NEEDA - National Emergency Equipment Dealers Association

Thursday, Sept. 24, 2009 Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick announced that he has appointed former Democratic National Committee Chair Paul Kirk, Jr. to fill the late Sen. Edward Kennedy's vacant Senate seat.

Mr. Kirk served Sen. Kennedy as an assistant in 1969-1977, as well holding the office of treasurer of the Democratic Party in 1983. He founded the Commission on Presidential Debates in 1987. Mr. Kirk, a Harvard Law graduate, is chair of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation, as well as serving on the board of the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate.

The Massachusetts state legislature approved a measure Sept. 22, 2009 granting Gov. Patrick the ability to appoint an interim senator to fill the vacant seat.

The new appointee has not announced any staff hires

ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND, NEEDS NEW AMBULANCE T0 REPLACE 59TH BUSIEST UNIT IN THE COUNTRY; HOW ABOUT GETTING AMBULANCE MONEY FROM PEOPLE WHO SPEED THROUGH TRAFFIC LIGHTS?
Originally Posted: September 23, 2009 4:51 PM
Last Updated: September 23, 2009 4:51 PM

by Kenton Pattie
Executive Director
National Emergency Equipment Dealers Association (NEEDA)

While at a meeting in Maryland last week the Rockville (MD) Volunteer Fire Department said it wants to replace its aging ambulance, the most heavily used piece of equipment at the station.

Rockville Volunteer Fire Department President Eric N. Bernard said new equipment will have to wait legislators told him. Bernard had suggested that revenue from speed cameras should be spent on a new $160,000 ambulance.

With 140,000 miles of emergency service, the Rockville ambulance is well beyond its life expectancy.

This ambulance is the most used in the county and a national trade magazine recently ranked it as the 59th busiest ambulance in the country.

Rockville generates 80 percent of ambulance calls but doesn't pay for the service. Firefighting pay is supposed to come from the county.

Law says revenue from speed cameras must be used to fund public safety projects: as fire, rescue or police.

Hoffmann said that because of a recent $2.4 million hit to the city's budget, including reduced revenue from a state police aid fund, Speed camera money may be used because Rockville has a $2.4 million budget shortfall.

Donations are also down as they are in other Maryland jurisdictions.

Some money for the fire station may come from the county to buy a new ambulance.

DELAWARE SUFFERS FROM BUDGET CUTS, BUT PROVIDES SOME FUNDING FOR FIRE COMPANIES
Originally Posted: September 23, 2009 4:30 PM
Last Updated: September 23, 2009 4:31 PM

by Kenton Pattie
Executive Director
National Emergency Equipment Dealers Association (NEEDA)

While in Delaware a few days ago, I was briefed on the legislature's
"Grants-In-Aid" bill which provides $35.4 million in grants to
dozens of nonprofit organiztions in Delaware including local fire
companies. This bill is a decrease of 22 percent from last year's
version. But, even with the lost of $9.8 million, Delaware is one
of the few states still providing funds for their local fire departments.

Work on Delaware's 2010 state budget begins in November.
Many other states share a similar annual schedule, with
legislation considered in the first few months of the New Year.
For the 2009 version of the budget, 1000 jobs in Delaware were
eliminated by the cuts that produced their $billion budget bill.
One legislator said that Federal stiumula bunds helped Delaware
considerably this year. But those funds may not be available
in 2010.

Have state appropriations in your state provided funding for
fire departments and other emergency responders? Send
info to KentonP1@aol.com.

JIM SEAVEY PICKED AS FIRE CHIEF MAGAZINE'S VOLUNTEER FIRE CHIEF OF THE YEAR SAYS MONTGOMERY (MD) GAZETTE
Originally Posted: September 23, 2009 4:18 PM
Last Updated: September 23, 2009 4:18 PM

by Erin Donaghue, Staff Writer, Montgomery Gazette, MD

Jim Seavey is Volunteer Fire Chief of the Year according to Fire Chief Magazine.

The chief of the Cabin John (Maryland) Park Volunteer Fire Department makes a point to sit down with all new volunteers in a session he calls "Getting Real With the Fire Chief." He tells them that volunteering with the fire department should be a fourth priority — following family, work or school, and, if they practice it, religion.

While this is what he tells the volunteers — some of them as young as 16, the minimum age to sign up — it's a far cry from his own practice. He likens the time constraints of being a volunteer fire chief in an urban environment to that of someone in political office. And when coupled with his work as a career firefighter in Washington, D.C. and his 30-mile commute from his home in Frederick County, the time away from his wife and son has taken its toll, he said.

"When you add up those hours, there's barely enough time to sleep," Seavey said.

Nonetheless, friends and colleagues say it's his deep-rooted commitment to volunteerism that's acted as a guiding force for the Cabin John Park Volunteer Fire Department, which serves the Bethesda and Potomac communities. The department encompasses about 75 active volunteer firefighters with an additional 50 career firefighters assigned to it by Montgomery County, he said. Cabin John Park is well-known for its swift-water rescue teams, which came in handy last Dec. 23 when a 66-inch water main burst and stranded motorists in their cars just down River Road.

"He strongly believes in volunteerism and how important a role that that is in our community," said Mike Harding, a fire department board member. "Not, of course, to take anything at all from career firefighters, but there is definitely a place and probably always will be a place for volunteers in the fire service, especially here in Montgomery County."

Since he was a young boy, Seavey said he was fascinated with the fire service — he first recalls announcing to his nursery school teacher that he would be a firefighter at a visit to a firehouse in Washington's Tenleytown neighborhood. "I saw that firemen come down the pole, and I was just awestruck," he said.

Growing up in Glen Echo and attending Walt Whitman High School, Seavey was determined to become a firefighter. At the time, however, it was a difficult task for those with no family in the service, he said. Nonetheless, at age 16, he was accepted to the Glen Echo Volunteer Fire Department.

As a teenager, he said, "I wasn't a full-fledged juvenile delinquent, but I was in the partying crowd." As a fire volunteer, he said, it took all of one day for him to straighten up.

In 1979, he began work as a part-time firefighter at Cabin John Station 30 on Falls Road — his salary was $2.10 an hour. He rose through the ranks and by 1991, he was elected fire chief. In 1986, he was hired by the District of Columbia Fire Department, where he is now a lieutenant at Engine 17.

Seavey was recently honored for leading the Cabin John Park Volunteer Fire Department through times of crisis — including the River Road water main break and the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the Pentagon. He's also fostered a relationship with a fire department outside Hamburg, Germany that's allowed for exchanges between fire services in the two countries.

But Seavey also hopes to inspire the next generation of firefighters. He's a staunch advocate for the fire service as an opportunity for youth who are more inclined to vocational, hands-on careers. "They need to have opportunities as well, or else they become lost," Seavey said.

His own son, Jimmy Jr., has followed in Seavey's footsteps as a volunteer firefighter and was also recently hired as a Washington firefighter. And Seavey often acts as a father figure to the young, eager volunteers at Cabin John.

"He's kind of like a mentor to me," said Teddy Tamulevich, an 18-year-old Cabin John volunteer from Bethesda. Tamulevich, who lives near the station, said he grew up seeing the fire trucks drive past. "It's something I've always wanted to do my entire life," he said.

Seavey says he sees a bit of himself in volunteers like Tamulevich. The excitement about the fire service he experienced as a child, he said, hasn't yet waned. "Every day I get up and I want to run to the fire house like it's my first day," he said. "It's still every bit as vivid and exciting as it's always been."

WILDFIRE GROWING IN VENTURA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
Originally Posted: September 23, 2009 3:43 PM
Last Updated: September 23, 2009 3:43 PM

By Nicole Santa Cruz in Moorpark
for LA Times

The 9,700-acre Guiberson fire in Ventura County is 20% contained but firefighters expect the blaze to grow to 10,000 acres before the day is over as it threatens oil production fields, power lines and agricultural sites, officials said Wednesday, September 23.

At a news conference, fire experts said winds have increased significantly since 9 a.m. and are up to 12 mph with gusts to 21 mph. The winds were calmer than they were at midday Tuesday when gusts of more than 50 mph were recorded.

Flying tankers attacked the flames on the western and eastern flanks of the fire, which is about five miles north of Moorpark College, CA. The fire is threatening oil production fields and five 220-kilovolt power lines that supply Ventura and Santa Barbara with electricity. It also is threatening a 36-foot above-ground gas line, said Nick Schuler with CalFire.

The fire also prompted the closure today of Moorpark College and two elementary schools: Walnut Canyon and Campus Canyon.

"We don't want these kids out, especially with those elements," said Mike Mohler, a spokesman for CalFire.

The cause of the fire, which started Tuesday, is still under investigation, but Ventura County Sheriff's Department officials have said it appeared to have been started by spontaneous combustion of manure from a local ranch.

Voluntary evacuations were issued for these areas: Moorpark College area west of Balcom Canyon Road at Bradley; Donlon Road; Solano Verde Road; Coyote Canyon Road; and Charles Street.

These roads are closed: Highway 33 between Moorpark and Fillmore; Walnut Canyon; Spring Road; Balcom Canyon Road at Bradley Road and Stockton Road; Championship Drive at Grimes Canyon Road; Highway 23 at Broadway and Barsdale Avenue and Championship; and South Mountain at Baldwin.

An evacuation shelter has been set up at the Gobel Senior Center at 1385 Janss Road in Thousand Oaks, CA.

SPARTAN INCREASES ITS RV CHASSIS SALES TO FLEETWOOD
Originally Posted: September 23, 2009 3:23 PM
Last Updated: September 23, 2009 3:23 PM

Spartan Motors Chassis, Inc., a subsidiary of Spartan Motors, Inc. (Charlotte, Michigan), is selling Fleetwood RV, Inc., motorhome custom diesel chassis.

Spartan will design, engineer and assemble chassis for integration with Fleetwood RV's coaches. Delivery of the custom chassis to Fleetwood RV is scheduled to begin in October for the 2010 market.

John Sztykiel, President and CEO of Spartan Motors: "Despite continued economic uncertainty in 2009, Spartan has been focused on leveraging its operational and strategic agility to meet customer requirements in the RV market."

Spartan already supplies all the diesel chassis for Fleetwood RV's American Coach brand.

Spartan is a major supplier of fire and rescue chassis for 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. The company had sales of $844.4 million in 2008.

NEEDA Newsletter has published other articles about Spartan. Use the "Search" application in the upper right of your NEEDA Newsletter Screen and insert the word "Spartan".

MORE INFO? www.spartanmotors.com

US SENATE HONORS FIRE FIGHTERS WHO LOST LIVES IN RECENT CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES
Originally Posted: September 16, 2009 12:07 PM
Last Updated: September 16, 2009 12:07 PM

The US Senate this week passed this resolution: S. RES. 265 (111th Congress, first session) Honoring the firefighters who sacrificed their lives while battling the Station Fire in southern California in August 2009.

September 14, 2009

Mrs. BOXER (for herself and Mrs. FEINSTEIN) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

RESOLUTION
Honoring the firefighters who sacrificed their lives while battling the Station Fire in southern California in August 2009.

Whereas in late August 2009, the Angeles National Forest and neighboring communities north of Los Angeles, California were engulfed by an intense wildfire, which came to be known as the `Station Fire';

Whereas the Station Fire, ignited by arson on August 26, 2009, burned more than 160,000 acres of public lands and private property in Los Angeles County and the Angeles National Forest, including more than 160 structures and homes;

Whereas as of September 9, 2009, the Station Fire was the 10th largest wildfire in modern California history, and the largest wildfire in the modern history of Los Angeles County;

Whereas as of September 9, 2009, the Station Fire continued to threaten 12,000 structures in the National Forest and nearby communities such as Acton, Altadena, Glendale, La Can.AE6ada Flintridge, La Crescenta, Pasadena, Littlerock, Sunland, and Tujunga;

Whereas more than 8,000 fire personnel and 800 fire engines and approximately 40 helicopters, 13 fixed winged aircraft, and 88 water tenders were deployed statewide to assist with firefighting efforts;

Whereas the extraordinary effort made by firefighters throughout the region contributed to the preservation of the historic Mount Wilson Observatory, a national landmark for astronomical research;

Whereas Fire Captain Tedmund D. `Ted' Hall, aged 47, and Firefighter Specialist Arnaldo `Arnie' Quinones, aged 34, lost their lives in the line of duty fighting the Station Fire;

Whereas Tedmund D. Hall joined the Los Angeles County Fire Department on April 22, 1981;

Whereas during his time in the Los Angeles County Fire Department, Tedmund D. Hall served the city of Lakewood, the city of Whittier, the city of La Puente, and the Department's command and control team;

Whereas in January 2001, Tedmund D. Hall was promoted to fire captain;

Whereas Tedmund D. Hall is survived by his wife, Katherine, sons Randall and Steven, and parents, Roland Ray and Donna Marie Hall;

Whereas Arnaldo Quinones joined the Los Angeles County Fire Department on August 6, 1998;

Whereas during his time in the Los Angeles County Fire Department, Arnaldo Quinones served the city of Palmdale, the city of Covina, and the city of La Can.AE6ada Flintridge;

Whereas in December 2005, Arnaldo Quinones was promoted to firefighter specialist; and

Whereas Arnaldo Quinones is survived by his wife, Loressa, who is expecting their first child, and his mother Sonia Quinones: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) expresses its heartfelt condolences to the families, fellow firefighters, and friends of Tedmund D. Hall and Arnaldo Quinones;
(2) recognizes the noble and brave service that firefighters provide to every community in the United States; and
(3) honors Tedmund D. Hall and Arnaldo Quinones for the sacrifices they made in giving their lives to protect Californians from the Station Fire.

ALASKA BURNS DRY AREAS TO LOWER THREAT OF WILDFIRES
Originally Posted: September 16, 2009 11:59 AM
Last Updated: September 16, 2009 11:59 AM

The Alaska Division of Forestry plans several prescribed burns near Fairbanks, Alasks to reduce the risk of wildfires.

The burns will take place over the next several weeks.

Foresters plan to burn about 1,200 acres in the Little Chena River drainage area, 200 acres along Old Murphy Dome Road and 100 acres in the Goldstream Valley.

MORE INFO? www.newsminer.com

CALIFORNIA CITIZENS SUFFERING LOSSES DUE TO WILDFIRES ARE WARNED ABOUT SCAM ARTISTS; STATE OFFERS INFO ABOUT USING
Originally Posted: September 16, 2009 11:52 AM
Last Updated: September 16, 2009 11:52 AM

California authorities are distributing the information below, along with numerous signs and other public announcements, to warn citizens
affected by the huge recent Station wildfires. Already, citizens are
being approached by those seeking work to restore properties damanged
by fire. Scam artists are attracted to such disasters: they prey on the
losses of citizens who have already lost property in the fires.

How do I find the right licensed contractor?

This step highlights some of the different things you can do to help you find the right licensed contractor.

Make sure the contractor is licensed.
All contractor advertisements, whether it be an ad in the phone book or newspaper, a flyer that shows up at your front door, or the company's name on the side of a truck, must have the contractor's state license number. You can check license status on-line or call 1-800-321-CSLB (2752).

REMEMBER Most licensed contractors are competent, honest, hardworking and financially responsible. However, most of the problems the CSLB sees could be prevented if homeowners knew their home improvement rights and took responsibility for their project. A responsible and informed consumer can work more effectively with reputable contractors, and can avoid being victimized by unscrupulous or unlicensed operators.

Shop around before hiring a contractor.
Get at least three written bids on your project, and make sure you're comparing bids based on identical plans, specifications and scope of work. Do not automatically accept the lowest bid. In fact, you should beware of any bid that is substantially lower than the others. It probably indicates that the contractor made a mistake or is not including all the work quoted by his or her competitors. You may be headed for a dispute with your contractor if you accept an abnormally low bid. It is also possible that this contractor will cut corners or do substandard work in order to make a profit on the job.

When the contractor comes to your house to give you a bid, ask to see their pocket license, along with a picture I.D. You want to make sure the person you're dealing with is the same person on the license.

Contractors can also hire salespeople to work for them. Those people must be registered with the CSLB. Ask to see their registration card, along with a picture I.D.

REMEMBER Contractors are required to have their license number on their business card and on all bids and contracts. Seeing the number there doesn't necessarily mean the license is valid. Check the license status on this Website. Although an unlicensed operator may give you a low bid, the risks of possible financial and legal consequences you may face outweigh any benefits a lower bid may seem to offer.

Ask for personal recommendations.
Friends and family may have recently had similar projects completed. If they are satisfied with the results, chances are you will be too. Other good reference sources include local customers, material suppliers, subcontractors, and financial institutions to check whether the contractor is financially responsible. If you are still unsure, you may also wish to check the contractor out with your local building department, trade association or union, consumer protection agency, consumer fraud unit, and the Better Business Bureau.

Verify the contractor's business location and telephone number.
A contractor who operates a business out of the back of a pickup truck with a cellular telephone may be difficult to find to complete a job or fix something that has gone wrong after the last bill is paid. You can find a licensed contractor's "address of record" on this website when you look up their license status.

Verify the contractor's workers' compensation and commercial general liability insurance coverage.
Ask to see a copy of the certificate of insurance, or ask for the name of the contractor's insurance carrier and agency to verify that the contractor has the insurance.

In California, if a contractor has employees, they're required to carry workers' compensation insurance. The importance of this cannot be overstated. If a worker is injured working on your property and the contractor doesn't have insurance, you could be liable to pay for injuries and rehabilitation. Your homeowner's insurance may or may not cover those costs. You should check with your insurance carrier to make sure the workers' compensation insurance coverage being provided by the contractor is adequate. Learn more from the California Department of Insurance.

Commercial general liability insurance is not required, however, it covers damage to your property. If the contractor does not carry general liability insurance, they should be able to explain how they would cover losses that would ordinarily be covered by insurance. If your contractor damages your property and doesn't carry commercial general liability insurance, you or your insurance policy could end up paying for damages.

A licensed contractor must provide you with information regarding both types of insurance in your written contract.

ALERT Effective January 1, 2007, all roofing contractors (C-39 classification) must carry workers' compensation insurance or have a valid Certification of Self-Insurance on file with the CSLB. This information is indicated when you review the status of a contractor's license on this Website.

Learn about the contractor's bonds.
California licened contractors are required to have a contractor's license bond. It's important to know what bonds do and do not cover. Some bonds are designed to protect you against substandard work that does not meet with local building codes. Bonds do not assure the financial or professional integrity or competency of a contractor. Institutional lenders such as savings and loans, insurance companies or commercial banks generally require licensed contractors to secure bonds for large jobs.

Bonds may be classified as:

Contractor's License Bonds
Licensed contractors are required to have a contractor's license bond of $12,500 (as of January 1, 2007). This bond is written to cover any project the contractor agrees to perform. But, be aware, this bond is often not enough to cover multiple complaints made against it or your project if it's worth more than he value of the bond.

Contract Bonds
Contract bonds guarantees both the completion of the job and payment for all labor and materials. In general, the bonding company will not have to pay more than the face amount of the bond. The cost of this bond is usually 1-2% of the contract price.

For more information about bonds, read the CSLB publication, A Guide to Contractor License Bonds.

NC GOVERNOR URGES BUILDING CODE COUNCIL TO RETAIN FIRE SAFETY
Originally Posted: September 16, 2009 11:10 AM
Last Updated: September 16, 2009 11:10 AM

North Carolina Governor Beverly Perdue asked members of her North Carolina Building Code Council (BCC) to keep fire safety protections in the state building code.

State and national safety advocates remain concerned that the BCC could vote to overturn electrical code requirements designed to protect North Carolina homes from electrical fires. The BCC met on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 to reexamine the statewide adoption of the 2008 National Electric Code early last year, calling for increased use of arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCI) to prevent deadly electrical fires.

Brett Brenner, president of Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI): “We applaud the governor’s common-sense approach to providing North Carolina residents and their homes with the most advanced electrical fire protection available today.”

AFCIs are one of the newest advancements in electrical fire protection. These innovative devices protect against arc faults in a home’s wiring that cannot be detected by standard breakers.

Rob Kinniburgh, deputy chief of Fire Prevention Activities for the City of Charlotte: “The cost of increased electrical safety is insignificant compared to the damage and tragedy electrical fires cause year after year. Not only can AFCIs help decrease the number of electrical fires we see each year, but also the tax dollars used to fight these fires and the lives lost – both homeowners and firefighters – due to electrical fires.”

The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that nearly 50 percent of home electrical fires could be prevented with AFCI technology. Currently, 28 states have voted to expand or maintain existing requirements for AFCI installation.

Russ Dubinksy, spokesperson for State Farm Insurance Companies: “We want to thank Governor Perdue for taking this action to help ensure the safety of our citizens.”

The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) promotes electrical safety in the home, school and workplace.

MORE INFO?www.electrical-safety.org or
Jordanna Shapiro, 703-841-3291

NEW BOOK FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS: YOU'RE NOT IN BUSINESS TO PAY YOUR VENDORS
Originally Posted: September 16, 2009 10:53 AM
Last Updated: September 16, 2009 10:53 AM

PROFITS AREN'T EVERYTHING, THEY'RE THE ONLY THING: No-Nonsense Advice from the Ultimate Contrarian and Small Business Guru ($24.99 hardcover/HarperCollins Publishers), a new book by small business expert George Cloutier.

Cloutier is the founder and CEO of American Management Services, a management firm that specializes in turning around small and mid-sized businesses. Cloutier and his company have worked with 6,000 companies across 400 industries. He is a coach, lecturer, and speaker, and appears regularly on national television, most recently discussing the economic crisis. He is also the cochairman of Partner America, a strategic partnership between his company and the U.S. Conference of Mayors. Cloutier has been dubbed "The Turnaround Ace" by BusinessWeek.

Cloutier describes PROFITS AREN'T EVERYTHING as "a tell-it-as-it-really-is and sometimes contrarian book on what I've seen happen" and acknowledges that some of his advice will "clearly upset conventional thinking." He says:

Teamwork is Vastly Overrated
Love Your Business More Than Your Family
The Best Family Business Has One Member
You're Not in Business to Pay Your Vendors
Give Up Golf, Retreats, Off-Sites, and Trade Shows
It's Not the Economy, Stupid, It's You!

The nation's 23 million small businesses employ 60 million Americans--almost 40% of the nation's workforce. Small business is the third largest economy in the world, tThe book by George Cloutier with Samantha Marshall.was published September 15, 2009. $24.99, hardcover. Published by HarperCollins.

NEW LAB IN SOUTH CAROLINA WILL OFFER BURN TESTING OF MATERIALS USED IN CONSTRUCTION
Originally Posted: September 16, 2009 10:26 AM
Last Updated: September 16, 2009 10:26 AM

The Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) is creating a disaster safety research center in Chester County, South Carolina.

The lab will focus on 2,000 square foot, one- and two-story homes, light commercial construction and agricultural buildings' hazards, including realistic Category 3 hurricanes, wind-blown fire (mimicking wildfire embers), and hailstorms.

The primary purpose of this $40 million multi-peril research facility -- funded entirely by property insurance companies, reinsurers and brokers -- is to identify effective methods of minimizing risk and loss to homes, businesses, and communities resulting from natural disasters.

Keeping high winds, water, fire and hail out of homes and businesses is the center's goal. Managing high winds, water, fire and hail in a laboratory setting presents challenges.

Builders will use the center to will know which products and systems provide the best protection against wind, water, fire and hail. This will be done both by creation of written reports, and via high-speed, high-definition video of the tests that will be shared with media and on the Web.

Tornadoes, hurricanes and wildfires, have given IBHS researchers opportunities for field work, during which they have learned about how to better engineer structures against certain risks. There remain knowledge gaps that can be filled only with testing in controlled environments, which the new research center will provide.

Founding insurance companies and organizations that have made this new facility possible through their financial contributions include: Alfa Insurance, Allstate Insurance Company, American Agricultural Insurance Company, American Family Insurance, American Insurance Association, Amica Insurance, Andover Companies, AAA-The Auto Club Group, AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah, Auto-Owners Insurance Company, Bankers Insurance Group, COUNTRY Financial, Enumclaw Insurance Group, Erie Insurance, Farm Bureau Mutual Group, Farmers Insurance Group, Florida Farm Bureau Insurance Group, Gen Re, Guy Carpenter, The Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company, HomeWise, Interinsurance Exchange of the Automobile Club, IPCRe Limited, Liberty Mutual Insurance Group, The Main Street America Group, MetLife Auto & Home, Mississippi Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance Company, Munich Re, Munich Re America, National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies, Nationwide Insurance, Norfolk & Dedham Group, OneBeacon Insurance Group, Property Casualty Insurers Association of America, Quincy Mutual, RenaissanceRe Risk Sciences Foundation, South Carolina Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company, South Carolina Wind & Hail Underwriting Association, State Farm Insurance Companies, Swiss Re, Travelers, USAA, Virginia Farm Bureau Insurance.

MORE INFO? See video Sept. 18, 2009, on the Pathfire Digital Media Gateway (DMG). Or call Pathfire customer support at 888-345-0489 or support@pathfire.com.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2009: BEGIN APPLYING FOR FIRE PREVENTION AND SAFETY GRANTS
Originally Posted: September 16, 2009 10:12 AM
Last Updated: September 16, 2009 10:12 AM

The US Department of Homeland Security has posted the FY2009 Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) Grants Program Guidance on the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) Program Web site.

The application period starts September 21, 2009 at 8:00 AM Eastern Standard Time (EST).

Applications for these 09 grants are due before October 23, 2009, at 5:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST).

These grants support projects that enhance the safety of the public and firefighters from fire and fire-related hazards. The grants are competitive, and their primary goal is to target high-risk populations.

Grant awards are made in order to mitigate high incidences of death and injury and to carry out research for improving firefighter safety. Examples of the types of fire prevention projects that are supported by FP&S include smoke alarm installation, fire prevention and public safety education campaigns, juvenile fire setter interventions, media campaigns, and arson prevention and awareness programs. Organizations that are eligible to apply under the research activity should consult the Program Guidance for detailed information on priorities and areas of emphasis.

An applicant tutorial for the fire prevention activity will be available through the www.firegrantsupport.com Website. The tutorial provides you with valuable grant information and will walk you through the preparation and submittal of competitive applications. The applicant tutorial will provide an overview of the fire prevention funding priorities and evaluation criteria.

Questions? Contact Fire Prevention and Safety Grants 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 AM to 4:30 PM. (EST).

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.

MOER INFO? www.firegrantsupport.com/fps/guidance or firegrants@dhs.gov

SEPTEMBER: NATIONAL CAMPUS FIRE SAFETY MONTH
Originally Posted: September 10, 2009 11:04 AM
Last Updated: September 10, 2009 11:04 AM

September is the fifth annual National Campus Fire Safety Month.

Since 2000, 135 people have died in campus-related fires with over 80 percent of them occurring in off-campus housing according to information compiled by Campus Firewatch.

The goal of Campus Fire Safety Month is making more schools, communities, students and parents aware of the dangers of fire and engaging them in learning what they can do to make sure tragedy does not strike.

"I think we see so many fire deaths in off-campus housing for several reasons," said Ed Comeau, publisher of Campus Firewatch and a long-time advocate for campus fire safety. "This is where almost two-thirds of the students across the country live. Also, the buildings tend to be older, unsprinklered and may be missing smoke alarms. There are also fewer rules regarding activities such as smoking and candles and there is more alcohol consumption taking place. All of these are contributing factors to fatal fires that have occurred over the years."

To help combat this and raise national awareness, Campus Firewatch has teamed up with the Congressional Fire Services Institute, the Ohio Fire Safety Coalition, and the University of North Carolina to hold an event on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on September 17 with congressional co-sponsors Senators Frank Lautenberg (NJ) and Susan Collins (ME) and Representatives Bill Pascrell (NJ-8) and Joe Wilson (SC-2). Senator Susan Collins is a co-chair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus.

A contingent of students, parents who have lost children, fire officials and advocates will be joining together with Members of Congress for a press conference and followed by meetings on Capitol Hill.

MORE INFO? www.CampusFireSafetyMonth.org

SAN JOSE, CA CONVENES FIRE PREVENTION WORKSHOP SEPT 10, 2009
Originally Posted: September 9, 2009 6:04 AM
Last Updated: September 9, 2009 6:04 AM

As firefighters continue fighting fires in the Los Angeles County area, the FireSafe Councils of Northwest California and Farmers Insurance Group of Companies invite all property owners from the East Bay, San Jose and surrounding areas to come to a fire prevention/preparedness workshop Thursday, September 10th at the Holiday Inn, San Jose, CA airport.

Location: Holiday Inn, 1740 North First Street , San Jose, CA 95112

MORE INFO? www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080605/LATH062

FALLEN FIREFIGHTERS HONORED AT EMMITSBURG, MARYLAND OCTOBER 2-4, 2009
Originally Posted: September 9, 2009 5:55 AM
Last Updated: September 9, 2009 5:55 AM

The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (Emmitsburg, Maryland) 28th annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend will be held October 2-4, 2009. Thirty-six states experienced line-of-duty deaths in 2008.

Chief Dennis Compton, Chairman of the NFFF Board of Directors, stated: "Our country's firefighters make a commitment day in and day out to protect others from the ravages of fire and many other life threatening hazards. Each year we gather at the site of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Emmitsburg, Maryland, to pay tribute to those firefighters who paid the ultimate price in the performance of their duties. The fire service is honored and humbled to memorialize these fallen heroes and show our sincere appreciation for the sacrifices made by those they left behind."

A plaque with the names of 103 firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2008 will be added to the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial, located here on the National Fire Academy campus. The names of 19 firefighters who died in previous years will also be added. The plaques surrounding the Memorial, which was established in 1981, will contain the names of more than 3,300 firefighters.

Deaths resulted from many causes, including vehicle accidents while enroute to or returning from emergency calls, training incidents, building collapses, diving incidents, natural disaster response, being struck by objects (vehicles, trees, waterway from aerial devices, and gunshot wounds) at the incident scene, falls, heart attacks, helicopter/air tanker crashes, and burns. Five multiple fatality incidents accounted for 17 deaths. Two multiple fatality incidents occurred at structural fires, one in an apparatus crash after a bridge collapse during heavy smoke conditions at a wildland fire, one helicopter crash during a wildland fire, and one air tanker that crashed on take-off. Wildland fires, controlled burns and training/certification for wildland protection resulted in 15 fatalities. Oregon and North Carolina suffered the Nation's greatest number of line-of-duty firefighter deaths in 2008 with 9 in each state, while Pennsylvania and New York had 8, Missouri had 7, and California had 6.

The Foundation is located at the US Fire Administration's campus.

MORE INFO? Weekend.FireHero.org

FIRE TRUCK MAKES HOLE IN ONE IN CALIFORNIA
Originally Posted: September 8, 2009 2:05 PM
Last Updated: September 8, 2009 3:40 PM

Raja Abdulrahim, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer says officials were trying to shut off water that was continuing to flow from a sinkhole in the San Fernando Valley that swallowed a fire engine.

This water main break occurred this morning on Bellingham Avenue at Hartsook Street near Laurel Canyon Boulevard in Valley Village. The truck with one captain and three firefighters on board was responding to a call about flooding in the 1200 block of West Hartsook when it ended up in the sinkhole, said department spokesman Devin Gales.

All four of the truck's crew safely escaped from the firetruck. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power says a broken water main underneath the asphalt caused the sinkhole.

The street is closed and about 40 DWP customers in the area are without water. DWP crews were on scene and in the process of shutting off the water main. Meanwhile, a heavy rescue unit from the Fire Department arrived to pull the firetruck out of the sinkhole, Gales said.

MASIMO RAD57 PULSE CO-OXIMETER ENABLES NEW YORK EMS AND FIRE FIGHTERS TO DETECT CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING ON THE SCENE
Originally Posted: September 8, 2009 1:58 PM
Last Updated: September 8, 2009 1:58 PM

The Fire Department of New York City (FDNY) has purchased 86 Masimo Rad-57 Pulse CO-Oximeters from Masimo (Irvine, California) to "improve the survivability of firefighters and victims suffering from carbon monoxide (CO) toxicity." The purchase is the company's largest first responder deployment of Rad-57s, making FDNY the largest department to implement a department-wide program for noninvasive carbon monoxide monitoring in the US.

The Masimo Rad-57 Pulse CO-Oximeter enables EMS and fire department first responders to quickly, accurately, and noninvasively detect carbon monoxide poisoning on the scene. FDNY will put its 86 new Rad-57s to work throughout the 5 boroughs of New York City on all 35 of its HazTac and rescue ambulances, Supervisor units, and Major Emergency Response Vehicles -- allowing for prompt and possibly life-saving treatment for both victims and firefighters alike.

John Peruggia, Chief of EMS for the Fire Department City of New York: The Masimo Rad-57 Pulse CO-Oximeter has become a key component in FDNY fire and emergency medical response operations "because it allows our EMTs and Paramedics to accurately evaluate a patient's blood chemistry, determine toxicity levels, and commence initial treatment of patients found to be poisoned by CO -- all within seconds. The Rad-57 has also become an integral part of firefighter rehab, with all fire personnel being evaluated for CO after operating at large fire incidents, to insure responder health and safety. Expanding our utilization of the Rad-57 with this purchase is a natural progression of the success we have achieved, both in terms of lives saved and hazards averted."

Masimo Founder and CEO, Joe E. Kiani: "We commend FDNY for their leadership, dedication, and vigilance in the battle against the unsuspected, deadly hazards of carbon monoxide poisoning. We are particularly proud that they have chosen the Rad-57 to help ensure the public health and safety of all New York City residents, visitors, and first responders."

The Fire Department City of New York (FDNY) is the largest combined Fire and EMS provider in the United States. With more than 11,000 firefighters and 3,000 EMTs and paramedics, FDNY provides the fire protection and inspection, emergency medical, technical rescue, and biological, chemical and radioactive hazard first response services for more than 8 million citizens in an area of more than 320 square miles. Annually, FDNY responds to over 990,000 fire calls, more than 1.3 million EMS calls.

Masimo makes Masimo SET((R)), which eliminated false alarms and increased pulse oximetry's ability to detect life-threatening events. Masimo SET provides SpO2 and pulse rate measurements under clinical conditions, including patient motion and low peripheral perfusion.

MORE INFO? 949 297-7348

WHAT IS YOUR COMMUNITY DOING TO OBSERVE 9/11?
Originally Posted: September 8, 2009 1:37 PM
Last Updated: September 8, 2009 1:37 PM

President Obama declares Friday, September 11th for the first time as a federally recognized National Day of Service and Remembrance at the urging of the 9/11 families and Congress.

Led by the 9/11 non-profit MyGoodDeed, 9/11/01 families and others worked for more than seven years to establish September 11 as a National Day of Service and Remembrance -- finally securing passage of legislation in April 2009, within the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, which authorized the creation of the 9/11 observance.

Since its inception in 2002, supporters of MyGoodDeed have pledged to perform more than a million acts of service, spanning all 50 states and some 170 countries and territories. This year, thousands have visited the organization's website, 911dayofservice.org, since its early August launch to pledge their good deeds. Thousands have also posted their service plans for 9/11 at the federal government's volunteer service website, serve.gov.

In Huron, Ohio, Stephen Petrovich will place calls to emergency workers and first responders to thank them for their service. In Albany, New York, Michelle Garcia and the Sisters of Omega Phi Beta Sorority will dedicate themselves to serving the community during the week of 9/11, and to raising awareness among the University at Albany community to get involved. John Henry and Ellie Labriola of Southbury, Connecticut set up a lemonade stand the week before school began and raised more than $100 to donate to a school uniform drive for other schoolchildren in need. In Atlanta, Georgia, Lillie Love and her friends will put together and deliver goody baskets to fire and police stations as a way of paying tribute to the first responders who worked tirelessly on 9/11 and the days and weeks following. In Chicago, Illinois, Tiffany Bohm and her classmates will kick off a semester-long service project to collect 2,974 pairs of shoes, representing each person lost in the 9/11 attacks, to donate to a homeless shelter.

MyGoodDeed was originally co-founded in 2003 by two friends, David Paine and Jay S. Winuk, following the death of Winuk's brother, 9/11 rescuer Glenn J. Winuk, an attorney, volunteer firefighter and EMT who died in the line of duty during the collapse of the World Trade Center South Tower. Since that time, they have worked to build awareness and support for the idea.

"After seven years of hard work and advocacy by the 9/11 community and many others, we have finally achieved our goal of establishing September 11th as a National Day of Service and Remembrance through broad, bi-partisan support from across the country," Paine said. "This year, we expect to inspire hundreds of thousands more people to commemorate the day by remembering and rekindling the spirit of unity that swept the nation in the wake of the attacks."

Added Winuk: "I will always remember 9/11 as the day that I lost my brother Glenn. But I will also remember his sacrifice in service to others. As a volunteer firefighter, he ran into the South Tower to help those in need, instead of running for safety himself. He inspired me to start this campaign, just like so many stories of 9/11 have inspired others to give back to their communities."

In addition to the personal pledges of service and good deeds, corporations and community organizations are giving back, and in many cases, actively seeking volunteers who are looking to give back as well.

In Scottsdale Arizona, the Mayor plans to proclaim 9/11 as a citywide day of service. Arizona's 9/11 Remembrance and National Day of Service Event will host four days of activities at the Scottsdale Civic Center Mall from September 10 - 13, including displays of The 9/11 Memorial Wall designed by Lisa Vella of Scottsdale, Arizona, and the The National Unity Flag designed by Randy Cooney of Phoenix, Arizona. In addition, local and national community service agencies will be on hand to provide the public with information about how to get involved to help those in need.

In Harlem, New York, employees of GlaxoSmithKline will educate more than 1,000 elementary school children and their teachers at the Harlem Children's Zone about prevention of the H1N1 virus. With the help of partner New York Cares, MyGoodDeed will also sponsor two service events of its own in Harlem - where more than 100 volunteers will come together to work with school children at A. Phillip Randolph Elementary School, and another 35 volunteers will help to revitalize Jenny's Garden at Riverside Park.

For the first time, the annual "reading of the names" ceremony held each year at Ground Zero in New York City will include volunteers as well as 9/11 family members, in commemoration of 9/11 becoming a National Day of Service and Remembrance. Winuk, whose brother was post-humously awarded the 9/11 Heroes Medal of Valor by the U.S. Department of Justice over the weekend, is one of only three family members scheduled to speak during the ceremony.

In Boston, The Massachusetts Military Heroes Fund and Homes for Our Troops, founded with the support of the families of 9/11 victims, will meet at The Rose Kennedy Greenway in downtown Boston on September 11th for a Care Package Packing Party, and to honor former Senator Edward Kennedy. Organized in part by Christie Coombs, who lost her husband Jeff in the 9/11 attacks, volunteers are needed to write letters to service men and women overseas, pack care packages and collect donations of clothing and other items.

In Washington DC, 50 different service events planned. Among them, the Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA), the leading private provider of educational, recreational, social and religious support services to junior enlisted military personnel and their families, will assemble 200 volunteers at RFK Stadium on September 11th to support Operation Kid Comfort by designing photo-transfer quilts for children of deployed service men and women to help children cope during a parent's deployment.

"Organized service opportunities are available in all 50 states and across the world for those interested in giving back on 9/11, which is absolutely wonderful," said Winuk. "But we believe that even a small gesture - a single good deed - is all it takes to make a difference. Simply put, anyone who wants to give back on 9/11 or any day of the year can do so. No deed is too small."

To mark the establishment of the 9/11 observance and pay tribute to the 9/11 victims and those who rose in service in response to the attacks, MyGoodDeed - in partnership with ServiceNation and with support from the National September 11 Memorial & Museum and the Corporation for National and Community Service - has announced that it will stage a star-supported commemoration on September 11 in New York City. The event will feature a keynote address from Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, as well as appearances by prominent political figures including New York Governor David Paterson, New York Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and performances by entertainers including platinum-selling singer-songwriter Gavin DeGraw, Anjulie, the Harlem Boys and Girls Choir, Grammy Award winners The Roots and Five for Fighting's John Ondrasik.

MyGoodDeed has also announced that it will host an exhibit on the 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance under the Tents at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, where it will also launch an online auction for charity, featuring donations from top designers including Donna Karan, Tracy Reese, Carmen Marc Valvo, Phillip Lim, Vivenne Tam, Tommy Hilfiger and many others. More information on the auction can be found at www.911dayofservice.org/runway.

Many national organizations have now joined in formally supporting MyGoodDeed's effort as National Program Leaders, including AARP Create the Good, America's Promise Alliance, BetheChange Inc., CauseCast.com, City Year, DoSomething.org, StudentPIRGs, Points of Light Institute/HandsOn, the U.S. Chamber's Business Civic Leadership Center and Youth Service America. Funding for the initiative has been provided by GlaxoSmithKline, Target and the Jim Fassel Foundation, along with AARP, Ambac Corporation and Keefe, Bruyette & Woods.

MyGoodDeed Inc. (www.911dayofservice.org ) is a national nonprofit organization that led the successful seven-year effort, culminating in 2009, to establish September 11 as a National Day of Service and Remembrance. Today MyGoodDeed oversees on behalf of the 9/11 community this historic observance, working with many organizations to build public participation and support. The overall mission of the group is to honor the victims of 9/11 and those who rose to service in response to the attacks by encouraging all Americans and others throughout the world to pledge to voluntarily perform at least one good deed, or another service activity, on 9/11 each year. In this way the organization hopes to create a lasting and forward-looking legacy -- annually rekindling the spirit of service, tolerance and compassion that unified America and the world in the immediate aftermath of the 9/11 attacks.

MORE INFO?

Jennifer Burke 203-405-1479; cell: 203-586-9769; jennifer.burke@911day.org
Kathy Kwon 310-435-0812, kathyekwon@gmail.com
www.911dayofservice.org

LATEST DATA ON SMALL BUSINESSES
Originally Posted: September 8, 2009 1:06 PM
Last Updated: September 8, 2009 1:06 PM

How big or small is a small business?

The US Office of Advocacy defines a small business for research
purposes as an independent business having fewer than 500
employees. Firms wishing to be designated small businesses
for government programs such as contracting must meet size
standards specified by the U.S. Small Business Administra-
tion (SBA) Office of Size Standards. These standards vary by
industry.

MORE INFO? www.sba.gov/size

How important are small businesses to
the U.S. economy?

Small firms:
• Represent 99.7 percent of all employer firms.
• Employ just over half of all private sector employees.
• Pay 44 percent of total U.S. private payroll.
• Have generated 64 percent of net new jobs over the past
15 years.
• Create more than half of the nonfarm private gross domes-
tic product (GDP).
• Hire 40 percent of high tech workers (such as scientists,
engineers, and computer programmers).
• Are 52 percent home-based and 2 percent franchises.
• Made up 97.3 percent of all identified exporters and pro-
duced 30.2 percent of the known export value in FY 2007.
• Produce 13 times more patents per employee than large
patenting firms; these patents are twice as likely as large
firm patents to be among the one percent most cited.

Source: U.S. Dept. of Commerce, Bureau of the Census and International
Trade Admin.; Advocacy-funded research by Kathryn Kobe, 2007 (www.
sba.gov/advo/research/rs299tot.pdf) and CHI Research, 2003 (www.sba.
gov/advo/research/rs225tot.pdf); U.S. Dept. of Labor, Bureau of Labor
Statistics.

What share of net new jobs do small
businesses create?

Firms with fewer than 500 employees accounted for 64
percent (or 14.5 million) of the 22.5 million net new jobs
(gains minus losses) between 1993 and the third quarter of
2008. Continuing firms accounted for 68 percent of net new
jobs, and the other 32 percent reflect net new jobs from firm
births minus those lost in firm closures (1993 to 2007).
Source: U.S. Dept. of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Business Employ-
ment Dynamics. Note that the methodology used for the figures above counts
job gains or losses in the actual class size where they occurred.

How many businesses open and close
each year?

An estimated 627,200 new employer firms began opera-
tions in 2008, and 595,600 firms closed that year. This
amounts to an annual turnover of about 10 percent for entry
and 10 percent for exit. Nonemployer firms have turnover
rates three times as high as those of employer firms, mostly
because of easier entry and exit conditions.

What is small firms’ share of employment?

Small businesses employ just over half of U.S. workers. Of
119.9 million nonfarm private sector workers in 2006, small
firms with fewer than 500 workers employed 60.2 million and
large firms employed 59.7 million. Firms with fewer than 20
employees employed 21.6 million. While small firms create
a majority of the net new jobs, their share of employment
remains steady since some firms grow into large firms as they
create new jobs. Small firms’ share of part-time workers (21
percent) is similar to large firms’ share (18 percent).

Source: U.S. Dept. of Commerce, Bureau of the Census: Statistics of U.S.
Businesses, Current Population Survey.

How many small businesses are there?

In 2008, there were 29.6 million businesses in the United
States, according to Office of Advocacy estimates. Census
data show that there were 6.0 million firms with employees in
2006 and 21.7 million without employees in 2007 (the latest
available data). Small firms with fewer than 500 employees
represent 99.9 percent of the 29.6 million businesses (includ-
ing both employers and nonemployers), as the most recent
data show there were about 18,000 large businesses in 2006.

Source: Office of Advocacy estimates based on data from the U.S. Dept. of
Commerce, Bureau of the Census, and U.S. Dept. of Labor, Employment and
Training Administration.

What is the survival rate for new firms?

Seven out of ten new employer firms last at least two
years, and about half survive five years. More specifically,
according to new Census data, 69 percent of new employer
establishments born to new firms in 2000 survived at least
two years, and 51 percent survived five or more years. Firms
born in 1990 had very similar survival rates. With most firms
starting small, 99.8 percent of the new employer establish-
ments were started by small firms. Survival rates were simi-
lar across states and major industries.

Source: U.S Dept. of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, Business Dynamics
Statistics. Note that the figures could be skewed slightly by the rare occur-
rence of new firms opening multiple establishments in their first few years.

Small Biz Bankruptcies
2004:34,317
2005:39,201
2006:19,695
2007: 28,322
2008: 43,546

Bankruptcies include nonemployer firms.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Commerce, Bureau of the Census; Administrative
Office of the U.S. Courts; U.S. Dept. of Labor, Employment and Training
Administration.

How are small businesses financed?

Commercial banks and other depository institutions are
the largest lenders of debt capital to small businesses.
They accounted for almost 65 percent of total traditional
credit to small businesses in 2003. (This includes credit lines
and loans for nonresidential mortgages, vehicles, equipment,
and leases.) Credit cards account for much of the growth in
small business lending over the past few years. For more in-
formation, see Advocacy’s annual publication, Small Business
Lending in the United States (www.sba.gov/advo/research/
lending.html).

How do regulations affect small firms?

Very small firms with fewer than 20 employees annually
spend 45 percent more per employee than larger firms to
comply with federal regulations. These very small firms
spend four and a half times as much per employee to comply
with environmental regulations and 67 percent more per em-
ployee on tax compliance than their larger counterparts.

For data broken out by industry, see www.sba.gov/advo/
research/rs264tot.pdf.

Whom do I contact about regulations?

To submit comments on proposed regulations, send email
to advocacy@sba.gov or visit Advocacy’s regulatory alerts
page at www.sba.gov/advo/laws/law_regalerts.html. To
inquire about unfair regulatory enforcement, contact SBA’s
Office of the National Ombudsman at ombudsman@sba.gov.

What is the role of women, minority, and
veteran entrepreneurs?

Of the 23 million nonfarm businesses in 2002, women owned
6.5 million businesses, generating $940.8 billion in revenues,
employing 7.1 million workers, and paying $173.7 billion
in payroll. Another 2.7 million firms were owned equally by
both women and men. Also in 2002, minorities owned 4.1
million firms that generated $694 billion in revenues and
employed 4.8 million people. Hispanic Americans owned 6.6
percent of all U.S. businesses; African Americans, 5 percent;
Asian Americans, 4.6 percent; American Indians or Alaska
Natives, 0.8 percent; and Native Hawaiian or other Pacific
Islanders, 0.1 percent. Veterans made up 14 percent of all
owners in 2002, and 7 percent of them were service-disabled.
In 2007, the overall rate of self-employment (unincorpo-
rated and incorporated) was 10 percent, and the rate was 7.1
percent for women, 7.4 percent for Hispanic Americans, 5.2
percent for African Americans, 10.1 percent for Asian Ameri-
cans and Native Americans, and 14.4 percent for veterans.

According to a recent study, service-disabled veterans were
less likely than non-service-disabled veterans to be employed,
and they had lower self-employment rates.

Source: U.S. Dept. of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, Survey of Business
Owners; Office of Advocacy: Women in Business (www.sba.gov/advo/re-
search/rs280.pdf) and Minorities in Business (www.sba.gov/advo/research/
rs298.pdf); Open Blue Solutions, 2007 (www.sba.gov/advo/research/
rs291tot.pdf), and Office of Advocacy: The Small Business Economy, 2009
(Table A.13, www.sba.gov/advo/research/sbe.html).

What research exists on the cost and
availability of health insurance?

For many years, the cost and availability of health insurance
have been top small business concerns. These concerns are
driven by premium increases and administrative costs. Advo-
cacy research shows that: (1) insurers of small health plans
have higher administrative expenses than those that insure
larger group plans, and (2) employees at small firms are less
likely to have coverage than the employees of larger entities.

A Kaiser Family Foundation study confirmed the connec-
tion between the size of a firm and whether it offers health
insurance. The Kaiser survey shows that about half of busi-
nesses with fewer than 10 workers offer health benefits to
their employees. The ratio grows to about three-fourths for
firms with 10–24 employees, to almost 90 percent for firms
with 25–49 employees, and to 98 percent for firms with 200
employees or more. Two-thirds of workers in firms of all
sizes take health insurance coverage when offered.
Overall in 2007, small firm employees were almost twice
as likely as large firm employees to be uninsured (24.6 per-
cent vs.12.6 percent, respectively).

Source: National Federation of Independent Business; Kaiser Family
Foundation; Advocacy-funded research by Rose C. Chu and Gordon R.
Trapnell, 2003 (www.sba.gov/advo/research/rs224tot.pdf); Joel Popkin and
Company, 2005 (www.sba.gov/advo/research/rs262tot.pdf); and Econo-
metrica, Inc., 2007 (www.sba.gov/advo/research/rs295tot.pdf); and Office
of Advocacy: The Small Business Economy, 2009 (www.sba.gov/advo/
research/sbe.html).

MORE INFO?

www.sba.gov/advo. Specific points of interest include:
• Economic research: www.sba.gov/advo/research.
• Firm size data (U.S., state, and metropolitan static and
dynamic data): www.sba.gov/advo/research/data.html.
• Small firm lending studies:
www.sba.gov/advo/research/lending.html.
• Small business profiles by state and territory:
www.sba.gov/advo/research/profiles.
• The Small Business Advocate newsletter:
www.sba.gov/advo/newsletter.html.

MORE INFO?
www.sba.gov/advo

STATE LEGISLATURES GAIN MORE FULL-TIME MEMBERS: THEY SHOULD ALL OPPOSE SENDING 3% OF STATE MONEY TO WASHINGTON, DC
Originally Posted: September 8, 2009 12:33 PM
Last Updated: September 8, 2009 12:33 PM

The National Conference of State Legislatures: There are more full-time state legislators than there were 20 years ago.

In 1976, less than 3 percent of state lawmakers worked full time. But in 2007, more than 16 percent were full-timers.

Attorneys, who constituted the largest occupational category in 1976, making up 22 percent of the nation's legislatures, dropped to number two, accounting for only 15 percent of the total.

There are also fewer business owners and executives serving in statehouses, but many more retirees, who now constitute the third largest occupational group.

WHEN CONGRESS RE-CONVENES THIS MONTH; WHICH DIRECTION WILL THEY GO ON DEFICIT AND SPENDING?
Originally Posted: September 4, 2009 4:17 PM
Last Updated: September 4, 2009 4:17 PM

By Kenton Pattie
Executive Director, NEEDA

President Obama’s budget, if adopted by Congress, will create a 10-year deficit of $9.1 trillion. The Congressional Budget Office's (CBO) projects a US deficit of $1.4 trillion in 2010 and $7.1 trillion over the next 10 years. As a result, the government’s debt will increase from about 40 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2008 to 60 percent in 2010, 80 percent by the 2030, and 300 percent by 2080.

Somewhere in our future, the U.S. debt will be so high creditors will stop lending us money. Decisions by Congress this month over how much current law to change or repeal cast shadows on the future of our economic recovery. President Obama has a second try at the problem when he introduces his next budget in January 2010.

US Budget Watch says over the next decade, US government income will decrease by $3 trillion . . . spending will increase by $2.5 trillion. This will result in growing deficits between 2010 and 2019 and will cause the ten-year deficit total to grow from $7.1 trillion to $12.6 trillion.

The problem will be worse if Congress renews the 2001-2003 tax cuts (which are due to expire soon) and allows physician payments to grow.

US deficits will rise to 10 percent of GDP by 2027 (rather than 3.6 percent under current law), exceed 20 percent by 2045 (as opposed to 7 percent), and reach 42 percent by 2080 (rather than 18 percent).

Under current law, the 2001 Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act (EGTRRA) and the 2003 Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act (JGTRRA) are set to expire at the end of 2010.

These tax policies lowered individual income tax rates, decreased tax rates on dividends and capital gains, expanded the child tax credit, reduced marriage penalties, and phased out the estate tax, among other provisions. Renewing all provisions of EGTRRA and JGTRRA would cost nearly $2.9 trillion over the next 10 years. However, allowing them to revert to their pre-2001 levels would mean a rise in tax levels after 2010 for many individuals by $1,600 per person.

Obama's plan: the tax cuts for couples making under $250,000 per year (and for individuals making under $200,000) would be preserved. The estate tax will be frozen at 2009 levels, and a new 20 percent dividend and capital gains tax rate would be created for income above $250,000 a year ($200,000 for individuals). These moves will cost $2.1 trillion over the next decade, relative to current law.

The Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT), a secondary tax system intended to take money from higher-earning taxpayers whose tax liabilities were below a preset threshold, will hit an increasingly large number of upper-middle and middle-income earners including many small business owners such as emergency equipment dealers.

Recently, Congress has used the Stimulus Bill to keep 26 million taxpayers from paying the AMT. That number is expected to increase in future years.

Keeping people from paying the Alternative Minimum Tax will cost $450 billion over the next 10 years.

Current law also diverges from recent policy decisions regarding physician payments in the Medicare system. Since 1997, payment rates have been scheduled to update through the "Sustainable Growth Rate" (SGR).

The SGR reduces physician payment rates every year since 2002. But Congress has instituted ad hoc payment freezes or increases for doctors. As a result, actual physician payments have grown much faster than planned under current law.

Most of the proposed changes in spending and taxes would cost billions or tens of billions of dollars a year.

Congressional Budget Office CBO assumes that discretionary spending (including supplemental spending for overseas operations) will grow with inflation. The discretionary spending level is set annually by Congress, and absent any caps it can grow at any rate. Historically, the growth rate has been much higher than inflation--often closer to the pace of GDP growth.

While the baseline assumes average annual growth of around 1.8 percent per year, actual discretionary spending has grown by an average of 6.1 percent since 1970. Holding discretionary spending to baseline numbers will be difficult.

The cost of continuing the current policy of annually increasing discretionary spending is high. Growing discretional spending would lead to $1.7 trillion in deficit over the next ten years (excluding interest). Even after assuming a gradual phase-down in spending for the war in Iraq, discretionary spending would still be $1 trillion higher than in CBO's baseline.

In the past, politicians have been able to limit discretionary growth through enforceable spending caps. The Budget Enforcement Act of 1990, for example, put successful caps in place that were reaffirmed in 1993 and 1997. Without similar capsby President Obama, however, it seems unlikely discretionary spending will be held to the lower levels anticipated in the CBO baseline.

President Obama may extend all the 2001-2003 tax cuts that are due to expire. But he will run into problems because, for example permitting a 21 percent cut in physician payments and holding down spending will be very unpopular.

Yet, going with debt rising (as it is projected under current policy) would be dangerous.

At some point, our rising debt will make continued borrowing prohibitive: our lenders and investors will cease. Fiscal and economic crisis could follow tax and spending cuts.

This Fall, Congress will be considering which provisions of current policy can be kept, and which are unaffordable. Paying for all future policies will
be very difficult as long as the economy is depressed and a possible
tax increased hangs over the heads of small and large businesses.

As you know from previous editions of NEEDA Newsletter I have attended and reported on meetings by US Budget Watch.

MORE INFO? US Budget Watch and Pew Charitable Trusts.

AQUALINK, WORN BY BOATERS AND RESCUE TEAMS HELPS LOCATE STRANDED WITH GPS AND STROBE LIGHT
Originally Posted: September 4, 2009 2:40 PM
Last Updated: September 4, 2009 2:42 PM

The AquaLink? received Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approval. The new strobe light with multi-use GPS has a small, light 406 GPS PLB. The one-button activated, emergency signaling device is designed for rescue boat crews and others working in hazardous water conditions.

The AquaLink? has: Built-in, bright LED strobe light to increase visibility in
search and rescue.

Onboard 66-channel parallel GPS acquires then transmits LAT/LON when
the unit is activated, saving valuable time for the distress message to reach local rescue responders. It provides rescue agencies with exact position to within 110 yards (100 meters).

The AquaLink? allows for an increased number of long GPS critical incidents up to 12 times per life of battery. The product is buoyant and has consumer price of $499.00.

US CHAMBER WINS DISASTER ASSISTANCE AND RECOVERY AWARD: LAUNCHES 9-11 DRILL DOWN AROUND USA
Originally Posted: September 4, 2009 2:07 PM
Last Updated: September 4, 2009 2:07 PM

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Business Civic Leadership Center (Washington DC) has won national recognition for its Disaster Assistance and Recovery Program (DAR). Kenton Pattie, NEEDA's Executive Director, has represented
the fire industry in two multi-day emergency response simulations staged
by the BCLC. The simulations brought together representatives from
the local and national level to face realistic disaster situations.

The National Emergency Equipment Dealer's Association (NEEDA) is a member of the US Chamber and Kenton Pattie has served on the Chamber's Procurement Committee for two decades.

The award, from the Safe America Foundation (SAF), was presented at the news offices of USA Today by SAF's CEO and President Len Pagano and Honorary Chair and Former Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta during the 9/11 Drill Down for Safety Kick-Off Luncheon.

Program manager Gerald McSwiggan: "We are honored that the Safe America Foundation recognized BCLC's Disaster Assistance and Recovery Program." "After Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Ike, the California wildfires, and Iowa flooding, we mobilized businesses that were eager to help their communities recover. The business community's goal is to empower every community to respond and recover faster and smarter in times of crisis."

Throughout the disaster simulations, Kenton Pattie emphasized the important
role of first responders and their dealers plus the equipment and support they
all need to make the response successful.

The SAF luncheon was the official kick-off of the 9/11 Drill Down for Safety. Around the country on September 11, 2009, in conjunction with businesses, community leaders, and government agencies, Safe America will host local disaster preparedness drills. The day, which is sponsored by businesses including UPS, Motorola Foundation, and Office Depot Foundation and supported by partners such as BCLC, gives every American the opportunity to participate in and strengthen personal, business, and community resiliency.

BCLC's DAR, which includes NEEDA, is made up of companies that understand the importance of community recovery to their business. Through networking and information-sharing events, unique research and reports, a Help Desk to assist local businesses in need, and post disaster services to coordinate response and recovery activities, BCLC is at the forefront of changing the way USA handles disasters.

McSwiggan: "Companies are interested in maximizing resiliency and minimizing loss in the communities where they do business. Now is the time to advance 'disaster 2.0' principles--focusing on readiness and resiliency, rebuilding communities to be more sustainable, and educating the different sectors on how to work together effectively."

BCLC is a 501(c) 3 affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and manages the U.S. Chamber's Disaster Assistance and Recovery program. BCLC is a resource and voice for businesses and their social and philanthropic interests.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.

HOMELAND SECURITY DEPARTMENT PRAISES SAFER GRANT PROGRAM'S $210 MILLION
Originally Posted: September 4, 2009 1:27 PM
Last Updated: September 4, 2009 1:27 PM

Secretary of Homeland Security Department Janet Napolitano spoke to 2,500 first responders and emergency managers at the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) 2009 Fire-Rescue International Conference in Dallas, Texas. She mentioned preparedness as a shared responsibility between all levels of government, the private sector, communities, and individuals.

She took credit for DHS' supporting firefighters, including distributing $210 million in Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants this year that help fire departments increase the number of trained, front-line firefighters in their communities and — with new flexibility added this year — rehire laid-off firefighters.

INTEROPERABILITY TO HELP FIRST RESPONDERS COMMUNICATE WITH EACH OTHER COULD COST $40-$50 BILLION; MEANWHILE SPEAKERS RECOMMEND LEASING RATHER THAN BUYING
Originally Posted: September 4, 2009 11:18 AM
Last Updated: September 4, 2009 12:50 PM

NEEDA's Executive Director, Kenton Pattie, represented the fire industry at a press conference (Sept 3, 2009) on "Interoperability Among Fire Fighters" at the National Press Club, Washington DC. Pattie asked the first question from
the audience: "You mentioned that the Federal government had already spent
one billion dollars on local governments to help interoperability. But with very
little progress to date, and the economy down, local governments don't have
money to spend on such basic things as fire trucks, much less IT and RF. . . how much will it cost and what do you recommend as the solution?"

The main speaker was Michael Chertoff, for four years Homeland Security Department Secretary under US President George W. Bush. Chertoff is now the Chairman and Managing Principal of Chertoff Group, 1110 Vermont Ave, NW, Suite 1200, Washington DC.

The press conference was broadcast on C-SPAN 2 and was organized
by John Vaughn, Ph. D. senior vice president of Global Marketing and Business Development for the Public Safety and Professional Communications business of Harris Corporation's RF Communications Division.

Dr. Vaughn came to Harris in 2009 when Harris acquired the Wireless Systems business (formerly M/A Com) of Tyco Electronics. Vaughn worked for Tyco where he managed their radio frequency technology business. He has built
private wireless networks for public safety, utility, transportation and transit markets.

With the eighth anniversary of the 9-11-01 attack on the World Trade Center, New York City, Chertoff pointed to the 9-11 Commission which stated that
they were seriously concerned about the state of emergency communications.
"Responders at Ground Zero couldn't talk to each other," Chertoff said.

Since then, he stated, "one billion dollars has been provided to states and
localities to enable interoperability. The most advanced is the Washington Metropolitan area."

He reviewed the steps needed for successful interoperability which include
agreeing on language, code, and training.

In 2007, HHS established the Office of Emergency Communications.

In 2008, the National Emergency Communications Plan established a
strategy to see where jurisdictions are in developing interoperability and what they need to succeed.

In 2009, the multiphase radio communications used by the Coast Guard
included switches so that the various responding partners could communicate.

But, Chertoff conceeded "We have ways to go answering the questions: Do you have gateways? What if we have vastly differing communications systems?
How do we provide critical training? How do we determine day to day use
of the system vs. use needed in emergency situations?"

Chertoff said "individuals should have audio and video signals and full access to what is coming across the spectrum."

He is disappointed "we haven't a dedicated spectrum agreement" but recommends solutions to migrate equipment we have now into newer
technologies.

Dr. Vaughan cited "great progress in providing governance and technology for first responders."

He stressed the importance of making Internet Protocol (IP) part of the technical solution. "Make IP the gateway," he said.

He said the ability to connect networks together was helped by cell phone
companies which intorduced roaming capability.

He agreed there are "financial challenges in the current environment."

Chertoff said there are Homeland Security grants to help exploit existing technologies such as wireless and radio. He suggested we should shift
away from buying new products but rather consider leasing communications
services so that local fire departments can adapt to changing trechnology
without being committed to a single technical solution for multiple years.
Without leasing, fire departments might be keeping older technologies
for many years without changing.

The reporter from the Houston Chronical asked the speakers: How can the US
maintain a sense of urgency amidst the current economic downturn?
Chertoff pointed to "the wildfires in California which are drawing first
responders from around the country. We won't have trouble convincing
people because of our experience with these events."

The reporter from Government Computer News asked if the technology of the future will be "IT over wireless?"

The speakers responded that it will take governance to get wireless to support
first responders. They said "public safety has to take advantage of existing platforms. But what if there is no electricity due to a crisis?"

Chertoff said "the funding needed for interoperability is taking longer than we anticipated."

Will it take legislation? Chertoff: "It will take an autorization or a mandate. Funding availability will drive the upcoming solutions. The solutions need to
be connected so if one fails the other will will be available to first responders."

The reporter for Congressional Quarterly asked if state and local fire departments would be selecting their own solution or should they be following
Federal government direction? Chertoff said the Federal government's
purchasing methods could help.

When asked "How much money will it take?" Chertoff replied that money spent yields positive results. We should look for less dramatic results in everything we do. This is such a dynamic technology."

Vaughn said he estimated it would take $40-50 billion. "But it probably is not going to happen," he added. He recommended maintaining the funding levels
at the levels they have been recently.

The reporter for Government Computer News asked about the future of
states working with their bordering states. Is that a good working model? Such as the Oregon-Washington Interoperability Network? Vaughan agreed that the
best examples of successful systems today are in the Northwest of USA.

Chertoff said the Federal government could "condition grants to local governments to encourage adoption of benchmarking and solution to unresolved governance issues."

Questions then shifted to a national "terror alert system." Chertoff cited the
leading roles taken by Department of Homeland Security, Federal Communications Commission, Department of Commerce and NIST. GPS can help but the call site must be identified as responders need to know where the call is coming from.

Chertoff urged not allowing grant money to be used for operating expenses but rather for "seed" money to build the basic architecture. Vaughan agreed that the seed money would be an investment that can help interoperability.

MORE INFO? The entire news conference was broadcast of C-SPAN 2. Or
contact Harris's Marc Raimondi, 202 729 3732

GLENDALE, ARIZONA, FIRE DEPARTMENTRECEIVES FOUR NEW FIRE TRUCKS
Originally Posted: September 2, 2009 4:32 PM
Last Updated: September 2, 2009 4:32 PM

While sale of new firetrucks has been down, and continues to look bleak for 2010, new truck deliveries are being made in 2009 based on previous orders.

For example, the Glendale Fire Department in Glendale, Arizona, recently added four new E-ONE trucks to their growing fleet. The two new mid-engine pumpers and two new HP100 platforms bring the total number of E-ONE units in service at the GFD up to 20 - nine frontline pumpers, three frontline aerials, one reserve aerial and seven reserve pumpers.

"Glendale Fire desperately needed to replace a few pumpers and make a couple aerial purchases," said retired Deputy Chief Patrick Berkel.

GFD has been predominately an E-ONE department since purchasing its first Hush pumpers in 1989 and decided to stick with E-ONE for their latest purchase.

"Having such a good history with the mid-engine pumpers I believe that we were able to bring some ideas to the table and make a good product even better," said Berkel.

"The mid-engine chassis is really a great, rarely considered chassis option. It increases valuable in-cab space and decreases engine noise while also being easier to service since you don't have to tilt the cab for maintenance," said Rob Wirtz, Director of Homeland Security Solutions and Aerial Sales for E-ONE.

E-ONE engineers, manufactures and markets vehicles including custom and commercial pumpers tankers, Water Master vacuum tankers, aerial ladders and platforms, command and communication apparatus, quick attack units, industrial trucks, and aircraft rescue firefighting vehicles. The company is headquartered in Ocala, Florida.

MORE INFO? www.E-ONE.com

KOZLOWSKI AND SWARTZ, FORMER FIRE MANUFACTURER EXECS, WANT OUT OF JAIL DESPITE HAVING BEEN CONVICTED OF STEALING MILLIONS FROM TYCO
Originally Posted: September 2, 2009 4:01 PM
Last Updated: September 2, 2009 4:01 PM

L. Dennis Kozlowski, former Tyco International CEO but now in prison,
is serving up to 25 years for stealing millions fromTyco.

He is asking for the court to release him from prison, according to Bloomberg News.

Kozlowski and former chief financial Mark H. Swartz, convicted in 2005 for securities fraud, grand larceny and falsifying business records, were convicted
by the New York state Supreme Court for stealing $137 million of Tyco money.

At the time they worked for the company, Tyco had a substantial position in manufacturing fire and related products.

For other info re Tyco, use the "Search" application in the upper right of your NEEDA Newsletter screen.

OBAMA ADMINISTRATION CONSIDERS CABINET POST FOR SMALL BIZ AS US GOVERNMENT CONTRACT AWARDS FAIL TO MEET SMALL BUSINESS GOALS
Originally Posted: September 2, 2009 12:05 PM
Last Updated: September 2, 2009 12:05 PM

By Kenton Pattie
NEEDA Executive Director

Now that the US General Services Administration (GSA) has gone
increasingly into business promoting the products on the GSA
Muptiple Awards Schedules (lists of products whose manufacturers
are giving GSA a kick-back for every sale), small businesses
are alarmed that their share of Federal government business
has declined.

Even though the Federal law sets aside 23 percent
of US contracts for small businesses, in 2008 small firms only
received 21.5 percent of contracts, equalling $30 billion less than should
have been allocated to small businesses.

One of the things the Obama Adminiustration is considering
is to make the head of the Small Business Administration a
Cabinet post. This would be the first time small business has
arrived among the President's closest advisors.

Margot Dorfman, VP of policy at the US Women's Chamber
of Commerce says: Obama "has not worked hard enough on small business. . .we're seeing a contraction rather than an expansion."

Small firms often cannot qualify for contracts by investing
$50,000 to $500,000 to compile a professional proposal to
government agencies. So a lot of small firms don't compete,
leaving the field open to big businesses.

The total Federal award level for small businesses in FY 2008
was $93.3 billion. Joseph Jordan, SBA associate administrator for government
contracting said "I'm not going to be happy until the 23 percent goal is met and exceeded. We need to increase training and outreach to contracting officers so they'll know how to find small businesses."

Agencies not meeting more than one of the five Federal goals for small businesses are: Defense, Justice, State Social Security and the National Science Foundation. The US Agency for International Development met none of the five
Federal goals for doing business with small firms.