|
Newletters From August, 2009
FARMERS AND VERIZON AMONG COMPANIES HELPING IN CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES
Originally Posted: August 31, 2009 5:02 PM
Last Updated: August 31, 2009 5:02 PM
Farmers Insurance claims teams are assisting victims of California wildfires.
"Our claims teams are spreading out throughout the fires in Northern and Southern California to help our customers with claims," stated Farmers State Executive Directors: Kirk Tweedy, and Bill Matlock, Vice President and State Executive Director of Farmers Los Angeles State Office.
Meanwhile, Verizon technicians are entering the affected areas after receiving safety clearance from fire officials, and, if necessary, repair any damage to its networks. Backup batteries and generators have powered several wired sites during intermittent commercial power interruptions caused by the fires.
|
|
SPECIAL ELECTIONS INTRODUCE NEW CANDIDATES WHO SEEK DIALOGUE WITH SMALL BUSINESSES
Originally Posted: August 31, 2009 4:53 PM
Last Updated: August 31, 2009 4:53 PM
Local elections give the business community opportunities
to talk about industry issues with candidates, away from the
Presidential politics which is the focus in Washington, DC.
Here are some upcoming elections! Do you live in one of these
districts?
08/18/2009
Alabama Special Election
Senate District 19
08/25/2009
Florida Special Primary
House District 84
and
Kentucky Special Election
Senate District 18
08/29/2009
Louisiana Special Election
House District 40
and
Senate District 020
09/01/2009
California Special Primary
Assembly District 51
US House (CA 10th Congressional
District)
and
Iowa Special Election
|
|
CALIFORNIA FIRE POSES NEW THREATS HOUR BY HOUR: 2,800 FIRE PERSONNEL CONVERGED TO BATTLE FIRE WITH 12 HELICOPTERS AND EIGHT AIR TANKERS
Originally Posted: August 31, 2009 4:39 PM
Last Updated: August 31, 2009 4:39 PM
LA Times says "crews battling the Station fire believe that it's only a matter of time before the deadly blaze hits Mt. Wilson, but officials are hopeful that frantic work by hand crews and aircraft dropping flame retardant will protect the communications centers there."
Ray Dombroski, spokesperson for the U.S. Forest Service "There is a good chance the fire will hit Mt. Wilson today. The fire is currently on two sides of Mt. Wilson, about one-half mile to the north and about one mile southwest."
"All firefighters were taken off the mountain earlier his morning, he said. Mt. Wilson Road, a narrow, winding two-lane road has been closed since 6 a.m. Dombroski said it is too dangerous to have firefighters near the communication towers and the observatory complex."
"Firefighters plan to use fixed-wing aircraft to drop fire retardant on the mountain," he said.
"The fire, which has destroyed 21 homes and killed two firefighters, was also moving quickly to the west, burning to within a few miles of Santa Clarita as well as near Sylmar. No evacuations have been made in those areas, and it's unclear how close the western edge of the blaze is to homes."
"Inspector Edward Osorio of the Los Angeles County Fire Department estimated property damage from the fire at $7,671,000 and rising."
"The fire is expected to move in a northeasterly direction, and officials are putting significant resources on the northern edge of the fire near Acton."
Officials told the LA Times the goal for today is to keep the fire west of Highway 39 and Angeles Crest Highway; south of Highway 14, Pearblossom Highway and Highway 138; east of Interstate 5 and north of the foothill communities along the Angeles National Forest border.
Mt. Wilson was believed doomed Sunday night, but Osorio said aggressive brush clearance by crews and drops of fire retardant from the air have helped.
Osorio told the LA Times: "At this point, I don't think it suffered any serious damage. We'll probably get some flare-ups or threatening flame activity, but we don't think it's going to be a major problem."
"The Station fire doubled in size to 85,000 acres overnight and destroyed more structures."
U.S. Forest Service spokesman Nathan Judy: "That fire burned just like it was daytime. Usually you get recovery because humidity goes up at night, which slows the fire down and you're able to construct more line around the fire. But last night that wasn't the case."
The LA Times reporters say the exact number of homes consumed by the Station fire remains unclear, but officials said several homes south of Acton were lost Sunday night and Monday morning. Earlier, 21 homes in the Tujunga Canyon area were lost, but officials expect that number to rise.
More neighborhoods were evacuated overnight as the fire pushed in three directions.
Mike Dietrich of the U.S. Forest Service: "We are making progress, but it is very slow and very dangerous. We have to wait for the fire to come to us."
The Time said "at the bottom of Mt. Wilson Road early this morning, firefighters bedded down in the ash-flecked open air, the forest pitch black except for the flames lighting ridgelines in the near distance. The head of the fire appeared to be across a broad and deep canyon from the Mt. Wilson compound."
"Smaller flare-ups could be seen closer to the thicket of communications towers alongside the Mt. Wilson observatory, where five engine crews were posted overnight."
"The blaze already had raced up to the winding stretch of Angeles Crest Highway that leads to Mt. Wilson Road. Road signs had melted, guardrails were burned free of their wood moorings, and the switchbacks were choked with fire-loosened boulders and scorched tree limbs."
As reported earlier by NEEDA Newsletter: Two firefighters were killed when they drove off the side of a treacherous road in the Mt. Gleason area, south of Acton, around 2:30 p.m. Sunday, according to Los Angeles County Deputy Fire Chief Mike Bryant. They were Arnaldo Quinones, 35, of Palmdale and Tedmund Hall, 47, of San Bernardino County.
Bryant, choking up as he spoke Sunday evening: "This is a very difficult time for L.A. County Fire Department and the men and women that serve day in, day out."
"The fallen firefighters were overseeing workers clearing brush at a Department of Corrections inmate campsite, Osorio told the LA Times."
"It's still under investigation, but apparently the campsite got overrun by fire," he added.
"More than 12,500 homes were threatened, and 6,600 were under mandatory evacuation orders Sunday night. Twenty-one residences have been destroyed, fire officials said, mostly in the Big Tujunga Canyon area."
"The fire was 5% contained, officials said, and at least temporarily had eased off in foothill communities from La Cañada Flintridge to Altadena."
"Much of Sunday turned into a blistering-hot waiting game for firefighters, who were trying to determine where the fire would move next. Rather than battling the flames in the sheer granite canyons of the interior, with heavy vegetation more than 40 years old in many areas, they cut fire lines near threatened neighborhoods."
"In this rugged, steep terrain, with this brush as thick as it is, we are having difficulties establishing containment lines where we can make a stand," said Capt. Mark Savage, a spokesman for the Los Angeles County Fire Department. "This fire is still very much out of control."
"Fire was burning all around Angeles Crest Highway near Mt. Wilson on Sunday evening. Earlier, hand crews cleared brush to protect the historic observatory and critical transmission towers for local television and radio stations."
"The century-old observatory holds what was for decades the largest telescope in the world; it was instrumental in many of astronomy's biggest discoveries, including research that led to the "big bang" theory."
"It's a serious situation. Is the observatory going to make it? We're doing everything in our power. But I wouldn't be surprised if it is impacted by fire today or tomorrow," Bob Shindelar, operations branch director of California Incident Management Team 5, said Sunday afternoon.
"More than 2,800 fire personnel from around the state have converged to battle the Station fire, along with 12 helicopters and eight air tankers."
"They had hoped that the day would bring cooler, more humid air. But the red-flag fire alert was extended through today as the fire grew in all directions and sent a column of smoke high into the air -- mushrooming into a towering pyrocumulus cloud that could be seen across the Southland."
Meteorologists predicted that hot, dry conditions would continue without relent until Tuesday, September 1, 2009.
The LA Times reports air quality is at hazardous levels in foothill cities
California Governor Schwarzenegger, who rushed back from the Kennedy
funeral, says California lost two heroes when firefighters died in Angeles National Forest when their truck rolled down the mountain side.
Kenton Pattie, NEEDA Executive Director: "The LA Times is doing an excellent job of covering this combination of wildfires and I recommend you check out the newspaper and its website. There is much to learn here."
|
|
BET TELEVISION BROADCASTS 10 SHOWS FEATURING FIREFIGHTERS IN COMPTON
Originally Posted: August 31, 2009 4:16 PM
Last Updated: August 31, 2009 4:16 PM
BET television is broadcasting "FIRST IN" which premiers Wednesday, September 30, at 10:00 PM.
Chronicled by actor, singer Tyrese Gibson, FIRST IN, is a 10-episode half-hour original series that delves into the lives of Compton's firefighters and paramedics as they try to balance the high stress of a gruesome 72-hour work schedule and family life.
Emotions run high as the men and women work long hours in a fast-paced, high intensity atmosphere compounded by the daily pressure of saving lives. Though Compton only has a population of about 100,000 people, there are a reported 75 active gangs operating within the area, making it a unique environment for the city's emergency teams.
With one of the highest crime rates in the country, gunshot wounds, gang related violence, and mangled cars are just another day on the job for these highly trained professionals. Day after day, all the drama is caught on tape as the team - an ambulance operator, multiple firefighters, an intern and one of the youngest Battalion Chiefs in the country, Marcel Melanson, of the Compton Fire Department - fight battles both at home and on the job.
|
|
INCREDIBLE FIRES DESTROY HUGE AREAS IN CALIFORNIA; TWO RESPONDERS ARE KILLED ROLLING OFF SMOKE CONGESTED MOUNTAIN ROADS
Originally Posted: August 31, 2009 3:42 PM
Last Updated: August 31, 2009 3:42 PM
The totally incredible California wildfires have sadly taken
two more fire fighter's lives as their truck rolled off a mountain road.
Having been in Southern California during a wildfire I can report
that the smoke is so thick that seeing ten yards in front of you
is often impossible. Finding and following the side of the road
is very difficult. Mountain roads wind and that increases the
hazard. For vehicles to go off the road is not surprising but one
of the many horrors of wildfire fighting. NEEDA salutes all the
resoponders who are devoting their lives and skills to this
latest and most intense combination of fires.
To date, 67 firefighter fatalities have been reported to the US Fire Administration in 2009; 65 from incidents that occurred in 2009 and two from previous year incidents. Year-to-date monthly and annual USFA firefighter fatality reports are posted online.
MORE INFO? www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/statistics/ff_stats.shtm
|
|
COCHRAN SWORN IN AS US FIRE ADMINISTRATOR AT DALLAS FIRE SHOW CEREMONY
Originally Posted: August 28, 2009 10:37 AM
Last Updated: August 28, 2009 10:37 AM
DALLAS, Tx. US Fire Administrator Kelvin Cochran was sworn into office August 27, 2009 by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate here at the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) 2009 Fire-Rescue International Conference.
Cochran will oversee and lead the coordination and direction of national efforts to prevent fires and improve fire response. Cochran will supervise fire prevention and safety education programs and professional development opportunities for emergency responders at all levels of government.
Fugate: "Our first responders are an essential component in our effort to assist Americans in the wake of major disasters. Kelvin's extensive experience as former fire chief in Atlanta and Shreveport, makes him the ideal candidate to take over this important post. I congratulate him and look forward to working together as we continue to expand our national emergency response team, a team that includes federal agency partners, members of the private sector, volunteer organizations and most importantly, the public."
Cochran has twenty-eight years of experience in the fire service including fire fighting, emergency medical services, hazardous materials, public education, personnel management, and administration, with a specialization in training and strategic planning.
Prior to joining FEMA, Cochran served as Fire Chief for the City of Atlanta Fire Rescue Department, where he coordinated homeland security and emergency preparedness initiatives between the City of Atlanta and the Atlanta Fulton County Emergency Management Agency (AFCEMA) and oversaw 35 fires stations providing fire, rescue and emergency medical services.
Previously, he served in the Shreveport, LA. Fire Department as a firefighter, Assistant Chief Training Officer, and Fire Chief. Cochran also served as President of the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association, the 1st Vice President of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), and Vice Chairman of Volunteers of America (VOA).
MORE INFO? www.fema.gov/about/bios/kcochran.shtm
|
|
FEDERAL REPORT ON FIRE DEPARTMENT ROLE IN RESPONDING TO MARITIME INCIDENTS
Originally Posted: August 25, 2009 9:55 AM
Last Updated: August 25, 2009 9:55 AM
The United States Fire Administration (USFA), in Emmitsburg, Maryland, just published: Fire Departments and Maritime Interface Area Preparedness (PDF, 937 Kb).
This report addresses fire department preparedness for incidents in maritime areas and the importance of establishing a multiagency response capability that includes law enforcement, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), port authorities, the private sector, emergency medical services, and emergency management agencies. Stakeholders in maritime emergency preparedness include Federal, State, and local governments as well as commer¬cial private-sector entities and labor organizations.
U.S. Deputy Fire Administrator Glenn A. Gaines: “The fire service is always seeking ways to improve its operations and preparedness activities. The fire service continues to be reminded as to the importance of multiagency planning and conducting those actions that prepare fire departments for working with other levels of government in response to very complex infrastructures.”
Gaines: “Lessons are learned from each response to an emergency incident. Feedback on incident and command actions shared with the fire service becomes a valuable learning opportunity and enhances everyone’s preparedness for such emergencies.”
The USFA develops reports on selected major fires throughout the country. USFA also develops special reports addressing homeland security and disaster preparedness, new technologies, training, fireground tactics, and firefighter health and safety.
USFA provides information on the nature of the fire problem and the many types of services provided by fire departments. The information informs policymakers – who must decide on allocations of resources between fire and other pressing problems – and personnel within the fire service, who must decide on how best to improve codes and code enforcement, training, public fire education, building technology, and other related areas.
MORE INFO? "Publications" USFA.gov
|
|
TEXAS, CALIFORNIA AMONG WESTERN STATES FACING SEVERE WILDFIRES
Originally Posted: August 17, 2009 9:28 PM
Last Updated: August 17, 2009 9:28 PM
The major news media are covering the wildfires underway in California, Texas and elsewhere in the west. NEEDA Newsletter previously published wildfire states prior to the story hitting the national headlines.
USA Today said there have been 62,000 wildfires across the US this year with the worst being in Texas due to a two year drouth.
Fires have burned 660,000 acres in Texas. Alaska has had fire on 1.8 million acres.
The Texas Fores Servicew recruyits firefighters to its caommand center in Granbury.
"If a fire overwhelms the local fire department, the Forest Service dispatches help in the form of experienced firefighters, bull-dozers and air planes that drop 700 gallon splashes of water on a fire," Lewis Kearney, Forest Service, told USA.
Menwhile, firefighters were fighting fire in the Santa Cruz Mountains where
fire covered 10 square miles. Over two thousand firefighters are on duty, the Associated Press reported.
|
|
SAFETY AT SUMMER FAIR IN HAMBURG, NY BY RURAL/METRO EQUIPMENT AND PERSONNEL
Originally Posted: August 13, 2009 10:50 AM
Last Updated: August 13, 2009 10:50 AM
Erie County, Hamburg, New York, is holding its 170th Erie County Fair at the Hamburg Fairgrounds expecting 100,000 visitors.
Buffalo-based Rural/Metro Medical Services is providing emergency services with
22 trained caregivers, five ambulances, two bike ambulances and two golf cart ambulances at the Fairgrounds for peak days.
Rural/Metro General Manager Adin Bradley: "In a gathering this large, accidents serious and minor are going to occur and Rural/Metro is prepared and staffed to respond. We want Fair visitors to have fun, and know we've got their backs -- and the rest of them as well."
A team of two EMT bicyclists, carrying all the necessary equipment, is used for quick response to medical emergencies, because they can move more rapidly through crowds of people that typically fill the Fair's roads and pathways. All teams are in communication and tied in to Fair security and Hamburg's Armor Volunteer Fire Department.
Russ Dimitroff: "We'll average about 50 calls a day through the run of the Fair."
Rural/Metro handles include cuts and scrapes, sprains, minor injuries from falls, bee stings, and heat-related illnesses. Although rarely needed, Rural/Metro is also equipped and trained to respond to more serious complaints like chest pain or respiratory distress.
|
|
SEEKING EXHIBITORS TO INTERSCHUTZ JUNE 7-12, 2010 IN LEIPZIG
Originally Posted: August 12, 2009 8:00 PM
Last Updated: August 12, 2009 8:00 PM
FEMSA and FAMA, sponsors of the US Pavilion at INTERSCHUTZ, a trade show in Germany, says FEMSA and FAMA members get preferred treatment for prime exhibit space. Many other halls on the fairgrounds are already booked, and the US Pavilion space is attractive.
Donna Hyland and Bill Kehoe, on behalf of exhibitors, will be at the FRI Show in Dallas, TX to assist with space allocation and to help exhibitors going to Germany obtain exhibit space. Housing arrangements may also be made, as well as some details on shipping.
INTERSCHUTZ 2010, the world's largest fire, EMS, disaster and security exhibition, will be held in Leipzig, Germany, 7-12 June 2010. Expected attendance is 120,000 with 1200 exhibitor companies.
MORE INFO? Karen H. Burnham, Executive Assistant to the Board
P.O. Box 147, Lynnfield, MA 01940-0147 or Tel/Fax: (781) 334-2771
or (617) 771-5407 or info@femsa.org or www.femsa.org or www.twitter.com/FEMSANews
|
|
US SENATOR MEL MARTINEZ TO RESIGN: FLORIDA POLITICS TO FOLLOW
Originally Posted: August 8, 2009 2:43 PM
Last Updated: August 8, 2009 2:43 PM
US Senator Mel Martinez, the only US Senator of hispanic descent, will leave his Senate seat 16 months early gave Florida Governor Charlie Crist an opportunity to pick a successor.
Crist is planning to pick someone who will fill out the term but not run against Crist the probable Florida Republican Senate candidate in 2010.
Martinez, 62, already announced he wouldn't seek re-election, but his early departure focuses on the Republicans determinatin to win the Senate in 2010.
Martinez, knownon immigration and issues involving Cuba, crossed party lines Thursday, August 6 to vote in favor of Judge Sonia Sotomayor's nomination to become the first Hispanic on the U.S. Supreme Court.
Martinez will serve until his replacement is named; Crist promised to try to make his selection before the Senate returns from its August break after Labor Day, 2009.
Possible appointment? Former Florida Secretary of State Jim Smith, 69, who told The Associated Press he would love to have the job for a little while.
"I'd go tomorrow," Smith said from Colorado Springs, CO where he is vacationing. "It would be a great way to end a public career."
Also being considered: former Gov. Bob Martinez, 71.
Crist bypassed a likely safe re-election bid by getting into the Senate race where he is being challenged by former state House Speaker Marco Rubio, a West Miami Republican. Rubio is banking on support from GOP conservatives unhappy with Crist for his support of President Barack Obama's economic stimulus plan and because of his lukewarm opposition to abortion and gay marriage.
U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek of Miami is the only major Democratic candidate.
Florida's senior U.S. Senator, Democrat Bill Nelson, is midway through his second term.
Crist, who has strong political antenna, needs to be careful he's not clearing the path for his own election in 2010.
University of Virginia political scientist Larry Sabato told AP the appointment "is a great opportunity" for Crist.
As NEEDA Newsletter reported earlier, US Senator. Kay Bailey Hutchison will resign to challenge Republican Rick Perry for governor of Texas.
Martinez's resignation leaves just one Hispanic in the Senate: Democrat Robert Menendez of New Jersey.
Florida's Martinez was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2004 after serving as the U.S. secretary for housing and urban development under President George W. Bush. He served as general chairman of the Republican National Committee for 10 months, resigning in October 2007.
Born in Cuba, Martinez fled to America at age 15 as part of a Catholic humanitarian effort called Operation Pedro Pan.
Martinez said there was nothing in his personal life or about his health that motivated his decision to leave the Senate early.
Associated Press writers Ben Evans and Julie Davis in Washington, Laura Wides-Munoz and Tamara Lush in Miami, Mike Schneider in Orlando and Bill Kaczor and Dave Heller in Tallahassee contributed to this report.
|
|
PLANE AND HELICOPTER COLLIDE OVER HUDSON RIVER NEAR JANUARY CRASH LANDING SITE OF JANUARY'S US AIRWAYS
Originally Posted: August 8, 2009 2:12 PM
Last Updated: August 8, 2009 2:12 PM
A plane and a tour helicopter smashed into each other over the Hudson River then hit the water at approximately noon Saturday, August 8, 2009 on the Hoboken, NJ side of New York City. The crash site was near where the US Airways plane landed after hitting a flock of birds.
The Coast Guard told the Associated Press's Pat Bradshaw one person had been rescued and New York City Fire Department officials on the scene said there appear to have been fatalities.
Rescue boats converged on the scene where a helicopter and small plane fell into the Hudson River after colliding in midair.
Federal Aviation Administration officials said: The plane was a Piper PA-32, from Teterboro Airport in New Jersey, and the helicopter was a Eurocopter AS 350 owned by Liberty Tours, a sightseeing and charter company.
Officials don't know how many people were aboard the plane, but FAA spokesman Jim Peters said there may have been five passengers and one crew member aboard the helicopter.
As this story is being publised by NEEDA Newsletter, firemen and others are on both sides of the river and police divers are in the water.
People who saw the crash and its aftermath described the two aircraft colliding not far from the Hoboken shoreline and said the impact sheared off the plane's wing, according to AP.
"There was a loud pop, almost like a car backfire," said Buzz Nahas, who saw the crash from the shore in Hoboken. "The helicopter dropped like a rock. The plane lost its wing."
Katie Tanski, of Hoboken, heard the noise of the collision, looked up and saw chaos in the air.
"We saw the helicopter propellers fly all over," she said. Some pieces of the wreckage fell on land, sending Tanski and others scurrying for cover.
In January, the Hudson River was where a US Airways flight taking off from LaGuardia Airport slammed into a flock of birds and lost power in both engines.
That plane crash-landed in the Hudson River, and all 155 people on board were pulled to safety.
Associated Press writer David B. Caruso in New York contributed to this report.
|
|
INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF FIRE SERVICE INSTRUCTORS RECEIVES GRANT TO DEVELOP TRAINING FOR FIREFIGHTERS ON LIGHT WEIGHT BUILDINGS
Originally Posted: August 8, 2009 12:51 PM
Last Updated: August 8, 2009 12:51 PM
The International Society of Fire Service Instructors received a Prevention & Safety grant to develop training program for firefighters and company officers. The program will collate much of the new research on light weight building construction when compared to legacy instruction and the increased severity of modern structural fires into a single disk developed with company-level training in mind. The program will be developed in partnership with Eastern Kentucky University. The disk will be distributed to every International Society of Fire Service Instructors member, plus each member of the Safety & Health Section of the IAFC.
MORE INFO? 2425 Highway 49 East, Pleasant View, TN 37146
or 1-800-435-0005 or www.isfsi.org
|
|
US SENATE CONFIRMS OBAMA'S NOMINATION OF CHIEF KELVIN COCHRAN AS ADMINISTRATOR OF THE US FIRE ADMINISTRATION
Originally Posted: August 7, 2009 6:02 PM
Last Updated: August 7, 2009 6:02 PM
The US Senate confirmed Chief Kelvin Cochran as the Administrator of the U.S. Fire Administration, part of FEMA.
Cochran served as Fire Chief for the City of Atlanta Fire Rescue Department, where he coordinated homeland security and emergency preparedness initiatives between the City of Atlanta and the Atlanta Fulton County Emergency Management Agency (AFCEMA) and oversaw 35 fire stations providing fire, rescue and emergency medical services.
Previously, he served in the Shreveport, LA. fire department as a Firefighter, Assistant Chief Training Officer, and Fire Chief. Cochran also served as President of the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association, the 1st Vice President of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), and Vice Chairman of Volunteers of America (VOA).
Federal Emergency Management Agency (Washington DC) Administrator Craig Fugate: "As the Chief of the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department as well as the former chief in Shreveport, LA, Chief Cochran brings extensive experience to a critical position within our Agency and the Department of Homeland Security."
Fugate: "The USFA plays a critical role in our efforts to mitigate, prepare, and respond to disasters and emergencies, and I look forward to working with Chief Cochran as we continue to build our national emergency response team."
Cochran has twenty-eight years of experience in the fire service including firefighting, emergency medical services, hazardous materials, public education, research and development, personnel management, and administration, with a specialization in training and strategic planning.
FEMA's mission is to support citizens and first responders to ensure that people build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.
|
|
FIBERON SENSIBUILT PVC DECKING CERTIFIED FOR USE IN CALIFORNIA WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE (WUI)
Originally Posted: August 7, 2009 11:11 AM
Last Updated: August 7, 2009 11:11 AM
Fiberon (New London, North Carolina), a manufacturer of composite and PVC decking, railing, and fencing products, says Sensibuilt(TM) PVC decking has been tested and approved by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal-Fire) Office of the State Fire Marshal's strict building standards designed to reduce property losses during wildfires.
To protect valuable property investments and reduce life threatening fire risks, Cal-Fire has set up Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) standards that mandate the use of ignition-resistant construction materials and building practices. Their handbook is a guide for exterior building products that meet the strict California Building Code requirements introduced in 2007.
Composed of ignition-resistant cellular PVC, Sensibuilt contains no wood or other organic material. While this composition allows it superior mold resistance and makes it invulnerable to termites, splitting and rotting, it also meets the standards in California.
|
|
SCIENTISTS EXPECT WILDFIRES TO INCREASE AS CLIMATE WARMS IN COMING DECADES
Originally Posted: August 7, 2009 11:02 AM
Last Updated: August 7, 2009 11:02 AM
by
Science Daily
Atmospheric Scientists at Harvard's School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS): As the climate warms in the coming decades, the frequency of wildfires will increase in many regions. The spike in the number of fires could also adversely affect air quality due to the greater presence of smoke.
The study, led by SEAS Senior Research Fellow Jennifer Logan, was published in the June 18th 2009 issue of Journal of Geophysical Research.
In their pioneering work, Logan and her collaborators investigated the consequences of climate change on future forest fires and on air quality in the western United States. Previous studies have probed the links between climate change and fire severity in the West and elsewhere. The Harvard study represents the first attempt to quantify the impact of future wildfires on the air we breathe.
"Warmer temperatures can dry out underbrush, leading to a more serious conflagration once a fire is started by lightening or human activity," says Logan. "Because smoke and other particles from fires adversely affect air quality, an increase in wildfires could have large impacts on human health."
Using a series of models, the scientists predict that the geographic area typically burned by wildfires in the western United States could increase by about 50% by the 2050s due mainly to rising temperatures. The greatest increases in area burned (75-175%) would occur in the forests of the Pacific Northwest and the Rocky Mountains. In addition, because of extra burning throughout the western U.S., one important type of smoke particle, organic carbon aerosols, would increase, on average, by about 40 percent during the roughly half-century period.
To conduct the research, the team first examined a 25-year record of observed meteorology and fire statistics to identify those meteorological factors that could best predict area burned for each ecosystem in the western United States. To see how these meteorological factors would change in the future, they then next ran a global climate model out to 2055, following the A1B scenario in greenhouse gas emissions.
This scenario, one of several devised by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, describes a future world with rapid economic growth and balanced energy generation from fossil and alternative fuels. Relative to the other scenarios, it leads to a moderate warming of the earth's average surface temperature, about 3oF (1.6 oC) by 2050.
Logan: "By hypothesizing that the same relationships between meteorology and area burned still hold in the future, we then could predict wildfire activity and emissions from 2000 to the 2050's."
As a last step, the researchers used an atmospheric chemistry model to understand how the change in wildfire activity would affect air quality. This model, combining their predictions of areas burned with 2050's meteorology data, shows the emissions and fate of the smoke and other particles emitted by the future wildfires. The resulting diminished air quality could lead to smoggier skies and adversely affect those suffering from lung and heart conditions such as asthma and chronic bronchitis.
The authors expect the work will help policymakers gauge the "climate penalty" related to ongoing efforts to reduce air pollution across the United States. In addition, the study underscores the need for a vigorous fire management plan.
The team next plans to focus on future wildfires and air quality over the densely populated areas in California and in the southwest United States.
Logan's collaborators included SEAS Research Associate Loretta Mickley and former postdocs Dominick Spracklen (now at University of Leeds), Rynda Hudman, and Rosemarie Yevich; Michael D. Flannigan, Canadian Forest Service; and Anthony. L. Westerling, University of California, Merced. The authors acknowledge the support of a STAR (Science to Achieve Results) grant from National Center for Environmental Research of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and a grant from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
Journal reference:
Spracklen, D. V., L. J. Mickley, J. A. Logan, R. C. Hudman, R. Yevich, M. D. Flannigan, and A. L. Westerling. Impacts of climate change from 2000 to 2050 on wildfire activity and carbonaceous aerosol concentrations in the western United States. J. Geophys. Res., 2009; DOI: 10.1029/2008JD010966
Adapted from materials provided by Harvard University, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.
For other NEEDA Newsletter stories about wildfires use the "Search" application in the upper right of your screen.
|
|
NATIONAL INTERAGENCY COORDINATION CENTER REPORTS WILDFIRES IN THE US HOT AND DRY ZONES
Originally Posted: August 7, 2009 10:46 AM
Last Updated: August 7, 2009 10:46 AM
by Kenton Pattie, Executive Director
National Emergency Equipment Dealers Association
KentonP1@aol.com
Just because the economy is down and state and local budgets are being cut doesn't mean there will be fewer wildfires in 2009. The 09 season is already hot and hundreds of firefighters are out protecting property and saving lives, putting their lives at risk even in these hard times.
We are all grateful to the National Interagency Coordination Center for keeping on top of the extent to which America is on fire this wildfire season.
Wildfires have been reported in Texas, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, and Arizona; two in Utah; and three in New Mexico. Four large fires were contained: one each in Texas, California, Oregon, and Nevada.
Dry and windy conditions across Sierra Nevada, southern Great Basin, northern Arizona, southwestern Wyoming, and western Colorado. Mixed wet and dry thunderstorms across the southern Great Basin, Rocky Mountains, and Southwest. Alaska will continue to be hot and dry.
Number of new large fires 10
Number of active large fires 38
Alaska (6)
Arizona (2)
California (6)
Colorado (3)
Idaho (2)
New Mexico (3)
North Carolina (1)
Oregon (7)
Texas (1)
Washington (4)
Wyoming (1)
Acres from active fires: 1,429,745
Fires contained since 8/5/09: 4
Year-to-date large fires contained: 418
|
|
HYBRID DIESEL ENGINES: A NEW FEDERAL INITIATIVE ON PRESIDENT OBAMA'S WATCH
Originally Posted: August 6, 2009 3:56 PM
Last Updated: August 7, 2009 6:09 PM
by Kenton Pattie
Executive Director
National Emergency Equipment Dealers Association (NEEDA)
PO Box 220
Annandale VA 22003
President Obama's award of a multi-million dollar Federal grant to Allison Transmission for production of hybrid diesel truck engines has generated calls from NEEDA Newsletter readers. Thanks! (See NEEDA Newsletter story.)
As you know, for the last few years I have been attending Washington meetings
at which Federal officials spoke only of the need to produce
battery-powered cars so as to reach the 35 mpg national goal in the next few years. Again and again I've asked "How about the diesel engine? -- what are the goals, how will the fire industry adapt to a new generation of hybrid engines?"
So it is refreshing to see the President of the US this week putting millions of dollars into hybrid diesel engines. This is particularly significant as
more and more of the engine manufacturers are going to work on their
2010 engines to meet the EPA engine emissions standards which
go into effect in the year 2010. This is the second in a series of
Federally mandated diesel engine upgrades with the first having
gone into effect in 2007.
I'd like to point out that there have already been exemplary diesel engines in the heavy vehicle market. For example, King County Transit (Seattle, WA) used the CAT C9 beginning in July 2007 making one of the first fleet wide uses of a more advanced engine.
King County Metro Transit is a regional transit operation throughout the Seattle area. The company runs a fleet of 1,440 buses, with 282 60-foot articulated low-floor buses that are equipped with Caterpillar C9 engines with ACERT™ Technology. Of these, 236 are powered by hybrid engines, and 46 are conventional.
Seattle's 236 hybrid engines was an experiment that layed the basis
for today's hybrid diesel engine news.
George Stites of King County Metro Transit in Seattle, WA. used to talk about hitting the road at four o’clock in the morning, every morning, and every two minutes after that for the next two hours. Reliability was his top priority.
His pitch sounded like the view of all fire chiefs: any time of the day or night, in any weather: maximum reliability is critical to all emergency responses!
Stites was supervisor of fleet engineering for King County Metro Transit.
Stites: “. . . best reliability . . .The Cat C9 engine has done that for us."
Sites said compliance with the EPA emissions regulations was a deciding factor in going with the Cat C9 engine.
Sites: “This is by far the cleanest bus we have ever had.”
So as NEEDA Newsletter reports more and more on the development and introduction of hybrid diesel engines we hope they all get accolades from fire
chiefs and firefighters. I think the public expects the fire business to
adopt the Federal focus on clean, reliable diesel engines.
I just testified this week at an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
hearing on NO2 emissions from diesel engines. I pointed out that
we are moving from the 2007 engine to the 2010 engine in response
to EPA standards and already the 2007 engine has taken a lot of NO2 out
of the air we breathe.
So, it is going to be on the "Obama watch" that the 2010 standard
goes into effect and that more and more hybrids enter our emergency
response marketplace.
This is one very good reason to keep the Fire Act grants coming because they enable local fire departments to meet the national clean air standards -- it is not about just having a "new" truck, but having one that salutes the President,
Congress, and public who want to lower harmful NO2 on the nation's
highways and streets.
Your opinion?
KentonP1@aol.com
|
|
INTERNATIONAL OFFERS DURASTAR HYBRID DIESEL TRUCK ENGINE
Originally Posted: August 6, 2009 2:26 PM
Last Updated: August 6, 2009 2:34 PM
International Truck and Engine Corporation was one of the first companies to begin line production of hybrid commercial trucks. As diesel fuel prices continue their volatility and engine emissions requirements tighten, International came out with the International® DuraStar™ Hybrid, a diesel hybrid electric medium-duty truck to provide customers with improved fuel efficiency and reduced engine emissions.
Among the first to drive these trucks was Florida Power and Light (FPL), one of the largest utilities in the United States.
The International DuraStar Hybrid can provide dramatic fuel savings FPL Said —from 30 to 40 percent on standard in-city pickup and delivery applications. That fuel efficiency can increase to more than 60 percent in utility-type applications when the engine can be shut off but electric power still operates the vehicle.
For example, diesel emissions are completely eliminated when the hybrid truck operates equipment (like overhead utility booms) solely on the truck's battery power, instead of allowing the engine to idle.
One of the key challenges facing the trucking industry is the high initial cost to bring hybrid technology to market. As International builds scale, hybrid truck prices are expected to decrease dramatically.
In the meantime, many companies such as Allison and International are securing Federal government funding to help offset the cost of this new technology.
Incentives are available on both the Federal and State level, and the Energy Policy Act of 2005 can provide tax credits of up to $12,000 per unit.
One feature of International's hybrid product is the Diamond Logic Electrical system, which integrates the body equipment and the hybrid power-train so they can work as a single piece of equipment. Additionally, the International DuraStar Hybrid can be equipped with International's AWARE vehicle intelligence system to allow for real-time data collection, reporting, and analysis.
MORE INFO? U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency website
|
|
ALLISON GETS ENERGY'S $62.8 MILLION GRANT TO PRODUCE HYBRID DRIVE SYSTEM FOR COMMERCIAL TRUCKS
Originally Posted: August 6, 2009 1:40 PM
Last Updated: August 6, 2009 1:40 PM
Allison Transmission Inc., (Indianapolis, IN) won a $62.8 million U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 Grant to design, develop and manufacture a commercial hybrid truck drive system.
Allison Transmission, Inc. makes engines for fire, bus, refuse,construction, distribution, military and specialty applications. Founded in 1915, the Allison business is located in China, The Netherlands, Brazil, India and Japan. Allison has over 1,500 distributor and dealer locations.
President Obama made the announcement August 6, 2009 in Elkhart, Indiana, during a speech in which he discussed a national investment in electric drive vehicles and component manufacturing facilities.
Allison Transmission got help from the US Department of Energy to produce is hybrid propulsion systems for city transit buses. Since 2003, Allison Transmission has produced nearly 2,300 hybrid propulsion systems for use in transit buses which operate in 126 cities.
Allison Transmission hybrid propulsion systems have accumulated over 143 million miles in service and have saved an estimated 7.6 million gallons of fuel while preventing 75,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide from being emitted into the atmosphere.
Lawrence E. Dewey, Allison Transmission Chairman and CEO: "The successful completion and launch of the Allison Transmission Commercial Truck Hybrid Program will directly support our nation's strategic energy goals while protecting our environment, creating new jobs and reducing our dependence on foreign oil."
Allison Transmission obtained the award with the help of U.S. Senator Evan Bayh, U.S. Senator Richard Lugar, U.S. Congressman Andre Carson, U.S. Congressman Mike Pence, U.S. Congressman Joe Donnelly and U.S. Congressman Steve Buyer.
Assistance on the state level included Gov. Mitch Daniels' support, help from Mitch Roob, CEO of Indiana Economic Development Corporation, and State Representative Phil Hinkle. Mayor Greg Ballard and City County Councilwoman Marilyn Pfisterer also remain advocates for Allison Transmission products and employees.
Allison Transmission will produce its new commercial-duty truck hybrid system in Indianapolis, Indiana. Allison Transmission plans to collaborate with leading U.S. suppliers to produce the energy storage systems and other hybrid system components for the project.
Allison Transmission, Inc. makes engines for bus, refuse, fire, construction, distribution, military and specialty applications. Founded in 1915, the Allison business was located in China, The Netherlands, Brazil, India and Japan. Allison has over 1,500 distributor and dealer locations.
MORE INFO? www.allisontransmission.com
|
|
FEDERAL HELP OFFERED TO GRANT APPLICANTS
Originally Posted: August 6, 2009 10:32 AM
Last Updated: August 6, 2009 10:32 AM
US Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius unveiled a new feature on Grants.gov to help users find and apply for The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) grant opportunities. Grants.gov contains information about finding and applying for all federal grant programs.
For other info on grants, use the "search" application on the upper right of your
NEEDA Newsletter screen.
The Recovery Act feature on the homepage of Grants.gov will direct users to Recovery Act opportunities, other Recovery Act resources, upcoming Webinars.
Sebelius: “Grants.gov is the single government-wide source for information about grant programs across the federal government. Many agencies and departments across government are working together to bring this information to the public. Now we are making it easier for individuals to find critical and time sensitive Recovery Act grants from all over government on the Grants.gov page with new technical improvements to the site and an aggressive outreach campaign to the public.”
HHS will host on behalf of Grants.gov a Webinar series on Aug. 13, 18 and 20, 2009. The Webinar sessions are targeted towards potential grant applicants.
The Webinar series topics include: Introduction to Grants.gov and the Recovery Act, Finding Recovery Act Opportunities and Registration to Submit Recovery Act Opportunities. Each Webinar session will include time for questions and answers.
MORE INFO? www.whitehouse.gov/recovery and www.recovery.gov
|
|
AFTER FIVE YEARS, POST 9-11 RECOMMENDATIONS ARE STILL UNDER STUDY
Originally Posted: August 4, 2009 9:26 PM
Last Updated: August 4, 2009 9:26 PM
The fifth anniversary of the 9/11 Commission Report was observed by detailing the progress made to enhance protecting against and responding to terrorism and other threats.
Secretary Napolitano of Homeland Security and members of the Bipartisan Policy Center’s National Security Preparedness Group (NSPG) met to discuss the department’s progress in implementing the recommendations outlined in the 9/11 Commission’s final report.
Napolitano: “The 9/11 Commission provided DHS a roadmap to create a safer and more secure America, and the department is answering that challenge." The secretary added that the meeting “marked the next step in continuing this critical dialogue and expanding our capabilities to protect our country.”
The NSPG is a coalition of national security experts, including former DHS Secretary Tom Ridge and former 9/11 Commission Chair Thomas Kean and Vice Chair Lee Hamilton. Kean said the success of the 9/11 Commission “occurred as a result of our commitment to bipartisanship. We remain dedicated to the bipartisan mission of keeping the country safe and ensuring there are sufficient resources to do so.”
In a face-to-face meeting, the secretary and members of the NSPG discussed the progress report the department released August 4, 2009. The group also discussed new policies, initiatives, and grant opportunities to strengthen the department’s ability to secure the nation from an ever-changing array of threats to homeland security, including cyber attacks and bioterrorism.
NEEDA: There is another post 9-11 report pending from the Federal team that studied the technical issues and made recommendations some of which have not been acted on.
MORE INFO? www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/
|
|
LA PULLS 15 FIRE TRUCKS AND SIX AMBULANCES OUT OF SERVICE: REASON? $56.5 MILLION BUDGET SHORTFALL
Originally Posted: August 4, 2009 9:05 PM
Last Updated: August 4, 2009 9:05 PM
The Los Angeles (CA) Fire Department is shutting down rescue units and eliminating paramedic field supervisors as cost-cutting. Officials told the LA Times that this will increase response times during life-threatening emergencies.
The plan goes into full effect Thursday, April 6, 2009, with 15 fire trucks and six ambulances being pulled out of service daily on a rotating basis citywide.
Firefighters assigned to those units will be used to plug staff vacancies, which for years have been filled by calling other employees in for overtime.
As part of the effort to close a $56.5-million budget shortfall, three additional ambulances in Sylmar, Hollywood and East Hollywood were closed indefinitely on Sunday. Those ambulances, staffed by firefighters for 12-hour periods, eased the burden on busy paramedic ambulances by responding to lower-level emergencies.
Also eliminated indefinitely were three positions for captains who supervise paramedics in the field and serve as emergency-room liaisons. Many emergency responders contend that cut is dangerous.
Bill Ramsey, a 30-year department paramedic: "You're going to compromise care for a lot of people and you're potentially going to kill some people."
Melanie Ridgley, a pre-hospital care coordinator at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center, said: the paramedic captains provide an extra set of eyes during fast-breaking emergencies and are crucial to ensuring quality patient care.
Ridgley: "This is awful. They're really the glue that holds it all together." She works at Providence's emergency room in the San Fernando Valley.
Fire Chief Douglas Barry said in July, 2009 that the cutbacks would create longer response times for both medical emergency and fire calls, but he declined to speculate if that could lead to an increase in deaths, the Times reported.
Barry: "As you know, with emergency medical calls as well as fire calls, sometimes minutes, even seconds, can make the difference on success."
The Times says the LA Fire Department must cut another $13 million to cover its budget shortfall.
City Councilman Bernard C. Parks, chairman of the budget and finance committee: the city's financial situation is so dire that there's no guarantee L.A. will have $13 million in reserves to avoid the cuts.
Parks says speculation about people dying is "scare tactics."
Parks: "People die every day, even when they are fully deployed. We need to put that into context, and not use that as a scare tactic. We feel comfortable that the fire chief and his staff have proposed what we think is a reasonable plan."
Parks: "The Fire Department is at its highest level of deployment that it has ever been in its history."
MORE INFO? robert.lopez@latimes.com and phil.willon@latimes.com
|
|
FEBRUARY 2-4, 2010 INDUSTRIAL FIRE SHOW GETS ON 50 FASTEST GROWING LIST
Originally Posted: August 4, 2009 8:49 PM
Last Updated: August 4, 2009 8:49 PM
The Industrial Fire, Safety & Security (IFSS) Conference and Exhibition is included in the “Tradeshow Week Fastest 50,” a list of the 50 fastest growing shows in the U.S. and Canada based on the percentage of growth and total net square footage of growth from 2006 to 2008.
Laura Couvillon, IFSS Show Director: “We are thrilled to receive this prestigious award for Industrial Fire, Safety & Security. We have worked closely with the industry, especially our top-caliber advisory board, to establish IFSS as a must-attend event for the industrial emergency response community. We look forward to continuing to expand and evolve IFSS to best serve the marketplace.”
The 5th Annual show is scheduled for February 2-4, 2010 at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas.
Industrial Fire, Safety & Security is an event for regulatory agencies, emergency management departments, LEPCs - local emergency planning committees, municipal fire districts and mutual aid organizations, and operators/industry, including oil & gas exploration & production, refineries, petrochemical/chemical facilities, pipelines, terminals/storage facilities, power plants, LNG facilities, transportation/shipping/rail, emergency response and security teams, industrial fire brigades, and the process and manufacturing industries.
The conference provides an annual forum for discussing the latest solutions for protecting America’s industrial plant facilities, personnel, energy infrastructure, and critical assets against all hazards.
TradeFair Group, which puts on the show, stages conferences, tradeshows, and publications for the oil, gas, petrochemical, power generation, transmission, and coal industries. TradeFair Group, an Access Intelligence Company, has publications and online properties.
MORE INFO? www.tswfastest50.com or Laura Couvillon, 713-343-1877, LauraC@tradefairgroup.com or www.ifssevent.com
|
|
SELF-CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS MAKER MSA ANNOUNCES THIRD QUARTER DIVIDEND FOR STOCKHOLDERS AS OF AUGUST 18, 2009
Originally Posted: August 4, 2009 4:53 PM
Last Updated: August 4, 2009 4:53 PM
MSA (Pittsburgh, PA) declared a third quarter dividend of 24 cents per share on common stock, payable September 10, 2009 to shareholders of record on August 18, 2009.
The Board also declared a dividend of 56-1/4 cents per share on preferred stock, payable September 1, 2009 to shareholders of record on August 18, 2009
Established in 1914, MSA develops, manufactures and supplies safety products that protect people's health and safety. MSA products integrate any combination of electronics, mechanical systems and advanced materials to protect users against hazardous or life-threatening situations. The company's comprehensive line of products is used by workers around the world in the fire service, oil, gas and petrochemical industry, homeland security, construction, mining and other industries, as well as the military.
Principal products include self-contained breathing apparatus, gas masks, gas detection instruments, head protection, ballistic body armor, fall protection devices and thermal imaging cameras.
The company also provides consumer and contractor safety products through retail channels. These products are marketed and sold under the MSA Safety Works brand.
MSA has annual sales of $1 billion, manufacturing operations in the United States, Europe, Asia and Latin America, and 40 international locations.
|
|
EMPLOYERS RECOMMEND FOUR CHANGES TO LAWS WHICH REQUIRE DEALERS TO VERIFY THE STATUS OF EMPLOYEES IF THE DEALER IS A CONTRACTOR TO ANY FEDERAL AGENCY; SELLING A COMMERCIAL ITEM TO A FEDERAL AGENCY SHOULD NOT TRIGGER AN EXPENSIVE EMPLOYEE VERIFICATION BY EACH DEALER
Originally Posted: August 4, 2009 4:40 PM
Last Updated: August 4, 2009 4:40 PM
Because some dealers and manufacturers in the fire industry become "contractors" to the Federal government, if you're one you may be subject to
legislation which will make being a Federal contractor expensive and costly.
The legislation's goal is to get all contractors to pledge security clearances for
all their employees, even those having nothing to do with Federal contracts.
At first blush, in light of the nation's security concerns, it seems reasonable that
companies that have an inside track to some Federal activities take responsibility to screen their employees. But the legislation may have gone too far as it has generated opposition by many small businesses who find themselves in the role of "contractor" to a Federal agency.
Here below is the letter the business community is sending to the Senate and House.
NEEDA Executive Director, Kenton Pattie: "High level employee verification should not be necessary for a Federal agency wishing to buy emergency equipment from an emergency equipment dealer. Making employee verification
mandatory for all dealers imposes an unnecessary burden on small companies at a critical time. There is a distinct difference between a company that sells
a product such as breathing apparatus and one which actually performs personnel services side by side with Federal employees. Dealers can be very
helpful in a time of national crisis and it is in the Federal interest to buy from dealers. But, not if there are complicated and time consuming Federal requirements insisting on time consuming and costly employee verification. The letter below proposes exempting companies which sell commercial items -- companies such as emergency dealers who sell firefighting products. So I support the letter as a reasonable appeal by small businesses: we want to help our Federal government but please spare us the extreme and unnecesary overhead expenses that don't apply to the kind of business we do."
To express your views for or against legislation which requires electronic verification of your employees, communicate with your US Senator or your
US Representative.
August , 2009
Honorable Daniel Inouye
Chairman
Committee on Appropriations
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Honorable David Obey
Chairman
Committee on Appropriations
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
The Honorable Thad Cochran
Ranking Member
Committee on Appropriations
U.S. Senate
Washington, DC 20510
The Honorable Jerry Lewis
Ranking Member
Committee on Appropriations
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
The undersigned organizations represent millions of U.S. employers concerned with how a new employee verification system would impact the day-to-day activities, obligations and responsibilities of U.S. employers. We stand ready to support an electronic employment verification system that is fair, efficient and workable for businesses of all sizes under real life conditions.
In its current form, an amendment added by the Senate during consideration of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) FY 2010 appropriations legislation (HR 2892) requiring all federal contractors to enroll in E-Verify and mandating the reverification of current workers, fails to address the well documented concerns raised by employers. If the four areas outlined below are addressed in the final legislation, we stand ready to support a statutory E-Verify requirement on federal contractors.
First, verification should be limited to new hires only, as is required in current law. Existing employees have already been verified under the applicable legal procedures in place when they were hired. Reverifying an entire workforce is an unduly costly proposition and unnecessary given how often workers change jobs in the United States. It is instructive that every time the federal government considered a program in which it is in charge of verifying work authorization, it limits the system burdens to only new hires.
Second, it is critical to the employer community that contractors do not bear vicarious liability for subcontractor actions unless the contractor knew of the actions of the subcontractor, as in current law. Without such protection, an employer could be open to liability even for the violations of its peripheral contractors—e.g., a water delivery company or landscaping contractor—for actions taken without the employer’s knowledge.
Third, in order to limit the burdens and costs on federal contractors, some exceptions must be made and a reasonable threshold set that take into account the different types of employers and federal contracts involved. Thus, we recommend excluding contracts for commercial items, contracts under the simplified acquisition threshold (currently set at $100,000), contracts for a period of performance of less than 120 days, and employees that hold an active security clearance. We also recommend allowing institutions of higher education to verify only new hires assigned to the contract because of the large number of students with intermittent employment, which would complicate these institutions’ efforts to comply with E-Verify requirements, if applied to all new hires.
Finally, federal contractors taking the lead in the roll out of an E-Verify requirement should be exempted from any and all state and local laws insofar as they relate to the employment verification of workers. While there are already preemption provisions in current law, we are concerned with states and localities that may attempt to circumvent them to impose onerous and differing requirements on federal contractors participating in E-Verify.
We, therefore, urge conferees on the DHS FY 2010 appropriations legislation to address the real concerns of employers, and federal contractors in particular, and make the improvements requested above, so we can support an E-Verify requirement on federal contractors.
Sincerely,
|
|
COLORADO FIRE ON 877 ACRES OF FEDERAL LAND: FIRE TRUCKS, AIR TANKERS AND 125 FIREFIGHTERS CALLED IN
Originally Posted: August 4, 2009 3:33 PM
Last Updated: August 4, 2009 3:33 PM
One hundred twenty firefighters are building containment lines around an 877-acre wildfire five miles northwest of Norwood, Colorado in southwestern Colorado where twenty homes were evacuated.
The Associated Press says two area churches have opened shelters to residents.
Erin Curtis, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, the fire started Tuesday, August 4 on federal land.
Four heavy air tankers, two single-engine air tankers, two helicopters and more than 16 fire trucks are being used.
|
|
SEN. BURRIS OF ILLINOIS AND SEN. HUTCHISON OF TEXAS PLANNING TO LEAVE THE US SENATE
Originally Posted: August 1, 2009 1:29 PM
Last Updated: August 1, 2009 1:29 PM
The Chicago Sun Times says Illinois state Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias officially
launched his bid for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by recently appointed Senator Roland Burris D-Illinois (202 224 2854).
Burris won national fame as the Senate appointment by impeached Gov. Rod Blagojevich (Illinois).
The news media also reports that Texas Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R) (202 224 5922) will resign her Senate Seat so she can challenge incumbent Texas Governor Rick Perry (R) March 2010.
Hutchison is in her third six year term and was first elected in 1993. She was born July 22, 1943 and is from Galveston, TX. She has served as State Treasurer. She graduated from the University of Texas Law School, JD in 1967. She has two children. Currently she serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee, Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, and the Rules and Administration Committee. Her Chief of Staff is James Christoferson.
In Texas she has offices in Abilene, Austin, Dallas, Harlingen, Houston and San Antonio. Her website is http://hutchison.senate.gov. In the 100 member Senate, she ranks 34th in seniority. In her last election she received 62% of the vote.
|
|
|
