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Newletters From January, 2009
ADOBE OFFERS FOR FIRST RESPONDERS: IMPROVING COLLABORATION IN THE TIME OF EMERGENCY
Originally Posted: January 30, 2009 5:33 PM
Last Updated: January 30, 2009 5:33 PM
Responders from multiple jurisdictions need a way to rapidly, easily and securely share a wide range of information to make the right decisions in an emergency.
Individuals, whether from the federal, state or local levels, form a team that must be able to share information, communicate concerns, develop ides, and ultimately agree on a unified course of action. When that team is distributed, it’s often harder to make those decisions when it matters the most. Collaboration is essential and is easier when the whole team is assembled in one place.
Join Homeland Defense Journal and Adobe on Wednesday, February 11, 2009, for an informative Online Seminar on how your agency can improve collaboration during emergencies, helping to you to make quick and informed decisions so that you can take action. We’ll explore ways to improve collaboration between responders in the field and in the office, and talk about how sharing video, documents and talking in real time all help to improve response time. You’ll also hear from agencies who are already implementing these solutions to help improve their collaboration efforts.
During this session you will learn strategies for:
• Strengthening coordination in your response communities
• Sharing content—voice, video, documents, and screen images—even in the most remote environments to help increase response time in emergencies.
• Collaborating in any environment, including those with limited bandwidth
• Certifying and protecting classified documents being shared in the field
MORE INFO? Homeland Defense Journal & Adobe on Wed, Feb 11, 2009
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FIRE GRANT APPLICATION PERIOD OPENS FEB 2 09; CLOSES MARCH 6, 2009
Originally Posted: January 29, 2009 5:11 PM
Last Updated: January 29, 2009 5:11 PM
The Department of Homeland Security has posted the FY2008 Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) Grants Program Guidance on the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) Program Website. The application period is scheduled to begin on February 2, 2009 at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST). Applications for these grants must be received by March 6, 2009, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST).
FP&S grants support projects that enhance the safety of the public and firefighters from fire and related hazards. The grants are competitive, and their primary goal is to target high-risk populations. Grant awards are made in order to mitigate high incidences of death and injury and to carry out research for improving firefighter safety. Examples of the types of fire prevention projects that are supported by FP&S include smoke alarm installation, fire prevention and public safety education campaigns, juvenile fire setter interventions, media campaigns, and arson prevention and awareness programs. Organizations that are eligible to apply under the research activity should consult the Program Guidance for detailed information on priorities and areas of emphasis.
An applicant tutorial for the fire prevention activity will be available through the www.firegrantsupport.com Website. The tutorial will provide you with valuable grant information and will walk you through the preparation and submittal of competitive applications. In addition, the applicant tutorial will provide an overview of the fire prevention funding priorities and evaluation criteria. Applicants who have questions regarding the Fire Prevention and Safety Grants opportunity should contact the help desk as soon as possible at 1-866-274-0960 or at firegrants@dhs.gov. During the application period, the help desk will operate Monday to Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (EST), but is prepared to revise hours of operation based on volume, demand, holidays and urgency to complete the FP&S Grants application period and processing for FY08.
The AFG Program is administered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Grant Programs Directorate in coordination with the U.S. Fire Administration.
FY08 Fire Prevention and Safety Grants Program Guidance - visit www.firegrantsupport.com/fps/guidance/.
FY08 Fire Prevention and Safety Grants FAQs - visit www.firegrantsupport.com/fps/faq/08/.
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OBAMA ADMINISTRATION AGREES TO SUSPEND BUSH PROCUREMENT RULES THAT US CHAMBER OPPOSES
Originally Posted: January 27, 2009 6:24 PM
Last Updated: January 27, 2009 6:24 PM
On January 20, 2009, Rahm Emanuel, President Barack Obama’s Chief of Staff, issued a memorandum to the heads of all executive departments and agencies governing issuance and possible suspension of Federal regulations. The memorandum stated that agencies should “[c]onsider extending for 60 days the effective date of regulations that have been published in the Federal Register but not yet taken effect.”
Under the new applicability date, which is expected to appear in the Federal Register, any solicitations that occur prior to May 21, 2009, would not contain the contract clauses that the rule would impose.
The new E-Verify requirement was scheduled to become effective on January 15, 2009. The US Chamber, to which NEEDA belongs, spearheaded a legal challenge to this badly thought-out rule and requested from the government an agreement to suspend application of the rule until we obtain a final decision from the U.S. District Court.
Our leading legal argument is that the Bush Administration exceeded its authority by attempting to use the procurement process to mandate a program that Congress explicitly made voluntary. (See Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America, et al. v. Michael Chertoff, et al., Civil Action No. AW-08-3444 (D. Md.).) Allowing the use of the procurement process in this manner would set a hazardous precedent expanding way beyond the immigration law arena.
This week the Obama Administration and the US Chamber reached an accord where the government agreed to suspend applicability of the rule until February 20, 2009. Thus, solicitations seeking vendors that occur prior to February 20, 2009, would not contain the contract clauses that the rule would impose. An announcement of the suspension should appear in the Federal Register early next week. In the meantime, the Chamber will soon be filing a Motion for Summary Judgment.
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SENATE SAYS DELAY BUT DON'T REPEAL 3% WITHHOLDING OF ALL DEALER SALES INCOME: NEEDA SAYS REPEAL THE 3% LAW AND LET THE DEALER KEEP THE 3%, ONLY PAYING TAXES ON WHAT IS OWED RATHER THAN GROSS SALES REVENUES
Originally Posted: January 25, 2009 7:47 PM
Last Updated: January 25, 2009 8:12 PM
The US Senate is considering delay of the 3% withholding law, but NEEDA recommends the complete repeal of the law. The law will take 3% of every payment owed to you by a local, state or Federal government buyer. By confiscating the 3% of all your sales, your customer will transfer the money directly to the US Treasury where you will have to go one year later asking that the money be returned to you. Treasury will insist that before you can get your money back you will have to ensure that all your tax issues have been resolved.
NEEDA is opposed to taking 3% from every emergency equipment dealer's income.
While a few companies may have tax issues at the end of the tax year, the 3% withholding scheme assumes most dealers have issues and thus the Federal government has the right to take away your money until you resolve your issues. What if your issues involve the Federal government owing you money?
Yes, even if the IRS owes you money they will still take away your 3% of all sales because of this new law.
The Senate is considering delaying implementation of the 3% withholding law.
As a dealer, you want complete repeal of the law.
But, you won't get complete repeal if you don't write your US Senator today.
For a complete copy of the entire Senate announcement, click on the headline of this NEEDA Newsletter story.
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SENATOR SPECTER INTRODUCES BILL TO STOP FEDS FROM TAKING 3% OF EVERY EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT SALE
Originally Posted: January 22, 2009 5:15 PM
Last Updated: January 22, 2009 5:15 PM
Legislation supported by NEEDA has been introduced by Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania: S.292 to repeal the 3% tax withholding requirement that would take 3% of every sale made by an emergency equipment dealer to a local, state or Federal buyer. Senators Chambliss, Roberts, Inhofe, Vitter, Voinovich, and Isakson are cosponsors. It is the companion bill to HR 275 , also supported by NEEDA, introduced in the US House by Reps. Meek and Herger.
As NEEDA Newsletter reported repeal of the 3% withholding scheme was included in the House’s stimulus proposal. This would need to be adopted by the entire Congress to become effective. There are also proposal in Congress to delay implementation of the 3% withholding idea.
David Goode from Raytheon estimated that the cost to implement across all governments (local, state and Federal) would exceed $75 billion (money that would be confiscated from dealers and manufacturers selling to local, state and Federal government buyers).
If you have a viewpoint on the 3% withholding scheme or you can calculate what loss of 3% of your sales would mean to your company, you should share your views and your information with your US Senator and US Representative in Washington, DC. Furthermore, your local and state governments won't like this 3% scheme either as it causes them to do the paperwork needed to transfer your hard earned 3% over to the US Treasury. The scheme will actually cost state and local governments millions of dollars -- money they don't have these days -- to administer this program for the US Treasury.
And it is clear that taking 3% from dealers, as the Bush Administration proposed, will hurt all emergency equipment dealers -- some will not be able to survive.
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HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE SUPPORTS NEEDA POSITION; REPEAL THE 3% WITHHOLDING LAW THAT TAKES MONEY FROM DEALERS WHO SELL EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT TO LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL BUYERS
Originally Posted: January 17, 2009 9:04 PM
Last Updated: January 17, 2009 9:05 PM
by Kenton Pattie
Executive Director
National Emergency Equipment Dealers Association
I am pleased to report that since my last NEEDA Newsletter story, the House Ways and Means Committee is recommending the repeal of the 3% withholding law, as you can see from below.
Just the fact that the Ways and Means Committee is recommending it doesn't make it law or a definite change, only that we have won part of the battle: Members of Congress are taking seriously our proposal that the 3% law be repealed.
If you want the whole Congress to repeal it, you need to write your US Member of the House of Representatives and your US Senator. Send a copy to NEEDA.
PART 5—REPEAL OF WITHHOLDING TAX ON GOVERNMENT CONTRACTORS
SEC. 1541. REPEAL OF WITHHOLDING TAX ON GOVERNMENT CONTRACTORS.
Section 3402 is amended by striking subsection (t)--US House Ways and Means Committee
MORE INFO? Use the search application in the upper right of your NEEDA Newsletter screen to read the previous NEEDA articles about the 3% withholding scheme which NEEDA opposes.
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DEALER EMPLOYEES MAY BE WORKING HARDER DURING ECONOMIC DOWNTURN AND COMPLETING TASKS IN LESS TIME: US WORKER PRODUCTIVITY HEADS UP
Originally Posted: January 15, 2009 12:56 PM
Last Updated: January 15, 2009 12:57 PM
In the final three months of 2008, employers reduced the number of hours that workers logged at a 7.7% annual rate, through a combination of layoffs and cutbacks in things like overtime and manufacturing production shifts. It was the largest quarterly contraction in hours worked since 1975, according to Macroeconomic Advisers LLC.
The hours worked contraction might have been greater than the contraction in overall economic output for the quarter, which will be reported later this month. In other words, businesses might have been able to squeeze more out of the workers they kept on staff, increasing business productivity, even though the economy was going through its most severe contraction in decades.
The government’s estimate of productivity growth — a measure of the nation’s output per hour worked by the work force — comes out in early February, 2009, the Wall Street Journal stated.
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CONGRESSIONAL FIRE SERVICES INSTITUTE ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS FOR NATIONAL FIRE SERVICE LEADERSHIP AWARDS
Originally Posted: January 15, 2009 12:47 PM
Last Updated: January 15, 2009 12:47 PM
The Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI) is accepting nominations for the CFSI/Motorola Mason Lankford Fire Service Leadership Award and the Senator Paul S. Sarbanes Fire Safety Organization of the Year Award.
The presentations of these two distinguished awards will take place at the 21st Annual CFSI National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner on April 2, 2009 in Washington, DC.
NEEDA is represented on the CFSI National Advisory Committee by Executive Director Kenton Pattie who is Membership Chair.
Jointly sponsored by CFSI and Motorola, the Mason Lankford Fire Service Leadership Award was established in 1998 to recognize fire service leaders for their advocacy of fire/emergency services and life safety issues at the local, state and federal levels of government. The award is named after the late-J. Mason Lankford, Jr., who was instrumental in helping former Congressman Curt Weldon establish the Congressional Fire Services Caucus in 1987 and CFSI in 1989. Lankford's message always addressed the needs of all first responders and his dedication to the fire service continues to guide the mission of the CFSI.
The Senator Paul S. Sarbanes Fire Safety Organization of the Year Award was established in 2007. Named in honor of former Senator Paul Sarbanes of Maryland, the award is co-sponsored by the Congressional Fire Services Institute and National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. The award recognizes organizations for their outstanding contributions to firefighter health and safety. During an illustrious 36-year career in Congress, Senator Sarbanes was a strong advocate for the nation's fire service, having served as Chairman of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus and introducing legislation that created the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.
With corporate support from VFIS and State Farm, CFSI and NFFF are able to raise greater awareness for firefighter health and safety through their sponsorship of the Sarbanes award.
For additional information or nomination applications, please visit the CFSI website at www.cfsi.org. The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation also contains applications for the Sarbanes award on its website (www.firehero.org). The deadline for submitting applications is February 13, 2009.
MORE INFO? www.cfsi.org
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TRANSIT RAIL FIRE AT O'HARE AIRPORT GETS RAPID REPAIR BY ANSALDO
Originally Posted: January 15, 2009 12:24 PM
Last Updated: January 15, 2009 12:24 PM
Ansaldo (Pittsburgh, PA) assisted the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) in restoring underground transit lines after severe flooding poured about 8 inches of rain into the baggage area of Terminal 2 at O'Hare International Airport on September 13, 2008. A fire began when the flood short circuited the line.
The terminal was quickly evacuated, after which the water flooded into the tunnel, where it hit the third rail -- the rail that carries the electricity for the trains -- and short circuited the line, causing a small fire.
CTA authorities called ASTS USA, the main supplier to CTA for their switch and signaling systems, and within 3 hours after the fire was extinguished ASTS USA engineers were on site to assess the damage. The CTA signed a $2 million contract with ASTS USA as the Prime Contractor.
As a workaround to get the lines back up and running, ASTS USA personnel replaced the motors in the switch machines and train stops, and replaced all of the fire-damaged wiring cables and power supplies. This effort returned the lines' functionality in less than 6 weeks, 2 weeks ahead of schedule.
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HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE PROPOSES A ONE YEAR DELAY IN TAKING 3% OF ALL LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL SALES FROM EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT DEALERS
Originally Posted: January 15, 2009 11:58 AM
Last Updated: January 15, 2009 11:58 AM
BY Kenton Pattie
Executive Director
National Emergency Equipment Dealers Association
PO Box 220
Annandale VA 22003
703 850-8552
The US House Ways and Means Committee has just announced that as part of their stimulus bill they recommend that Congress delay by one year the implementation of the 3% withholding law. The law requires that all payments owed to emergency equipment dealers have 3% withheld by the buyer. The 3% would be transferred to the US Treasury. In the next tax year, the emergency equipment dealer could ask for the 3% back but only if the IRS has cleared the dealership for all tax issues. The Ways and Means recommendation is being added to their portion of the stimulus bill. The Stimulus Bill still have a long way to go to complete its journey through the US Congress.
While NEEDA welcomes the one year delay being considered by the US House,
we only support the total and permanent repeal of the 3% withholding scheme. Taking 3% of every local, state and Federal purchase from a dealer is a truly dumb idea as it hurts small businesses at a time when the country needs to enourage emergency equipment dealers in our service to the national fire and emergency response departments.
Meanwhile, the US Treasury is completing all the regulations needed to impose this 3% burden on emergency equipment dealers. Unless Congress repeals the law, the 3% withholding scheme will go into effect in a year.
If you have a view on the 3% idea, you should write your US Representatives and US Senators, Washington, DC.
http://waysandmeans.house.gov/News.asp?FormMode=release&ID=846
It includes a “One year deferral of withholding tax on government contractors.” This is what we had heard the House was moving toward, instead of full repeal, primarily because of the “cost” to repeal the 3%withholding law passed last year.
We still need and continue to work for full repeal on this 3% witholding law as well as subsequent bills that impose or expand the idea of taking sales income away from emergency equipment dealers.
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REPORT CRITICIZES HOMELAND SECURITY FOR NOT MEETING PERFORMANCE TARGETS
Originally Posted: January 15, 2009 11:18 AM
Last Updated: January 15, 2009 11:18 AM
The Department of Homeland Security Annual Performance Report for Fiscal Years 2008 - 2010 says DHS hired only 116 "full-time equivalent" employees and spent less than $244 million trying to beef up the nation's cyber security, but met its own performance targets in that area less than 50 percent of the time.
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SMALL BUSINESS ADIMINSTRATION WARNS THAT 3% WITHHOLDING LAW WILL HURT SMALL BUSINESSES
Originally Posted: January 13, 2009 12:45 PM
Last Updated: January 13, 2009 12:45 PM
By Kenton Pattie
The US Small Business Administration has warned that the 3% witholding law imposed on all emergency equipment dealers will hurt small businesses "adversely".
NEEDA has been opposed to the new law which will confiscate from you, as an emegency equipment dealer, three percent of every bill you are owed by a local, state or Federal agency. The three percent is not a share of your profit but a share of your gross income. So, if you are owed $3,000 by a county for some emergency equipment, 3% of that amount would be kept by the US Treasury. A year later you would need to apply for the money to be returned to you and as long as you had no tax issues of any kind with the IRS, Treasury would be obliged to give it back to you. Taking money from you in this way is an effort to make sure every company pays its taxes. But, the concept is flawed in many ways as I have written previously on NEEDA Newsletter. It makes no sense to for the Federal government to take money from you before you file your tax returns. The Defense Department has already estimated that the cost of this 3% witholding will be far more than the expected income. In fact, only a small percentage of companies underpay their taxes; yet the 3% witholding scheme will punish every small company in the country that sells to local, state or federal customers.
If you don't like the 3% scheme, you should write to your US Senator or US Representative. As an important small business that they represent, they should know your views. NEEDA has recommended that the 3% law be repealed (taken out of the US law books) as a bad idea that will only hurt small companies. Congress will be very interested in your views because you are a victim of this law.
Kenton Pattie
Executive Director
National Emergency Equipment Dealers Association
PO Box 220
Annandale VA 22003
703 850 8552
KentonP1@aol.com
MORE INFORMATION? Click on the headline for this NEEDA Newsletter item and you will see NEEDA has reprinted the entire Small Business Administration position for your use.
SBA, Office of Advocacy: "The three percent withholding requirement will adversely impact all small businesses that provide services to Government entities. Most small businesses that provide services to Government entities will have to increase their debt level in order to ensure sufficient cash flows and will be forced to pass these additional expenses on to their Government customers. The three percent withholding requirement will force many other small firms that are unable to secure additional debt out of the Federal contracting business."
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NEW LEADERSHIP AT US DEPARTMENT OF H0MELAND SECURITY
Originally Posted: January 8, 2009 12:09 PM
Last Updated: January 8, 2009 12:14 PM
The new Secretary of Homeland Security will inherit securing the nation's borders against illegal immigration, the federal response to natural disasters, bombs, and wildfires.
She will have $40 billion to spend, 200,000 workers drawn together from a huge government merger with 80 oversight committees and subcommittees in Congress looking over the shoulders. Numerous reorganizations of the new DHS workforce have not helped.
"Not since the Eisenhower Administration took over the Department of Defense or the Reagan Administration assumed leadership of the Department of Energy have the stewards of our nation's security . . . been wholly or mostly replaced for the first time." September, 2008 "Homeland Security 3.0.”
David Heyman and James Jay Carafano: "The first priority of the next Congress and administration should be to end such unwarranted tinkering," for the Center for Strategic and International Studies and the Heritage Foundation.
President-elect Barack Obama made few commitments during the election months.
Janet Napolitano, Secretary of DHS Nominee brings immigration, border security experience.
The DHS is sixteen different agencies including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and directorates and offices dedicated to science and technology; budgets and appropriations; health affairs; immigration and other areas such as the U.S. Secret Service.
60,000 Transportation Security Administration screeners at airports, as part of DHS, want to form a union, which President Bush resisted in 2002 and 2007. This poses a problem for Napolitano, Obama and Congress.
Nominee Napolitano began her professional career as a lawyer in private practice. She entered public service following her appointment by President Clinton as United States Attorney (USA) for Arizona. In 1998, she was elected to the position of Arizona Attorney General. In 2002 and again in 2006, she was elected Arizona governor. She serves on a variety of associations and boards. She endorsed Obama in 2006 and is a member of his transition team.
Napolitano has demonstrated her views on a number of homeland security related issues as the governor of Arizona. She has initiated a number of steps designed to limit illegal immigration, such as penalizing employers who knowingly hire illegal migrants, but she has also sought to create routes toward citizenship.
Napolitano developed the first "state homeland security strategy that highlighted the role of state and local law enforcement, information sharing and law enforcement-led intelligence 'fusion centers' for preventing terrorism." Washington Post)
She has also been supportive of new technologies , including the use of radio frequency identification (RFID) chips on drivers licenses and facial recognition software at state borders.
Napolitano's support for controversial technologies are opposed by civil liberties groups. The January 2009 announcement by outgoing DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff that all non Americans (even permanent residents) will be tracked biometrically on every visit in and out of the country, is a controversial issue Napolitano will have to deal with.
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FIREFIGHTER HEART ATTACKS AND STROKES DECLINE IN 2008
Originally Posted: January 8, 2009 11:20 AM
Last Updated: January 8, 2009 11:20 AM
Heart attacks and strokes were responsible for the deaths of 50 firefighters (43.8%) in 2008 -- a decrease from 54 of the 118 (45.7%) firefighters in 2007.
For 2008, 64.9% of all firefighter fatalities occurred while performing emergency duties. Twenty six firefighters died fighting wildland fires.
Twenty-nine firefighters died in 2008 as the result of vehicle crashes.
The United States Fire Administration (Emmitsburg, MD) says there were 114 on-duty firefighter fatalities in the United States as a result of incidents in 2008. There were firefighters lost from 34 states and one from the Virgin Islands. North Carolina experienced the highest number of fatalities (11), while Oregon (9), Pennsylvania (9), California ( 8), New York (7), Illinois (6), Missouri (6), and Ohio (6) each suffered more than 5 on-duty losses.
"The tragic losses of on-duty firefighters in 2008 are a reminder of the necessary commitment and efforts by firefighters in all fire departments across the United States to focus on and improve our operational safety," United States Fire Administrator Greg Cade said. "We understand all too well that many of these losses are preventable. The USFA remains dedicated to continuing our efforts to ensure 2009 is a year where we reduce these losses so that firefighters can return home safely to their families and continue serving their communities."
As the USFA continues to collect and evaluate information regarding the 2008 on-duty firefighter deaths, here are some of the early known facts:
* In 2008, 26 on-duty firefighters died in association with wildland fires.
* This loss is more than double the 11 wildland firefighter fatalities in 2007.
* The 2008 toll is also above the annual average of 21 wildland fire-associated fatalities over the past 10 years, 1999-2008.
* Fourteen of these deaths involved aircraft crashes.
* Fifteen firefighters died in motor vehicle crashes.
* Six firefighters were killed in crashes involving their personal vehicles and three died in water tender (tanker) crashes. These two vehicle types have historically been most often involved in crashes that take the lives of firefighters.
* Speed and a lack of seat belt use historically contribute to these incidents.
These fatality statistics for 2008 are subject to change as the USFA contacts State Fire Marshals to verify the names of firefighters reported to have died on-duty during 2008. The final number of firefighter fatalities will be reported in USFA's annual firefighter fatality report and is expected to be available by early July, 2009.
For additional information on firefighter fatalities, including the annual fatality reports from 1986 through 2007 and the Firefighter Fatality Retrospective Study 1990-2000? www.usfa.fema.gov
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FEMA: WHEN DOES AN OFF DUTY FIRST RESPONDER HAVE A DUTY TO ACT?
Originally Posted: January 7, 2009 4:51 PM
Last Updated: January 7, 2009 4:51 PM
Fire departments should have their own legally reviewed written policy and protocols regarding “a duty to act” to protect themselves, their members, and their members’ families.
When does an off duty firefighter have a duty to act? Does an off duty firefighter even have a duty to act? What if things go from bad to worse and the firefighter is injured or killed? These are important questions for each individual firefighter to answer and answer from the basis of their own local and state legal authorities.
Just as Good Samaritan laws vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, when it comes to a firefighter’s duty to act in the United States, there is no one single “U.S. Fire Service” guideline so firefighters need to be aware of their own fire department’s written operating guidelines and policies that are based upon local and state law.
Outside of one’s own controlling jurisdiction, or when acting in one’s jurisdiction in an extralegal manner, firefighters who do choose to render aid in an emergency are in effect Good Samaritans, who also happen to be firefighters.
There are many important considerations when it comes to one’s duty to act, or not — fire department insurance policies; local and state worker’s compensation programs; state and national benefit programs like PSOB; and negotiated organized labor contracts as they relate to a firefighter’s duty to act and compensation for death or injury while performing legally authorized actions.
It is important for each and every firefighter in the USA to be aware of the legal framework for where they live, work, travel, and play. While it is certainly a commendable notion for some firefighters to believe that they are on duty twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year, no matter where they are at … the fact of the matter is they are not.
Fire departments should have their own legally reviewed written policy and protocols regarding “a duty to act” to protect themselves, their members, and their members’ families. Circumstances addressed should include emergency incidents that occur on an everyday basis and in times of disaster.
This blog is not meant to be the first nor the final word on the matter, and certainly there are as many opinions on the subject as there are written words on this page or fire departments in the USA. Opinions, however, do not have the force of law. Cover your bases. Never self-dispatch yourself to an incident scene. In any case, be safe. To the extent practicable, call 911 or the local public safety dispatch number to get help responding before you intervene. Have appropriate retro-reflective gear in your personal vehicle. Carry emergency flares and a quality flashlight with charged batteries. If you provide emergency medical care, use appropriate gloves and other body substance isolation infection control. Know your limits, act safely, and never make a bad situation worse.
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FIRE PRODUCTS COMPANY TYCO INTERNATIONAL REVEALS FIRST QUARTER RESULTS ON FEB 3 2009
Originally Posted: January 7, 2009 4:47 PM
Last Updated: January 7, 2009 4:47 PM
Tyco International Ltd. (Pembroke, Bermuda) will report its results for the first quarter of fiscal 2009 before trading begins on Tuesday, February 3, 2009 followed by a conference call fat 8:30 a.m. EST.
Tyco International provides vital products and services to customers in more than 60 countries. Tyco is a leading provider of security products and services, fire protection and detection products and services, valves and controls, and other industrial products. Tyco had 2008 revenue of more than $20 billion and has more than 110,000 employees worldwide.
The Feb. 3 call can be accessed at Tyco's website: http://investors.tyco.com.
For both "listen-only" participants and those participants who wish to take part in the question-and-answer portion of the call, the telephone dial-in number in the United States is (888) 455-5685.
An audio replay of the conference call will be available beginning at 11:00 a.m. on Feb. 3, 2009 and ending on February 10, 2009. The dial-in number for participants in the United States is (866) 503-3216.
MORE INFO? www.tyco.com
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FIRE ASSOCIATIONS RECOMMEND LEAVING FEMA IN THE US DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (DHS)
Originally Posted: January 7, 2009 4:40 PM
Last Updated: January 7, 2009 4:40 PM
Three fire and emergency service organizations are urging President-Elect Barack Obama to leave the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) in the Department of Homeland Security, DHS. To move FEMA out of DHS could endanger America's emergency response capabilities, said the leaders of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) and the Congressional Fire Service Institute (CFSI) in a letter December 22 to President-Elect Obama.
Over the past month, press reports have cited opinions that FEMA should be removed from DHS, an idea that alarmed these fire service leaders. IAFC President Larry J. Grorud, IAFF General President Harold A. Schaitberger and CFSI President Dr. William Jenaway: "America's fire service believes that emergency preparedness and response to all hazards is integral to our nation's homeland security, and we urge you to keep FEMA in its current role as an autonomous component within DHS."
They explained why moving FEMA out of DHS could endanger America's emergency response capabilities. "By separating FEMA from DHS, the new Administration would create a bureaucratic barrier between FEMA and the other DHS preparedness and response components, such as the Office of Intelligence and Analysis, the Office of Health Affairs, the Office of Infrastructure Protection, and the U.S. Coast Guard. In addition, if FEMA were removed from DHS, it would separate the agency's work with local first responders from the department's communications interoperability programs at the Offices of Emergency Communications and Interoperability and Compatibility. We also are concerned that the months of Congressional deliberation required to enact this change would create bureaucratic instability within DHS and FEMA, which would prevent FEMA's ability to perform its core preparedness and response mission," the three leaders stated.
They cited the improvements in FEMA since Hurricane Katrina. The national fire and emergency service organizations worked with Congress to restructure and strengthen FEMA and improve its emergency response capabilities. The result was the Post-Katrina Emergency Reform Act (P.L. 109-295).
In addition to new requirements for FEMA, "this law protected FEMA's budget from arbitrary reprogramming and the agency from arbitrary reorganization by DHS. To strengthen FEMA, the law rolled most of DHS' preparedness activities into FEMA, including management of all of the major grant programs. ...Both these legislative changes and the experienced leadership of Chief R. David Paulison and his staff have created a strong, autonomous FEMA within DHS," said the leaders of IAFC, IAFF and CFSI.
They also noted the assessment of FEMA's response to the Midwest floods by Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS), chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee. "FEMA's success demonstrated a continuing integration within DHS to implement the mandates of the Post-Katrina Emergency Reform Act (P.L. 109-295)," he said. "Simply put, this FEMA is better prepared, as a critical component of the Department of Homeland Security, to prepare for and respond to acts of terror, natural disasters, and other man-made emergencies."
The IAFC, IAFF and CFSI leaders' letter concluded: "The federal response to Hurricane Katrina demonstrated the problems that can occur when a federal agency is trapped in a period of continued transition. In 2006, Congress wisely acted to strengthen FEMA's autonomy; adequately fund its programs; and ensure experienced leadership for the agency. As a result of this legislation and Congressional appropriations, the new FEMA is better managed, staffed, and prepared to respond proactively to all hazards. Considering FEMA's recent accomplishments, we urge you to keep the agency within DHS, and make whatever managerial decisions are necessary to ensure that FEMA is adequately staffed and funded to meet its statutory preparedness and response mission. If FEMA were removed from DHS, we have serious concerns that the agency's core missions would be critically compromised, which would have a deleterious effect on the safety of the American public."
About the IAFC: The International Association of Fire Chiefs (www.iafc.org) is the voice of fire and emergency service leaders around the world. Established in 1873, the IAFC is a powerful network of more than 12,000 chief fire and emergency service officers who are the world's leading experts in firefighting, emergency medical services, terrorism response, hazardous materials, natural disasters, search and rescue, and fire prevention and education.
About the IAFF: The International Association of Fire Fighters (www.iaff.org) is the nation's largest fire service organization, representing more than 292,000 full-time professional fire fighters and paramedics who protect 85 percent of the nation's population.
About the CFSI: Established in 1989, the Congressional Fire Services Institute (www.cfsi.org) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan policy institute designed to educate Congress about the needs and challenges facing the entire fire and emergency services. The strength of CFSI is its National Advisory Committee comprised of 42 national fire and emergency services organizations (including the IAFC and IAFF) which provides direction and guidance in forming positions on federal legislative and policy initiatives the Institute shares with Congress and the Administration.
MORE INFO? www.cfsi.org and www.iafc.org
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REPEAL LAW THAT TAKES 3% OF ALL SALES FROM EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT DEALERS
Originally Posted: January 7, 2009 1:33 PM
Last Updated: January 7, 2009 1:42 PM
by Kenton Pattie
Executive Director
National Emergency Equipment Dealers Association
PO Box 220
Annandale VA 22003
NEEDA is advocating the repeal of a law which directs all state and local governments to withhold three percent from every payment they owe to emergency equipment dealers.
In other words the law, if not repealed, will reduce your net income by 3% and force you to wait a year before you can appeal for the 3% to be returned to you.
Where will your money be? In the US Treasury. How long can they keep it from you? Indefinitely or until all your tax issues are settled.
Since the passage of this new law, the economy had taken a dive and every three percent owed to a dealer is vital to the survival of the company. Taking away from you three percent of all your sales is a hostile act which will harm your business and all small businesses who serve state and local governments.
NEEDA recommends you write your US Senator and US Representative recommending the repeal of this law. NEEDA and other associations have already succeded in delaying the implemention date of this law; but the truth is the law is dumb as it cripples small businesses and hurts our local and state customers. It should be repealed.
So you can write your Federal legislators, here are some things you should consider saying to them: Ask them to repeal the 3% withholding law:
Repealing 3% Tax Withholding Will Help The Economy by Keeping Money
in the Hands of the Businesses That Earned It Rather Than in the Hands of the US Treasury
• While this requirement is not set to go into effect until January 1, 2011, companies, as well as federal, state, and local governments are spending funds trying to prepare for implementation now.
• These are needless preparation expenses, particularly during rough economic times, for a requirement that most believe should never have been enacted and should be repealed.
• Federal, interagency working groups have been formed and money and time has been utilized to prepare for this upcoming effective date. Repeal needs to happen as soon as possible in order to limit these needless expenses so government employees can focus on more important tasks.
• The US Department of Defense estimated that the costs to comply with the 3% withholding requirement will be in excess of $17 billion over the first five years, which is far more than any estimated revenue gains. While $17 billion is substantial, it is only a portion of the additional costs with which governments and the private sector would be burdened.
• This is an additional expense for state and local governments at exactly the wrong time. State and local governments do not have enough money for their vital public services.
• It is a wasteful expense for companies, especially at this time. Companies should not be spending money on preparing to comply when they should be using money to ameliorate some of the liquidity challenges currently faced by companies, i.e., companies could use money to meet pension funding requirements, retain employees and create jobs, purchase capital assets, and ease crunch in commercial paper markets.
Please send a copy of the letter you write and the reply you receive to:
NEEDA, PO B0X 220, Annandale VA 22003
MORE INFO? I have written several NEEDA Newsletter articles about this very bad law so use the "Search" application in the upper right of your NEEDA Newsletter screen.
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