incurred in "side-line" diversions to reduce their overall tax liabilities. According to the TIGTA analysis, 332,615 high-income taxpayers received the greatest benefit by potentially avoiding approximately $1.9 billion in taxes for tax year 2005.
The I.R.C. and Treasury Regulation do not require a taxpayer to have a reasonable expectation of profit; rather, the taxpayer needs just the "objective" of making a profit. I.R.C. 183 makes it difficult for the IRS to efficiently administer tax law that ensures taxpayers are not deducting not-for-profit losses to reduce their taxes on other incomes year after year.
TIGTA proposes legislative changes to I.R.C. 183, including establishing a clearly defined standard or bright-line rule for determining whether an activity is a business or a not-for-profit activity. In addition, due to the large number of tax returns with Schedule C losses being prepared by tax practitioners, TIGTA recommends that the IRS should continue to coordinate with practitioner organizations to encourage compliance with existing provisions.
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NEEDA MEETS WITH FEDERAL ACQUISITION OFFICIALS TO DISCUSS INCREASED PARTICIPATION IN PROCUREMENT BY DEALERS
Originally Posted: September 20, 2007 4:43 PM
Last Updated: September 20, 2007 4:43 PM
FEDERAL PROCUREMENT PRACTICES TROUBLE COMPANY EXECUTIVES
By Kenton Pattie, Executive Director
National Emergency Equipment Dealers Association (NEEDA)
KentonP1@aol.com
(Based on September 20, 2007 meeting with Federal acquisition officials in Washington DC.)
Among the many problems with the Federal acquisition process: what to do when a couple of big government contracts propel a small business over the line into big businesses. In the case of some small firms, it only takes a few contracts to push them over the line.
For small companies taking part in selling to the government through prime contractors, the prime contractor gets points for use of small businesses.
But those points go down when the small company gets more business -- so the current system encourages big companies to keep looking for small firms that give the prime contractor the highest score . . . and once the score goes down as the small company becomes bigger, the prime may jettison the small company. When a small company initially becomes a big business (exceeds very old Federal business size standards) it will still be classified as small at the beginning. But eventually the small business has to recertify to continue getting Federal business.
While the Federal goal for small business participation in procurement is 23% -- and they are going to raise this number to 30% -- the smaller goal is not being met. Federal acquisition officials are concerned. The Department of Defense has an office dedicated to helping small businesses get DoD contracts. Currently the US Air Force has one of the best records, having awarded 16% of contracts to small firms.
The Federal government also has goals for more women owned small businesses and more disabled veteran owned businesses, but neither goal is being met.
Congress is expected to increase the requirement for the use of small business firms in research contracts -- currently the small business share of the Small Business Innovative Research program is 2.5%.
Many large Federal contractors do not meet their small business quotas. They are not repremanded but need only exert reasonable effort to be able to continue with the contract uninterrupted.
When classifying or scoring a small business, agencies look at the gross of the business done by the small firm rather than the net. Business owners feel that the gross income is not representative because small firms may just be a channel for funds to flow through but that the real income is a small percentage of the gross volume.
In talking to the director of the Federal Acquisition Institute -- which trains procurement officials -- I pointed out that few Federal buyers come to the trade shows that are manned by dealers and their manufacturers. Much money is spent on trade shows but for various reasons the Federal government does not send teams to learn about the fire business, apparatus and equipment.
The acquisition leaders in the Federal government are considering more dialogue with people from the private sector so they can get a better idea of what requirements are and what products will fill those requirements. In my opinion, attending trade shows and meeting with dealers who work with local fire departments would be a refreshing first step.
Currently, the Federal government is considering recruiting new acquisition employees from colleges and universities and doing more to mix government acquisition decision makers with people from the private sector.
Both the government and the small business are supposed to know and use the Federal Acquisition Regulations -- very lengthy and detailed. But few know the FARs inside and out and thus there are conflicts and mistakes.
Improvements in the FAR and FAR training could be one step the Federal acquisition workforce should consider.
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WASHINGTON DC FIRE AND EMS TO STAY UNITED
Originally Posted: September 20, 2007 4:20 PM
Last Updated: September 20, 2007 4:20 PM
Washington DC has resolved this issue: should fire department and emergency medical services be split? Solution is the keep the DC Fire and amd Emergency Medical Serivices as one unit under fire chief Dennis Rubin.
The issue has been studied by a 13 member panel throughout 2007 following the EMS response to a NY Times reporter who died due to EMS mistakes.
The future in DC holds more training for EMS responders and more financial incentives for paramedics and MES technicians.
There was keen interest among EMS technicians to split EMS off from the DC Fire Department.
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OCTOBER: FIRE PREVENTION MONTH
Originally Posted: September 19, 2007 9:22 PM
Last Updated: September 19, 2007 9:25 PM
October marks Fire Prevention month across the country. Dryer Vent Wizard, Dry Clothes, Safe Homes is joining the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), in fire prevention awareness efforts by launching "Don't Let Your Dryer Start a Fire, Keep Your Home Safe and Sound," campaign.
"We've found a huge lack of awareness among consumers who think it's normal for their dryer to take multiple cycles to dry one load of clothing and don't realize this is a dryer vent clog warning sign and fire hazard," says Greg Longe who along with partner, John Lynch franchise Dryer Vent
Wizard, a U.S. chain of dryer vent cleaning, repair, replacement and alteration specialists.
During this month, consumers will be encouraged to visit the Dryer Vent Wizard, Dry Clothes, Safe Homes, Fire Prevention website section, "Don't Let Your Dryer Start a Fire, Keep Your Home Safe and Sound," to become
informed of the dangers that lurk in the laundry room, receive a free dryer vent check kit and downloadable "Tips" brochure.
According to the U.S. Fire Administration, dryer fires account for an average of 15,000 fires with an approximate $88 Million in property damage, 15 deaths and 400 injuries annually. "Failure to clean" was citied as the leading factor contributing to clothes dryer fires in residential buildings.
While the NFPA is encouraging families to "Practice Your Escape Plan" at http://www.nfpa.org, Dryer Vent Wizard, a member of NFPA is providing the following advice to minimize the risk of dryer fires for Fire Prevention
Month.
-- Be sure that dryer vent systems are up to code with city, state and manufacturer.
-- Replace any plastic or foil vent with semi-rigid or solid metal venting.
-- Clean screen lint trays before and after drying a load.
-- Wash lint screens with soap and water every few months to remove residue left behind by fabric softeners.
-- Have dryer vents professionally cleaned and inspected annually.
-- Don't keep combustibles like chemical cleaning products or chemical laden rags near dryers.
Warning signs to look for:
-- Clothes are taking more than one cycle to dry, especially jeans and towels.
-- No lint visible on lint screen.
-- Dryer repeatedly stops during a cycle.
-- Clothes have moldy smell after dry cycle.
To receive a free dryer vent check kit, downloadable "Tips" brochure or request a DVW spokesperson to speak at community events.
Dryer Vent Wizard, Dry Clothes Safe Homes is the largest chain of dryer vent cleaning, repair, replacement and alteration specialists in the U.S. with nearly 50 franchisees in major markets in the U.S.
MORE INFO? www.dryerventwizard.com
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US SENATE AND HOUSE BILLS TO REPEAL 3% WITHHOLDING LAW; REPEAL WOULD STOP US TREASURY FROM ENFORCING LAW ON SALES BY DEALERS
Originally Posted: September 19, 2007 9:02 PM
Last Updated: September 19, 2007 9:10 PM
Here (CLICK ON TITLE TO SEE HOW TO REPEAL WITHHOLDING LAW) are the Senate and House bills which, if enacted into law, would repeal a 3% withholding on every dealer sale to a town, county, city, state or Federal customer. S. 777 and HR 1023, if enacted, would stop the US Treasury Department from enforcing the 3% withholding tax dealers would be required to pay on every sale to a government customer.
The 3% withholding provision is already a law. It was passed without any hearing, publicity, or exposure and thus few of us representing small businesses knew about it. Now we have the difficult job of repealing an existing law.
There are two bills that have been introduced, HR 1023 in the House and S. 777 in the Senate both of which would repeal the 3% withholding law. HR 1023 has 197 cosponsors and still gaining some, but main reason it does not move in the House is because you have to pay for repeal in todays Congressional pay-go environment -- because this law will raise a huge amount funds for the Federal government, to repeal it someone has to offer a way to raise an equivalent amount of funds in some other way! S. 777 was introduced by Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho) but because of what has happened with him and he is expected resign at the end of this month, this Senate bill will probably never go anywhere. Sen. Coleman may introduce a bill in the Senate in the somewhat near future to repeal the 3% withholding requirement as well.
Getting publicity for this issue has been very difficult because most small businesses don't know what is about to hit them. In 2007, I have written several articles about the new law in NEEDA Newsletter on the NEEDA website.
My most recent article on this subject was written because the US Department of Treasury has just announced its plan to implement the law: to begin the 3% withholding at some point in the near future. So the train is leaving the station to run over a lot of small and medium sized businesses. The repeal campaign needs a lot more support; more than NEEDA can generate by itself. But, if every dealer in our industry would communicate their support for repeal to their members of the US House of Representatives and the US Senate, that would be a tremendous help. Copies of any communication -- sent to Congress and received from Congress -- should be sent to NEEDA at the address below:
KENTON PATTIE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
NATIONAL EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT DEALERS ASSOCIATION
703 850 8552
PO Box 220
Annandale VA 22003
CLICK ON THE TITLE OF THIS NEEDA NEWSLETTER STORY TO SEE THE BILLS WHICH WOULD REPEAL THE WITHHOLDING LAW THAT THREATENS DEALER INCOME
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US DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY ADOPTS ELEVEN NEW NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION STANDARDS FOR EMERGENCY RESPONDERS
Originally Posted: September 19, 2007 6:08 PM
Last Updated: September 19, 2007 6:08 PM
The 11 newly adopted standards are:
* NFPA 1000, Standard for Fire Service Professional Qualifications
Accreditation and Certification Systems
* NFPA 1001, Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications
* NFPA 1002, Standard for Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator Professional
Qualifications
* NFPA 1006, Standard for Rescue Technician Professional Qualifications
* NFPA 1021, Standard for Fire Officer Professional Qualifications
* NFPA 1500, Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health
Program
* NFPA 1582, Standard on Comprehensive Occupational Medical Program for
Fire Departments
* NFPA 1901, Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus
* NFPA 1906, Standard for Wildland Fire Apparatus
* NFPA 1912, Standard for Fire Apparatus Refurbishing
* NFPA 1936, Standard on Powered Rescue Tools
Click on the Headline above to see the entire NEEDA Newsletter article.
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SPARTAN OPENS $8 MILLION WORTH OF MANUFACTURING FACILITIES TO BUILD MILITARY MRAP CHASSIS: ALLOWS FOR GROWTH OF FIRE TRUCK PRODUCTION
Originally Posted: September 7, 2007 4:56 PM
Last Updated: September 7, 2007 5:00 PM
Spartan Chassis, Inc., a subsidiary of Spartan Motors, Inc. opened two new manufacturing facilities near its headquarters in Charlotte, Mich., to meet increased demand from its military OEM customers.
Spartan spent $8 million earlier this year to purchase and renovate the buildings, which will be used to supply and integrate chassis components for Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles.
According to company estimates the increased demand and purchase of the new facilities, which total 80,000 square-feet, have resulted in approximately 100 new jobs at the company. Moving this work to the new facilities will create additional capacity at Spartan's other facilities to allow for continued growth in its fire truck and motorhome chassis production lines.
Richard Schalter, president of Spartan Chassis: "These new facilities will help provide us the additional capacity we need to meet the sustained demand we are seeing for our specialty chassis products, which includes more than $100 million worth of new contracts for MRAP vehicles in the past two months."
Over the past two months, Spartan Chassis has announced that it has secured military contracts from three major defense contractors including:
-- $30 million subcontract order from Force Protection, Inc.
-- $28 million subcontract order from General Dynamics Land Systems
-- $53 million subcontract order from BAE Systems
The MRAP vehicles are designed to protect their occupants from a combination of mines, rocket-propelled grenades, or RPGs, and improvised
explosive devices, or IEDs, through their V-shaped hull, raised chassis and improved armor. According to U.S. government reports, roadside bombs and IEDs account for 70 percent of U.S. deaths and injuries in Iraq.
John Sztykiel, president and CEO of Spartan Motors: "These facility additions will allow Spartan Chassis to operate more efficiently, with specialized production and focus at each facility."
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Sztykiel "The opening of this new capacity allows us to continue our growth in all areas of production and gives us the room we need to continue to work towards our goal of becoming the premier manufacturer of specialty vehicles and chassis in North America."
Spartan Chassis, Inc., a subsidiary of Spartan Motors, Inc. , is a developer and manufacturer of custom chassis for recreational vehicles, fire trucks and specialty vehicles. Spartan Motors, which also manufactures emergency rescue vehicles under the brand names of Crimson Fire, Crimson Fire Aerials and Road Rescue, reported sales of $445 million in 2006 and is focused on becoming the premier manufacturer of specialty vehicles and chassis in North America.
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NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION SEEKS PRESENTERS FOR 08 WORLD SAFETY CONFERENCE AND EXPO
Originally Posted: September 4, 2007 5:14 PM
Last Updated: September 4, 2007 5:14 PM
Do you have a story, case study, or best practice you use that relates to fire, security, electrical, or building and life safety? Share your expertise at the 2008 World Safety Conference & Exposition® and gain recognition as a thought leader in your field. You'll have the opportunity to network with more than 4,000 of your peers and be a part of the most well known conference in the industry!
Education tracks include:
Building & Life Safety
Codes & Standards
Detection & Suppression
Disaster Preparedness / Business Continuity
Fire & Emergency Response
Industrial Fire Safety and Security
necforum"
Premises Security
Public Education
Research
Submit your presentation proposal by September 14, 2007 to be considered for this important industry event! You may submit your proposal online or download a PDF (1 MB) of the submission form from the WSC&E website.
P.S.
All speakers will receive complimentary registration to the conference
MORE INFO? NFPA, One Batterymarch Park, Quincy. Massachusetts.
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