NEEDA - National Emergency Equipment Dealers Association

The US Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has issued a special report examining the causes and characteristics of residential multiple-fatality fires.

The report, Multiple-Fatality Fires in Residential Buildings, was developed by the National Fire Data Center, part of FEMA's U.S. Fire Administration (USFA). The report is based on 2004 to 2006 data from the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS).

An estimated average of 250 fires resulting in two or more civilian fire deaths occurs each year in residential buildings. These fires are also responsible for 825 civilian deaths, 200 injuries, and $33 million in property loss.

According to the report, 81 percent of multiple-fatality fires in residential buildings occur in one- and two-family dwellings with an additional 16 percent occurring in multifamily dwellings such as apartments, condominiums, town houses, and row houses. Thirty percent of multiple-fatality fires in residential buildings are caused by electrical malfunctions (15 percent) and unintentional or careless actions (15 percent). Fires caused intentionally (12 percent) or by smoking (11 percent) also rank among the leading causes of multiple-fatality fires.

The short topical reports are designed to explore facets of the U.S. fire problem as depicted through data collected in NFIRS. Each topical report briefly addresses the nature of the specific fire or fire-related topic, highlights important findings from the data, and may suggest other resources to consider for further information. Also included are recent examples of fire incidents that demonstrate some of the issues addressed in the report or that put the report topic in context.

MORE INFO? www.usfa.dhs.gov/statistics/reports/index.shtm

MAY 3-9 IS ARSON PREVENTION WEEK
Originally Posted: April 30, 2009 6:23 PM
Last Updated: April 30, 2009 6:23 PM

The losses from arson are staggering! There are many motives for arson, the The Insurance Information Institute says arsonists destroyed $900 million in insured property and killed 295 civilians nationwide in 2007 alone.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that in 2005 fire departments responded to 323,900 intentional fires. These fires resulted in:

490 civilian deaths

1,500 civilian fire injuries

$1.1 billion in property damage

3 on-duty firefighter fatalities

7,600 on-duty firefighter injuries

An intentional fire is a fire that threatens harm or is started in a manner inconsistent with the goal of a controlled fire that avoids harm.

Larger cities have a larger percentage of intentional structure fires.

According to FBI statistics:

18% of arson offenses were cleared by arrest or exceptional means

In 2006, 49% of arrestees were under the age of 18

An estimated 5-7% of arson offenses result in convictions
Most often, fires are set during the night, making it difficult for investigators to find an eye witness.

Fire spreads quickly. A fire that starts at one property can easily spread to neighboring properties. Even if the fire doesn’t spread, one serious arson fire can damage an entire neighborhood. Burned out homes can be a community eyesore. And if burned out homes sit unrepaired, they can decrease property values. Also, a damaged house can be a magnet for additional intentional fires or other vandalism. A damaged, vacant house can even attract more serious criminals. Intentional fires are part of a vicious cycle that drives good families out and ruins entire neighborhoods.

To reduce the chance of a fire loss, you can start with your own home.

Look over the area outside your home and consider what could be easily ignited and then grow into a larger fire. Clean the area. Make it harder for people to find things to set on fire.

Remove dead branches and overgrown plants and vegetation. Two-thirds of all reported intentional fires are stated in outdoor items like trash or brush.

Pay particular attention to any large items on your property, such as abandoned cars. A large object can mean a large fire that can easily spread to a neighboring building. One out of every three intentionally set fires is an intentionally set car fire.

Lock, shutter, and board up vacant buildings and homes to make it harder for intruders to enter. This is especially important for a house or apartment building that has been vacant for a long time because the longer a building sits vacant, the better the chance of it being discovered by would-be fire setters.

Clean up overgrown plants and vegetation on vacant property just as you would your own home.

Watch for kids! Half the people arrested for arson are under the age of 18.

Get to know the families and kids in your neighborhood or apartment building.

Report suspicious activity to your local police department. Organize or participate in a neighborhood watch program.

Intentionally set fires are a community problem. We can all take steps to help protect our properties and neighborhoods. Being aware of the statistics and of what’s going on in your neighborhood are good starting points.

SWINE FLU: LARGE-PARTICLE VIRUS, REQUIRES CLOSE CONTACT FOR TRANSMISSION
Originally Posted: April 29, 2009 6:05 PM
Last Updated: April 29, 2009 6:56 PM

By Jennifer Berry, Senior Editor, JEMS/jems.com (Journal of Emergency Medical Services)

With the number of confirmed swine flu cases growing in North America, and cases now being confirmed in Europe and New Zealand, world health officials are expressing concern that the illness has "pandemic potential."

"The current situation regarding the outbreak of swine influenza A(H1N1) is evolving rapidly," the World Health Organization said on Monday in a prepared statement. The majority of the confirmed cases are in North America, with 26 being in Mexico, seven in Canada and 64 U.S. cases of swine flu virus were confirmed as of Tuesday afternoon.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), those are in the following communities

• 45 in New York City,
• 10 in San Diego and Imperial counties in California,
• two in Dickinson County, Kansas,
• six in Texas, and
• one in Ohio.

The CDC offers interim guidelines for health professionals dealing with swine flu but warns the situation is constantly evolving. The CDC recommends using the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) with people who have been within about 6 feet of a person with a confirmed or suspected case of swine flu, a person with acute respiratory illness who has been in an area with confirmed cases of swine flu, and a person with acute respiratory illness who recently came in contact with an animal suspected of having swine flu. The CDC defines relevant acute respiratory illness as recent onset of at least two of the following flu-like symptoms: rhinorrhea or nasal congestion, sore throat and a cough with or without a fever.

JEMS Editorial Board Member Katherine West, BSN, Med, CIC: "Do not jump on interim guidelines: They're interim; they will change." Scroll down to read West's top 10 swine-flu recommendations for EMS providers.

However, general guidelines similar to those for other types of influenza, such as washing your hands, using a tissue when coughing or sneezing, not touching eyes, nose or mouth, avoiding close contact with sick people and staying home from work when sick, are being recommended in San Diego County, where several cases have been confirmed.

Across the country, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene recommends that field providers do the following:

• Request additional information from dispatch when sent to respiratory, sick person and fever related calls.

• If limited initial dispatch information is provided, perform initial interview from at least 6.5 feet away to determine if PPE precautions are necessary.

• Ask the patient to place a mask over their mouth and nose before approaching them if they have suspected influenza symptoms. Use a surgical mask or non-rebreather mask (when oxygen is required).

• Avoid droplet-producing procedures whenever possible, including use of nebulizers and bag-valve masks, as well as suctioning or intubation. If bag-valve masks are needed, use BVMs with HEPA filters whenever possible.

• Recommended PPE for taking care of ill/potentially infected patients includes: gloves, N-95 or better respirators, eye protection and gowns. PPE should be donned and doffed according to published guidelines to prevent cross contamination, including faceshield/eye and gown protection when splash or airborne contamination is possible.

• Alert the receiving hospital personnel of the possibility of an infectious patient and hold suspected infectious patients in the ambulance until their destination in the hospital is known.

• At the end of the call, place all PPE in a biohazard bag for appropriate disposal.

• Maintain strict adherence to hand hygiene by washing with soap and water or using hand sanitizer immediately after removing gloves and other equipment and after any contact with respiratory secretions.

• Perform a thorough cleaning of the stretcher and all equipment that has come in contact with or been within 6.5 feet of a potentially infected patient with an approved disinfectant.

• Upon completion of the call, follow CDC interim guidelines for cleaning EMS transport vehicles.

For further information, Harvard Health Publications (HHP), a Division of Harvard Medical School, has published "Swine Flu: How to understand your risk and protect your health," which is a report that explains what the illness is, how it's diagnosed and treated, and how families and businesses can protect themselves against it.

In addition to these guidelines, the International Association of EMS Chiefs has created guidelines for assessing existing response protocols and making command decisions on actions. These resources are available below.

Swine Flu Top 10: Information points for EMS providers
By Katherine West, BSN, MSEd, CIC

As with any new viruses, there is confusion and sometimes fear generated by well meaning people, such as the media. This list will assist in clarifying some issues for EMS providers about swine flu.

1. We're in preparation mode -- not emergency mode -- on this illness.

2. This is a new virus that is a combination of swine, human and bird genetic components.

3. The virus is spread the same way as seasonal flu: via respiratory droplets expelled when a person coughs and sneezes.

4. This is a large-particle virus and requires close contact for transmission. Droplets do not remain suspended in the air and travel only a short distance in the air (less than or equal to 1 meter or 6 feet).

5. As with any respiratory illness, place a surgical mask on the patient to contain secretions.

6. It's unusual that this virus has appeared at the end of the normal flu season. It may spike and then drop off, because influenza is seasonal (the influenza virus does not like summer temperatures.) This version may appear in greater numbers in the fall, but we could have a vaccine by then.

7. This virus is susceptible to Tamiflu and Relenza, which are the antivirals in our national stockpile program. The Food & Drug Administration released these on April 27, 2009 for use if needed.

8. EMS personnel should be familiar with state pandemic plans. The CDC only issues broad guidelines and refers EMS to state and local plans, per National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Anthony S. Fauci, M.D.

9. Screen all persons with respiratory symptoms for a travel history, such as recent travel to Mexico. Stay home if you're ill. Work restrictions guidelines should be in place in your department for general influenza illness.

10. Interim guidelines are not cast in stone; they will change.

Each year, there are at least 26,000 deaths in the U.S. from seasonal flu.

MORE INFO? Katherine West, BSN, MSEd, CIC, is an infection control consultant with Infection Control/Emerging Concepts Inc. and a JEMS editorial board member.

ADD:

Swine Flu website last updated April 29, 11:00 AM ET

U.S. Human Cases of Swine Flu Infection
(As of April 29, 2009, 11:00 AM ET)
laboratory confirmed cases
Deaths:
Arizona 1
California 14
Indiana 1
Kansas 2
Massachusetts 2
Michigan 2
Nevada 1
New York 51
Ohio 1
Texas 16

TOTAL COUNTS 91 cases 1 death
International Human Cases of Swine Flu Infection
See: World Health Organization

The outbreak of disease in people caused by a new influenza virus of swine origin continues to grow in the United States and internationally. CDC reports additional confirmed human infections, hospitalizations and the nation’s first fatality from this outbreak. The more recent illnesses and the reported death suggest that a pattern of more severe illness associated with this virus may be emerging in the U.S. Most people will not have immunity to this new virus and, as it continues to spread, more cases, more hospitalizations and more deaths are expected in the coming days and weeks.

CDC has implemented its emergency response. The agency’s goals are to reduce transmission and illness severity, and provide information to help health care providers, public health officials and the public address the challenges posed by the new virus. Yesterday, CDC issued new interim guidance for clinicians on how to care for children and pregnant women who may be infected with this virus. Young children and pregnant women are two groups of people who are at high risk of serious complications from seasonal influenza. In addition, CDC’s Division of the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) continues to send antiviral drugs, personal protective equipment, and respiratory protection devices to all 50 states and U.S. territories to help them respond to the outbreak. The swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is susceptible to the prescription antiviral drugs oseltamivir and zanamivir. This is a rapidly evolving situation and CDC will provide updated guidance and new information as it becomes available.

MIKE MCEVOY, EMS EDITOR, FIRE ENGINEERING MAGAZINE OFFERS ADVICE TO FIRE AND EMS DEPARTMENTS TO HELP SCREEN FOR AND RESPOND TO SWINE FLU
Originally Posted: April 29, 2009 12:22 PM
Last Updated: April 29, 2009 12:22 PM

CMike McEvoy - EMS Editor - Fire Engineering:

Implement severe respiratory infection (SRI) screening for all callers with chest pain, difficulty breathing, headache, or general illness (sick person).

If using the Medical Priority Dispatch System (MPDS), activate the SRI drop down on ProQA or add the following questions to paper card numbers 6, 10, 18, and 26 for further interrogation: (a) has the patient recently been in Mexico (or other outbreak location) or exposed to anyone who has (paying particular attention to those who stayed for 7 days or longer)? (b) are they febrile or have a fever and, if so, is it higher than 101 F (38 C) and (c) do they have a cough or other respiratory illness symptoms?

Relay responses to these questions to EMS units before they arrive on scene:

Request additional information from dispatch when sent to respiratory, sick person and fever related calls if limited initial dispatch information is provided.

Perform initial interview of all patients from at least 2 meters (6.5 feet) away to determine if personal protective equipment precautions are necessary.

Place a mask on all patients with suspected influenza symptoms before approach. Use a surgical mask or non-rebreather mask (when oxygen is required).

Avoid droplet producing procedures whenever possible including nebulizers, bag-valve-mask, suctioning or intubation. If bag-valve-masks are needed, use BVMs with HEPA filters whenever possible.

Recommended PPE for taking care of ill/potentially infected patients includes: gloves and N95 or better respirators. PPE should be donned and doffed according to published guidelines to prevent cross contamination, including faceshield/eye and gown protection when splash or airborne contamination is possible.
Alert receiving hospital personnel of the possibility of an infectious patient as soon as possible and hold suspected infectious patients in the ambulance until their destination in the hospital is known, rather than immediately moving them into the emergency department.

Perform a thorough cleaning of the stretcher and all equipment that has come in contact with or been within 2 meters (6.5 feet) with an approved disinfectant, upon completion of the call following CDC interim guidelines for cleaning EMS transport vehicles.

Remember that this is a continually evolving situation. The most severe flu cases so far have been mostly adults from ages 25 to 45, but patients of all ages have been infected, so the same precautions should be used for all patients. We need to stay on heightened alert until this threat has been controlled. As with all infectious diseases, always remember that hand washing is the number one way to decrease transmission!

THANKS TO: Mike McEvoy - EMS Editor - Fire Engineering

AMERICAN MEDICAL RESPONSE TO PROVIDE MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION FOR SUNBRIDGE HEALTHCARE LONG-TERM AND POST ACUTE CARE CENTERS
Originally Posted: April 29, 2009 11:51 AM
Last Updated: April 29, 2009 11:51 AM

Emergency Medical Services Corporation (Greenwood Village, CO) subsidiary American Medical Response, Inc. has been selected for SunBridge Healthcare Corporation transportation services. SunBridge and its affiliates collectively operate more than 200 long-term and post-acute care centers with 22,000 operating beds in 25 states.

AMR will provide medical transportation services to SunBridge affiliated facilities.
American Medical Response Inc. provides medical transportation services in 39 states and the District of Columbia. More than 18,500 AMR paramedics, EMTs and other professionals transport more than four million patients nationwide each year in critical, emergency and non-emergency situations. Operating a fleet of approximately 4,500 vehicles, AMR is headquartered in Greenwood Village, CO.

EMSC Chairman and CEO William A. Sanger: “We're very pleased with the expansion of our relationship with SunBridge."

Emergency Medical Services Corporation (EMSC) is a provider of emergency medical services in the United States. EMSC operates : American Medical Response, Inc. (AMR), the Company’s healthcare transportation services segment, and EmCare Holdings Inc. (EmCare), the Company’s outsourced hospital-based physician services segment.

AMR provides ambulance services in the United States. EmCare is a provider of outsourced hospital-based physician services.

In 2008, EMSC provided services to 11.4 million patients in nearly 2,100 communities nationwide. EMSC is headquartered in Greenwood Village, Colorado.

MORE INFO? www.emsc.net or www.amr.net

PA WARNS OF SPRING WILDFIRES THAT THREATEN STATE'S 17 MILLION ACRES OF FORESTS: FIRE BURN PROHIBITION UNTIL MAY 25, 2009
Originally Posted: April 29, 2009 11:30 AM
Last Updated: April 29, 2009 11:30 AM

The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (Harrisburg, PA) has issued a warning to citizens of the heightened risk of wildfires.

DCNR Secretary John H. Quigley: "With the weekend wildfire danger expected to spike as the weather turns warm and dry, our Bureau of Forestry is bracing for what could be another very busy weekend."

Campers and other state forest visitors are reminded open fires are forbidden in state forestlands through May 25, 2009.

Quigley: "Although we have had rain in recent days, it's very important to remember a little rain does not completely eliminate the threat of wildfires at this time of the year."

The PA Bureau of Forestry says 370 wildfires have hit this spring, burning more than 1,500 acres. The most severe included an April 18, 2009 fire that burned 300 acres in Blair County, and another blaze the same day that destroyed two cabins in Centre County.

Quigley: "People are responsible for causing 98 percent of Pennsylvania's wildfires. Forests are a renewable resource, but they quickly can be endangered by acts of carelessness."

10,000 acres of forestland in the state are burned by wildfires each year and 85 percent of all fires in Pennsylvania woodlands occur during March, April and May.

Wildfires are so named for their rapid spread through bare vegetation when dry, windy conditions prevail. They are troublesome in the spring when wind, dry weather, direct sunlight through bare trees, and abundant dead undergrowth all can lead to rapid fire spread.

State forestry officials urge landowners to recycle rather than burn.

Residents are advised to create "safe zones" around homes and cabins by removing leaves and other debris from the ground and rain gutters; stacking firewood away from structures; and trimming overhanging branches.

DCNR's Bureau of Forestry is responsible for the prevention and suppression of wildfires on Pennsylvania's 17 million acres of private and state woodlands.

MORE INFO? Bureau of Forestry 717 787 2925 or www.dcnr.state.pa.us or
Terry Brady: 717 772 9101

APPLYING FOR A FEDERAL GRANT? ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE TO HELP YOU MEET THE MAY 20, 2009 DEADLINE
Originally Posted: April 29, 2009 11:16 AM
Last Updated: April 29, 2009 11:16 AM

As reported previously by NEEDA Newsletter, the 2009 US government's $510 million in Assistance to Firefighter Grants (AFG) are available now. These AFG awards, are to help fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical service organizations.

There is also $190 million dollars in SAFER grants for volunteer and career fire departments to assist in recruiting and retaining fire fighters. The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grant was created to provide funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations to help them increase the number of trained firefighters.

FireLink and Monster Government Solutions can provide a guide on how to get a SAFER Grant.

The Department of Homeland Security has posted the FY2009 Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) Program Guidance on the AFG Website. Applications must be received by Wednesday, May 20, 2009, at 5:00 PM, EDT.

Federal funds may be used for training, health and safety programs, and purchase of equipment and emergency response vehicles.

To read previous NEEDA Newsletter stories about Federal funds for fire departments, use the "Search" application on the NEEDA Newsletter screen.
The NEEDA website contains fourteen years of news about Federal assistance and grant funding.

MORE INFO? Bill Davies, SAFER Grants Specialist for Public Sector & Education: 770 330 9378

SPARTAN HAS NET QUARTERLY SALES OF $115.5 MILLION
Originally Posted: April 29, 2009 5:29 AM
Last Updated: April 29, 2009 5:29 AM

Spartan Motors, Inc. (Charlotte, MI) reported its first quarter operating results, showing increased sales and orders. Spartan reported: net sales of $115.5 million, gross margin of 22.6% of sales and backlog of $217.5 million.

Spartan reported first quarter net earnings of $6.1 million on net sales of $115.5 million, compared with net earnings of $14.8 million on net sales of $264.1 million in the same quarter of 2008.

John Sztykiel, president and CEO of Spartan Motors: "The first quarter was another representation of how our diversified multiple-market strategy, along with our market, operational and strategic agility, will enable Spartan to profitably weather tough economic conditions while positioning the company for future growth. Sales of fire truck chassis increased year-over-year, the EVTeam as a whole was profitable in the quarter and consolidated gross margin as a percentage of sales continues to increase. Emergency-rescue remains Spartan's largest, most stable market, and we expect continuous growth based on increased market share and new product and innovation initiatives."

Spartan Chassis' net earnings declined 59.8 percent year-over-year in the quarter, due to the decline in sales.

Sales of fire truck chassis in the 2009 first quarter increased 11.8 percent compared to the same period in 2008, and backlog for fire truck chassis as of March 31, 2009 was $98.0 million, a 38.6 percent year-over-year increase. The company reported increased demand for fire truck chassis, due in part to increased demand from changes to industry safety regulations and the 2010 engine emission standards.

Spartan's EVTeam operating unit, consisting of its Crimson Fire, Crimson Fire Aerials and Road Rescue subsidiaries, reported operating income of $395 thousand in the 2009 first quarter, compared to an operating loss of $365 thousand in the same quarter of 2008. Spartan attributed the profitability of the EVTeam as a whole to improved operating efficiencies within the subsidiaries. Backlog for the EVTeam was $83.3 million as of March 31, 2009, a 35.3 percent year-over-year increase.

Sztykiel: "Our order intake for emergency rescue products increased in the 2009 first quarter, due largely to the influx of orders received by OEMs in the 2008 fourth quarter, which was driven by changes to industry safety regulations."

Spartan Motors, Inc. makes custom chassis and vehicles for the recreational vehicle, fire truck, ambulance, emergency-rescue and specialty vehicle markets. The company's brand names: Spartan(TM), Crimson Fire(TM), Crimson Fire Aerials(TM), and Road Rescue(TM). Spartan employs 1,200 at facilities in Michigan, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and South Dakota. Spartan reported sales of $844.4 million in 2008.

MORE INFO? www.spartanmotors.com

US SENATOR SPECTER OF PA SWITCHES PARTIES; WILL RUN IN 2010 AS A DEMOCRAT
Originally Posted: April 28, 2009 3:11 PM
Last Updated: April 28, 2009 4:19 PM

Senior Republican leader US Senator Arlen Specter (Pennsylvania) will switch from the Republican Party to the Democratic Party. His move gives Democrats 59 votes in the US Senate.

Specter said Apri9l 28, 2009:

I have been a Republican since 1966. I have been working extremely hard for the Party, for its candidates and for the ideals of a Republican Party whose tent is big enough to welcome diverse points of view. While I have been comfortable being a Republican, my Party has not defined who I am. I have taken each issue one at a time and have exercised independent judgment to do what I thought was best for Pennsylvania and the nation.

Since my election in 1980, as part of the Reagan Big Tent, the Republican Party has moved far to the right. Last year, more than 200,000 Republicans in Pennsylvania changed their registration to become Democrats. I now find my political philosophy more in line with Democrats than Republicans

When I supported the stimulus package, I knew that it would not be popular with the Republican Party. But, I saw the stimulus as necessary to lessen the risk of a far more serious recession than we are now experiencing.

Since then, I have traveled the State, talked to Republican leaders and office-holders and my supporters and I have carefully examined public opinion. It has become clear to me that the stimulus vote caused a schism which makes our differences irreconcilable.

On this state of the record, I am unwilling to have my twenty-nine year Senate record judged by the Pennsylvania Republican primary electorate. I have not represented the Republican Party. I have represented the people of Pennsylvania.

I have decided to run for re-election in 2010 in the Democratic primary.

I am ready, willing and anxious to take on all comers and have my candidacy for re-election determined in a general election.

I deeply regret that I will be disappointing many friends and supporters. I can understand their disappointment. I am also disappointed that so many in the Party I have worked for for more than four decades do not want me to be their candidate. It is very painful on both sides. I thank specially Senators McConnell and Cornyn for their forbearance.

I am not making this decision because there are no important and interesting opportunities outside the Senate. I take on this complicated run for re-election because I am deeply concerned about the future of our country and I believe I have a significant contribution to make on many of the key issues of the day, especially medical research. NIH funding has saved or lengthened thousands of lives, including mine, and much more needs to be done. And my seniority is very important to continue to bring important projects vital to Pennsylvania's economy.

I am taking this action now because there are fewer than thirteen months to the 2010 Pennsylvania Primary and there is much to be done in preparation for that election. Upon request, I will return campaign contributions contributed during this cycle.

While each member of the Senate caucuses with his Party, what each of us hopes to accomplish is distinct from his party affiliation. The American people do not care which Party solves the problems confronting our nation. And no Senator, no matter how loyal he is to his Party, should or would put party loyalty above his duty to the state and nation.

My change in party affiliation does not mean that I will be a party-line voter any more for the Democrats that I have been for the Republicans. Unlike Senator Jeffords' switch which changed party control, I will not be an automatic 60th vote for cloture. For example, my position on Employees Free Choice (Card Check) will not change.

Whatever my party affiliation, I will continue to be guided by President Kennedy's statement that sometimes Party asks too much. When it does, I will continue my independent voting and follow my conscience on what I think is best for Pennsylvania and America.

NOTE: Specter faced an uphill battle to win the Republican primary after former US Rep. Pat Toomey announced that he would challenge Specter. The most recent poll of Pennsylvania voters showed that 51 percent of Republicans support Toomey while only 30 percent said they would support Specter.

SWINE FLU GETS FEDERAL PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY DECLARATION
Originally Posted: April 27, 2009 5:49 PM
Last Updated: April 27, 2009 5:56 PM

The U.S. declared a public health emergency to deal with the emerging new swine flu, much like the government does to prepare for approaching hurricanes.

Officials reported 20 U.S. cases of swine flu in five states so far, with the latest in Ohio and New York. Unlike in Mexico where the same strain appears to be killing dozens of people, cases in the United State have been mild and U.S. health authorities can't yet explain why. However there were many cased reported in New York where school age students had recently returned from a trip to Mexico.

"As we continue to look for cases, we are going to see a broader spectrum of disease," predicted Dr. Richard Besser, acting chief of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "We're going to see more severe disease in this country."

At a White House news conference, Besser and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano sought to assure Americans that health officials are taking all appropriate steps to minimize the impact of the outbreak.

Top among those is declaring the public health emergency. As part of that, Napolitano said roughly 12 million doses of the drug Tamiflu will be moved from a federal stockpile to places where states can quickly get their share if they decide they need it. Priority will be given to the five states with known cases so far: California, Texas, New York, Ohio and Kansas.

Napolitano called the emergency declaration standard operating procedure _ one was declared recently for the inauguration and for flooding. She urged people to think of it as a "declaration of emergency preparedness."

"Really that's what we're doing right now. We're preparing in an environment where we really don't know ultimately what the size of seriousness of this outbreak is going to be."

Meanwhile, an earthquake near Mexico City confused and alarmed local citizens who are trying to stay away from contracting the flu.

A strong earthquake struck central Mexico Apirl 27, 2009, swaying tall buildings in the capital and sending office workers into the streets.

The quake rattled nerves in a city already tense from a swine flu outbreak suspected of killing as many as 149 people nationwide.

The quake had a magnitude of 5.6 and was centered near Chilpancingo, about 130 miles (210 kilometers) southwest of Mexico City or 50 miles (80 kilometers) from the resort of Acapulco, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

MORE INFO? www.cdc.gov

FREE HALF HOUR WEB PRESENTATION IN WILDFIRE ISSUES
Originally Posted: April 27, 2009 5:27 PM
Last Updated: April 27, 2009 5:27 PM

Congressional Fire Services Institute
DATE: 4/30/2009
TIME: 2:00 - 2:30PM EST
LOCATION: Your personal computer!
COST: Free
RSVP: Email malderfer@cfsi.org by 4/29/2009

Moderated by Bill Webb, CFSI Executive Director, the program will feature Tom Harbour, Director of Fire and Aviation, U.S Forest Service, who will discuss the increasing challenges of reducing the threat of fire in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI). Harbour will share his thoughts on how the development in WUI regions is imposing greater challenges on both federal and local fire suppression efforts and on the types of sweeping changes needed to address this growing problem

To register for this webinar please email Mike Alderfer at malderfer@cfsi.org. Please RSVP by April 29, 2009.

Established in 1989 as a nonprofit, nonpartisan policy institute, CFSI is designed to educate members of Congress about the needs and challenges of our nation's fire and emergency services so that the federal government provides the types of training and funding needed by our first responders.

For Congressional Fire Service Institute, success is built around education. In an effort to better educate Congress about the needs of the fire service, and to keep the fire service informed on activities in our nation's capital, CFSU launched the CFSI Webinar Series. Each month CFSI will host a webinar featuring members of Congress, Congressional staff, federal officials, or fire service leaders discussing the pertinent national issues affecting the fire and emergency services.

NEEDA Executive Director Kenton Pattie is Board Member and Membership Chair of CFSI.

U-HAUL DEALERS OFFER FREE HELP TO MYRTLE BEACH WILDFIRE VICTIMS
Originally Posted: April 27, 2009 1:20 PM
Last Updated: April 27, 2009 1:20 PM

The U-Haul Company of South Carolina (Myrtle Beach, SC) is offering 30 days of free storage and discounted truck and trailer rentals to Myrtle Beach residents who have been evacuated or need to move their belongings away from the areas affected by the recent wildfires.

In addition to the 30-days-free self-storage assistance being offered, people needing boxes can take advantage of the U-Haul Take a Box, Leave a Box Program. The program enables customers to return their reusable boxes and allows others to take them as needed - FREE. U-Haul encourages anyone who has any type of reusable box to drop it off at the nearest U-Haul location and allow another family to reuse the box, free of charge, instead of throwing the reusable box into the recycling bin.

Ray Moore, president, U-Haul Company of South Carolina. "I hope this effort will provide assistance to families that truly need a helping hand in areas affected by these fires. We will continue to help our friends and neighbors in this time of need."

MORE INFO?

U-Haul Storage Myrtle Beach
5604 South Kings Highway
Myrtle Beach, SC 29575
843-238-5701

U-Haul West Columbia
400 Orchard Road
West Columbia, SC 29107
803-796-3724
800-922-8805

SPARTAN MOTORS INTODUCES THE 24K INDEPENDENT FRONT SUSPENSION FOR FIRE TRUCKS
Originally Posted: April 27, 2009 5:46 AM
Last Updated: April 27, 2009 5:46 AM

Spartan Chassis, Inc., a subsidiary of Spartan Motors, Inc. (Charlotte, Michigan), introduced air-ride suspension systems at the Fire Department Instructor's Conference (FDIC) in Indianapolis, IN. The 24K Independent Front Suspension (IFS) was developed for fire trucks.

Working with Reyco Granning Suspensions, Spartan Chassis developed the 24K Air-Ride System to combine improved vehicle control with high axle capacity. The system--currently the only 24K Air-Ride IFS in the emergency-rescue market--can be applied to the Spartan Gladiator(R) and Metro Star(R) cab/chassis units, which will was also on display in the Company's exhibit.

John Sztykiel, president and CEO of Spartan Motors: "Our new Air-Ride System will provide departments with the ability to create vehicles that will significantly improve their incident response, as well as reduce operational costs from a maintenance perspective."

The Spartan Performance Air-Ride System also provides:

Enhanced ride and handling with reduced driver fatigue

Exceptional, proven stopping power and improved vehicle stability

Improved serviceability reducing labor costs and vehicle downtime

Dynamic load leveling for consistent vehicle ride quality

The 24K Air-Ride System adds to Spartan's IFS offerings of 18K, 20K and 22K for heavy-duty emergency-rescue vehicles in both on-road and off-road applications. Spartan originally introduced Air-Ride IFS to the emergency-rescue market in 2005.

Spartan Chassis, Inc., a subsidiary of Spartan Motors, Inc. makes custom chassis for recreational vehicles, fire trucks, defense and specialty vehicles. Spartan Motors manufactures emergency rescue vehicles under the brand names of Crimson Fire, Crimson Fire Aerials and Road Rescue, reported sales of $844.4 million in 2008.

MORE INFO? www.spartanmotors.com

E-ONE ACQUIRES WATER MASTER VACUUM TANKER FROM SOUTHERN FIRE EQUIPMENT
Originally Posted: April 26, 2009 2:04 PM
Last Updated: April 26, 2009 2:04 PM

OCALA, Fla. E-ONE, Ocala, FL has acquired the "Water Master - Vacuum Tanker" product line from Southern Fire Equipment Hattiesburg, MS.

Self-filling vacuum tankers were developed by Reggie Ridgway, a volunteer Fire Chief who spent years researching and designing the Water Master tankers after his own frustrating experiences losing homes to fires in rural areas with limited water supply.

Reggie Ridgway, Chief of the Central Lamar VFD and co-owner of Southern Fire Equipment, LLC.: "The inadequate conventional tanker water shuttle that my department was using required too much equipment and too many firefighters. looked around for a better way, saw how industry was moving their water with efficient vacuum technology, designed a vacuum tanker to suit the needs of the Fire Service and the Water Master was born."

"Water Master" features a self-filling vacuum system which can load 3500 gallons of water in under 3 minutes and dump in under 2 minutes without the use of a Class A pump.

Water Master tankers can self-fill from up to three suction inlets using almost any alternative water source including ponds, rivers, lakes, ditches and swimming pools. Tank sizes are available from 2000 to 4000 gallons and are offered with a 460 cubic feet per minute vacuum pump as standard, allowing one operator to deliver more than 250 gallons per minute in a typical three mile shuttle.

Peter Guile, CEO of E-ONE: "We are excited to add Water Master to our full line of mission critical vehicles. Utilizing the Water Master technology, E-ONE can now provide fire departments with the ability to deliver water to the scene from any alternative water source with more than twice the efficiency of standard tankers."

"Water Master" demonstrations were held outside the entrance to Lucas Oil Stadium during the 2009 Fire Department Instructors' Conference in Indianapolis, IN.

There are currently 300 Water Master vacuum tankers in service throughout the U.S. and Canada, the company said.

ROAD RESCUE OFFERS RE-DESIGNED AMBULANCES AT FDIC
Originally Posted: April 26, 2009 1:54 PM
Last Updated: April 26, 2009 1:54 PM

INDIANAPOLIS, IN. Road Rescue (Marion, SC) introduced a redesign of its line of custom ambulances here at the emergency-rescue industry's FDIC trade show in Indianapolis, IN.

Road Rescue, a subsidiary of Spartan Motors, Inc., says it has made 40 improvements, including new technology and innovative features, on its line of Ultramedic(R), Promedic(R) and Duramedic(R) ambulances. The redesign features enhancements in five key areas: module, doors, systems, appearance and hardware.

Three redesigned ambulances were on display in Indianapolis.

Gary DeCosse, president of Road Rescue: "For the past year, the best minds in the ambulance industry have been working on an extensive 're-design' for our product line. While most ambulance manufacturers come to FDIC with one or two new features on their ambulances, our redesign incorporates 40 improvements to our product line. These are truly new vehicles - from the wheels up. The result is a stronger, more durable and sleeker ambulance that will enable EMTs to be more efficient and effective when working on patients during transport."

Road Rescue's new ambulance features:

Significant improvements to the module, including:

New crash-rail fender ring system that is more impact absorbent. The new system, which features an extruded rubber crash rail, does not require fasteners and simply snaps on the vehicle body. In the event of an accident, the system is more easily repaired or replaced in the field.

Redesigned roof-radius extrusion with triple-wall construction that is substantially stronger and exceeds the new KKK vehicle standards.

New exterior doors featuring a double-box, pan-formed composite construction with a hidden hinge that delivers a lighter, stronger and more durable door. The composite construction improves vehicle insulation and reduces road noise. The hidden hinge is protected from the elements as well as a cleaner overall appearance.

Improvements to the vehicle systems, including:

A refinement of the patient-centric concept introduced at FDIC in 2008 that standardizes the overhead equipment mounts and reduces their profile to deliver more working room for EMTs. The new designs also feature a rail system that provides a central point for medical equipment and improved lighting.
An innovative new interior outlet rail system patterned after those utilized by hospitals to consolidate outlets into a convenient location that can be field adjusted when procedures change.

A refined central air system that realigns vent locations to improve airflow and efficiency whether heating or cooling the vehicle. The overall look is also cleaner.
Enhancements to the interior and exterior appearance of the vehicle. Exterior upgrades include a shift to chrome handles, flanges, crash rails, trim and housing. Interior improvements include the use of lighter and more soothing colors, stainless steel accents and improved trim options.

Hardware upgrades throughout the vehicle that enhance ease of cleaning, restocking and overall functionality.

DeCosse: "In many ways, it's what you won't see in this redesign that matters the most. More than half of all the improvements and innovations are incorporated into the build process, further enhancing our industry position as a leader in quality and safety.

Established in 1976, Road Rescue, Inc. designs and manufactures ambulances and emergency-rescue vehicles. Road Rescue is a subsidiary of Spartan Motors, Inc.

MORE INFO? www.roadrescue.com

CRIMSON FIRE OFFERS LEGEND LINE OF TRUCKS AT FDIC
Originally Posted: April 26, 2009 1:31 PM
Last Updated: April 26, 2009 1:31 PM

INDIANAPOLIS, IN. Crimson Fire (Brandon, South Dakota) introduced the Legend(TM) Series of new fire trucks here at the fire-rescue industry's FDIC show.

Crimson Fire, a subsidiary of Spartan Motors, Inc. shows the first pumper in the new Legend Series. The product line features a new body style and a modular design. Fire departments may choose from Crimson's nine configurations.

The Legend pumper was on display at the Fire Department Instructors Conference.

Kevin Crump, president of Crimson Fire: "We designed the Legend Series to meet the needs of fire departments who do not want to sacrifice quality because of budget constraints."

Crump: "The modular design gives departments a variety of options and configurations not commonly found in commercial vehicles. The modular nature of the vehicle also allows Crimson to streamline production and reduce quote-to-delivery time. The end result is a vehicle that offers the quality, strength and durability Crimson is known for at a very attractive price point."

The Legend Series, which was designed in nine months will weigh 15 percent less than typical designs. The lower weight, in combination with the modular system, will reduce production time by 30-50 percent. A simpler specification system will translate into a 20-30 percent reduction in lead times for customers, the company says.

New Legend Series features:

1,250 gpm pump rating for Class A operations or an optional 1,500 gpm pump
Water tanks with 500-1,600 gallon capacity

Stainless steel sub-frame with stainless-steel huck-bolt fasteners

Vibra-Torque mounting system to minimize vibration in the body

Choice of chassis, including Spartan Chassis Furion(TM) or Metro Star(TM)
Foam capabilities

"Crump: "We are focused on producing unique vehicles highly tailored to meet the specific needs of our customers. Our focus on lean production principles allows us to work efficiently and effectively, reducing costs and shortening delivery times to give departments what they want: customizable vehicles at near-commercial prices."

The vehicles feature 33-inch high full-depth compartment space on split-depth body configurations, customizable storage area above the wheel well and an extra-large rear compartment.

A shorter wheelbase is due to a shorter pump-house enclosure and improves the turning radius and maneuverability. Shorter body configurations with smaller water tanks are also available.

Pumper and tanker configurations are available. Crump : "We call it a 'firefighter-friendly' truck that will handle the tasks that are faced by today's fire service."

Crimson Fire is a subsidiary of Spartan Motors, Inc. Crimson Fire manufactures a full line of pumpers, rescues, aerials, quick-attack vehicles and other emergency-rescue vehicles from its facilities in Pennsylvania and South Dakota.

MORE INFO? www.crimson-fire.com

WASHINGTON DC EMS PARAMEDICS FALL SHORT IN TESTS AND VIDEO TAPED EXAMPLES OF THEIR WORK SKILLS
Originally Posted: April 25, 2009 6:49 PM
Last Updated: April 26, 2009 1:32 PM

Paul Werfel, Director of Stony Bropok University (NY) paramedic program says paramedics in Washington, DC are unfamiliar with equipment they use and have problems using the basic paramedic procedures.

For example, he noticed paramedic errors in placing bag valve masts on patients, administrering medications for cardiac arrest. He also spotted obsolete techniques being used by DC paramedics. There are 250 paramedics in the city with 37 transport units of which 17 are staffed with paramedics. There are 33 engine companies, 19 of which are staffed with paramedics.

In 2008, there were 126,523 medical incidents in Washington DC resulting in
64,099 critical medical dispatches, with the average response time 7 minutes 35 seconds.

Of 175 paramedics trained in Maryland, only a few got a passing grade.

The Washington Times claims that when it began investigating the shortcomings, the paper was threatened with a lawsuit. The test taken by paramedics is similar to the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians test which is for entry-level paramedics in 38 states and DC.

The tests done at the Maryland Fire Rescue Institute (MFRI), University of Maryland, College Park, MD, included video tape of students at work. Of 95 written tests taken, only three paramedics scored 70 percent or above -- passing is 75 percent.

Of the students' 10-minute video tapes, experts said there were serious health care violations.

Werfel: "The performances I saw on these particular tapes I would not accept from people graduating a paramedic course, much less people with years of experience." Washington Times, April 24, 2009 page A10.

The District provides firefighters the opportunity to train as paramedics. The fire department has EMS under it. One reason paramedics had so many problems with the video and tests is that they were working alone rather than as members of a first responder team.

The District EMS services have been criticized in recent years and city leaders have sought for the District EMS to bring its practices into the norm with national recognized standards. Remedidation classes have been discussed at top leadership levels but appear not to have been implemented.

The Mayor of Washington, Adrian M. Fenty says more tests at the center in Maryland will be conducted. Fire officials said back in early 2008 that the improvements, training and testing were top priorities and would be completed in a short time.

But, it appears that much still needs to be done to bring DC EMS up to national standards.

MORE INFO? DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department

FEDERAL AIR AMBULANCE SAFETY STANDARDS? OR SHOULD STATES SET THEIR OWN RULES?
Originally Posted: April 23, 2009 8:50 PM
Last Updated: April 23, 2009 8:50 PM

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is going to require by 2011 800 helicopters operated by first responders to be installed with a warning system that indicates that a surface such a road or rooftop is dangerously close. This comes after a period when helicopter operators were urged to make safety improvements on a voluntary basis.

The new system, called Terrain Awareness Warning System (TAWS) costs $100,000 per helicopter.

Last year, 35 passengers were killed in 13 air ambulance crashes.

John Allen, FAA's Flight Standards Service Director, at a Congressional hearing:
"We recognize that relying on voluntary compliance alone is not enough."

FAA notes that nearly half of helicopter operators have already installed safety warning equipment.

Honeywell reports haing sold 200 safety warning devices for installation on 200 air ambulances.

Helicopters will also be required to have black box recorders to help in analyzing crashes. Meanwhile, helicopter pilots will be subject to new training to help them operate in inclement weather and during the dark. Operating conditions would will be evaluated by pilots so that when conditions are particularly bad, they will be discouraged from attempting a rescue or air rescue pick up.

Congressional hearings Wednesday, April 22, 2009 indicate that the air ambulance operators are not sure they welcome the new Federal rules. The issue seems to be: should regulation be dictated by state or Federal regulations? And, would there be tension between state and Federal rules that would provide confusion for pilots?

NEEDA Newsletter has run several stories about the use of helicopters and the safety issues that rescues raise. To read the other stories use the "Search" application on the upper right of your NEEDA Newsletter screen. If you have comments or want your views expresses on this website, contact KentonP1@aol.com.

MSA OFFERS FIRST QUARTER RESULT ON INTERNET APRIL 30, 2009
Originally Posted: April 22, 2009 6:05 AM
Last Updated: April 22, 2009 6:05 AM

MSA (Pittsburgh, PA), will broadcast a 45 minute first quarter 2009 earnings conference call live via the Internet on Thursday, April 30, 2009 at 10:00 AM Eastern.

Log onto MSA's Web site 15 minutes prior to the start of the call to register.
Established in 1914, principal MSA products include self-contained breathing apparatus, gas masks, gas detection instruments, head protection, ballistic body armor, fall protection devices and thermal imaging cameras.

MSA has annual sales of $1 billion, manufacturing operations in the United States, Europe, Asia and Latin America, and 40 international locations.

MORE INFO? www.msanet.com

CINTAS DONATES 100 AEDS TO SCHOOLS
Originally Posted: April 21, 2009 12:15 PM
Last Updated: April 21, 2009 12:15 PM

Cintas Corporation (Cincinnati, Ohio) awarded 100 winners of its Scholastic AED Program with a complimentary ReviveR™ automatic external defibrillator (AED) from Cintas.

Selected by an independent panel of judges from more than 600 applications, the winning public and private schools from across the nation best demonstrated their school’s need for an AED within their facility and how they will develop and implement an AED program at their school.

Dave Bingham, Director of AEDs and Training for Cintas: “Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is a serious issue, claiming the lives of more than 250,000 adults and students each year. By equipping 100 schools with AEDs through this program and ensuring individuals are properly trained on how to maintain and use the equipment, we increase chances of survival if someone suffers SCA.”

Cintas provides entrance mats, restroom supplies, promotional products, first aid and safety products, fire protection services and document management services to 800,000 businesses.

American Heart Association studies reveal that individuals with access to an AED within a few minutes of experiencing SCA have up to an 80 percent chance of survival. Without access to an AED, the odds of survival drop to less than two percent after the first 10 minutes, which is possible response time for an EMS to arrive after the initial 911 call.

MORE INFO? www.cintas.com/customer_applications/HeartsGrant/aeds-recipients.asp or www.cintas.com/FirstAidSafety

HELP FOR TEACHERS AND STUDENTS DURING NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH
Originally Posted: April 21, 2009 11:56 AM
Last Updated: April 21, 2009 11:56 AM

National Preparedness Month (NPM) features the Ready Campaign webinar to change perceptions about emergency preparedness and helping Americans understand what it truly means to be “ready.”

3,200 organizations are in the campaign's coalition.

The Ready Campaign, Ad Council, Discovery Education offer Ready Classroom, an online educational program that will provide schoolteachers with lesson plans, and multimedia tools to teach students about natural disasters and how to build their own emergency preparedness plans with their families.

Corey Gruber, Acting Deputy Administrator of FEMA's National Preparedness Directorate: "This program with Discovery Education will empower children and families and encourage a culture of preparedness."

MORE INFO? www.discoveryeducation.com/readyclassroom and www.ready.gov

OSHKOSH HIRES SAI GLOBAL TO PROVIDE 14,000 EMPLOYEES WITH CODE OF CONDUCT TRAINING
Originally Posted: April 21, 2009 11:26 AM
Last Updated: April 21, 2009 11:26 AM

Oshkosh Corporation, Plainsboro, NJ, has selected SAI Global to do Code of Conduct compliance and ethics training for 14,000 Oshkosh employees.

Robin Schroeder, Associate General Counsel at Oshkosh Corporation: "The training has video and story elements which our employees can relate to and apply to their daily jobs."

Oshkosh Corporation designs, manufacturers and markets fire & emergency and military vehicles and vehicle bodies.

For other NEEDA NEWSLETTER stories about Oahkosh, use the "Search" application in the upper right of your NEEDA NEWSLETTER screen.

MORE INFO? tia.smallwood@saiglobal.com

DVD FOCUS ON HAZARD OF CYANIDE TO FIRE FIGHTERS
Originally Posted: April 21, 2009 11:13 AM
Last Updated: April 21, 2009 11:13 AM

INDIANAPOLIS. The People's Burn Foundation released its fourth installment of the To Hell and Back burn prevention and safety series at FDIC in Indianapolis. IN.

"To Hell and Back IV: Cyanide" takes you inside the body through advanced 3-D visualizations to reveal how Hydrogen Cyanide and Carbon Monoxide work together to cause devastating effects on the human body.

A 2006 NFPA study says 87-percent of people who died in fires had toxic blood concentrations of cyanide.

Rob Schnepp, Assistant Chief of the Alameda County Fire Department and President of the Cyanide Poisoning Treatment Coalition: victims died from breathing the smoke long before the fire killed them. Researchers are now finding that job related deaths once blamed on lack of oxygen, over-exertion, or heart attack should instead be blamed on cyanide poisoning.

Televisions, computers, bedding, carpeting and laminates in today's cabinetry are just a few of the items causing fires to develop at a considerably faster rate than in the past. The increased use of synthetics and plastics such as nylon, polyurethane, and synthetic rubber now create a hotter and more toxic smoke than ever before.

Schnepp: "Firefighters who breathe fire smoke are exposing themselves to deadly levels of hydrogen cyanide.

"To Hell and Back IV: Cyanide" is based on research and training at the People's Burn Foundation launched at FDIC in 2006-2008. The program seeks to combat complacent behaviors, raising awareness on the limitations of fire protection gear, and teaching basic situational awareness.

Justin Phillips, Director of Education for the People's Burn Foundation: "To Hell and Back IV helps stress the importance of proper use of their safety gear including their Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBAs) to greatly reduce the threat of being exposed to these toxic and deadly gases found within the smoke of the fires they fight on a daily basis."

The toxins have cumulative and long term effects. Exposure over time shows increased instances of painful and dangerous conditions including weakness, chronic lung problems, heart disease, heart attack, stroke and brain damage that could lead to dementia.

All four To Hell and Back programs are distributed free of charge to each of the more than 38,000 fire departments across the nation.

MORE INFO? www.PeoplesBurnFoundation.org

NEEDA URGES OBAMA ADMINISTRATION TO SUPPORT ENGINE AND GENERATOR TECHNOLOGY FOR FUTURE FIRE AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE VEHICLES
Originally Posted: April 21, 2009 10:47 AM
Last Updated: April 21, 2009 10:54 AM

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger helped publicize Raser Technologies, Inc.'s 100+ mpg Hummer H3 at the Society Automotive Engineers 2009 World Congress in Detroit, Michigan April 20, 2009. The plug-in electric Hummer H3 has a range of about 400 miles, driving its first 40 miles on batteries before turning on its combustion generator.

As NEEDA Newsletter has reported, the Federal government and the vehicle industry are working toward low mileage vehicles which make at least 35 miles to the gallon. Washington meetings attended by NEEDA rarely discuss the future needs of emergency response vehicles and equipment which require power and fuel but operate independently of power sources such as electric outlets.

Future US vehicles will have batteries as does this Rase Technologies Hummer and will plug in day-to-day to keep operating. Battery charging and exchanging stations along highways have been discussed in high level meetings
attended by NEEDA Executive Director Kenton Pattie.

Pattie says the US power industry is very enthusiastic about the "plug in" approach to future truck motors because plug-in trucks will consume electricity at night when US power consumption declines. Pattie says the power industry is excited by "a new category of customer: the truck that needs to plug in to keep moving!"

Pattie:"The focus of technology may not help the fire apparatus manufacturers and dealers because fire trucks and ambulances cannot operate reliably if they are required to depend on batteries and electrical cords wherever they respond. Most fire sites and emergency scenes don't offer the convenience of on site electricity."

"Further, the truck battery size and complexity of operation may not match the capability of today's engines," Pattie said. "Ample power and generator-fed electricity are needed for successful emergency equipment. Our industry has made exceptional improvements to truck motors and generators. But far more automotive technology focus is needed to ensure that tomorrow's fire apparatus can still save property and lives without threat from inappropriate Federal standards and requirements."

Pattie: "I'm still hoping that the new Obama Administration will recognize the problem facing the future of fire and emergency vehicle engines and generators."

MORE INFO? WWW.need.org or KentonP1@aol.com

STATE LEGISLATORS CONSIDER LAWS THAT MAY ADD TO BUSINESS INSURANCE PREMIUMS WHILE ADDRESSING INEQUITIES IN EMPLOYEE INSURANCE COVERAGE
Originally Posted: April 17, 2009 7:28 PM
Last Updated: April 17, 2009 7:28 PM

State legislatures have a role in economic recovery but also how much burden to put on the backs of small businesses during an era when companies are struggling to stay in business.

For example, the Kansas Senate and House have Ok'd SB 160 to raise the minimum wage to $7.25 per hour. It has not yet been signed by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius (D) . . . other states are watching the impact of this decision.

The New Mexico legislature passed and Governor Bill Richardson (D) signed HB 489 to penalize employers who do not pay minimum wage or overtime. Employers who violate the law could be required to pay triple wages in damages.

The Oregon has has passed HB 2826 which would allow employed youth under 16 years old to work an hour later during the school year and three hours later during summer. Currently kids 14 and 15 year olds are limited to 10 work hours per day between 7AM and 6PM. The Oregon Senate has not acted on this
idea.

The Iowa House has approved HF 311 which requires health insurers to cover the cost of prosthetic limbs -- some argue that may show up in insurance premiums if and when the bill passes into law. In a similar vein, Illinois has a new law that requires insurance companys to pay more for autism and cerebral palsy and for such services as physical and speech therapy when prescribed. The Oregon legislature has added telemedicine health service to required health plans, again tempting insurance companies to increase premiums paid by businesses and employees. All of the changes in health insurance law have substantial support from nonprofits and citizens that focus on the inequities and underserved in the world of employer-supported health insurance.

If your state is adopting a law which negatively or positively affects you and your business, share the info with NEEDA. Use the NEEDA internet address below.

MORE INFO? KentonP1@aol.com

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION SEEKS FIRE AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE NOMINEE FOR ADVISORY COUNCIL
Originally Posted: April 17, 2009 3:50 PM
Last Updated: April 17, 2009 3:50 PM

Will you nominate someone to serve on the Communications Security, Reliability, and Interoperability Council of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)?

The Council is provides guidance and expertise on the nation’s communications infrastructure and public safety communications. They need people from the fire and emergency response community to serve, so please consider making a nomination.

Here are the four nomination categories: public safety organizations, at state, local or tribal levels; federal government agencies; communications service providers; and consumer or community organizations such a fire, EMS and emergency response.

FCC: “Organizations should nominate their Chief Executive Officer or another senior-level official in their organization,” according to the Federal Register, April 16, 2009.

Nominations, should include the name, title, organization, description of the category or interest the nominee would represent, mailing address, e-mail address, phone and fax numbers, must be received by the FCC by May 11, 2009.

Send your nomination to Lisa Fowlkes, Deputy Bureau Chief, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, at 202-418-7452.

FIREFIGHTERNATION.COM, WITH 35,000 MEMBERS IS ACQUIRED BY ELSEVIER PUBLIC SAFETY
Originally Posted: April 17, 2009 7:45 AM
Last Updated: April 17, 2009 7:45 AM

Elsevier Public Safety (San Diego, CA), publisher of FireRescue, JEMS, Law Officer and Public Safety Communications magazines, and a business unit of Elsevier, Inc., has acquired FirefighterNation.com, a professional and social networking site for firefighters and rescue personnel worldwide.

FirefighterNation.com has 35,000 registered members and others in Facebook and LinkedIn. In addition to becoming the online home of the FireRescue magazine, the site will expand to include news, video, Webcasts, education and industry networking features.

Jeff Berend is Vice President/Publisher of Elsevier Public Safety. Site founder is Dave Iannone who is Managing Director of eMedia Strategy for EPS. Paul Andrews and Chris Hebert are also leaders in Elsevier Public Safety.

JEMS launched JEMSConnect.com that has 7,000 members.

Elsevier Public Safety produces public safety products and services including JEMS (Journal of Emergency Medical Services), FireRescue Magazine, Law Officer, EMS Today Conference and Exposition, JEMS.com, and LawOfficer.com.

Elsevier publishes 1,800 journals and 2,200 new books per year. Elsevier, headquartered in Amsterdam, The Netherlands is part of Reed Elsevier Group, a publisher and information provider in science and medical, legal, education and business-to-business. Reed Elsevier is listed on the Amsterdam, London Stock Exchange), and New York stock exchanges.

MORE INFO? www.FirefighterNation.com or www.elsevier.com/publicsafety or www.reedelsevier.com

US IMPORTS HAVE DROPPED
Originally Posted: April 16, 2009 7:20 PM
Last Updated: April 16, 2009 7:20 PM

While a lot of great products sold by dealers are made in the United States, some come from abroad. But imports into the US have dropped.

Import cargo volume at the nation’s major retail container ports hit its lowest level in seven years in February as the number of containers dropped below the 1 million mark for the first time in half a decade, according to the monthly Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation.

Numbers began climbing again in March and April, but the 1 million mark won’t be seen again before May, and imports will continue to see significant declines compared with last year at least through the summer.

“These numbers come during the slowest part of the annual shipping cycle, so they’re expected to be low, but they nonetheless show the severity of the current recession and its impact on the retail industry,” NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said. “The good news is that we’ve already seen the bottom for the year, and month-to-month numbers are already starting to climb. We’re still going to see double-digit declines compared with last year, but the size of the gap is starting to narrow.”

The first half of 2009 is now forecast down 21 percent.

“The weak port cargo volumes have left port trucking with excess capacity, and cargo is moving without congestion either at the ports or through the inland system,” IHS Global Insight Economist Paul Bingham said. “Rail operations were affected by flooding in the northern states in March and April but disruptions were not sustained enough to cause significant delays.”

NEEDA SPEAKS AT IRS HEARING ON 3% WITHHOLDING FROM DEALER SALES; IRS SAYS IT WILL NOT SPEAK TO DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY OR FEMA ABOUT IRS PLANS TO WITHHOLD 3% OF SALES FROM DEALERS
Originally Posted: April 16, 2009 6:19 PM
Last Updated: April 16, 2009 6:22 PM

The US Internal Revenue Service (part of the US Treasury Department) held a public hearing April 16, 2009 in the IRS building titled "Withholding Under Internal Revenue Code Section 3402(t)." The purpose of the hearing was to get public views of the draft regulations to be used to take 3 percent from every
payment owed to a dealer by a local, state or Federal buyer of emergency equipment, apparatus and turnout gear.

There were fifteen speakers including Kenton Pattie, Executive Director,
National Emergency Equipment Dealers Association (NEEDA). No one else from the fire industry spoke for or against the regulations.

The regulations, which are very lengthy, are based on a law passed by Congress. But both the law and the draft regulations leave many questions unanswered.

Pattie asked IRS if the law applies to volunteer fire departments in that the draft regulations refer to "associations" and non-profit organizations. While on first glance "volunteer departments" may be exempt, IRS may tie these departments in some way to the local government (for example, Was their station built with government funds? Or, Does local govenment pay the volunteer force for certain services?)

Pattie also pointed out that the regulations should be written to exempt all fire departments from being subject to the rules because the Treasury Secretary has the authority to exempt for the purpose of emergency or disaster -- circumstances all fire departments are trained and equipped to handle. The IRS staff conceeded that the Secretary of Treasury has this authority.

Another problem the regulations don't deal with is: Will any of the 3% withheld from dealers be subject to the Prompt Payment Act or state prompt pay laws which say goverment must pay interest penalties when government pays vendors after 30 days from delivery? If so, do Federal or state prompt pay laws apply?

Pattie warns that many of the Federal and state grant funds that help fire departments are very complicated and are based on the full use of the government funds. Pattie: "Why should 3% of grant funds be channeled off to IRS for a year?"

But when he asked the IRS staff if they would be working with state and Federal grant issuing agencies the IRS staff said "No." "They were invited and could have come to today's hearing. But they didn't show up. So no we are not going to have another hearing," the IRS told Pattie. When he asked, "Aren't you even going to talk to the Department of Homeland Security or FEMA because they are trying to ensure the US is ready for any emergency or disaster and trying to avoid the repeat of a 9-11-01 disaster?" the IRS staff replied to Pattie "No, we have no plans to talk to DHS or FEMA."

All speakers said they are for repeal of the 3% withholding law but, recognizing IRS is going ahead with publication of the regulations: speakers pointed out the weakensses and failures of the draft regulations.

Most speakers warned that the law and regulations would increase vendor costs and thus result in higher prices. Speakers also said current laws with respect to withholding for tax purposes were being effective or could be adjusted thus making the 3% scheme unnecessary.

Many speakers said the regulations would increase costs to state and local governments. Speakers from West Virginia government and Montgomery County government (Maryland) pointed out the high cost of installing financial systems that will track the splitting of all payments into 97% and 3% batches, with the 3% being channeled with documentation to the IRS rather than to the dealer or other contractor.

The State Auditor of West Virginia said he could see no benefit to the state or local governments in his state. Instead it would be a financial and staff burden on the state. The government Finance Officer from Montgomery County, MD said the 3% withholding would be a burden on state and local governments and that because it is an unfunded mandate, the state and local governments should be compensated to comply.

The speaker for the US Chamber of Commerce said the 3% withholding scheme would raise the costs of government, force companies to increase working capital and thus increase borrowing and thereby increase the cost of goods and services. The speaker for the American Medical Association said the 3% scheme is not necessary in the health care field but would have a huge negative impact on physician practices like his own.

Speakers also warned that companies with contracts with state and local governments would see their costs rise and cash flow diminish during a down market.

Pattie read into the IRS hearing record the Office of Small Business Advocacy warning (April 24, 2008) "The three percent 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 contracting business.

FEDERAL LAND ASSISTANCE, MANAGEMENT AND ENHANCEMENT ACT (FLAME ACT) PASSED THE US HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 412 to 3
Originally Posted: April 15, 2009 6:25 PM
Last Updated: April 15, 2009 6:25 PM

California wildfires burning through thousands of acres of forest are draining a funding set aside by Congress for the U.S. Forest Service's annual firefighting activities.

Money to combat wildfires during 2008 was $1.2 bill but by August, 2008 they had already spent $1.6 billion.

Congress is considering legislation to provide a consistent source of funding that federal land managers use. Called the Federal Land Assistance, Management and Enhancement Act, or FLAME Act, the bill passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 412 to 3.

The bill is now before the U.S. Senate.

How does the system work? According to the Idaho Mountain Express, Forest Service land managers must follow a set protocol whenever large wildfires burn through federal money. District managers have a certain amount they're authorized to spend on big fires before they have to turn to forest supervisors to authorize additional spending. Once that amount is exhausted, funding decisions fall on the desk of regional supervisors and, finally, to the chief of the Forest Service.

But more and more, the wildfire seasons are challenging the Forest Service.

Wildfire suppression costs are up from 12 percent to 50 percent of Forest Service budgets.

LOANS AND GRANTS FOR INSTALLATION OF SPRINKLERS IN NURSING HOMES
Originally Posted: April 15, 2009 2:55 PM
Last Updated: April 15, 2009 6:26 PM

US Representative John B. Larson (D-Connecticut) has introduced legislation to provide grants and local for installation of automatic sprinkler installation in nursing homes.

Similar legislation died in the 109th and 110th Congresses. Here is a copy of the Larson bill:
111th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 1642

To provide loans and grants for fire sprinkler retrofitting in nursing facilities.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 19, 2009

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut (for himself and Mr. KING of New York) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

A BILL

To provide loans and grants for fire sprinkler retrofitting in nursing facilities.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ‘Nursing Facility Fire Safety Act of 2009’.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND SENSE OF CONGRESS.

(a) Findings- Congress finds the following:

(1) On February 26, 2003, a fire at a Hartford, Connecticut, nursing facility without an automatic fire sprinkler system claimed the lives of 16 patients, and on September 27, 2003, a fire at a Nashville, Tennessee, nursing home without an automatic fire sprinkler system claimed the lives of 15 patients.

(2) The National Fire Protection Association finds no record of a multiple death fire in a nursing facility equipped with an automatic fire sprinkler system.

(3) An estimated 1.5 million Americans reside in approximately 16,300 nursing facilities nationwide, an estimated 20 to 30 percent of which lack an automatic fire sprinkler system.

(4) Many nursing facilities lack the financial capital to install sprinklers on their own and must consider closure as an alternative to taking on large loans or other financing options in order to install sprinklers.

(5) In a July 2004 report, the GAO found that ‘the substantial loss of life in the Hartford and Nashville fires could have been reduced or eliminated by the presence of properly functioning automatic sprinkler systems’ and that ‘Federal oversight of nursing home compliance with fire safety standards is inadequate’.

(6) Recognizing that automatic fire sprinkler systems greatly improve the chances of survival for older adults in the event of a fire, the National Fire Protection Association, with the support of the American Health Care Association, the fire safety community, and the nursing facility profession, recently adopted requirements for automatic sprinklers in all existing nursing facilities.

(b) Sense of Congress- It is the sense of Congress that--

(1) within five years, every nursing facility in America should be equipped with automatic fire sprinklers in order to ensure patient, resident, and staff safety; and

(2) the Secretary of Health and Human Services (in this Act referred to as the ‘Secretary’), acting through the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services should--

(A) adopt a requirement that all nursing facilities be fully sprinklered with the support of the nursing facility industry; and

(B) ensure that skilled nursing facilities participating in the Medicare program comply with fire safety standards, such as those developed by the National Fire Protection Association in the 2006 Life Safety Code.

SEC. 3. DIRECT LOANS FOR FIRE SPRINKLERS RETROFITS.

(a) Authority- Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall establish a program of direct loans to existing nursing facilities to finance the retrofit of the facilities with an automatic fire sprinkler system. Such loans shall be made under terms and conditions specified by the Secretary.

(b) Authorization of Appropriations- There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $200,000,000 for fiscal year 2010, $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2011, $75,000,000 for fiscal year 2012, $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2013, and $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2014.

SEC. 4. SPRINKLER RETROFIT ASSISTANCE GRANTS.

(a) Authority- Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall establish a program to award grants to nursing facilities for the purposes of retrofitting them with an automatic fire sprinkler system. Such grants shall be awarded under terms and conditions specified by the Secretary.

(b) Priority- In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall give a priority to applications that demonstrate a need or hardship. In determining hardship, the Secretary may take into account factors such as the number of Medicare and Medicaid patients, the age and condition of the facility, and the need for nursing facility beds in the community involved.

(c) Authorization of Appropriations- There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $20,000,000 for each fiscal years 2010 through 2014.

SEC. 5. CONSULTATION AND EVALUATION OF ALTERNATIVES.

(a) Consultation- The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall consult with the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to determine if there are loan programs or other funds available for retrofitting nursing facilities with an automatic fire sprinkler system in addition to the loans and grants authorized in this Act.

(b) Evaluation of Alternative Remedial Actions- The Secretary may evaluate, in unique circumstances, where a nursing facility may not have an adequate structure to retrofit the entire facility with an automatic fire sprinkler system within a reasonable timeframe. In such an instance, the Secretary shall work with representatives of the facility to identify other remedial actions that may include retrofitting a majority of the facility with such a system, construction timeframes for a new or remodeled facility, or other actions.

MORE INFO? 202 225 2265 or www.larson.house.gov

CONVICTED ARSONISTS REGISTRY: UNDER CONSIDERATION AGAIN IN US CONGRESS
Originally Posted: April 15, 2009 2:27 PM
Last Updated: April 15, 2009 2:39 PM

Many catastrophic wildfires are also started by arsonists. Wildfire loss of life, damage to property, and the millions in fighting these blazes, how about a National Registry of Arsonists to assist fire investigators?

Fire officials say one out of 10 wildfires in California is of suspicious origin. As the 2009 fire season nears US Representative Adam B Schiff, D-Burbank, CA, and Rep. Mary Bono Mack R-Palm Springs, CA are advocating Managing Arson Through Criminal History, or MATCH Act, this session. The bill cleared the US House of Representatives in 2008, but died in the US Senate.

Text of H.R. 1727: Managing Arson Through Criminal History (MATCH) Act of 2009

This version: Introduced in House. This is the original text of the bill as it was written by its sponsors and submitted to the House for consideration.

HR 1727
111th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1727

To establish guidelines and incentives for States to establish criminal arsonist and criminal bomber registries and to require the Attorney General to establish a national criminal arsonist and criminal bomber registry program, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 26, 2009

Mrs. BONO MACK (for herself and Mr. SCHIFF) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

A BILL
To establish guidelines and incentives for States to establish criminal arsonist and criminal bomber registries and to require the Attorney General to establish a national criminal arsonist and criminal bomber registry program, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘Managing Arson Through Criminal History (MATCH) Act of 2009’.
SEC. 2. CRIMINAL ARSONIST AND CRIMINAL BOMBER REGISTRATION AND NOTIFICATION PROGRAM.
(a) Registry Requirements for Jurisdictions-
(1) JURISDICTION TO MAINTAIN A REGISTRY- Each jurisdiction shall establish and maintain a jurisdiction-wide arsonist and bomber registry conforming to the requirements of this section.
(2) GUIDELINES AND REGULATIONS- The Attorney General shall issue guidelines and regulations to interpret and implement this section.
(b) Registry Requirements for Criminal Arsonists and Bombers-
(1) IN GENERAL- A criminal arsonist or criminal bomber shall register, and shall keep the registration current, in each jurisdiction where the criminal arsonist or criminal bomber resides, where the criminal arsonist or criminal bomber is an employee, and where the criminal arsonist or criminal bomber is a student. For initial registration purposes only, a criminal arsonist or criminal bomber shall also register in the jurisdiction in which convicted if such jurisdiction is different from the jurisdiction of residence.
(2) INITIAL REGISTRATION- The criminal arsonist or criminal bomber shall initially register--
(A) before completing a sentence of imprisonment with respect to the offense giving rise to the registration requirement; or
(B) not later than 5 business days after being sentenced for that offense, if the criminal arsonist or criminal bomber is not sentenced to a term of imprisonment.
(3) KEEPING THE REGISTRATION CURRENT- A criminal arsonist or criminal bomber shall, not later than 10 business days after each change of name, residence, employment, or student status, appear in person in at least one jurisdiction involved pursuant to paragraph (1) and inform that jurisdiction of all changes in the information required for that criminal arsonist or criminal bomber in the arsonist and bomber registry involved. That jurisdiction shall immediately provide the revised information to all other jurisdictions in which the criminal arsonist or criminal bomber is required to register.
(4) APPLICATION OF REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS-
(A) IN GENERAL- Except as provided in guidelines under subparagraph (B), the requirements of this section, including the duties to register and to keep a registration current, shall apply only to a criminal arsonist or criminal bomber who was convicted of a criminal offense involving arson or bombing on or after the date of the enactment of this Act, and who was notified of such duties and registered in accordance with subsection (f).
(B) APPLICATION TO CRIMINAL ARSONISTS OR CRIMINAL BOMBERS UNABLE TO COMPLY WITH PARAGRAPH (2)-
(i) GUIDELINES- The Attorney General shall establish guidelines in accordance with the provisions of this subparagraph for each jurisdiction for the application of the requirements of this section to criminal arsonists or criminal bombers convicted before the date of the enactment of this Act or the date of its implementation in such a jurisdiction, and shall prescribe rules for the registration of any such criminal arsonists or criminal bombers who are otherwise unable to comply with paragraph (2).
(ii) INFORMATION REQUIRED TO BE INCLUDED IN REGISTRY- With respect to each criminal arsonist or criminal bomber described in clause (i) convicted during the 10-year period preceding the date of the enactment of this Act, the guidelines under clause (i) shall provide for the inclusion in the arsonist and bomber registry of each applicable jurisdiction (and, in accordance with subsection (j), the provision by such jurisdiction to each entity described in such subsection) of the following information:
(I) The name of the criminal arsonist or criminal bomber (including any alias used by the person).
(II) The Social Security number of the person.
(III) The most recent known address of the residence at which the person has resided.
(IV) A physical description of the person.
(V) The text of the provision of law defining the criminal offense for which the person is convicted.
(VI) A set of fingerprints and palm prints of the person.
(VII) A photocopy of a valid driver’s license or identification card issued to the person by a jurisdiction, if available.
(VIII) Any other information required by the Attorney General.
(iii) NOTICE REQUIRED- The guidelines under clause (i) shall provide notice to each criminal arsonist or criminal bomber included in an arsonist and bomber registry pursuant to this subparagraph of such inclusion.
(5) STATE PENALTY FOR FAILURE TO COMPLY- Each jurisdiction, other than a Federally recognized Indian tribe, shall provide a criminal penalty that includes a maximum term of imprisonment that is greater than one year for the failure of a criminal arsonist or criminal bomber to comply with the requirements of this section.
(6) AUTHORITY TO EXEMPT CERTAIN PERSONS FROM REGISTRY REQUIREMENTS- A jurisdiction shall have the authority to exempt a criminal arsonist or criminal bomber who has been convicted of the offense of arson or bombing in violation of the laws of the jurisdiction in which the offense was committed or the United States for the first time from the registration requirements under this section in exchange for the person’s substantial assistance in the investigation or prosecution of another person who has committed an offense. The Attorney General shall assure that any regulations promulgated under this section include guidelines that reflect the general appropriateness of exempting the person from the registration requirements under this section.
(c) Information Required in Registration-
(1) PROVIDED BY ARSONIST OR BOMBER- A criminal arsonist or criminal bomber shall provide the following information to the appropriate official for inclusion in the arsonist registry of a jurisdiction in which the person is required to register:
(A) The name of the person (including any alias used by the person).
(B) The Social Security number of the person.
(C) The address of each residence at which the person resides or will reside.
(D) The name and address of any place where the person is an employee or will be an employee.
(E) The name and address of any place where the person is a student or will be a student.
(F) The license plate number and a description of any vehicle owned or operated by the person.
(G) Any other information required by the Attorney General.
(2) PROVIDED BY THE JURISDICTION- The jurisdiction in which a criminal arsonist or criminal bomber registers shall ensure that the following information is included in the registry for the person:
(A) A physical description of the person.
(B) The text of the provision of law defining the criminal offense for which the person is registered.
(C) The criminal history of the person, including the date of all arrests and convictions; the status of parole, probation, or supervised release; registration status; and the existence of any outstanding arrest warrants for the person.
(D) A current photograph of the person.
(E) A set of fingerprints and palm prints of the person.
(F) A photocopy of a valid driver’s license or identification card issued to the person by a jurisdiction.
(G) Any other information required by the Attorney General.
(d) Duration of Registration Requirement; Expunging Registries of Information for Certain Juvenile Criminals-
(1) DURATION OF REGISTRATION REQUIREMENT- A criminal arsonist or criminal bomber shall keep the registration information provided under subsection (c) current for the full registration period (excluding any time the person is in custody). For purposes of this subsection, the full registration period--
(A) shall commence on the later of the date on which the person is convicted of an offense of arson or bombing in violation of the laws of the jurisdiction in which the offense was committed or the United States, the date on which the person is released from prison for such conviction, or the date on which the person is placed on parole, supervised release, or probation for such conviction; and
(B) shall be--
(i) five years for a person who has been convicted of such an offense for the first time;
(ii) ten years for a person who has been convicted of such an offense for the second time; and
(iii) for the life of the person for a person who has been convicted of such an offense more than twice.
(2) EXPUNGING REGISTRIES OF INFORMATION FOR CERTAIN JUVENILE CRIMINALS-
(A) IN GENERAL- In the case of a criminal arsonist or criminal bomber described in subparagraph (B), a jurisdiction shall expunge the arson and bomber registry of such jurisdiction of information related to such criminal arsonist or criminal bomber as of the date that is 5 years after the last day of the applicable full registration period under paragraph (1).
(B) CRIMINAL ARSONIST DESCRIBED- For purposes of subparagraph (A), a criminal arsonist or criminal bomber described in this subparagraph is a criminal arsonist or criminal bomber who--
(i) was a juvenile tried as an adult for the offense giving rise to the duty to register; and
(ii) was not convicted of any other criminal felony during the period beginning on the first day of the applicable full registration period under paragraph (1) and ending on the last day of the 5-year period described in subparagraph (A).
(C) APPLICATION TO OTHER DATABASES- The Attorney General shall establish a process to ensure that each entity that receives information under subsection (j) with respect to a criminal arsonist or criminal bomber described in subparagraph (B) shall expunge the applicable database of such information as of the date that is 5 years after the last day of the applicable full registration period under paragraph (1).
(e) Annual Verification- Not less than once in each calendar year during the full registration period, a criminal arsonist or criminal bomber required to register under this section shall--
(1) appear in person at not less than one jurisdiction in which the person is required to register;
(2) allow such jurisdiction to take a current photograph of the person; and
(3) while present at such jurisdiction, verify the information in each registry in which the person is required to be registered.
(f) Duty To Notify Criminal Arsonists and Criminal Bombers of Registration Requirements and to Register-
(1) IN GENERAL- An appropriate official shall, shortly before release of a criminal arsonist or criminal bomber from custody, or, if the person is not in custody, immediately after the sentencing of the person for the offense giving rise to the duty to register--
(A) inform the person of the duties of the person under this section and explain those duties in a manner that the person can understand in light of the person’s native language, mental capability, and age;
(B) ensure that the person understands the registration requirement, and if so, require the person to read and sign a form stating that the duty to register has been explained and that the person understands the registration requirement;
(C) if the person is unable to understand the registration requirements, the official shall sign a form stating that the person is unable to understand the registration requirements; and
(D) ensure that the person is registered.
(2) NOTIFICATION OF CRIMINAL ARSONISTS AND CRIMINAL BOMBERS WHO CANNOT COMPLY WITH PARAGRAPH (1)- The Attorney General shall prescribe rules to ensure the notification and registration of criminal arsonists and criminal bombers in accordance with paragraph (1) who cannot be notified and registered at the time set forth in paragraph (1).
(g) Access to Information Through the Internet-
(1) IN GENERAL- Except as provided in this subsection, each jurisdiction shall make available on the Internet, in a manner that is readily accessible to law enforcement personnel and fire safety officers located in the jurisdiction, all information about each criminal arsonist and criminal bomber in the registry. The jurisdiction shall also include in the design of its Internet site all field search capabilities needed for full participation in the national Internet site established under subsection (i) and shall participate in that Internet site as provided by the Attorney General in regulations which comply with this paragraph.
(2) PROHIBITION ON ACCESS BY THE PUBLIC- Information about a criminal arsonist or criminal bomber shall not be made available under paragraph (1) on the Internet to the public.
(3) MANDATORY EXEMPTIONS- A jurisdiction shall exempt from disclosure on the Internet site of the jurisdiction described in paragraph (1), with respect to information about a criminal arsonist or criminal bomber--
(A) any information about the criminal arsonist or criminal bomber involving conviction for an offense other than the offense or offenses for which the person is registered;
(B) any information about the person if the person is participating in a witness protection program and the release of such information could jeopardize the safety of the person or any other person; and
(C) any other information identified as a mandatory exemption from disclosure by the Attorney General.
(4) OPTIONAL EXEMPTIONS- A jurisdiction is authorized to exempt from disclosure on the Internet site of the jurisdiction described in paragraph (1), with respect to information about a criminal arsonist or criminal bomber--
(A) the name of an employer of the person; and
(B) the name of an educational institution where the person is a student.
(5) CORRECTION OF ERRORS- The Attorney General shall establish guidelines for each jurisdiction for a process to seek correction of information included in the Internet site established by the jurisdiction pursuant to paragraph (1) in the case that an individual contends such information is erroneous. Such guidelines shall provide for an adequate period following the date on which the individual has knowledge of the information’s inclusion in the Internet site for the individual to seek such correction of information.
(6) WARNING- An Internet site established by a jurisdiction pursuant to paragraph (1) shall include a warning that information on the site is to be used for law enforcement purposes only and may only be disclosed in connection with such purposes. The warning shall note that any action in violation of the previous sentence may result in a civil or criminal penalty.
(h) National Criminal Arsonist and Criminal Bomber Registry-
(1) IN GENERAL- The Attorney General shall maintain a national database at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for each criminal arsonist or criminal bomber. The database shall be known as the National Criminal Arsonist and Criminal Bomber Registry.
(2) ELECTRONIC FORWARDING- The Attorney General shall ensure (through the national registry or otherwise) that updated information about a criminal arsonist or criminal bomber is immediately transmitted by electronic forwarding to all relevant jurisdictions.
(3) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- In addition to any amounts otherwise authorized to be appropriated, there are authorized to be appropriated to the Attorney General, to carry out this subsection, such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 2010 through 2014.
(i) National Arsonist and Bomber Internet Site-
(1) IN GENERAL- The Attorney General shall establish and maintain a national arsonist and bomber Internet site. The Internet site shall include relevant information for each criminal arsonist or criminal bomber. The Internet site shall allow law enforcement officers and fire safety officers to obtain relevant information for each criminal arsonist or criminal bomber by a single query for any given zip code or geographical radius set by the user in a form and with such limitations as may be established by the Attorney General and shall have such other field search capabilities as the Attorney General may provide.
(2) PROHIBITION ON ACCESS BY THE PUBLIC- Information about a criminal arsonist or criminal bomber shall not be made available under paragraph (1) on the Internet to the public.
(3) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- In addition to any amounts otherwise authorized to be appropriated, there are authorized to be appropriated to the Attorney General, to carry out this subsection, such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 2010 through 2014.
(j) Notification Procedures- Under a registration program established by a jurisdiction pursuant to subsection (a), immediately after a criminal arsonist or criminal bomber registers or updates a registration, an appropriate official in the jurisdiction shall provide the information in the registry (other than information exempted from disclosure by this section or by the Attorney General) about that offender to the following entities:
(1) The Attorney General, who shall include that information in the National Registry.
(2) Appropriate law enforcement agencies (including probation agencies, if appropriate) in each area in which the offender resides, is an employee, or is a student.
(3) Each jurisdiction where the offender resides, is an employee, or is a student, and each jurisdiction from or to which a change of residence, employment, or student status occurs.
(k) Actions To Be Taken When Criminal Arsonist or Criminal Bomber Fails To Comply- Under a registration program established by a jurisdiction pursuant to subsection (a), an appropriate official of the jurisdiction shall notify the Attorney General and appropriate law enforcement agencies of any failure by a criminal arsonist or criminal bomber to comply with the requirements of the registry for such jurisdiction, and shall revise the registry to reflect the nature of such failure. The appropriate official, the Attorney General, and each such law enforcement agency shall take any appropriate action to ensure compliance.
(l) Development and Availability of Registry Management and Website Software-
(1) DUTY TO DEVELOP AND SUPPORT- The Attorney General shall, in consultation with the jurisdictions, develop and support software to enable jurisdictions to establish and operate uniform registries and Internet sites.
(2) CRITERIA- The software described in paragraph (1) should facilitate--
(A) immediate exchange of information among jurisdictions;
(B) access over the Internet to appropriate information, including the number of registered criminal arsonists or criminal bombers in each jurisdiction on a current basis;
(C) full compliance with the requirements of this section; and
(D) communication of information as required under subsection (j).
(3) DEADLINE- The Attorney General shall make the first complete edition of this software available to jurisdictions not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(m) Period for Implementation by Jurisdictions-
(1) DEADLINE- To be in compliance with this section, a jurisdiction shall implement this section before the later of--
(A) three years after the date of the enactment of this Act; or
(B) one year after the date on which the software described in subsection (l) is made available to such jurisdiction.
(2) EXTENSIONS- The Attorney General may authorize not more than two one-year extensions of the deadline under paragraph (1).
(3) FAILURE OF JURISDICTION TO COMPLY- For any fiscal year after the expiration of the deadline specified in paragraph (1) (and any extension under paragraph (2)), a jurisdiction that fails, as determined by the Attorney General, to substantially implement this section shall, at the discretion of the Attorney General, be subject to not more than a 10 percent reduction of the funds that would otherwise be allocated for that fiscal year to the jurisdiction under subpart 1 of part E of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3750 et seq.), whether characterized as the Edward Byrne Memorial State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance Programs, the Local Government Law Enforcement Block Grants Program, the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program, or otherwise.
(n) Election by Indian Tribes-
(1) ELECTION-
(A) IN GENERAL- A federally recognized Indian tribe may, by resolution or other enactment of the tribal council or comparable governmental body, elect to carry out this section as a jurisdiction subject to its provisions.
(B) IMPLEMENTATION- If a tribe does not, within one year of the enactment of this Act, make an election to take on these duties, it shall, by resolution or other enactment of the tribal council or comparable governmental body, enter into a cooperative agreement to arrange for a jurisdiction to carry out any function of the tribe under this section until such time as the tribe elects to carry out this section.
(2) COOPERATION BETWEEN TRIBAL AUTHORITIES AND OTHER JURISDICTIONS-
(A) NONDUPLICATION- A tribe subject to this section is not required to duplicate functions under this section which are fully carried out by another jurisdiction or jurisdictions within which the territory of the tribe is located.
(B) COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS- A tribe may, through cooperative agreements with such a jurisdiction or jurisdictions--
(i) arrange for the tribe to carry out any function of such a jurisdiction under this section with respect to criminal arsonists or criminal bombers subject to the tribe’s jurisdiction; and
(ii) arrange for such a jurisdiction to carry out any function of the tribe under this section with respect to criminal arsonists and criminal bombers subject to the tribe’s jurisdiction.
(3) LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY IN INDIAN COUNTRY- Enforcement of this section in Indian country, as defined in section 1151 of title 18, United States Code, shall be carried out by Federal, tribal, and State governments under existing jurisdictional authorities.
(o) Immunity for Good Faith Conduct- The Federal Government, jurisdictions, political subdivisions of jurisdictions, and their agencies, officers, employees, and agents shall be immune from liability for good faith conduct under this section.
(p) Criminal Arsonist and Criminal Bomber Management Assistance Program-
(1) IN GENERAL- The Attorney General shall establish and implement a Criminal Arsonist and Bomber Management Assistance program (in this subsection referred to as the ‘Assistance Program’), under which the Attorney General shall award grants to jurisdictions to offset the costs of implementing the other provisions of this section.
(2) APPLICATION- The chief executive of a jurisdiction desiring a grant under this subsection, with respect to a fiscal year, shall for each such fiscal year submit to the Attorney General an application in such form and containing such information as the Attorney General may require.
(3) INCREASED GRANT PAYMENTS FOR PROMPT COMPLIANCE- A jurisdiction that, as determined by the Attorney General, has substantially implemented the other provisions of this section not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act is eligible for a bonus payment in addition to the amount of grant funds available to such jurisdiction under paragraph (1). The Attorney General may, with respect to a jurisdiction, make such a bonus payment to the jurisdiction for the first fiscal year beginning after the date such determination is made. The amount of the bonus payment shall be as follows:
(A) In the case of a determination that the jurisdiction has substantially implemented this section by a date that is not later than the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, 10 percent of the total grant funds available to the jurisdiction under paragraph (1) for such fiscal year.
(B) In the case of a determination that the jurisdiction has substantially implemented this section by a date that is later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, but not later than the date that is two years after such date of enactment, 5 percent of such total.
(4) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- In addition to any amounts otherwise authorized to be appropriated, there are authorized to be appropriated to the Attorney General, to be available to carry out this subsection, such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 2010 through 2014.
(q) Definitions- For purposes of this section:
(1) CRIMINAL ARSONIST- The term ‘criminal arsonist’ means an individual who is convicted of any criminal offense for committing arson, attempting arson, or conspiracy to commit arson in violation of the laws of the jurisdiction in which such offense was committed or the United States. Such term shall not include a juvenile who is convicted of such an offense unless such juvenile was tried as an adult for such offense.
(2) CRIMINAL BOMBER- The term ‘criminal bomber’ means an individual who is convicted of any criminal offense for committing a bombing, attempting a bombing, or conspiracy to commit a bombing in violation of the laws of the jurisdiction in which such offense was committed or the United States. Such term shall not include a juvenile who is convicted of such an offense unless such juvenile was tried as an adult for such offense.
(3) ARSONIST AND BOMBER REGISTRY- The term ‘arsonist and bomber registry’ means a registry of criminal arsonists, and a notification program, maintained by a jurisdiction.
(4) CRIMINAL OFFENSE- The term ‘criminal offense’ means a Federal State, local, tribal, foreign, or military offense (to the extent specified by the Secretary of Defense under section 115(a)(8)(C)(i) of Public Law 105-119 (10 U.S.C. 951 note)) or other criminal offense.
(5) EMPLOYEE- The term ‘employee’ includes an individual who is self-employed or works for any other entity, whether compensated or not.
(6) FIRE SAFETY OFFICER- The term ‘fire safety officer’ means an individual serving in an official capacity as a firefighter, fire investigator, or other arson investigator, as defined by the jurisdiction for the purposes of this section.
(7) JURISDICTION- The term ‘jurisdiction’ means any of the following:
(A) A State.
(B) The District of Columbia.
(C) The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
(D) Guam.
(E) American Samoa.
(F) The Northern Mariana Islands.
(G) The United States Virgin Islands.
(H) To the extent provided and subject to the requirements of subsection (o), a federally recognized Indian tribe.
(8) LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER- The term ‘law enforcement officer’ has the meaning given such term in section 1204 of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Street Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3796b).
(9) RESIDES- The term ‘resides’ means, with respect to an individual, the location of the individual’s home or other place where the individual habitually lives.
(10) STUDENT- The term ‘student’ means an individual who enrolls in or attends an educational institution (whether public or private), including a secondary school, trade or professional school, and institution of higher education.

Similar to the Megan’s Law sex offenders’ registry, MATCH would require convicted arsonists to report to officials where they live, work and attend school.

The registry, available only to fire investigators, would also contain fingerprints, photographs of arsonists and their methods for starting fires.

RESTAURANT BURNS AGAIN; SAFETY OFFICER DOWN
Originally Posted: April 15, 2009 5:48 AM
Last Updated: April 15, 2009 5:48 AM

Robert Salonga, Contra Costa Times, CA says fire gutted a Pleasant Hill restaurant for the second time in two years.

The Contra Costa Fire District reported the El Tapatio, a family-operated Mexican restaurant on Golf Club Road near Contra Costa Boulevard, needed an entire year to rebuild after a similar fire destroyed the business in December 2006.

"The last time, I was 100 percent sure we were going to rebuild," said Ramon Velasco, a Concord resident who has run the restaurant with his father since 1985. "This time, I don't know if I have it in me."

Battalion Chief Dave George said a crew of more than 30 firefighters arrived but the fire had been burning for three hours.

George: "This fire had its teeth deep in this building by the time crews got involved."

A 12-year veteran firefighter charged with supervising the safety of personnel inside the building fell to the ground face-first, losing consciousness.

POSSIBLE OIL LEAK & FIRE IN GM MOTORS: 1.5 MILLION RECALL IN MAY, 2009
Originally Posted: April 15, 2009 5:33 AM
Last Updated: April 15, 2009 5:33 AM

An engine oil leak that leads to a car fire has GM recalling 1.5 million vehicles in the U.S., according to Bloomberg News and the Los Angeles Times.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says some cars have a condition that, due to hard braking by the driver, can drip oil on the exhaust manifold, posing a risk of engine fire.

These cars will be recalled:

1998-2003 Chevrolet Lumina
1998-2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo (2000 model shown above)
1998-2003 Chevrolet Impala
1997-2003 Buick Regal
1998-1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue
1997-2003 Pontiac Grand Prix (equipped with a 3.8L V6)

In May, GM dealers will remove and replace a spark plug wire/channel at the front of the engine at no charge to the owner.

FEDERAL SIGNAL REPORTS EARNINGS GAIN FOR QUARTER: DETAILS MAY 1, 2009
Originally Posted: April 15, 2009 5:17 AM
Last Updated: April 15, 2009 5:17 AM

Federal Signal Corporation (Oak Brook, IL) first quarter earnings from continuing operations are up slightly. The company had predicted a first quarter loss on February 26, 2009.

William H. Osborne, president and chief executive officer: "Our team's commitment has helped Federal Signal generate a first quarter profit despite the difficult economic environment. Costs associated with the hearing loss litigation were lower than expected, and we reduced the fixed cost structure at many of our businesses. We are well on our way to achieving our cost-cutting targets."

Details will be presented during a conference call May 1, 2009.

Federal Signal Corporation founded in 1901 operates three groups: Safety and Security Systems, Environmental Solutions and Fire Rescue.

MORE INFO? www.federalsignal.com

$510 MILLION IN ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTER GRANTS: APPLY NOW APRIL 15 TO MAY 20, 2009
Originally Posted: April 13, 2009 12:42 PM
Last Updated: April 13, 2009 12:42 PM

The Department of Homeland Security has posted the FY2009 Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) Program Guidance on the AFG Website. The application period is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, April 15, 2009, at 8:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). Applications for these grants must be received by Wednesday, May 20, 2009, at 5:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).

Nationally, the AFG awards, which will be distributed in phases, will ultimately provide approximately $510 million to fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical service organizations throughout the country. AFG awards aim to enhance response capabilities and to more effectively protect the health and safety of the public with respect to fire and other hazards. The grants enable local fire departments and emergency medical services organizations to purchase or receive training, conduct first responder health and safety programs, and buy equipment and response vehicles.

An applicant tutorial is available through the www.firegrantsupport.com website.

The tutorial provides 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 funding priorities and evaluation criteria. Applicants who have questions regarding the Assistance to Firefighters Grants opportunity should contact the help desk 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 8:00 p.m. (EDT), but is prepared to revise hours of operation based on volume and demand.

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.

MORE INFO? www.firegrantsupport.com/afg/

THE LOCAL PREPAREDNESS ACQUISITION ACT IS AIMED AT DRIVING EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT DEALERS OUT OF BUSINESS: THE FEDERAL GOVERMENT IS NOW YOUR COMPETITOR AND YOUR WORST BUSINESS NIGHTMARE
Originally Posted: April 10, 2009 11:17 AM
Last Updated: April 10, 2009 11:21 AM

by Kenton Pattie
Executive Director
National Emergency Equipment Dealers Association
PO Box 220
Annandale VA 22003
KentonP1@aol.com

I'm writing to remind you that the US General Services Administration (GSA) is rushing into implementing the P.L. 110-248,The Local Preparedness Acquisition Act, that permits State and Local Governments to buy directly from the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) 84 (Total Solutions for Law Enforcement).

This law is all about robbing business opportunities from dealers. GSA multiple awards sales will replace your sales and GSA approved suppliers will be selling direct into your sales area taking millions of dollars of business opportunities from you and other dealers.

In my opinion, the future of your dealer business is at stake: you have every good reason to fight for your business by asking your US Senator and US Representative to repeal this law. It is anti-small business and will be the competition for all dealers in the United States.

In June 2008, President Bush signed Public Law 110-248, to permit agencies at the State and Local Government level to purchase directly from FSS 84 (Total Solutions for Law Enforcement). Congress and the former President said this program "is a tremendous step forward in serving to promote a business opportunity previously reserved solely for Federal agencies."

Historically, GSA has be restricted in most instances to selling only to Federal agencies. But PL 119-248 allows every emergency equipment product to be sold by a Federal contractor directly to a local government. No dealer will be involved as dealers don't have national GSA contracts. Some dealers have contacted GSA to see about getting on the GSA schedule only to find that GSA wants service to 50 states plus territories and is hostile to dealers.

While your manufacturers have give you a territory in which to sell, GSA suppliers can sell anywhere in the US. So GSA will be offering most of the same products you sell. GSA will be offering your products to your customers. But you won't be involved in any of these sales!

The goal of GSA is to establish long-term government-wide contracts with commercial firms to provide access to products and services that can be ordered directly from government approved GSA Schedule contractors.

GSA Schedules offer customers delivery of supplies and services at "volume discount pricing." GSA brags that it sells products at below dealer prices!

All customers, even those in remote locations, can order supplies and services, conveniently, and at most favored customer prices, GSA says.

The GSA Federal Supply Service says it offers the benefits of shorter lead-times, lower administrative costs, coupled with most favored customer
pricing -- things they say dealers like you don't offer.

When using GSA Schedules, GSA argues that state and local government activities have the opportunity to meet business goals,while promoting compliance with various laws and regulations.

So, NEEDA is for repealing this law. NEEDA is four square against GSA competition with dealers as it is unfair and damaging to small businesses including all emergency equipment dealers.

This law will not be repealed without you expressing the dealer viewpoint -- how this law will hurt your business with unfair government competition.

Have your asked your manufacturers and suppliers: Are you going to cooperate with GSA to take away your state and local market?

US IMMIGRATION LAWS BEING TIGHTENED ON REQUIRED VACCINATIONS
Originally Posted: April 9, 2009 11:07 AM
Last Updated: April 9, 2009 11:18 AM

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) proposes to change the vaccination requirements on immigrants: the "vaccine must be an age-appropriate vaccine," and the vaccine must either "protect against a disease that has the potential to cause an outbreak," or the vaccine "must protect against a disease that has been eliminated in the United States." The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is considering changing the criteria for vaccinations that immigrants seeking admission into the U.S. are required to have.

The new requirement would affect schools, fire and EMS departments and other institutions which require new students and employees to meet US health standards such being up-to-date on vaccinations.

Today, section 212 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), an immigrant must prove she or he has received vaccinations for "vaccine-preventable diseases, which shall include at least the following diseases: mumps, measles, rubella, polio, tetanus and diphtheria toxoids, pertussis, Haemophilus influenzae type B and hepatitis B, and any other vaccinations against vaccine-preventable diseases." These are recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), according to an April 6, 2009 Federal Register.

The CDC proposes using "specific scientific-based criteria to determine the relevant vaccines required for U.S. immigration purposes to ensure CDC decision-making regarding vaccination requirements is grounded in public health necessity and need in light of a growing list of vaccines for infectious and non-infectious diseases."

Public comments must be received by May 8, 2009 by Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, US Department of Health and Human Services, Immigration Vaccination Requirements, 1600 Clifton Road, NE., MS E-03, Atlanta, Georgia, 30333.

MORE INFO? David McAdam in the Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1600 Clifton Road, NE., MS E-03, Atlanta, Georgia 30333 404-498-1600

TV CHANNEL 4 FIRE UNDER INVESTIGATION BY THE US BUREAU OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, FIREARMS AND EXPLOSIVES
Originally Posted: April 8, 2009 6:49 PM
Last Updated: April 8, 2009 6:49 PM

The Beaumont Field Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (Port Arthur, TX) is looking for two witnesses seen near the KBTV Channel 4 building fire on Feb. 2, 2009 in Port Arthur. The fire, located at 2900 17th Street, was reported at 2:22 PM., and is still under investigation; however it has been determined to be an incendiary fire.

MORE INFO? www.atf.gov/press/2009press/field/040709hou_tv_station_fire-inforequest-sketches.htm or ATF Beaumont (409) 981-6670 or the Port Arthur Fire Department at (409) 983-8737 or Franceska Perot, Ph.D.
ATF Special Agent, PIO (281) 372-2908 (office)

FEMA LOAN RECIPIENTS MAY BE ELIGIBLE TO HAVE LOAN REPAYMENT OBLIGATIONS CANCELLED
Originally Posted: April 8, 2009 5:16 PM
Last Updated: April 8, 2009 5:16 PM

FEMA says local governments that received Special Community Disaster Loans (CDL) in the wakes of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita can apply to have their loan obligations canceled.

Following the 2005 hurricanes, Congress passed legislation in both 2005 and 2006 specifically designed to help devastated communities in Mississippi and Louisiana -- their tax bases shattered by the storms -- pay for public services, such as police and fire protection.

"As a result of the 2005 and 2006 Acts, FEMA made 152 loans totaling $1.2 million to 109 eligible communities," according to a notice of proposed rulemaking, published April 3 in the Federal Register.

The Federal Emergency Management agency (FEMA) can cancel a Katrina or Rita hurrican community's indebtedness if the "revenues of the local government during the full three fiscal year period following the disaster are insufficient to meet the operating budget for the local government." That cancellation authority is the same as the agency has for its traditional Community Disaster Loan program.

E-mail comments before June, 2009.

MORE INFO? FEMA-RULES@dhs.gov, 703-483-2999 (fax), or Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov. Mention ID FEMA-2005-0051.

FIRE TRUCK CRASH INJURES ELEVEN INCLUDING CAR DRIVER AND BICYCLIST EN ROUTE TO WORK
Originally Posted: April 7, 2009 5:29 PM
Last Updated: April 7, 2009 5:29 PM

The two fire trucks that crashed in Montrose on April 6, injuring 11 people, were en route to what firefighters thought was a blaze, but turned out to be a city of Houston Public Works crew smoke-testing sewer lines, the Houston TX Chronicle reported.

Public Works spokesman Alvin Wright: The city notified the Houston Fire Department 7:45 a.m. on Monday that the crew would be sending smoke through the pipes in the 1900 block of San Felipe to check for leaks. Wright: “We also distributed our fliers to the neighbors."

District Chief Tommy Dowdy could not confirm if Houston Fire Department had received notification from the city about the smoke testing, but he said it wouldn’t have mattered because firefighters would have gone to the scene regardless.

Dowdy: “If somebody calls it in, we treat it as legitimate until we get on the scene and rule out that there is a reason to be there. So we responded appropriately.”

The details about the false alarm emerged Tuesday as investigators worked to reconstruct events leading to the crash between a pumper truck westbound on West heimer and a ladder truck northbound on Dunlavy.

Police said a preliminary investigation indicates the ladder truck might have run a red light before being broadsided by the pumper.

They collided about 10:48 a.m. at the Montrose intersection, injuring nine firefighters and two others, including a bicyclist who remains hospitalized in critical condition at Memorial Hermann-The Texas Medical Center.

Leigh Boone, 29, had been cycling to her job as an executive assistant at the Houston Center for Photography when the 40-ton ladder truck toppled onto a four-door Infiniti sedan and crushed Boone’s bike.

She was wearing a helmet but still suffered serious head injuries, said her brother. Doctors told the family that pressure in Boone’s brain has decreased slightly following surgery.

“Leigh is still in a critical state, but she’s fighting and she’s giving us all hope,” said George Boone, 32. “She’s a very strong girl.”

The Infiniti’s driver, 48-year-old Jotika Ramchandani, managed to crawl from the wreckage before passing out on the sidewalk. She was treated at The Methodist Hospital and released.

The injured firefighters were taken to hospitals. Two of them, both from Station 7, remained hospitalized Tuesday with broken bones.

Capt. Michael Mayfield, who has been with the Fire Department for 34 years, was listed in fair condition at Ben Taub General Hospital. Brian Edwards, a 19-year veteran who was driving the pumper, was listed in good condition at Memorial Hermann.

BLACKHAWK! PROTECTIVE GLOVES, GEAR, APPAREL AND FOOTWARE COMPANY SELECTS O'SULLIVAN AS DIRECTOR OF INTERNATIONAL BIZ SELECTS
Originally Posted: April 7, 2009 4:36 PM
Last Updated: April 7, 2009 4:36 PM

Norfolk, VA-based Blackhawk! Products Group, the manufacturer of tactical gear for both law enforcement and the military, has promoted retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Tom O’Sullivan to the position of director of international Business.

O'Sullivan's previous Blackhawk! positions included director of government and military programs and brand manager for tactical gear and hydration.

During his military career O'Sullivan served in armor and cavalry units, including eight years of overseas duty.

Blackhawk's product lines include tactical gear, body armor, law enforcement duty gear, holsters, hydration systems, protective gloves and gear, apparel and footwear, knives, illumination tools, breaching tools, hunting gear, and recoil reducing stocks.

FEDERAL SIGNAL: BATTLE OVER DIRECTORS TO BE SELECTED AT APRIL 29, 2009 STOCKHOLDERS MEETING
Originally Posted: April 7, 2009 8:57 AM
Last Updated: April 7, 2009 8:57 AM

Federal Signal Corporation (Oak Brook, IL) Director John McCartney is mailing a letter to stockholders as part of an election dispute to culminate at the Federal Signal's 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, April 29, 2009.

McCartney says the Board recommends that stockholders elect the Company's nominees: James E. Goodwin, former interim president and chief executive officer of Federal Signal and former chairman and chief executive officer of United Airlines; Joseph R. Wright, Jr., chief executive officer and a director of Scientific Games Corporation; and William H. Osborne, the Company's newly-hired president and chief executive officer - by telephone, Internet or by signing, dating and returning a white proxy card.

The Federal Signal Board opposes the candidacy of Warren Kanders, a rejected candidate for CEO of Federal Signal, and his nominees - Nicholas Sokolow and Steven Gerbsman. Federal Signal's McCartney says Kanders, Sokolow and Berbsman are pursuing an agenda for Warren Kanders, rather than for the interests of all Federal Signal stockholders.

Federal Signal says in 2008, Warren Kanders was considered and rejected as a chief executive officer candidate of Federal Signal. Federal Signal Board: Warren Kanders is, the wrong person to lead Federal Signal. Shortly after Warren Kanders was rejected as a CEO candidate, McCartney says Kanders ran a publicity campaign to discredit Federal Signal. Federal Signal Board: Warren Kanders is waging a negative proxy campaign in an effort to elect himself and his nominees.

Federal Signal's McCartney says Warren Kanders extracted 6.5 million from companies such as Armor Holdings.

In 2008, the Federal Signal Board added two new independent and directors - Dennis Martin and Joseph Wright. As a result, since 2005, the Federal Signal Board has added five new directors (out of nine continuing directors).

If Bill Osborne is elected at the upcoming Annual Meeting, he will be the third new director to join the Board during the last 12 months and the eighth new director (out of ten) to join the Board since 2005.

Federal Signal has a history of separating the roles of chairman and CEO and has will is expected to name an independent Chairman following conclusion of the 2009 Annual Meeting.

FIRST RESPONDERS USE PRESSURIZED AIR BAGS TO LIFT TRAIN OFF MARYLAND MAN'S LEGS
Originally Posted: April 6, 2009 4:25 PM
Last Updated: April 6, 2009 4:25 PM

Matt Zapotosky, Washington Post, reported this week that pressurized air bags were used to life a light rail train off the legs of a man who had walked into the oncoming train.

The man was saved and conveyed to the hospital for treatment of his injuries.
Once the air bags were returned to their truck, light rail service resumed within an hour. The injuried man was 22 years old and he was crossing the rail line when he was hit at North Linthicum, Maryland, station. The pressurized air bags were used to lift the train by the Anne Arundel County Fire Department. The train is operated under the Maryland Transit Admnistration.

FIRE EQUIPMENT FROM THE WASHINGTON DC FORCE HEADS TO DOMINICAN REPUBLIC ONLY TO BE SENT BACK ON REACHING MIAMI WHILE INVESTIGATION BEGINS
Originally Posted: April 6, 2009 3:53 PM
Last Updated: April 6, 2009 3:53 PM

When the District of Columbia (Washington DC) conveyed some old fire apparatus and ambulance to Peaceoholics, a nonprofit the organization promptly began shipping the equipment to Dominican Republic. But the DC Council was surprised at the organizations rush to get the equipment out of the country. By the time the Council found about about the transaction the equipment was alredy in Miami ready for shipment overseas.

The Fire Chief Dennis L. Rubin said he was had only recently become aware of the donation of the equipment and the visit a DC delegation made at the cost of $810 to the Dominican Republic.

The nonprofit includes many ex-offenders and works with 500 youths with daily programs.

The fire vehicles have been returned to Washington, DC and an investigation is underway by the inspector general.

OUTDOOR FIRES RESULT IN 50 DEATHS, 875 INJURIES AND $154 MILLION IN PROPERTY LOSS
Originally Posted: April 6, 2009 3:41 PM
Last Updated: April 6, 2009 3:41 PM

The United States Fire Administration (USFA) has a new special report on the causes and characteristics of outdoor fires: Outdoor Fires, was developed by the National Fire Data Center, part of the USFA.

This report is based on 2004 to 2006 data from the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

The report, part of the USFA’s Topical Fire Report Series, shows an estimated 655,200 outdoor fires occur annually in the U.S. resulting in 50 civilian deaths, 875 civilian injuries, and $154 million in property loss.

According to the report, outdoor fires peak in March, April, and July and account for 41 percent of all fires in the U.S.

Together, trash or rubbish fires (47 percent) and natural vegetation fires (44 percent) account for 91 percent of outdoor fires. In 73 percent of outdoor fires, organic materials such as crops, grass, and trees are the items first ignited. Fires that are started unintentionally are the leading cause of outdoor fires.

MORE INFO? www.usfa.dhs.gov/statistics/reports/index.shtm

RESCUERS IN FIRE, FLOODS AND OTHER DISASTERS RECEIVE AWARDS FROM CARNEGIE HERO FUND COMMISSION: FLORIDA, OREGON, OHIO, BRITISH COLUMBIA, NEW YORK, LOUISIANA, WASHINGTON, NEW HAMPSHIRE, OKLAHOMA, PENNSYLVANIA, TEXAS, OREGON, MICHIGAN, ILLINOIS, RHODE ISLAND, VIRGINIA
Originally Posted: April 6, 2009 11:58 AM
Last Updated: April 6, 2009 12:01 PM

19 Cited for Extraordinary Heroism by Carnegie Hero Fund Commission

In its first award announcement of 2009, the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission (Pittsburgh, PA) named 19 individuals as recipients of the CARNEGIE MEDAL. The medal is awarded in the United States and Canada to those who risk their lives to an extraordinary degree while saving or attempting to save the lives of others.

Five of the awardees lost their lives in the performance of their rescue acts, including three teenagers. Robert Ferrell, 14, of Jobstown, N.J., died attempting to save his mother from a fire in their home, and Ross McKay Barfuss, 16, of Aloha, Ore., and Courtney E. Butler, also 16, of Stephenville, Texas, drowned while attempting to save others.

The heroes announced today bring to 9,262 the total number of awards since the Pittsburgh-based Fund's inception in 1904. Commission President Mark Laskow stated that each of the awardees or their next of kin will also receive a financial grant. Throughout the 105 years since the Fund was established by industrialist-philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, $31.2 million has been given in one-time grants, scholarship aid, death benefits, and continuing assistance. The awardees are:

John A. Lloyd Fernandina Beach, Fla.
Ross McKay Barfuss, deceased Aloha, Ore.
James D. Crocker Valley City, Ohio
Shalinder Kaur Basran Surrey, B.C.
Richard Conine Queensbury, N.Y.
Joshua E. Mattison Fort Ann, N.Y.
Clerc Higgins Cooper New Orleans, La.
Robert Ferrell, deceased Jobstown, N.J.
Gregory Bryant Port Hadlock, Wash.
Beth MacDonald, deceased Franklin, N.H.
Jeffrey M. McNeil Midwest City, Okla.
Christopher Hess Philadelphia, Pa.
Courtney E. Butler, deceased Stephenville, Texas
Christopher A. Howard Warren, Ore.
Shawn William Edele, deceased Fruitport, Mich.
Kenneth A. Oedewaldt Mapleton, Ill.
A. J. Skiptunas III Wrightsville, Pa.
Ledford Wayne Arthur Paint Bank, Va.
Francis William O'Hara Riverside, R.I.

AFTER DEDUCTIONS, EXCLUSIONS AND CREDITS: ACTUAL TAXES PAID BY SMALL BUSINESSES ARE LOWER THAN PUBLISHED RATES
Originally Posted: April 6, 2009 5:05 AM
Last Updated: April 6, 2009 5:05 AM

The effective federal income tax rate faced by small businesses varies, according to a report by the Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Average rates range from 13.3 percent for sole proprietorships to 26.9 percent for S corporations. The effective federal income tax rate is the actual amount of taxes paid by a firm as a percent of its net income.

Deductions, exclusions, and credits, have the effect of lowering the tax rates paid by firms. The result is a difference between the statutory rate and the actual or effective rate paid by the business or its owners.

Overall, small businesses of all types pay an estimated average effective tax rate of 19.8 percent. Sole proprietorships face a 13.3 percent rate, small partnerships face 23.6 percent, and small S corporations face 26.9 percent. While not directly comparable, the rate faced by small C corporations is 17.5 percent.

The progressivity of the tax code also affects effective rate calculations, as firms with less income face a lower statutory rate. Nearly 60 percent of small sole proprietorships have a net income of less than $10,000, while only 3.1 percent have a net income of at least $100,000. On the other hand, more than 18 percent of small S corporations have a net income of at least $100,000.

Quantria Strategies wrote Effective Federal Income Tax Rates Faced by Small Businesses in the United States, with funding from the Office of Advocacy. The authors primarily used data from the Internal Revenue Service Individual Statistics of Income Public Use File, 2004, as the basis for the study. For the purpose of this study, the authors define a small business as a firm with less than $10 million in gross receipts.

MORE INFO? www.sba.gov/advo

SPARTAN AND FORCE PROTECTION COMBINE TO MEET MILIARY VEHICLE REQUIREMENTS
Originally Posted: April 4, 2009 2:40 PM
Last Updated: April 4, 2009 2:40 PM

CHARLOTTE, Mich. and LADSON, S.C., Spartan Chassis, a subsidiary of Spartan Motors, Inc. (Charlotte, MI), and Force Protection, Inc. (Ladson, SC), will work together on spare parts and sustaining US military Force Protection's fleet of Cougar vehicles.

Force Protection is one of the original developers and primary providers of vehicles for the U.S. military's Mine Resistant Ambush Protected, or MRAP, vehicle program.

Spartan Motors manufactures emergency rescue vehicles under the brand names of Crimson Fire, Crimson Fire Aerials and Road Rescue, reported sales of $844.4 million in 2008.

John Sztykiel, President and CEO of Spartan Motors: "We are proud of our partnership with Force Protection in rapidly delivering key components for over 3,000 Cougar vehicles under the MRAP program. This new work structure will strengthen that relationship, create enhanced capabilities for the customer, and ensure that the service, upgrades, and spare parts this fleet of vehicles will need throughout its lifecycle are delivered and executed with excellence."

Michael Moody, Chairman and CEO of Force Protection, Inc.: "Over the course of the MRAP program, Spartan has been a key partner, met difficult production requirements in short spaces of time, and executed with excellence. We are very pleased to formalize our relationship, further enhance our combined capabilities and position ourselves to capture the increasing need for service and support work."

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

Force Protection, Inc. is a designer, developer and manufacturer of life saving survivability equipment, predominantly ballistic- and blast-protected wheeled vehicles currently deployed by the U.S. military and its allies to support armed forces and security personnel in conflict zones.

Force Protection's specialty vehicles, the Cougar, Buffalo, and Cheetah, are designed specifically for reconnaissance, forward command and control, and urban operations and to protect their occupants from landmines, hostile fire, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs, commonly referred to as roadside bombs).

MORE INFO? www.forceprotection.net or www.spartanmotors.com

HOW ABOUT THE FUTURE OF ENGINES FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES?
Originally Posted: April 4, 2009 2:20 PM
Last Updated: April 4, 2009 2:20 PM

By Kenton Pattie
Executive Director
National Emergency Equipment Dealers Association
PO Box 220
Annandale VA 22003
703 850 8552

You may wonder I keep writing articles about energy! What has this to do with the fire and emergency response business?

As I have stated before, under the Bush Administration the entire focus seemed to be on getting all passenger cars up to 35 miles per gallon. For example, battery powered plug-in-and-drive-away vehicles got most of the attention. I attended one full day conference with all the big automotive names and was the only person there to raise questions about the future of the diesel engine and the need to ensure that power systems for emergency response and rescue vehicles have a part in planning for tomorrow.

If you have suggestions, please let me know your ideas!

It has been my fear that because there are comparatively so few fire trucks, our industry might be forced to comply with someone else's engine configuration. . . something we might not want or need to serve the nation's fire and emergency departments.

For example, I pointed out that plugging a fire truck to the power grid to keep the engine and truck's generators going during an incident did not seem to be a practical solution for the fire service.

As a member of the US Chamber where I serve on one of the committees, I am trying to keep track of energy issues for you. While there is a lot happening this year, not all of it has a direct impact on the fire industry. But, we should all ask the question in the new Obama Administration's energy policy: what decisions are they making that will affect our industry? The vehicles we make, sell and service? The engines we use and the fuels that will be available?

On March 20, 2009 new Secretary of Energy Steven Chu announced that the Department of Energy has offered a $535 million loan guarantee to California-based Solyndra. The loan guarantee will be used to aid in the construction of a new solar manufacturing plant. With the issuance of that first loan guarantee, the 42.5 billion loan guarantee program should be expanded to help companies in our industry obtain financing for clean energy projects.

I'm hoping some fire apparatus manufacturers will look into using some of this $42.5 billion-- ahuge amount of money . . .How about including some dealers and fire chiefs in the discussions!

Despite the March 10, 2009 release of proposed Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations (they require the reporting of greenhouse gas emissions), Congress should offer an alternative to regulating greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act or the Endangered Species Act. Why? Because these laws were never designed to address the complexities of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. So how will emissions be regulated?

The US Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held the first in a series of markups to put together an energy bill. The first meeting was to combine ideas by introduced by Chairman Sen. Jeff Bingaman Jr., D-New Mexico, and Ranking Member Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Arkansas, including: an energy and water study, re-authorizations of programs from the Energy Policy Act of 2005, new efficiency standards for lighting, energy efficient manufacturing, and proposals for transmission lines.

How about the future of engines for emergency vehicles?

Obama's Interior Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar will hold four regional meetings in April 2009 to discuss the Department of Interior's findings on Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Development. April 6, Atlantic City Convention Center, Atlantic City, NJ; April 8, Tulane University, New Orleans, La.; April 14, Dena'ina Convention Center, Anchorage, Alaska, April 16, University of California-San Francisco Mission Bay Conference Center, San Francisco, Calif.

MORE INFO ON THE INTERIOR'S CONTINENTAL SHELF MEETINGS? www.mms.gov or Ms. Renee Orr, Chief, Leasing Division, Mineral Management Service, MS 4010, 381 Elden Street, Herndon, VA 20170-4817.

FOR OTHER NEEDA ARTICLES ABOUT FIRE TRUCK ENGINES: Use the Search application in the upper right of your NEEDA Newsletter screen.

NEEDA RUNDOWN ON WHAT CONGRESS IS DOING OF KEY INTEREST TO THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY
Originally Posted: April 1, 2009 6:34 PM
Last Updated: April 1, 2009 6:34 PM

Kenton Pattie
Executive Director
National Emergency Equipment Dealers Association

With the President in England, I've listed below some of the legislative
subjects I'm watching on behalf of dealers. Congress is a true beehive
of activity at this point, with many issues in one stage or another of
consideration. This is a very good time to communicate with your
US House or US Senate members as many decisions have yet to be
made and the new Administration is still developing its position on
the issues at hand. But time is short because so much has to be done
in before Memorial Day weekend recess.

Buy American: On March 31, 2009 the an interim rule was published in the Federal Register implementing the Buy American requirements (Section 1605) in the Stimulus bill, HR 1. Additional guidance will be issued on procurements funded with Federal financial assistance.

S. 454, the Weapon Systems Acquisition Reform Act of 2009: A full committee mark up was scheduled for April 2, at 9:00AM. How Congress deals with weapons procurement could affect how the Administration acquires fire and emergency response equipment.

E-Verify Update: On January 27, 2009 the Administration extended the applicability date of the E-Verify final rule to May 21, 2009. There has not been any action on the rule or the court case the US Chamber and industry filed since then. There will be a “status conference” on April 20, 2009 with the government’s lawyers on this case; there is no agenda for this meeting.

3% Repeal Update: I'm spending a lot of time working on this issue. The effective date for the 3% withholding law, initially set for January 1, 2011, was delayed by one year to January 1, 2012 by the Stimulus bill, HR 1 passed earlier this year. Full repeal was included in the House-version of the Stimulus bill, but with Senate opposition to repeal only a one-year delay was included in the final House-Senate version. HR 275 and S 292 have been introduced, which repeals the 3% tax withholding requirement. I've written a lot about this issue in NEEDA Newsletter. Use the "Search" application in the upper right of your Newsletter screen to look for the many other articles on this -- the 3% withholding law, if implemented, will hurt your business. You are best served by convincing Congress to repeal this law as it takes money from you that you
have earned and it takes money out of the US economy at a time we really need it urgently.

Senate Contracting Oversight Subcommittee Ideas: Sen. Claire McCaskill is Chairman of the new Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs ad hoc subcommittee to oversee federal contracting. She has invited the public to submit or vote on ideas for the subcommittee through an online discussion forum (http://moderator.appspot.com/#16/e=21780) or by e-mailing the Subcommittee at whistleblowers@mccaskill.senate.gov.

Competitive Sourcing Update: Rep. Ike Skelton, Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee and Rep. Solomon Ortiz, Chairman of the Readiness Subcommittee, sent letters to both the White House's Office of Management and Budget Director and to the Defense Secretary requesting that Defense halt all pending A-76 competitions (business vs government workforce) and refrain from initiating any future reviews. This is in addition to language in the recently passed Omnibus Appropriations bill which prohibited starting new competitions until the end of the fiscal year. Without competing government business enterprises, the government employees continue to do things that the business community can do better. Admittedly, A-76 is not a strong as we would like; but it is really the only tool we have for getting the government to stop competing directly with the buiness community. Many things that government does can be done by small businesses -- but switching is going to be delayed now for at least a year.

Comments to OMB/OIRA on Regulatory Review: The US Chamber of Commerce, to which NEEDA belongs, sent comments to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on a proposed Executive Order on “Federal Regulatory Review.” OMB is developing a set of recommendations for a new Executive Order on Federal Regulatory Review, and invited public comments on how to improve the process and principles governing regulation.

President’s Memorandum: The President issued a Memo on Government Contracting on March 4, 2009.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Memorandum-for-the-Heads-of-Executive-Departments-and-Agencies-Subject-Government-Contracting/

The memo directors OMB to develop and issue by September 30, 2009 government-wide guidance to:

(1) govern the appropriate use and oversight of sole-source and other types of noncompetitive contracts and to maximize the use of full and open competition and other competitive procurement processes;
(2) govern the appropriate use and oversight of all contract types, in full consideration of the agency's needs, and to minimize risk and maximize the value of Government contracts generally, consistent with the regulations to be promulgated pursuant to section 864 of Public Law 110-417;
(3) assist agencies in assessing the capacity and ability of the Federal acquisition workforce to develop, manage, and oversee acquisitions appropriately; and
(4) clarify when governmental outsourcing for services is and is not appropriate, consistent with section 321 of Public Law 110-417 (31 U.S.C. 501 note).

APRIL 1 30 YEARS AGO: FEMA WAS ESTABLISHED BY PRESIDENT CARTER
Originally Posted: April 1, 2009 2:32 PM
Last Updated: April 1, 2009 2:32 PM

April 1, 1979: FEMA was established by President Jimmy Carter under Executive Order 12127 and Reorganization Plan Number 3. The reorganization that created FEMA was completed on July 20, 1979, when President Carter issued Executive Order 12148.

2009 FDIC SCHEDULE: BRIEF VERSION . . . Indianapolis, IN
Originally Posted: April 1, 2009 2:14 PM
Last Updated: April 1, 2009 2:14 PM

FDIC SCHEDULE
Sunday, April 19, 2009

H.O.T. Attendee Registration*

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Instructor Registration

4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
* H.O.T Registration available only at the Maryland Street Lobby of the ICC

Monday, April, 20, 2009

Attendee Registration*

6:00 am - 5:00 pm
H.O.T. Evolutions Staging / Bus Loading
6:30 am
H.O.T. Evolutions and Workshops
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Exhibitor Registration

1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
* H.O.T Registration available only at the Maryland Street Lobby of the ICC until 1pm

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Attendee Registration

6:00 am - 5:00 pm
H.O.T. Evolutions Staging / Bus Loading
6:30 am
H.O.T. Evolutions and Workshops
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Exhibitor Registration

1:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Attendee Registration

7:30 am - 5:00 pm
Exhibitor Registration

7:30 am - 7:00 pm
Upstairs Exhibits Only

8:00 am - 5:00 pm
General Session

8:30 am - 10:00 am
Classroom Sessions

10:30 am - 7:15 pm

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Attendee Registration

8:00 am - 7:00 pm
Exhibitor Registration

8:00 am - 7:00 pm
General Session

8:30 am - 10:00 am
Classroom Sessions

10:30 am - 5:15 pm
All Exhibits Open

2:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Outside Demo Exhibits

2:00 pm - 6:30 pm

Friday, April 24, 2009

Attendee Registration

8:00 am - 5:30 pm
Exhibitor Registration

8:00 am - 5:30 pm
Classroom Sessions

8:30 am - 12:15 pm
All Exhibits Open

9:30 am - 5:30 pm
Outside Demo Exhibits

9:30 am - 5:30 pm

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Attendee Registration

8:00 am - 3:00 pm
All Exhibits Open

9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Upstairs Exhibits Only / Outside Demo Exhibits
9:00 am - 12:00 pm

WITH INVITED PRESIDENT IN EUROPE, VP JOE BIDEN WILL KEYNOTE THE 21ST NATIONAL FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES DINNER AT THE HILTON
Originally Posted: April 1, 2009 5:31 AM
Last Updated: April 1, 2009 5:31 AM

The Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI) is proud to announce that Vice President Joe Biden will address the 21st Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner on April 2, 2009 at the Hilton Washington in Washington, DC. Over 2,000 state and national fire service leaders will attend the annual tribute to our nation's fire and emergency services.

President Obama had been invited but is representing the US in Europe with Mrs. Obama and a US delegation.

Bill Jenaway, President of the Congressional Fire Services Institute"We are certainly honored that Vice President Biden accepted our invitation to address the dinner. Throughout his entire career in government, Vice President Biden has always provided strong leadership on behalf of our nation's fire and emergency services."

While serving in the Senate, Vice President Biden was a co-chairman of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, the largest caucus in Congress with approximately 300 members. During the 109th Congress, he was Chairman of the Fire Caucus, serving as a catalyst on a number of important legislative priorities for the nation's fire and emergency services. His support for the fire service is attributed in large part to personal experiences in his life when the fire service responded to emergencies involving him and his family. Whenever he addresses a fire service event, he is greeted with overwhelming support.

Established in 1989, the Congressional Fire Services Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan policy institute designed to educate Congress about the role of our nation's fire and emergency services in protecting our homeland. The theme of the dinner program is "New Beginnings...New Opportunities," capturing the opportunity presented to the fire service to work with the Obama Administration and the 111th Congress on a broad range of homeland security issues.

MORE INFO? www.cfsi.org