NEEDA - National Emergency Equipment Dealers Association

Looking for a product that measures radiation? It is only 1.5 inches and diameter and can be easily attached to a first responder or plant employee. It only weights an ounce.

Made by General Atomics Electronic Systems, it monitors radiation exposure in rems (standard unit for measuring absorbed doses of radiation) and displays the results on the screen of the user.

The product is called DOSE-Gard.

MORE INFO? www.dose-gard.com

MOTOROLA PROVIDES INTEROPERABLE COMMUNICATIONS IN SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK
Originally Posted: March 29, 2010 11:53 AM
Last Updated: March 29, 2010 11:53 AM

(For other NEEDA Newsletter stories on interoperable communications systems, use the "Search" box in the upper right of your NEEDA Newsletter screen.)

The Enterprise Mobility Solutions business of Motorola, Inc. (Schaumburg, Illinois) and Saratoga County, NY have a $11.8 million contract for a Project 25 countywide communications system providing interoperability with state, county and local agencies.

The new Motorola ASTRO® 25 IP Digital Trunked Simulcast System provides seamless interoperable emergency communications coverage throughout the county and will be used by sheriff's police, firefighters, EMTs and other first responders.

The ASTRO 25 network will allow Saratoga County to manage and monitor who is communicating, when they communicate and to whom they communicate. This level of control lets the county designate priority access to first responders to help ensure seamless mission critical communications regardless of the number of users accessing the network.

Paul Lent, director of emergency services, Saratoga County: "The current radio system is over 20 years old and the need for interoperable mission critical communications has been a priority ever since the tornadoes that touched down in Mechanicville and Stillwater in 1998. In a major emergency like a tornado, no single agency has all the necessary tools and resources. These events demonstrate how imperative it is that government agencies throughout the county have interoperable communications so they can seamlessly communicate with each other."

The Saratoga County system will use a 12-site, 700/800 MHz trunked IP-based P25 network to provide countywide digital radio coverage across nearly 850 square miles for law enforcement, fire and other first responders. The system also includes new dispatch equipment, including eight Motorola MC7500 IP consoles at the County Jail and four MC7500 consoles at the County Complex in Ballston Spa, to efficiently dispatch calls to first responders.

Project 25 is the functional and technical American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard for digital two-way radios developed in a joint standards effort between the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials, International Inc. (APCO), the National Association of State Telecommunications Directors (NASTD) and numerous federal sponsor agencies.

The Motorola system will utilize P25 technology on Motorola's XTL and XTS series of digital mobile and portable radios, which are capable of operating in 800 MHz and 700 MHz. The system also includes integrated voice and data, GPS location, data applications and software that is upgradeable to the APCO P25 Phase 2 TDMA standards.

Dave White, Motorola vice president. "Motorola has been working with public safety agencies throughout New York State for many years and we look forward to developing this key communications project in Saratoga County that will greatly benefit the safety and security of the county and its citizens well into the future."

Mindy Wormuth, chair of the Saratoga County Public Safety Committee: "The board is dedicated to the successful completion of the project and looks forward to the day when our first responders will be using the new system."

Lent: "Saratoga County has been focusing on creating interoperable radio communications for several years and this new system will provide us with state-of-the-art technology that we need to enhance the protection of our citizens and our first responders. The new Motorola system will give us advanced capabilities such as increased frequencies, talk groups, system redundancies and advanced interoperability for agencies throughout the county."

Other New York counties that have recently selected Motorola P25 trunking systems to meet their mission critical communications needs include Tompkins County, Onondaga County, Madison County, Nassau County, Rockland County and Oswego County.

Motorola had sales of $22 billion in 2009.

MORE INFO? www.motorola.com or Steve.gorecki@motorola.com

SECOND NEEDA ARTICLE ABOUT IMPACT OF HEALTH CARE LEGISLATION ON EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT DEALERS
Originally Posted: March 28, 2010 5:31 PM
Last Updated: March 28, 2010 5:31 PM

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

In NEEDA Newsletter this week, we discussed the pros and cons of the new health care legislation costing $938 billion over ten years which offers new coverage for 32 million Americans. I would be very interested to know how you feel this law will affect your company and your employees (send comment to KentonP1@aol.com).

This is a huge law and takes far more analysis than we have space to devote in NEEDA Newsletter. But, as I did in the first article we are sharing with you more information that could affect many emergency equipment dealers.

As owner or manager of an emergency equipment dealership, if you have fewer than 25 employees and average per-employee payroll is $50,000 each, you can take tax credits up to 35 percent of employee insurance costs.

The reason: health insurance for employees has been rising so the new law
is designed to help dealers pay health insurance for employees. Congress may review the "35 percent" and raise the limit or modify it if many small business owners drop employee health insurance.

Emergency equipment dealers will be able to seek health insurance without the fear of being denied health insurance because an employee has bad heath or a preexisting condition.

One of the reasons some organizations argue that the new law will raise costs for dealers: the new law imposes new taxes on insurance plans, drug companies, and medical device makers -- this will cause these companies to push up your cost of buying insurance for your employees.

As NEEDA Newsletter stated in the earlier article this week, if the dealer owner
earns more that $200,000 he or she will have to pay higher Medicare payroll taxes, unearned income, dividends and interest.

As we mentioned in the previous NEEDA story, the new law will fine dealers who employ more than 50 workers unless the firm offers health insurance for employees. How will this work? Beginning 2014, larger dealers will pay a $2000 per worker penalty if you have more than 30 employees who obtain goverment sugsidized insurance on their own. In counting "employees" you would need to count part-time workers in your firm.

The word's "new taxes" apply to the 40% excise tax to be charged in 2018 on employer sponsored health premiums that are above $10,200 for single coverage and $27,000 for family coverage Also the Medicare payroll tax will be increased by .9 percentage for individuals who earn more than $200,000 or $250,000 for maried couples. There will be new taxes on investment income and new annual fees on pharmaceutical companies inm 2011, medical device manufacturers in 2013 and health insurance companies in 2014.

MORE INFO? US House and US Senate Energy and Commerce committees

EXPERTS POINT OUT IMPACT ON EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT DEALERS BY THE 2010 HEALTH BILL PASSED BY CONGRESS
Originally Posted: March 27, 2010 6:57 PM
Last Updated: March 27, 2010 6:57 PM

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, more commonly known as the 2010 health reform bill, was signed by President Obama Tuesday, March 23, 2010.

The Congressional Budget Office estimates the health care overhaul will cost $940 billion over 10 years, and will cover 32 million uninsured individuals.

But emergency equipment dealrs wait to find out how this mammoth legislation will affect lives and businesses.

How will this bill be paid for?

Clint Stretch, the managing principal of tax policy for Deloitte Tax, LLP, says Obama intends to raise approximately half of the bill’s cost, $400 billion over the next decade, by raising taxes on what the president calls “top earners.”

A quarter of the bill’s cost will be raised through an excise tax on the health insurance industry. The balance will come through new fees assessed on targeted industries, including pharmaceutical manufacturers and importers, medical device manufacturers, and indoor tanning salons!

Stretch: “Once Democrats decided they were going to reform health care, they had two choices to pay for it. They could raise taxes or they could borrow the money.” Borrowing would put the burden on our kids and grandkids. Stretch: ”It’s probably better in that case to raise taxes.”

How does the Administration justify asking dealer owners to pay a large part of the bill? Certainly dealer owners and other small business owners are not the major users of health care!

“We need to ask ourselves how long we can ask the top earners to pay for whatever new programs we are going to have,” Stretch said. “Why weren’t other income levels asked to contribute?”

This roll out of new taxes on dealer owners goes into effect in 2013. By then, Congress may repeal this plan and shift the tax burden to a broader base.

If not, capital formation will be reduced, which in turn will reduce growth in the US gross domestic product.

What will the impact be on individuals?

The simple answer is: Those individuals making higher wages or income will pay more tax to provide coverage for those making less. The additional tax will take several forms.

Democrats recommend reaising taxes on top earners by rolling back President Bush’s tax cuts. Obama pledged to do that by letting the top two tax brackets, which were reduced under Bush to 33 and 35 percent, revert to their previous levels of 36 and 39.6 percent.

Obama also proposes to raise the capital gains rate from its current maximum of 15 percent up to 20 percent on dividends, interest income, and royalties.

Raising ordinary income tax and capital gains tax are significant increases that will impact higher income earners greatly, but they only begin to pay for the health overhaul. Another $86.8 billion will come from two new Medicare-related taxes on higher earners – both of which will take effect in 2013.

Part one of the Medicare tax, known as HI Tax (Hospital Insurance Tax) – This is a tax of nine-tenths of one percent, which will be taken from single filers who earn at least $200,000 per year, and joint filers earning at least $250,000. The added tax will be on the excess earnings above those thresholds.

Here are some examples:

At the $250,000 income level, single filers will pay an additional $450 of taxes. Joint filers earning $250,000 will pay zero additional tax.

With income of $350,000, a single filer likely would see an increase in taxes of $2,000, but a married couple with income of $350,000 would see their tax liability drop by $5,700, attributable to a lower AMT liability.

At the $500,000 income level, single filers will pay an additional $2,700. Joint filers with the same income will pay an extra $2,250.

These examples assume that Obama’s other proposed tax increases also apply, including a hike in ordinary income rates, higher capital gains and dividend taxes, the restoration of the phase-out of personal exemptions, the restoration of the 3 percent reduction in itemized deductions, and the extension of the higher exemption for AMT calculation.

The Medicare tax will be withheld by emergency equipment dealers and other small busines owners and there are possible penalties for under-withholding.

In the case of joint filers, employers are not required to consider the earnings of the spouse, which could result in penalties being owed by the taxpayers. One spouse earns $200,000 and therefore no additional Medicare tax is withheld. The other spouse earns $100,000, which also results in no additional withholding. But when the couple files their joint return for a total of $300,000 in earnings, they exceed the joint filer threshold, which leaves them owing additional Medicare taxes plus penalties.

Part two of the Medicare tax, known as the investment income tax – This tax is equal to 3.8 percent, and will be levied on unearned income when modified adjusted gross income exceeds $200,000 for single filers and $250,000 for joint filers.

A single taxpayer with $300,000 in wages, investment income of $60,000, and modified AGI of $350,000 would pay the wage-based HI tax on $100,000 of wages, and 3.8 percent on the unearned income of $60,000. That equates to $3,180 above their other tax obligations. See Deloitte’s full analysis for more examples.

Requirement to obtain health insurance. Beginning in 2014, the new bill will require individuals to either obtain health insurance on their own, or pay a penalty on their income tax.

Health insurance choice. Individuals and small businesses can choose their plans through the new state-based purchasing pools, or exchanges,which will be available in 2014. The exchanges will allow for purchasing power similar to employees of big companies.

Government-run plan. Individuals and families will have the option to purchase coverage through a national plan, but there will be no government-run insurance plan.

Abortion. No health plan would be required to pay for abortion coverage. In policies that do offer such coverage, policyholders would have to pay for it separately. States could ban abortion coverage offered in exchange plans.

Subsidies. The bill also provides a refundable health care premium tax credit intended to help individuals and families buy health insurance on the individual market. The credit can be distributed in advance by the Treasury to insurers as a way to defray the insurance cost. Eligibility will be determined by a sliding scale for those whose income is between 100 percent and 400 percent of the poverty line (for a family of four, $88,200). Premiums for a family of four earning $44,000 would be capped at 6 percent of income.

Flexible spending accounts. After 2010, employee contributions to FSAs will be capped at $2,500 to limit the amount of pre-tax dollars that can be used to purchase health care, resulting in a higher individual tax bill.

Itemized deductions for medical expenses. For tax years beginning after December 31, 2012, the threshold to claim itemized deductions for unreimbursed medical expenses will rise from 7.5 to 10 percent, also resulting in higher individual taxes for those who itemize.

Nonqualified health savings account distributions. The penalty for such withdrawals rises from 10 to 20 percent for HSAs and from 15 to 20 percent for Archer MSAs. This is effective for tax years beginning after 2010.

Medicare “donut hole.” Beginning in 2011 the new bill will provide a $250 rebate to Medicare recipients who hit the donut hole, or coverage gap.Also beginning in 2011, the government will work with drug manufacturers to provide discounts on pharmaceuticals intended to close the gap.

Adoption credit. Effective for 2010, the child adoption tax credit increases from $12,170 to $13,170. This credit is extended through 2011, and is made refundable.

Businesses, for example, will not be required to provide health coverage but as of 2014, employers who have at least 50 full-time employees (defined as working 30 hours per week or more) amd who don't provide health insurance will be assessed a penalty of $2,000 per employee per year.

James A. Klein, the president of the American Benefits Council, speculated that the Obama Administration has not taken into account all the relevant costs that will arise from the health reform bill. The American Benefits Council is the national trade association for companies concerned about federal legislation and regulations affecting all aspects of the employee benefits system.

Responding to the new law, some large companies may drop prescription drug coverage or take an earnings hit that could seriously damage the company.

Employers currently receive a 28 percent subsidy for providing prescription coverage to retirees. But according to the rules enforced by the Securities and Exchange Commission, when Obama’s health bill becomes law, those companies will have to charge the present value of decades of future taxes against current earning. You can expect to see large companies setting aside huge amounts from current earnings to pay for the future burden.

Absorbing this kind of earnings hit would be disruptive to small and large companies.

The Towers Watson consulting firm says if companies do not move their retirees off of their own plans and onto Medicare, the aggregate impact on America’s corporations will be $14 billion. The American Benefits Council estimates that 1.5 million to 2 million retirees would have to be moved to avoid the hit.

Most ironic of all, this provision has been tacked on to the health care bill as a revenue-raiser ($4.5 billion), but in fact it could end up losing the government money. The $4.5 billion figure only looks at the revenue from the tax; it does not take into account the increased government outlays as retirees are moved to the Medicare Part D program. As more retirees are moved, the revenue collected will go down and the government expense in Medicare will go up,”

The new legislation also includes an excise tax on excess benefit plans. This part of Obama’s plan exacts a nondeductible 40 percent excise tax on what is labeled “excess benefits.” Excess benefits are those which, on an annual basis, exceed $8,500 for individuals or $23,000 for families.

Companies that are found undervaluing their plans to avoid the excise tax will be penalized. This part of Obama’s plan is set to take effect in 2013, but depending on the reconciliation actions of the Senate, might be delayed until 2018.

The Administration is counting on the excise tax to provide $149 billion in revenue through 2019. But employers may avoid the tax impact by reducing excess benefits which are tax-free compensation, and increase taxable compensation.

SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS DON'T SAVE ENOUGH FOR RETIREMENT
Originally Posted: March 25, 2010 5:02 PM
Last Updated: March 25, 2010 5:02 PM

In Saving for Retirement: A Look at Small Business Owners, US Office of Small Business Advocacy Economist Jules Lichtenstein offers evidence for concern that business owners are not saving enough for retirement.

This working paper shows that 38.5 percent of owners of businesses with 10 or more employees participated in a 401(k)/Thrift plan, compared with only 16.1 percent of business owners with fewer than 10 employees.

These microbusiness owners represent 91 percent of the owners in the sample. The most significant factors affecting participation in individual retirement accounts (IRAs) and 401(k)/Thrift plans are homeownership and other retirement plan savings.

AMBULANCE AND AIR TRANSPORT OPERATORS SEEK HELP FROM JOHNSON SPACE CENTER: HOW MUCH INTRANSIT VIBRATION THREATENS LIFE OF PATIENT?
Originally Posted: March 25, 2010 4:57 PM
Last Updated: March 25, 2010 4:57 PM

Jack A. Klasen of Texas Children's Hospital: "Currently there are no medical or industry standards to tell us how much vibration is acceptable for fragile critically ill neonates to withstand."

Johnson Space Center engineers are researching the problem which is of great concern to the ambulance and rescue business.

Sick premature babies are often transported to tertiary care centers when they require a level of care that exceeds that which is able to be delivered at their birth hospital. While such transports are necessary, the procedures involved in transport of such fragile infants inevitably disturb the infant's systems, which may result in adverse short and long-term outcomes.

Prior to NASA's vibration lab at JSC, very little study had been conducted on the role of vibration in neonatal ambulance and helicopter transport.

The initial request from Texas Children's Hospital through SATOP was for engineering assistance, to determine where to position sensors to measure vibrations during transport. This included multiple forms of ground and air transport, such as ambulance, Life Flight helicopter and jets.

Working to move this research forward in addition to Klasen are David Walding, is one of the hospital's biomedical engineers, and RN Neonatal Nurse, Tony Bentley, who are both passionate about improving transport conditions for these infants.

The work with JSC's engineers now includes developing a test design for vibration, performing the testing at space center and collaborating with JSC experts on data analysis.

Kathryn Turner, a NASA project manager with a background in biomedical engineering, was working on a method of using a wireless network of instruments to monitor vibration onboard the International Space Station when Texas Children's Hospital approached the agency asking for help.

She and a JSC engineering team adjusted the technology for use on carts used to transport infants, and from there a relationship developed that has since grown to include having the vibration laboratory at Johnson study the carts themselves.

"It's impossible to see those children and not want to move heaven and earth to serve them. We're fortunate to have the skill set they need," said Turner.

The JSC team is led by Peter Fantasia, and, in addition to Turner, includes, Scott West, Mike Grygier and Costas Christofi. West: ". . .this one is special because we get to take our branch's combined knowledge of vibration, modeling and isolation methods that we normally apply to spacecraft, launch vehicles, and avionics, and try to help the most helpless among us."

Space Act Agreements and partnership efforts at Johnson Space Center are led by the Advanced Planning Office.

MORE INFO? www.nasa.gov/offices/ipp/home

MARCH 25 IS ANNIVERSARY OF 1911 FACTORY FIRE WHICH KILLED 146
Originally Posted: March 25, 2010 4:42 PM
Last Updated: March 25, 2010 4:42 PM

Thursday, March 25th!

One of the most horrifying fires in U.S. history occurred on this day March 25, 1911 in New York City. It happened at the end of the workday at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory, just as hundreds of young women, many of them immigrants, were preparing to leave their jobs making women’s blouses.

Many were trapped behind a fire escape door locked in violation of the law.
Others jumped nine stories to their death. A total of 146 were killed.

The shock of the fire spurred nationwide reforms in both health and safety laws. Today, there are more than 30,000 fire departments around the nation on duty to help avoid such tragedies, staffed by over 1.1 million men and women.

LEARNING TO FIGHT FIRE ON BOARD SHIP: FIRE FIGHTERS USE SOUTHERN MARYLAND REGIONAL FIRE TRAINING CENTER FOR DAY LONG TRAINING
Originally Posted: March 25, 2010 4:35 PM
Last Updated: March 25, 2010 4:35 PM

Of the ten most lethal fires in American history, four of them occurred on ships. These four shipboard fires alone killed a combined total of 2,138 people.

When a fire does occur, the primary goal of a ship’s crew must be to save the ship in order to stay alive. The safest course of action is always to fight the fire until the chance of injury or death becomes a greater threat than that posed by the fire itself.

Navigating through a maze of smoke-filled passageways deep within the ship is an incredibly difficult task. Professional mariners receive extensive training and have a thorough knowledge of their vessel and its construction. The location of exits, ventilation, and built-in fire systems are all readily available to the crew as they work to contain a fire.

As weight is added or shifted within the vessel, a knowledge of vessel stability is also necessary to ensure that the very actions being taken do not create another situation that could cause a loss of the vessel, or more importantly, lives.

Cargo manifests, piping diagrams, and a myriad of other related details must also be known to the crew: there may not be time to search for a blueprint as the fire builds!

Attending marine safety classes at the Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies (MITAGS) near Baltimore, Maryland students seek basic fire fighting certification.

MITAGS transported the class to the Southern Maryland Regional Fire Training Center for an all-day fire fighting session. Eleven students and a team of MITAGS instructors, including Donald Merkle, Jim Clements, and Eric Friend and seven professional fire fighters were led by Fire Chief Steve Augustine.

Chief Augustine told the students (who primarily work on Military Sealift Command (MSC) vessels, container ships, and tankers) personal safety is paramount. The mariners put on fire resistant suits (which are made of organic fiber and polymer), Nomex head coverings, helmets, and gloves. The total cost of properly equipping a firefighter, including fire retardant boots: $4,500.

A great deal of time was spent on the Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA). SCBAs provide respiratory protection while in atmospheres that are considered to be immediately dangerous to life and health. The units can provide self contained breathing times between 35 and 60 minutes.

A life saving feature on all SCBAs: alarms that help locate a downed firefighter in a smoke-filled room or compartment. When a fire fighter has not moved for more than one minute, the alarm becomes activated. To silence the alarm, the firefighter simply has to move his or her body.

When the World Trade Center was destroyed September 11, 2001 the sounds that were thought to be cellular telephones ringing in the World Trade Center towers, were actually SCBA unit alarms from downed New York City firefighters.

A fully-equipped shipboard firefighter must be able to work in all types of confined spaces, some of which may be filled with smoke.

‘The Maze’ is a dark building where firefighter students work in complete darkness while negotiating ladders, steps, and windows.

MITAGS’ students were sent into the ‘Maze’ in pairs and were instructed on how to use the hose for guidance. The hose is put together with male and female couplings. Knowing that the male coupling leads to the fire and the female coupling leads to the pump is critical for survival and passage through the obscurity of smoke.

Glen Paine, Executive Director of the Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies (MITAGS): “To effectively fight shipboard fires while underway, we need to train crews with the skills and equipment used by professional fire fighters. Our students are taught the basic principles and behavior of fire. They learn to handle the hoses and nozzles and how to use portable extinguishers effectively. The use of breathing apparatus and personal protective equipment is also covered.”

Students faced fire pits for simulated training of an electrical fire, a paint locker fire, and a tanker or engine fire. Each of these “live” exercises has a specific method for confronting and extinguishing the fire.

The electrical fire requires the firefighter to “kill” the power and then ground the CO2 extinguisher to the floor or other solid object.

The paint locker fire, which is comprised of either turpentine or oil-based paint, is dangerous due to the possibility of explosion. In both situations, the class was taught to never turn their back on the fire and to never assume that the fire was out simply because it stopped flaming.

The tanker or engine room fire quickly spread due to windy conditions. This type of fire can proliferate and engulf an entire ship. The exercise teaches the students to work in teams of four, while using large fire hoses for protection.

At a distance, the nozzles appear to be streaming the water at a high level of intensity for saturation. However, as the teams step closer to the fire, they discover that they must use the ‘fog’ method for shielding, as it is absolutely essential that the teams stand side-by-side. If the teams separate in any way, the fire could jump between them, possibly causing injury to the fire fighters, but most certainly losing any progress that had already been achieved.

The last exercise that the students encountered was the ‘burn building,’ where the hose technique for directional guidance was tested in a real smoke situation.

The students were moved into the building, which had all of its windows and doors open to allow familiarity with the two-story environment. In the middle of the room was a bale of cofferwood on a construction workhorse. With the self contained breathing apparatuses in full deployment, the windows and doors are shut, and the cofferwood is ignited.

Within minutes, black smoke is billowing out through the crevices of the windows and door, while the students make their way through the building using the hose.

MITAGS’ instructors and the professional firefighters are all certified Emergency Medical Technicians and paramedics.

Donald Merkle is also a member of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). NFPA’s 300 codes and standards influence every building, process, service, design, and installation in the United States.

MITAGS’ fire fighting programs meet the Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA) standards. The courses are approved by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and meet the requirements reflected in the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers Code (STCW-95).

The MITAGS fire fighting program was extensive and very detailed. The instructors spent time critiquing each student throughout the day regarding their performance and ensuring that they were clear on the proper tactics that are required for fighting fires.

MORE INFO? Captain Robert Becker toll-free at (866) 656-5569 or rbecker@mitags.org. or www.mitags.org

FIRE BOAT ORDERS PICK UP FOR HARBOR GUARD BOATS
Originally Posted: March 24, 2010 6:40 AM
Last Updated: March 24, 2010 6:40 AM

Harbor Guard Boats, Inc., Corona, California, subsidiary of Medina International Holdings, Inc., is making a Firehawk 26' boat to be delivered to The Colony Fire Department, Texas according to Daniel Medina, President of Medina International Holdings

This boat will be used for fire protection and rescue purposes on Lake Lewisville.

Tim Spooner, VP of Sales, Harbor Guard Boats: "Production levels have recovered from the 2009 downturn. It is very exciting to see the year 2010 pipeline fill quickly."

FIRE FIGHTERS CRITICIZED FOR THEIR POST-FIRE REPORT PROCEDURES: MISSED THREE DAY SUBMISSION DEADLINE
Originally Posted: March 23, 2010 10:32 AM
Last Updated: March 23, 2010 10:36 AM

Dan Tevlock, Free Lance-Star, Fredericksburg, Virginia, writes that
Chancellor (Virginia) Volunteer Fire and Rescue did not follow standard operating procedures requiring within three days a detailed follow-up report on a Feb. 5, 2010 fatal house fire. The Free Lance-Star is part of McClatchy-Tribune News Service.

Spotsylvania County Fire and Rescue Chief Chris Eudailey told the newspaper this was an oversight by the volunteers and that a report will be completed.

In 2007, CVFR became the largest EMS agency in the Commonwealth of Virginia and in November 2007 were awarded the 2007 Governor’s Award for Outstanding Agency!

The report is supposed to be written by the incident commander in charge of the 45 volunteers who responded to the house fire. It is important because it could answer some questions raised about the fire-fighting and rescue tactics used.

Firefighters saved a 17-year-old girl from the house and the girl's mother escaped on her own. But Sandy Hill, 43, died as a result of the fire.
Although an autopsy report has not been finished, fire officials believe Hill died of smoke inhalation.

Hill was trapped in her bedroom for more than 20 minutes. For some of that time, she was pleading with a 911 operator for help and provided directions of where she was in the house.

According to the county Fire and Rescue Department's standard operating procedures, a follow-up report in a fatal fire should contain six parts:

A narrative of the incident, including a summary of the operation
A review of problems or obstacles encountered
A review of operations that went well
A diagram of the incident
Recommendations for changes to standard operating procedures and any commendations
A critique with all crews.

Kevin Dillard, Chancellor's administrative chief: "Some good things will come out of this."

Eudailey has assigned a four-person team to conduct an internal review of the operations, communications and tactics used at this house fire. The review team of two volunteers and two career members met four times since March 12, 2010.

One of the chief questions the review team is trying to answer is why it took so long for firefighters to find Hill.

Three times, rescue crews reported that a search of the second floor had been fruitless. More than 20 minutes after the initial 911 call was made at 12:54 a.m., firefighters found Hill on her bedroom floor.

She was not breathing and was unresponsive, and was pronounced dead at Mary Washington Hospital, Fredericksburg.

In addition to the written critique, standard operating procedures require a post-incident review as soon as practical. Dillard said a verbal review was done with some of the responders about two weeks after the fire.

The Department of Fire and Rescue has two sets of standard operating procedures: one for paid staff and another for the combined system of career staff and volunteers.

The newspaper writer said experts told him it is uncommon to have two sets of standard operating procedures.

Dillard said one change that could result is developing one set of standard operating procedures for the entire combined system.

When the department was originally founded, it was known as the Chancellor Volunteer Fire Department because it only provided fire service to the surrounding area.

In 2003, the organization changed its name to Chancellor Volunteer Fire & Rescue after becoming a combined system offering both Fire & Rescue services.

Currently, CVFR has over 300 volunteer personnel that operate out of 4 fire companies and 5 rescue stations throughout the county. Career staff provides coverage Monday through Friday from 5:00 am - 6:00 pm, while the volunteers provide coverage during evening hours Monday through Friday and over the entire weekend.

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SAFETY TO MEET FCC INTEROPERABILITY STANDARDS WITH $100 MILLION IN NEW HARRIS SYSTEM
Originally Posted: March 22, 2010 4:27 PM
Last Updated: March 22, 2010 4:27 PM

Miami-Dade County, Florida, population 2.4 million, has selected Harris Corporation to upgrade the county's public safety and public service communications system.

The project will provide the county with an 800 MHz radio communications system, that includes radio terminals for the county to comply with the Federal Communications Commission's rebanding mandate (FCC 04-168).

Felix Perez, Division Director, Radio, Enterprise Technology Services Department, Miami-Dade County: "When this project is complete, the county will have a modern, standards-based digital radio communications system that will last us well into the future and provide considerable cost-savings. Our current EDACS® system has served us well for more than 18 years, but the FCC mandate and the trend towards P25 standard equipment led us to upgrade and modernize our radio communications infrastructure.

The new sysem will improve interoperability among first responders and other radio system users.

The new Harris system will serve 80 agencies and 31,000 users throughout the county, including the Miami-Dade Police Department, Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department, and Miami International Airport. The new system will continue to interoperate with Miami-Dade Fire Rescue's conventional UHF system. Harris Public Safety and Professional Communications supports over 500 systems around the world.

Headquartered in Melbourne, Florida, the Harris has $5 billion of annual revenue and 15,000 employees — including 7,000 engineers and scientists.

MORE INFO? www.harris.com

AUSTRALIANS ADDRESS WILDFIRES: PRESIDENT OBAMA SHOULD CONVENE A WHITE HOUSE CONFERENCE ON WILDFIRES IN THE US
Originally Posted: March 19, 2010 9:12 PM
Last Updated: March 19, 2010 9:12 PM

by Kenton Pattie
Executive Director
National Emergency Equipment Dealers Association
KentonP1@aol.com

(For other NEEDA Newsletter pieces about wildfires, use the "Search" application in the upper right of your NEEDA Newsletter screen."

NEEDA has recommended that President Obama convene a White House Conference on Wildfires. "Having visited Australia and wildfires in Washington and California, I'm very anxious to see the US step up its focus on and prevention of wildfires. This is a serious US problem which only seems to get attention after an event or after a bad season. . . and then the interest fades out. I still get bulletins from Australia and here is one below."

Australian bushfire alerts warn of increasing threat

Friday 19 March 2010 – 11:25 AM

Western Australia’s new public information warning system is helping people take action to survive during a bushfire.

FESA Chief Operations Officer Craig Hynes said the system had been activated more than 100 times since the beginning of December for incidents where life or property was potentially under threat.

“The three level system reflects the increasing risk to life and the decreasing amount of time people have until the fire reaches them,” Mr Hynes said.

“Many people living in or near a bushland area are now familiar with how it works and are taking the appropriate actions to survive during a bushfire.

“If you aren’t familiar with the system take the time to learn what it means and how it could help keep you safe.”

The three levels of alerts include a bushfire ADVICE, WATCH and ACT and EMERGENCY WARNING.

A bushfire ADVICE provides information when a fire is not threatening lives or property but may be causing smoke near homes such as a small controllable fire.

A bushfire WATCH AND ACT tells you the fire conditions are changing and there is potential for lives and property to be threatened.

A bushfire EMERGENCY WARNING is the highest level of warning. It signifies immediate danger and means you need to take urgent action to survive.

Mr Hynes said firefighters would do everything they could to protect communities but it was important people took responsibility for their own safety.

“Bushfires can start suddenly so you need to be prepared to act even if you do not receive a warning,” he said.

“Always watch for signs of a bushfire, especially smoke and flames.”

When alerts are issued they are published on the FESA website and recorded on the FESA Information Line (1300 657 209).

ABC radio also broadcasts updates during serious emergencies at quarter to and quarter past the hour.

The public information system is used by all fire management agencies in WA including FESA, Department of Environment and Conservation and local governments.

It was implemented as part of a national approach following the Victorian bushfires and recommendations from the Victorian Royal Commission.

MORE INFO? www.fesa.wa.gov.au.

FY 2010 INTEROPERABLE EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS GRANT PROGRAM (IECGP)
Originally Posted: March 19, 2010 8:54 PM
Last Updated: March 19, 2010 8:54 PM

FEMA Total Funding Available in FY 2010: $48 Million

Purpose: In FY 2010, IECGP provides governance, planning, training and exercise funding to states, territories, and local and tribal governments to carry out initiatives to improve interoperable emergency communications, including communications in collective response to natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters.

If a State Administrative Agent (SAA) and Statewide Interoperability Coordinator (SWIC) / SCIP point of contact certify that its state or territory has fulfilled such governance, planning, training and exercise objectives, the Program provides the flexibility to purchase interoperable communications equipment with any remaining IECGP funds.

Eligible Applicants: All 56 states and territories are eligible to apply for IECGP funds.

Program Awards: In FY 2010, the total amount of funds distributed under IECGP will be $48,000,000. FY 2010 IECGP funds will be allocated based on risk. Each state will receive a minimum allocation under IECGP using the thresholds established in the 9/11 Act.

All 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico will receive a minimum of 0.45 percent of the total funds allocated, per the 9/11 Act. Four territories (American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands) will receive a minimum allocation of 0.08 percent of the total funds allocated.

FUNDING PICTURE FOR STATES IS GREY AS SOME STATES TURN TO MORE GAMBLING AS A FUND RAISER
Originally Posted: March 19, 2010 8:36 PM
Last Updated: March 19, 2010 8:36 PM

Lou Cannon in State Net asks: Will stimulus expire before economic US recovery arrives for emergency equipment dealers and other small businesses?

The Administration said the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009,
would be “timely, targeted and temporary.” But David Wyss, chief economist for Standard and Poor’s says: The Recovery Act was passed late
and politics hurt targeting in many states.

Congress has approved and the president signed another stimulus bill to give employers a break on payroll taxes and inject more money into road and bridge construction.

But, small business owners are struggling to make ends meet. Many emergency equipment dealers have gone out of business. No or few orders!

Legislators in New York face a $9 billion budget gap and the Governor, Richard Ravitch (D) recommends require strict accounting standards and elimination of the gimmicks by which the state usually balances its budget.

California is $20 billion in he hole. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) said he would veto a Democratic plan to save money by cutting mass transit.

Michigan is slowing housing foreclosures so he state can receive an $150 million in federal funds.

Washington is enacting a temporary sales tax and a rebate to the poor.

Kansas is considering a bill (HB 2549) to impose a tax on lottery tickets.

The Congressional Budget Office has moved the long-term cost of the Stimulus Plan from $787 billion to $862 billion.

State government employment has held fairly steady, at 5.3 million, despite the high national jobless rates. A survey of 50 states in February found aggregate layoffs in state government employment last year totaled only 18,000.

But officials in the hardest-hit states now anticipate that the flow of federal funds will dry up before state sales and income tax collections have reached pre-recession levels.

Medicaid, the federal-state program that provides health care for the working
poor, is a lifeline for 60 million Americans. Medicaid is putting some money into the market. But fourty states are making cuts in Medicaid. the US House and Senate are extending the federal contribution for six months generating possibly $25 billion in aid for states.

Overall, states in the in Mid-USA with energy or commodity revenues fared well.
North Dakota, with an unemployment at 4.2 percent, has been virtually unscathed by the recession.

Most of the well-off states are small in population, but the list also includes
Texas, which used its share of Recovery Act funds to balance the budget and has not looked back. Federal funds have made only a small dent in the deficit of California and Illinois which have low bond ratings.

Worst off states include: Michigan, Nevada, Rhode Island, South Carolina and California.

Michigan, Nevada and California are also among the worst five in
housing foreclosures, as are Florida Louisiana and West Virginia.

Most states still need more federal assistance than they are likely to receive.

State revenues from gambling has declined between 5 and 14
percent.

Pennsylvania has installed 25,000 machines to let their patrons play keno while they eat. Florida joined the Powerball lottery last year.

IOWA Gov. Chet Culver (D), whose state already has 17 casinos, has recommended that state approval for four more. Fourteen other states have proposed similar measures.

Funding for emergency equipment, fire and rescue services has been very limited. But, the Federal government still offers fire departments grant programs while will help some.

Elsewhere on NEEDA Newsletter, NEEDA has reported on the fire grants available. Using the "Search" application in the upper right of your NEEDA Newsletter screen enter the words "grants," "fire act grants."

PIERCE TO GIVE HARLEY-DAVIDSON FAT BOY FIREFIGHTER SPECIAL MOTORCYCLE APRIL 22 TO LUCKY CONTRIBUTOR TO NATIONAL FALLEN FIREFIGHTERS FOUNDATION: DONATION DEADLINE MARCH 31, 2010
Originally Posted: March 19, 2010 3:03 PM
Last Updated: March 19, 2010 3:03 PM

Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation [Appleton, Wisconsin] company, March 18, 2010 is making a matching gift donation to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) through the NFFF Full Throttle Support II initiative. From March 18 through March 31, 2010 Pierce will match all donations received, up to a maximum of $10,000.

NEEDA's Executive Director, Kenton Pattie, attended the 2009 presentation of last year's Harley-Davidson by Pierce to a Pennsylvania fireman.

Wilson Jones, Oshkosh Corporation executive vice president and president, Fire & Emergency: “As year two of the NFFF Full Throttle Support initiative reaches its conclusion, we urge all to step forward and make a gift that we will gladly match up to a total of $10,000.”

Pierce Manufacturing and Harley-Davidson teamed up to support NFFF Full Throttle Support II. The campaign awards a custom, one-of-a-kind Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Firefighter Special Edition motorcycle at the Fire Department Instructor’s Conference (FDIC) on April 22, 2010 in Indianapolis, IN.

Individuals and groups can donate to the NFFF and be automatically entered into a sweepstakes to win the motorcycle through March 31, 2010 at NFFF.FullThrottleSupport.com.

The NFFF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that remembers and honors America’s fallen firefighters. Spouses and children of fallen firefighters are eligible, through NFFF, for education, scholarship assistance and job training.

NFFF-established peer networks offer families and coworkers essential emotional support.

Ron Siarnicki, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation executive director: “Without their advocacy we would not be able to expand our programs to support the loved ones of our fallen heroes.”

Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation company, makes commercial pumpers, aerials, rescue trucks, wildland trucks, mini-pumpers, elliptical tankers, and homeland security apparatus foam systems frontal air bags, and the Side Roll Protection system to fire apparatus.

The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization with a Congressional mandate to honor all firefighters who die in the line of duty in the United States.

The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation is the only fire service organization that represents every facet of the American fire service – career, volunteer and wildland. The Foundation has launched major initiatives to reduce firefighter deaths. The Foundation has no allegiance to any special interest. For more information, visit www.firehero.org.

Oshkosh Corporation makes products under the brands of Oshkosh®, JLG®, Pierce®, McNeilus®, Medtec®, Jerr-Dan®, Oshkosh Specialty Vehicles, Frontline™, SMIT™, CON-E-CO®, London® and IMT®.

MORE INFO www.oshkoshcorporation.com or www.harleydavidson.com

SPARTAN PICKS 12 BEST SUPPLIERS
Originally Posted: March 18, 2010 1:50 PM
Last Updated: March 18, 2010 1:50 PM

Spartan Motors Chassis, Inc., a subsidiary of Spartan Motors, Inc. (Charlotte, MichiganR) named its top-performing suppliers at its 8th Annual Supplier Conference March 17, 2010.

Jeremy Wilson, Director of Supply Chain Management: "Spartan's suppliers play a critical role in ensuring our success in today's competitive environment."

These companies met or exceeded Spartan's standards of excellence for 2009:

Allison Transmission (Indianapolis, IN)
American Cooling Systems (Bloomfield Hills, MI)
Bolton Conductive Systems (Walled Lake, MI)
Formed Solutions, Inc. (Holland, MI)
Harris Battery Company, Inc. (Bolivar, OH)
Professional Metal Works (East Lansing, MI)
Redmer Industries (Lansing, MI)
Seats Incorporated (Westerville, OH)
St. Clair Technologies, Inc. (Wallaceburg, Ontario)
Titan Wheel Corporation (Chicago, IL)
Vehicle Improvement Products (Antioch, IL)
Wiley Metal Fabricating, Inc. (Marion, IN)

Suppliers are assessed by the Supplier Performance Action Review Committee (SPARC). To meet Spartan's standards of excellence, suppliers must meet performance criteria related to quality, delivery, customer support and competitiveness.

The company's brand names Spartan™, Crimson Fire™, Crimson Fire Aerials™, Road Rescue™ and Utilimaster® . are made by Spartan's 1,600 employees at facilities in Michigan, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Indiana and Texas. Spartan reported sales of $430 million in 2009.

MORE INFO? www.spartanmotors.com

"HOLY TOLEDO, WE'RE BEING FIRED!"
Originally Posted: March 18, 2010 9:30 AM
Last Updated: March 18, 2010 9:30 AM

The Associated Press reports that 125 Toledo firefighters will be fired on Friday from a force of 477.

Firefighters were scheduled to get their 30-day notices yesterday, along with 125 police officers. But in the final hour of discussions, the mayor scrapped firefighter layoffs.

Toledo city council member Michael Ashford says, “Firefighters were able to ante up some money, some concessions. We don’t know what those concessions were. But it was good enough for him to withdraw his potential layoffs for firefighters off the table.”

The mayor says no agreement was reached.

The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday. If no agreement is reached, Local 92 plans to argue the layoffs violate the contract’s minimum-staffing requirement.

Meanwhile, at Tuesday night’s meeting, Toledo City Council did not vote on declaring exigent circumstances, which would allow the mayor to force union concessions.

“We’re still giving the mayor enough time to negotiate the last-minute concessions from the bargaining units,” says Ashford.

Councilman Phillip Copeland: “They’re going to come to some kind of decision because everybody knows that we have a problem. We have a 48 million dollar problem. Even among my colleagues, somewhere along the line, you keep saying no, we’re going to have to make some tough decisions.”

FIRE APPARATUS EXPERT McCALL TO PRESENT ON DECADES OF VEHICLE EVOLUTION APRIL 17, 2010 AT THE CHRYSLER MUSEUM
Originally Posted: March 17, 2010 3:53 PM
Last Updated: March 17, 2010 3:53 PM

The Walter P. Chrysler Museum, in Auburn Hills, Michigan, will host Walt McCall, 9:30 AM. – Noon Saturday, April 17, 2010.

Author on fire apparatus, McCall's two-part program – How I Got Hooked (and Laddered): Confessions of a Lifelong Fire Engine Buff and The Professional Car: The Rise and Decline of Passenger Car-Based Ambulances and Funeral Cars – will showcase decades of vehicle evolution.

McCall's presentation will be held in the second floor theater and will feature an array of projected historical apparatus images.

McCall has written 18 books since 1976. American Fire Engines Since 1900 is considered the "bible" of the old fire engine hobby.

McCall has written ten books on fire apparatus, as well as another six on vintage hearses and ambulances.

A retired Manager for Chrysler Canada Ltd and former award-winning fire and police reporter and automotive editor for The Windsor Star, McCall's lifelong love affair with fire engines spans more than 50 years.

The Walter P. Chrysler Museum is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) public charity and donations are tax-deductible.

MORE INFO? www.wpchryslermuseum.org or events@wpchryslermuseum.org or 248-944-0450.

RIDGEFIELD, CONNECTICUT, LIKE MANY US COMMUNITIES, WANTS TO REPLACE ITS OLD EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT: MAYOR SAYS HE CAN ONLY AFFORD $10,000 TOWARD $100,000 NEW FIRE FIGHTING FUNDS
Originally Posted: March 16, 2010 6:38 PM
Last Updated: March 16, 2010 6:38 PM

(NEEDA newsletter carried an earlier story about Ridgefield's goal of replacing very old fire trucks. We feel this is a problem in the majority of US communities: need to replace emergency equipment but facing budget severe
budget restraints.)

Fred Musante, reporter, says Shelton Fire Chief Francis Jones (Ridgefield, Connecticut) of the city volunteer Fire Department still wants new communications equipment.

Jones: Ridgefield needs Federal Communications Commission approval to use special high-band frequencies before it can convert the aging low-band system which is old and ineffective in dead spots.

Board of Fire Commissioners Vice Chairman Bruce Kosowsky and Jones spoke during the budget review by the Board of Apportionment & Taxation and the Board of Aldermen.

Tax board member Jud Crawford: “The Fire Department has made a very, very strong case that the communications system needs to be revamped, but this is a very tight year."

The communication system cost is $1.2 million but the city needs approval of the new frequencies first. Thus the project will be financed with bonding.

Other departments already have taken many of the best frequencies, which has slowed the Ridgefield selection.

Jones said another big-ticket purchase facing the Fire Department is the replacement of aging emergency vehicles. He said two rescue trucks at the Pine Rock and Huntington firehouses were built in 1985 and 1986, and two combination pumper-ladder trucks at the downtown Echo Hose firehouse were built in 1977 and 1986.

The latter two break down so frequently it is rare when they can make it back to the firehouse without needing to be towed, Jones said.

Mayor Mark Lauretti recommended giving the Fire Department a budget increase of about $10,000, but that is far short of the $100,000 increase the department needs.

ANOTHER FORMER BOSTON FIRE DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEE SENTENCED FOR INVOLVEMENT IN OBSTRUCTION OF FEDERAL INVESTIGATION OF FRAUD BY FIRE FIGHTERS
Originally Posted: March 16, 2010 6:18 PM
Last Updated: March 16, 2010 6:18 PM

Shelley Murphy of the Boston Globe says a former Boston Fire Department clerk was sentenced two years probation for lying and obstructing a federal investigation into alleged pension fraud by firefighters.

Globe: "Erika Boylan, 31, was also ordered by US District Judge George A. O'Toole to perform 200 hours of community service. She pleaded guilty in December to perjury and obstruction of justice.

"Boylan, a former human resources clerk who was responsible for processing disability pension applications, admitted that she lied to a federal grand jury when she denied that firefighters asked her to help them collect more pay by stalling the processing of their pension applications.

"Two firefighters, Albert Arroyo and James Famolare, a former deputy chief of personnel, were indicted last year on mail fraud charges based on allegations that they faked on-the-job injuries to get disability pensions. They are awaiting trial."

ATLANTA'S GRADY EARNS ACCREDITATION FOR ITS BREAST CENTERS
Originally Posted: March 16, 2010 5:26 PM
Last Updated: March 16, 2010 5:26 PM

Grady's Avon Foundation Comprehensive Breast Center (Atlanta, Georgei) has been granted a full accreditation designation by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC), a program administered by the American College of Surgeons.

Grady Health System has the only level I trauma center in the region and serves as the ambulance provider for the city of Atlanta.

MORE INFO? www.gradyhealthsystem.org

CHUBB OFFERS PROGRAM TO DEFEND HOMEOWNERS FROM WILDFIRES
Originally Posted: March 16, 2010 5:09 PM
Last Updated: March 16, 2010 5:09 PM

(For other NEEDA Newsletter coverage of wildfire news, use the "Search" application in the upper right of your NEEDA Newsletter screen. For example, NEEDA recently recommended President Obama convene a White House Conference on Wildfires.)

Chubb Companies, Warren, New Jersey, is now offering its Wildfire Defense Services to homeowners policyholders in Texas.

In addition to providing wildfire education and property risk assessments, the program responds to wildfires through a network of certified wildfire fighters and a highly effective fire-blocking gel.

NEEDA Newsletter has reported the use of this jel in California. The program, which began in 2008 in 13 Western states, has saved many homes and millions of dollars.

More than 1,400 homes were destroyed and 4.7 million acres burned in Texas in the last five years, according to the Texas Forest Service. In 2009 alone, 432 homes were destroyed by wildfires across the state.

Christie Alderman, vice president, Chubb & Son: "The large amount of development in Texas over the past several years has meant homes are being built in areas near wildlands, and with that comes the threat of wildfire.
Alderman is the products and services manager for Chubb Personal Insurance.

Alderman: "Educating and helping homeowners create defensible space around their homes will be important weapons in the fight against wildfires. As a last resort, the fire-blocking gel can be applied to homes in immediate danger of being destroyed by approaching wildfires."

There is no charge to sign up for or to use Chubb's Wildfire Defense Services, which is available to Texas Platinum® homeowners customers in 73 counties in Texas.

All Texas Platinum homeowners customers can be reimbursed up to $5,000 for other services they retain to help protect their homes when a wildfire is within three miles of their homes or a civil authority initiates an evacuation order as a result of an approaching wildfire.

MORE INFO? www.chubb.com/personal or David Hilgen (908) 903-4165 dhilgen@chubb.com

FIRE OFFICIALS IN LOS ANGELES REPORT NO DAMAGE IN 4.5 MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE
Originally Posted: March 16, 2010 12:54 PM
Last Updated: March 16, 2010 12:54 PM

Los Angeles times writers Ruben Vives in Pico Rivera, Rong-Gong Lin II, Geoff Mohan and Shelby Grad report a 4.5 magnitude earthquake in Los Angeles, California.

"The temblor may have caused damage to the Santa Ana Freeway (north-south Interstate 5) southbound at the Lakewood Boulevard exit. According to Caltrans, two southbound lanes of the freeway have buckled and were closed down. . . .The closure is expect to jam the morning commute.

"TV footage showed a roughly 5-foot crack in the roadway. KTTV Channel 11 quoted officials at the scene as saying they were not sure whether the crack was caused by the quake or by a passing truck. Traffic on both sides of the 5 Freeway was jammed.

"No damage has been reported by Los Angeles County fire stations, according to county fire official Ed Pickett. The county's fire stations completed a roll call of all stations about 10 minutes after the earthquake.

Pickett: "They're all reporting they felt it, but are not reporting any damage. It just seemed to be a significant jolt. But no damage, knock on wood."

MORE INFO? The Los Angeles Times

ALBEMARLE CORPORATION FLAME RETARDANT COMPANY RAISES PRICES APRIL 1, 2010
Originally Posted: March 16, 2010 12:40 PM
Last Updated: March 16, 2010 12:40 PM

Albemarle Corporation (Baton Rouge, Louisiana) manufacturer of flame retardants, announced it will increase the price of NcendX® P30 (Bisphenol A Diphenyl Phosphate, BPADP) by $0.50/kg on all shipments after April 1, 2010 or as contracts allow.

P30 is a phosphorous flame retardant specifically suitable for styrenics applications and is part of the company's fire safety solutions within the polymer solutions business segment.

Albemarle Corporation makes specialty chemicals for consumer electronics, petroleum refining, utilities, packaging, construction, automotive/transportation, pharmaceuticals, crop protection, food-safety and custom chemistry services.

The Company has three business segments, Polymer Solutions, Catalysts, and Fine Chemicals and employs 4,000.

MORE INFO? www.albemarle.com

FEDERAL SIGNAL REVEALS FIRST QUARTER 2010 RESULTS APRIL 30, 2010 AND PLANS FOR NEW INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS GROUP
Originally Posted: March 16, 2010 12:26 PM
Last Updated: March 16, 2010 12:26 PM

(For other NEEDA Newsletter news about Federal Signal, use the "Search" application in the upper right of your NEEDA Newsletter screen.)

Federal Signal Corporation (Oak Brook, Illinois) will announce first quarter 2010 earnings on Friday, April 30, 2010 via a presentation conference call and webcast. The company will also discuss Federal Signal Technologies Group, the new division that the company will focus on Intelligent Transportation Systems "ITS" solutions, and Federal Signal's future earnings outlook.

Participating on the are William H. Osborne, president and CEO, and William Barker, senior vice president and CFO.

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

MORE INFO? www.federalsignal.com.

NY TIMES REPORTS ON EXTENT OF FIRST RESPONDERS USING ELECTRONIC EUIPMENT EN ROUTE TO FIRE OR OTHER EMERGENCY
Originally Posted: March 13, 2010 9:16 PM
Last Updated: March 13, 2010 9:16 PM

Matt Richtel (March 10, 2010) in The New York Times says a lot of first responders use electronic devices en route to fires and other disasters.

The drivers say the technology is a huge boon for their jobs, saving valuable seconds and providing instant access to essential information. But it also presents a clear risk — even the potential to take a life while they are trying to save one.

Philip Macaluso, a New York paramedic, recalled a moment recently when he was rushing to the hospital while keying information into his dashboard computer. At the last second, he looked up from the control panel and slammed on his brakes to avoid a woman who stepped into the street.

Macaluso: “There is a potential for disaster here.” Data does not exist about crashes caused by police officers or medics distracted by their devices. But there are tragic anecdotes.

In April 2008, an emergency medical technician in West Nyack, NY., looked at his GPS screen, swerved and hit a parked flatbed truck. The crash sheared off the side of the ambulance and left his partner, who was in the passenger seat, paralyzed.

In June 2007, a sheriff’s deputy in St. Clair County, Ill., was driving 35 miles per hour when a dispatcher radioed with an assignment. He entered the address into the mapping system and then looked up, too late to avoid hitting a sedan stopped in traffic. Its driver was seriously injured.

Ambulances and police cars are becoming increasingly wired. Some 75 percent of police cruisers have on-board computers, a figure that has doubled over the last decade, says David Krebs, an industry analyst with the VDC Research Group. He estimates about 30 percent of ambulances have such technology.

The use of such technology by so-called first responders comes as regulators, legislators and safety advocates seek to limit the use of gadgets by most drivers. Police officers, medics and others who study the field say they are searching to find the right balance between technology’s risks and benefits.

The computers allow police, for example, to check license plate data, find information about a suspect and exchange messages with dispatchers. Ambulances receive directions to accident scenes and can use the computers to send information about the patient before they arrive at hospitals.

“The technology is enormously beneficial,” said Jeffrey Lindsey, a retired fire chief in Florida who now is an executive at the Health and Safety Institute, which provides continuing education for emergency services workers.

But he said first responders generally did not have enough training to deal with diversions that could be “almost exponential” compared with those faced by most drivers.

The New York Fire Department, which coordinates the city’s largest ambulance system, said drivers were not supposed to use on-board computers in traffic. That is the role of the driver’s partner, and if the partner is in the back tending to a patient, the driver is supposed to use devices before speeding off.

“There’s no need for our drivers to get distracted, because the system has evolved to keep safety paramount,” said Jerry Gombo, assistant chief for emergency service operations at the Fire Department. Drivers do get into accidents, he said, but he couldn’t remember a single one caused by distraction from using a computer.

He also estimates the technology saves 20 to 30 seconds per call. “There’s no doubt we’re having quicker response time,” Mr. Gombo added.

But in interviews, medics and E.M.T.’s in New York and elsewhere say that although they are aware of the rules, they do use their on-board computers while driving because they can’t wait for certain information.

States that ban drivers from texting or using hand-held phones tend to exempt first responders. And in many places where even they are forbidden to use cellphones behind the wheel, the edict is often ignored.

FIRE SERVICES SUPPORTED BY NON-PROFIT FUNDS MAY FACE TAX BILL
Originally Posted: March 12, 2010 6:15 AM
Last Updated: March 12, 2010 6:15 AM

State and local officials are invading tax exemptions held by nonprofit groups. Non-profits are often key supporters of fire departments and emergency response services.

NEEDA is opposed to Federal, state and local taxes on volunteer nonprofits that raise public funds for fire departments and emergency services.

In 2009, Minneapolis subjected charities to the fees businesses
and residents pay for streetlights in the hope of generating an additional $155,000 in revenue, a move Jon Pratt, the executive director of the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, described as “looking under the sofa cushions.”

Hawaii legislators are considering a bill that would subject charities to a
1 percent excise tax. Kansas lawmakers are weighing making charities pay sales taxes. Several counties in the Sunflower State as well as in Pennsyvania
are scrutinizing nonprofit groups’ exemptions from property taxes. Churches remain exempt from the measures but not much else.

Nonprofits say the moves are shortsighted and will lead to cutbacks in critical
services state and local governments rely on them to provide, such as mental health and emergency foster care, and fire and rescue services.

MOTOROLA, PLANTCML-EADS, ETHERSTACK, HARRIS, POWERTRUNK AND RATHEON REPORT SUCCESS IN INTEROPERABILITY AMONG COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS
Originally Posted: March 12, 2010 6:02 AM
Last Updated: March 12, 2010 6:02 AM

(For other NEEDA Newsletter stories about interoperability, use the "Search" application in the upper right of your NEEDA Newsletter screen.)

Motorola, Inc. (SCHAUMBURG, Illinois) reports success on an interoperability project using Project 25 Inter-RF Subsystem Interface (P25 ISSI) gateways to communicate between a Motorola ASTRO® 25 system and P25 systems from five other leading mission critical communications manufacturers, including PlantCML-EADS, Etherstack, Harris Corporation, PowerTrunk and Raytheon Company.

These six industry leaders demonstrated a milestone in interoperability with the successful testing of interoperable communications between the Motorola ISSI.1 Network Gateway and ISSI Gateways from the five other manufacturers.
The testing occurred over the past several weeks using a Motorola ASTRO 25 system connected over an ISSI interface to Project 25 systems from each of the other five leading manufacturers of public safety equipment. Each system was tested separately and successful P25 ISSI wireline interoperability was achieved using each manufacturer's P25 ISSI gateway.

Bob Schassler, senior vice president, Motorola Worldwide Radio Solutions: "This latest testing is another example of P25 manufacturers continuing to work together to advance interoperability for public safety, enabling first responders to communicate in emergency situations."

The interoperability testing using ISSI gateways marks the fifth major multi-manufacturer P25 interoperability event in the past nine months.

MORE INFO? www.motorola.com.

WORLD TRADE CENTER DISASTER RESPONDERS SHARE IN $657 MILLION SETTLEMENT DRAWN FROM $1 BILLION FEMA GRANT
Originally Posted: March 12, 2010 5:49 AM
Last Updated: March 12, 2010 5:49 AM

A settlement has been reached between lawyers representing over 10,000 police, firefighters, construction workers and others who suffered injuries while working at ground zero after the 9/11/01 terrorist attacks and the City of New York and its contractors.

The $657 million settlement ensures that those who participated in search and rescue and clean-up efforts, many of whom are permanently disabled as a result, will receive just compensation for the adverse health consequences of their work.

The settlement will be drawn from a federally financed insurance fund - the WTC Captive Insurance Company - that was created in 2004 with a $1 billion FEMA grant that the U.S. Congress appropriated in 2003.

This Congressional appropriation was specifically earmarked to handle claims arising against the City by workers who were injured. It will be distributed by a neutral third party who will be chosen by attorneys for the plaintiffs and lawyers.

SPARTAN PRESENTS FIRE AND EMERGENCY INDUSTRY TO INVESTORS MARCH 15-16
Originally Posted: March 12, 2010 5:41 AM
Last Updated: March 12, 2010 5:41 AM

Spartan Motors (Charlotte, Michigan) will present at an investor's conference March 15 and 16, 2010 in California. The company's presentation is posted on its website.

The Company employs 1,600 at facilities in Michigan, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Indiana and Texas and reported sales of $430 million in 2009.

Spartan brand names include Spartan™, Crimson Fire™, Crimson Fire Aerials™, Road Rescue™ and Utilimaster®. The Company employs 1,600 at facilities in Michigan, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Indiana and Texas and had sales of $430 million in 2009.

MORE INFO? www.spartanmotors.com

FIRE STANDARDS NEEDED FOR WOOD PALLETS
Originally Posted: March 11, 2010 5:49 AM
Last Updated: March 11, 2010 5:49 AM

More than 150 firefighters battled a massive wood pallet fire that erupted in a Los Angeles, CA commercial structure, causing a partial roof collapse, downed electrical wires and heavy smoke.

News video of the LA fire--the latest in a string of such fires nationwide--showed large stacks of burning wood pallets with heavy smoke reported as visible for miles.

Bob Moore, Chairman & CEO, Intelligent Global Pooling Systems: "With more than one billion wood pallets in circulation, fires are common, and can quickly spread out of control in commercial settings--in this case, putting the lives of at least 150 firefighters at risk."

Moore advocates treat with a fire retardant.

Wood pallets are not currently subject to the same fire safety testing requirements as pallets made of other materials. When stacked in and around warehouses, they provide potent fuel for intense fires that endanger the lives of workers, firefighters and surrounding businesses and homes. In the course of a typical day, wood pallets are damaged, crushed, splintered, and rubbed together, creating wood dust. If left close to an ignition source, this dust can trigger a severe explosion.

Recent pallet fires include:

Los Angeles, CA (South Gate) – Nov. 16, 2009 - A quickly-spreading fire with flames reaching 30 feet or higher; approximately 35 firefighters responded.

Monticello, IN – Oct. 27, 2009 - A massive fire at Riverview Pallets destroyed the warehouse in which it was a tenant.

Glendale, AZ – Jul. 17, 2009 - A four-alarm fire at a commercial site; approximately 150 firefighters responded.

Wood pallets are currently exempt from the fire safety testing required of pallets made of plastic and other alternative materials.

NEEDA agrees that the federal government shoiuld establish national fire standards for all productes produced by the pallet industry.

CUTTING ON-DUTY AMBULANCES BY 10 STAFFED BY 60 FIREFIGHTERS BEING CONSIDERED IN LOS ANGELES TO REDUCE SPENDING
Originally Posted: March 10, 2010 6:10 AM
Last Updated: March 10, 2010 6:10 AM

Maeve Reston writes in the Los Angeles Times: the Los Angeles (California) City Council may deactivate 10 rescue ambulances at night.

The move would cut service by 60 firefighters and 10 ambulances with the fewest calls per day -- 3.5 on average. This move could result in a $3 million saving and $20 million savings if kept in place for a year.

The stations losing a basic life support rescue unit during off-peak hours are in Cahuenga Pass, Eagle Rock, Franklin Canyon, Granada Hills, Porter Ranch, South El Sereno, Sunland, Terminal Island, West Hills and Wilmington.

Fire officials say daytime operations account for 60% of the calls -- and that the remaining 40% of calls would have to be shifted to nearby stations overnight.

Pat McOsker, president of United Firefighters of Los Angeles City Local 112, said the city already has fewer basic life support ambulances operating this fiscal year than last.

LA Times: "According to Battalion Chief Patrick Butler, the city has 127 ambulances -- 89 are advanced life-support ambulances staffed by two paramedics who respond to critical emergencies such as heart attacks and 38 are basic life-support units manned by two firefighters trained as emergency medical technicians who handle less serious injuries such as sprained ankles or broken fingers."

Because of this year's budget cuts, six of the basic life-support units are out of operation daily in varying locations around the city.

Council members have asked city analysts to explore other money-saving options, including reassigning 57 firefighters who aide battalion chiefs at emergency scenes and coordinate firefighter staffing.

Though the ambulance proposal will come back for consideration within a few weeks, some council members signaled that they are unlikely to support cuts under any circumstances.

Westside Councilman Paul Koretz"There's nothing that can more directly affect whether someone lives or dies, among all the services in our entire budget, than ambulance and paramedic services."

GRANT PROGRAM TO PROVIDE $667,553 TO PENNSYLVANIANS FIGHTING WILDFIRES: DEADLINE MAY 20
Originally Posted: March 9, 2010 1:01 PM
Last Updated: March 9, 2010 1:01 PM

The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (Harrisburg, PA) is awarding $667,000 in grants to help Pennsylvania's rural communities guard against the threat of fires in forested, undeveloped and unprotected areas.

Bureau of Forestry Director Daniel Devlin: "Although some areas may still have some snow on the ground, changing weather conditions can quickly usher in wildfire dangers that emphasize the value of having well-trained and well-equipped local firefighting forces in rural areas. These men and women deserve nothing but the very best training and equipment these grants help achieve."

A total of $666,553 is being made available to Pennsylvania volunteers IN 2010. In 2009, grants totaling $559,200 helped almost 200 fire companies across the state. The grant program has awarded more than $8.1 million since it began in 1982.

Grants and other assistance are offered annually through DCNR's Bureau of Forestry, with funding supplied by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service through the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978.

Devlin: "Drying winds and warming temperatures make spring a very busy season for the Bureau of Forestry – the state agency responsible for protecting our state woodlands from fire. These grants help to provide better organization, training and equipment to our local firefighting allies in rural areas.

Devlin: "The threat of wildfires continues to loom in our state's 17 million acres of woodlands as development encroaches upon large, forested tracts. The number of homes and communities in Pennsylvania's wooded and rural areas continues to grow each year, as does the threat of wildfires. That's why we need citizens to do their part by following local outdoor burning ordinances and to avoid discarding lit cigars and cigarettes."

The Bureau of Forestry began accepting grant applications March 1, 2010. All applications must be received at the Bureau of Forestry's Harrisburg headquarters by 4 p.m. Thursday, May 20.

To expedite application and decision-making processes, the bureau is accepting only online applications. Applicants should visit www.dcnr.state.pa.us; click on "Apply for Grants;" then "Online Grant Applications" and "DCNR Volunteer Fire Assistance."

In reviewing applications, the bureau will place priority on those requests seeking funds for projects that include the purchase of wildfire suppression equipment and protective clothing.

Grants also may be used for purchasing mobile or portable radios, installing dry hydrants, wildfire prevention and mitigation work, training wildfire fighters, or converting and maintaining federal excess vehicles. These vehicles are presented to the local departments exhibiting the greatest needs and that commit to outfitting them for fire suppression.

Aid is granted on a cost-share basis. Grants for any project during a fiscal year cannot exceed 50 percent of the actual expenditures of local, public and private nonprofit organizations in the agreement.

The maximum grant that will be considered from any fire company in 2010 is $7,500. All items approved for purchase under the 2010 fiscal year program must be purchased between Oct. 1, 2009, and Dec. 31, 2010.

MORE INFO? Division of Forest Fire Protection at (717) 787-2925 raffp@state.pa.us or www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/ffp/index.aspx.
Terry Brady, 717-772-9101

WOMEN AS EMTS AND FIREFIGHTERS EARN NATIONAL RECOGNITION
Originally Posted: March 5, 2010 11:27 AM
Last Updated: March 5, 2010 11:27 AM

Since 1981, USA has recognized March to celebrate the contributions made by all women. Many women serve in fire and emergency medical services (EMS) organizations as firefighters and emergency medical technicians.

The US Fire Administrator said the quality and richness of our honorable profession has been truly enhanced by women. Their contributions to our previously male-dominated industry have been transforming and compelling in departments and communities across this nation. The Administrator says that the fire service is a better service provider today in part because of the many women who have heard this special calling to serve their communities.

Highly trained women are engaged in firefighting, EMS and many special operations as valued participants standing elbow-to-elbow alongside their fellow crew members. Women serving as company and chief fire officers make significant life safety contributions to local departments, state and national fire service associations, and federal fire and emergency management organizations as proven leaders and forward thinking managers.

MORE INFO? www.womenshistorymonth.gov

CONTINENTAL TIRES OFFERED FOR FIRE, RESCUE, AMBULANCE
Originally Posted: March 5, 2010 11:15 AM
Last Updated: March 5, 2010 11:15 AM

Tire speed ratings are an important consideration for fire and rescue, ambulance and other emergency service customers.

Continental Tire the Americas, Fort Mill, South Carolina) will supply the original equipment truck tires for Ram medium-duty Chassis Cab trucks starting in 2010 with 2011 model year trucks.

Chrysler Group says all new Ram 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cab trucks will be equipped with Continental's 225/70R19.5 tires.

Tom Fanning, Director of Original Equipment: "Continental Tires were chosen because they give Ram 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cab trucks a competitive advantage, offering a class-exclusive N speed rating (87 mph). Ram executives have told it is superior to the M speed rating (81 mph) of the competition's tire."

The HSR has 16/32" all-position tread pattern provides long mileage in regional and local service.

Other features include a protective scuff rib, a closed-shoulder tread pattern to promote even wear, and an aggressive tread design that promotes stability and increases wet traction. The HDR is a multi-purpose drive tire rated for load range G with 18/32" of tread depth. It features a multi-service tread compound for local and long-haul service, and offset center tread blocks that provide excellent all-weather traction.

Fanning: "Drivers of medium and heavy-duty trucks throughout North America have seen for years that the HSR and HDR tires meet their needs for reliability and fuel economy. Today we're happy to announce that we'll provide our tires to even more customers in the future, with this new fitment on the Ram Chassis Cab."

Continental employs 134,500 in 46 countries.

MORE INFO? Google: Continental Tire the Americas, LLC

ELEVEN RESIDENTIAL FIRES ON A SINGLE DAY: MARCH 4, 2010
Originally Posted: March 5, 2010 11:00 AM
Last Updated: March 5, 2010 11:00 AM

Thursday, March 4, 2010
3 dead

Baltimore, MD – Three people were killed in a home fire. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
2 dead

Holmdel, NJ (New York, NY) – A man and women were killed in a home fire. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
1 dead

Pearland, TX (Houston, TX) – A person was killed in a home fire. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
1 dead

Wellsburg, WV (Wheeling, WV – Steubenville, OH) – A 40-year-old man was killed in a home fire. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
1 dead

St. George, UT (Salt Lake City, UT) – A 55-year-old man was killed in a home fire. The fire was caused by careless smoking.
1 dead

Muskogee, OK (Tulsa, OK) – A 67-year-old woman was killed in a home fire. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
1 dead

Hemet, CA (Palm Springs, CA) – A person was killed in a home fire. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
1 dead

Hyattsville, MD (Washington, DC) – On Wednesday, 3/3, a 39-year-old man succumbed to injuries sustained in a home fire that occurred on Friday, 2/26. The fire was caused by an overloaded extension cord powering a space heater.

FEDERAL SIGNAL NAMES DAVID JANEK AS PRESIDENT OF SAFETY AND SECURITY
Originally Posted: March 5, 2010 10:46 AM
Last Updated: March 5, 2010 10:46 AM

Federal Signal Corporation (Oak Brook, Illinois), names David Janek President of its Safety and Security Systems Group effective March 1, 2010.

Janek will be responsible for law enforcement, communications, safety and security products by Federal Signal. He reports to William H. Osborne, President and Chief Executive Officer of Federal Signal Corporation.

Osborne: "Dave is strongly committed to growing our safety and security businesses in addition to maintaining our focus on product innovation and customer satisfaction."

Janek joined Federal Signal in 2002 as the Vice President of Finance for the Safety and Security Systems Group. In 2006, he was promoted to Vice President and Treasurer of Federal Signal Corporation and in 2008 he became Vice President and Corporate Controller for the Company. He holds a Master's of Management Degree from Northwestern University and a Bachelor's of Accountancy Degree from the University of Illinois.

Chad Pisha, who currently serves as the Assistant Controller, will serve as the interim Corporate Controller, and William Barker, who currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer, will serve as the Chief Accounting Officer.

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

MORE INFO www.federalsignal.com

OPPS! CHILE EARTHQUAKE HAS CHANGED EARTH'S AXIS AND SPOT IN SPACE
Originally Posted: March 4, 2010 8:06 PM
Last Updated: March 4, 2010 8:06 PM

microsecond is one millionth of a second).

Computers, air flights, ship communications, and solar calculations may all be affected.

Gross calculates the quake should have moved Earth's figure axis (the axis about which Earth's mass is balanced) by 2.7 milliarcseconds (about 8 centimeters, or 3 inches). Earth's figure axis is not the same as its north-south axis; they are offset by about 10 meters (about 33 feet).

By comparison, Gross said the same model estimated the 2004 magnitude 9.1 Sumatran earthquake should have shortened the length of day by 6.8 microseconds and shifted Earth's axis by 2.32 milliarcseconds (about 7 centimeters, or 2.76 inches).

The Chilean earthquake is much smaller than the Sumatran quake. Unlike the 2004 Sumatran earthquake, which was located near the equator, the 2010 Chilean earthquake was located in Earth's mid-latitudes, which makes it more effective in shifting Earth's figure axis. Second, the fault responsible for the 2010 Chiliean earthquake dips into Earth at a slightly steeper angle than does the fault responsible for the 2004 Sumatran earthquake. This makes the Chile fault more effective in moving Earth's mass vertically and hence more effective in shifting Earth's figure axis.

BEING PREPARED FOR A WIDESPREAD CATASTROPHIC DISASTER
Originally Posted: March 2, 2010 6:00 PM
Last Updated: March 2, 2010 6:00 PM

NEEDA Executive Director Kenton Pattie has participated in several
simulated national disasters sponsored by a division of the US Chamber of
Commerce -- how to restore business and public services in a huge national emergency! Pattie: "Crucial that we make preparedness a routine part of our business."

FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, Deputy Administrator Tim Manning, and Associate Administrator Bill Carwile joined representatives from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Weather Service, Swedish emergency management agencies, and representatives from the European Commission, for a workshop in Boulder, Colorado. to discuss preparedness in the event of a widespread catastrophic disaster.

Administrator Fugate: “Emergency management is a team effort, and never is that more true than when you’re working across international lines.
This week’s workshop provided an opportunity to strengthen partnerships and improve lines of communication so we can better respond to large scale emergencies. Disasters don’t recognize borders, so working together is crucial for keeping both Americans and people around the world safe.”

In addition to sharing ideas and best practices, the workshop included discussions designed to improve response plans for space-weather incidents that could disrupt communications networks and other infrastructure in the United States and Europe.

Tom Bogdan, Director of NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center: “Governments around the world all have a stake in preparing for a geomagnetic event. NOAA — the nation’s official source for space weather watches and warnings — is thrilled to partner with FEMA and our European counterparts to ensure our readiness.”

MORE INFO? www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=50500.

LETTER FROM NEEDA AND ALLIES GOES TO US HOUSE AND SENATE FOR REPEAL OF THE LAW WHICH TAKES 3% AWAY OF DEALER INCOME & UNDERMINES DEALER PROFITABILITY
Originally Posted: March 2, 2010 5:28 PM
Last Updated: March 2, 2010 5:34 PM

Have you written your US Representative and US Senator about the danger to your company the 3% law poses? To kill the 3% take-away repeal of Section 511 by Congress is needed. As you can see, NEEDA is the only fire trade association fighting for repeal. We need your support. Kenton Pattie
KentonP1@aol.com

March 2, 2010

The Honorable Nancy Pelosi
Speaker
The Honorable John Boehner
Minority Leader
U.S. House of Representatives U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515 Washington, DC 20515

Dear Speaker Pelosi and Leader Boehner:

The Government Withholding Relief Coalition and its member organizations strongly urge you to repeal the 3% tax withholding law this year. This law, which was enacted in Section 511 of the Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-222), mandates that federal, state, and local governments withhold 3% of nearly all of their contract payments, Medicare payments, farm payments, and certain grants.

Compliance with this law will impose significant, unnecessary financial burdens on both the public and private sectors, and the Coalition stands ready to work with you to improve tax compliance for companies receiving federal dollars while also repealing the onerous 3% withholding law.

The Administration recently proposed two such methods which obviate any rationale or need for retaining the withholding mandate and will be far more cost-effective for the government. On January 20, 2010, the Administration released a memo requiring the Internal Revenue Service to review the certifications of non-delinquency in taxes that are required on all federal contracts. In addition, the Office of Management and Budget, working with other agencies, is to develop recommendations to prevent companies with
serious tax delinquencies from receiving contracts and to make contractor certifications more easily available.

Also, included in the Department of the Treasury’s Green Book (page 101) that was released with the President’s Budget is a proposal to allow information reporting on federal non-wage government payments. This proposal would enhance transparency and therefore increase tax compliance without
imposing an enormous burden on the government sector.

These two proposals directly address the real concern about companies not paying legitimate taxes and still receiving federal monies, and they are a much better approach than the costly, broad brush mandate
of the 3% withholding law. The withholding is already proving costly, and such costs will increase exponentially as the implementation deadline moves closer. While this requirement is not scheduled to go into effect until January 1, 2012, businesses and governmental entities are spending funds now in
preparation for implementation due to major system and regulatory changes that have to be made well in advance of 2012. As an example, the Department of Defense estimated in a 2008 report that it will cost the Department more than $17 billion in the first five years to comply with the 3% withholding
requirement. While only a small portion of total compliance costs for all levels of government, it nonetheless far exceeds any projected revenue gains from increases in tax compliance.

Moreover, imposition of this requirement comes at a time when neither the public nor private sector can afford to be burdened with unnecessary costs at the expense of providing government services and investing in jobs.
We strongly believe that private entities providing goods and services to the government should comply with federal, state, and local tax requirements—companies that do not comply have an unfair competitive advantage over law-abiding contractors that pay their taxes. However, withholding on government
payments is not the answer. We believe there can be a more reasonable approach that ensures tax compliance, but does not place undue burden on companies or federal, state, and local government agencies.

The Coalition believes that the concepts in the Administration’s new directive and budget proposal described above represent a more measured, responsible approach to accomplishing the aims of the 3% withholding law without the enormously costly and resource-intensive efforts necessary to comply with
it. We look forward to being an active partner and contributor to developing a cost-effective means to increase tax compliance and repeal the 3% tax withholding law.

Sincerely, Government Withholding Relief Coalition

Aeronautical Repair Station Association
Aerospace Industries Association
Air Conditioning Contractors of America
Air Transport Association
America's Health Insurance Plans
American Bankers Association
American Clinical Laboratory Association
American Concrete Pressure Pipe Association
American Congress on Surveying and Mapping
American Council of Engineering Companies
American Farm Bureau Federation
American Heath Care Association
American Institute of Architects
American Logistics Association
American Moving and Storage Association
American Nursery and Landscape Association American Road & Transportation Builders Association
American Shipbuilding Association
American Society of Civil Engineers
American Subcontractors Association
American Supply Association
American Traffic Safety Services Association
American Trucking Associations
Armed Forces Marketing Council
Associated Builders and Contractors
Associated Equipment Distributors
Association of National Account Executives
Coalition for Government Procurement
Colorado Motor Carriers Association
Computing Technology Industry Association
Construction Contractors Association
Construction Industry Round Table
Construction Management Association of America
Design Professionals Coalition
Edison Electric Institute
Electronic Security Association
Engineering & Utility Contractors Association
Federation of American Hospitals
Financial Executives International's Committee on Government Business
Financial Executives International's Committee on Taxation
Finishing Contractors Association
Gold Coast Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Government Finance Officers Association
Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc
International Council of Employers of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers
International Foodservice Distributors Association
International Municipal Lawyers Association
Management Association for Private Photogrammetric Surveyors
Mason Contractors Association of America
Mechanical Contractors Association of America
Medical Group Management Association
Messenger Courier Association of the Americas
Miami Dade County
Modular Building Institute
National Association for Self-Employed
National Association of Counties
National Association of Credit Management
National Association of Manufacturers
National Association of Minority Contractors
National Association of State Procurement Officials
National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors
National Beer Wholesalers Association
National Defense Industrial Association
National Electrical Contractors Association
National Electrical Manufacturers Association
National Emergency Equipment Dealers Association (NEEDA)
National Federation of Independent Business
National Institute of Governmental Purchasing
National Italian-American Business Association
National League of Cities
National Precast Concrete Association
National Office Products Alliance
National Roofing Contractors Association
National Small Business Association
National Society of Professional Engineers
National Society of Professional Surveyors
National Utility Contractors Association
National Wooden Pallet and Container Association
North-American Association of Uniform Manufacturers & Distributors
North Coast Builders Exchange
Office Furniture Dealers Alliance
Oregon Trucking Association
Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors - National Association
Printing Industries of America
Professional Services Council
Regional Legislative Alliance of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties
Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce
Security Industry Association
Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors National Association, Inc.
Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council
Small Business Legislative Council
TechAmerica
Textile Rental Services Association of America The Associated General Contractors of America
The Association of Union Constructors
The Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S.
The Financial Services Roundtable
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
United States Telecom Association
Veterans Entrepreneurship Task Force
Women Impacting Public Policy

MORE INFO? www.WithholdingRelief.com

OBAMA ADMINISTRATION PLANNING NEW RULES FOR CONTRACTORS AND DEALERS WHO SELL TO GOVERNMENT BUYERS: SEN. SUSAN COLLINS QUESTIONS PLAN
Originally Posted: March 2, 2010 12:39 PM
Last Updated: March 2, 2010 12:39 PM

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

(I’d like your opinion of this subject. Read this then write me KentonP1@aol.com)

The Obama Administration is considering a policy that gives preference to government contractors and their dealers who adopt labor practices “over and above those required by law.”

To sell to a Federal buyer a company would need to prove that it and its dealers pay such things as a “living wage” to their combined workforce, plus affordable health insurance, an employer-funded retirement plan, and paid sick days. The plan could also affect sales to state governments, all of which receive and spend huge amounts of Federal money.

US grant funds which go to local fire departments may carry a new restriction dictating Federal standards for how dealers run their businesses.

The Obama Administration would favor contractors that meet its "high road" conditions and that the US Labor Department would be charged with evaluating every contractor on a new set of standards (vs. the value of the product, price, and service).

The details come from the Center for American Progress and the Service Employees International Union. Federal contracting officers would take into account manufacturers and dealers facing allegations, violations, taxes unpaid, environmental standards challenges as well as wages, work conditions and much more.

Contractors and dealers could be denied federal contracts based on mere allegations or technical violations without due process.

The “High Road Contracting Policy” is the White House’s attempt to get economic growth through procurement reform. For example, the proposal would advantage contractors that provide hourly workers with a “living wage”, health insurance, an employer-funded retirement plan, and paid sick days.

In considering a bid or proposal, contracting officers would weigh a company’s labor policies as criteria for awarding the contract, along with price, past performance and the ability to meet the contract’s requirements.

The US Department of Labor would study the labor records of all federal contractors and their dealers, giving the department a “yes” or “no” on who can sell to a Federal agency.

Professional Services Council Vice President Alan Chvotkin: Such an arrangement would effectively make the US Department of Labor the gatekeeper to the $523 billion federal market.

Supporters of the plan say companies that employ better labor practices are inherently at a disadvantage without such regulations.

A proponent of the plan says: “We think labor practices should also be factored in as they have very important consequences. Employees who are not treated as well aren’t going to do as good a job. Also, they exact a cost on society through things like public assistance and food stamps. We think that should be considered when awarding a contract.”

Two US laws already apply to hourly workers working for federal contractors: the Davis-Bacon Act for construction and the Services Contract Act for companies providing services. These laws set prevailing wage for hourly workers on federal contracts.

The new Federal plan would probably raise the price tag on federal contracts while keeping some companies from competing. Small, family owned and non-union businesses probably would not bid, feeling that the odds are stacked against them.

Republican Senator Susan Collins (R) of Maine sent a letter to Obama's Office of Management and Budget Director Peter Orszag requesting a briefing on the potential changes and outlining the potential negative effects of the proposed policies. The Collins letter is co-signed by Republicans Senators. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, Robert Bennett of Utah, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Maine’s Olympia Snowe.

Collins: “We are concerned that the imposition of these requirements, during a time of significant economic turmoil in the private sector and tight federal budgets, could have serious, negative consequences, especially for our nation’s small businesses. Moreover, injecting such an arbitrary variable could jeopardize the integrity of the federal competitive source selection process.”

If implemented, the government could easily establish a database that would contain information on all the labor violations and lawsuits against federal contractors and their dealers, which would be used when evaluating bids and proposals.

Proponents of the new law say companies and their dealers should also be evaluated on such things as their compliance with labor laws and their treatment of female and minority employees and their treatment of the environment.

TRAIN HITS LADDER TRUCK: FIRE TRUCK WAS HELPING WITH EARLIER CAR CRASH
Originally Posted: March 1, 2010 3:58 PM
Last Updated: March 1, 2010 4:03 PM

The Associated Press reports March 1, 2010 a "Chicago-bound Amtrak train with 76 people aboard has slammed into a fire ladder truck that was stopped on the tracks in southwest Detroit, causing minor injuries to several people."

Executive Fire Commissioner James Mack told AP the ladder truck was hit as the driver tried to move it. He says the truck and a police car were there helping a family involved in an earlier crash.

Mack says a firefighter had minor injuries.

Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari says 72 passengers and at least four crew members were aboard the train. Several people sought treatment for minor injuries.

November 4, 2009 A Metrolink train hit a stalled pickup truck 6:45AM causing several delays on its Orange County, southern California line trains.

The accident occurred near Rosecrans Avenue and Marquardt Avenue, said Metrolink spokeswoman Angela Starr. A Chevy truck was traveling northbound on Marquardt and making a left turn onto Rosecrans when the vehicle stalled, she said.

The driver escaped without in

CHAMBER EXPERT ON RESPONSE TO HUGE DISASTERS OFFERS SIX IDEAS LOWER VULNERABILITY NOW RATHER THAN WAIT FOR THE NEXT DISASTER
Originally Posted: March 1, 2010 3:08 PM
Last Updated: March 1, 2010 3:08 PM

By Stephen Jordan, Business Civic Leadership Council
US Chamber of Commerce

(NEEDA Executive Director Kenton Pattie attends BCLC simulations
of large emergency incidents in the US.)

"Not Again"

As the BCLC team continues to gather information about the Chilean Earthquake, the words "not again" keep repeating themselves.

Ines Pearce, who manages BCLC's 1-888-MY-BIZ-HELP disaster hotline reports that:

"More than 2 million were impacted by the 8.8M Chile earthquake. The death toll has risen to 708, and the government is estimating 400,000-500,000 residences damaged.

"The capital of Santiago (200 miles away) lost electricity and basic services, including water and telephones. Chilean President Michelle Bachelet said 2 regional hospitals had suffered damage; some were evacuated. Other public institutions also were affected. A major bridge connecting northern and southern Chile was rendered inoperable, and the Santiago airport terminal was heavily damaged.

"Chilean television showed severely damaged buildings in Concepcion (60 miles away with a population of 200,000), in coastal central Chile. Videos showed roads that were destroyed and impassable. Four field hospitals were being set up and tanker trucks full of fresh water began circulating in areas that had lost access to clean water within 24 hours after the earthquake.

"The 8.8 Chilean earthquake is 700-800 times stronger than the 7.0 Haiti earthquake on January 12 that left over 200,000 killed and a million homeless. Chile, however, has a history of major earthquakes and preparing for them. It helped that Chile's quake was 21 miles deep versus Haiti's shallow 8 miles, which increased shaking.

"This earthquake did strike a blow to one of Latin America's most stable economies. Chile has received many offers of international aid, and will accept the help that it needs. Chilean President Bachelet said, "This will take a great effort from all sectors, public and private."

"We are also connecting with the Salvation Army, InterAction, Red Cross, Pan-American Development Foundation, the State Department, USAID, the American Chamber in Chile, the Association of American Chambers of Commerce in Latin America and other key organizations and will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as we get them.

"The silver lining is that Chile has invested in resilience for the last twenty years, and it has developed. At over $14,600 per capita, it is the wealthiest country in South America. It has invested in infrastructure and better designed buildings with higher quality building materials. All of these factors helped lessen the impact of a particularly severe earthquake."

In light of what is happening in Chile, the Haiti earthquake, and previous disasters, continuous improvement in humanitarian assistance, disaster recovery, and community development practices at the local, national, regional, and global levels will save lives and minimize damages.

Mary Wong, the president of the Office Depot Foundation and the co-chair of our Disaster Assistance and Recovery working group has long advocated for a re-think of all of these issues. One of my favorite sayings of hers is that "we need to make different mistakes" than what we've made in the past. We can't keep repeating our current approach and expect different results. So herewith are a few ideas about how we might change our approach to humanitarian assistance, recovery, and development.

1.) Let's invest in an ounce of prevention. In many parts of the U.S. and around the world, infrastructure is growing increasingly obsolete and needs to be refurbished and rehabbed, and in some cases, redesigned or even moved.

A March 1 USA Today article reports that "in 2009, the American Society of Civil Engineers warned that 26% of the nation's bridges "are either structurally deficient or functionally obsolete." The engineers' report, based on Department of Transportation figures, showed that one in three urban bridges are either broken or obsolete, and suggested a $17 billion yearly shortfall in maintenance spending nationwide."

Stark examples such as the Bay Bridge collapse after the 1989 World Series earthquake or the 2007 Minnesota I-35 bridge collapse show how important infrastructure sustainability is for human lives.

But this requires that we fundamentally change our culture to reward prudence instead of urgency. The Mobile Chamber commissioned a sustainability study for Mobile Bay, but funders got sticker shock over a $3 million design price tag and potential millions more in infrastructure upgrades. This is so much cheaper than having to spend billions to pick up the pieces after the fact, but right now, crises are an easier sell.

Better planning, design, and infrastructure improvements not only save lives, they reduce risk, and increase the economic attractiveness of any location.

2.) We need to do a much better job of mapping out who is doing what, where, and how. In Haiti there are apparently more nonprofit organizations operating per capita than anywhere else in the world this side of India. Companies are constantly asking us about the competencies of various nonprofits, and exactly what geographies they are covering. Companies also want to know what development agencies are funding, what other companies are doing, and how all of this plays into what the political authorities want to do.

Better mapping would increase the efficiency of the allocation of resources. It would help to identify "overlaps" where multiple agencies are funding similar or duplicative projects and "gaps" where populations with extreme needs are being underserved. It would increase accountability, transparency, and our capacity to evaluate progress.

BCLC is working with InterAction to explore ways to improve mapping for Haiti, and we would like to encourage any companies that are interested in supporting this effort to let us know.

3.) We need to increase our capacity to coordinate with each other, not just post-disaster, but during "peace time" as well. We need to increase the adaptive capacity of cities, regions, and international support systems.

We have to break down silos and understand how different systems fit with each other. In Port-au-Prince, housing can't be fixed without debris removal, debris removal can't be done well without environmental and geological studies. These studies can't be done well without good communications systems, communications systems can't be done well without transportation systems. In short, there are about 18 systems that are interdependent and need to be networked, and each one of these systems has sub-systems, too.

A 'network of networks" begins with a Joint Coordinating Center. BCLC is working with a number of public, private, and NGO agencies to explore the feasibility of setting up something like this for the Gulf Coast, the Caribbean, and Latin America in Miami. We believe that local, state, regional, and hemisphere-wide assistance, recovery and development efforts need to be linked together more efficiently so that they can support each other better. After all, we are all on the same team, right?

4.) We need to move from cash to competency. I would be a millionaire if I had ten dollars for every time that government agencies and non-governmental organizations asked companies for cash, and not products or services. And companies respond to this appeal, according to BCLC records. On average, 75% of their contributions to disasters are cash.

But the truth is that this approach leaves on the table some of the most valuable contributions that companies can make. Logistics companies are experts at moving goods from point A to point B. If CNN is reporting that medical supplies are bottlenecked at the airport and not reaching the field, why not ask UPS or FedEx to donate a logistics team for a week or two to sort out the traffic problems? If the airport is damaged why not ask one of the 53 airport engineering firms in the U.S. to send a team of volunteers to study how to fix it as effectively as possible?

Companies tell us that they often get involved in humanitarian issues because their employees want them to. If we had a "BusinessCorps" similar in concept to the Peace Corps or Americorps, to deploy employees to solve problems within their competencies, it could go a long way toward addressing design, training, and technical assistance challenges. Groups like SCORE, Executives without Borders, and others are moving down this path. We need to strengthen this functionality to accelerate recovery.

5.) We need to create more of a buddy system. After 9/11, more than 500 local chambers joined the Manhattan Chamber. After Katrina, local chambers in the Gulf Coast were adopted by their counterparts from Malibu to Maryland. Many Haitian small businesses are going to be struggling to get off the ground now. Many NGOs and other organizations are going to be looking for ongoing support of one kind or another.

BCLC has run "adopt a business" programs in the past, and supported the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives "adopt a chamber" program. It would be good to continue to strengthen these programs, and to add an "adopt an NGO" component, building on some of the work that Booz Allen Hamilton and Accenture have done in the past to strengthen NGO capacity.

6.) Finally, we need to think about long-term resilience. This current approach of responding massively to crises and ignoring issues in between is not working humanely, financially, or operationally.

Disasters have a tendency to magnify everything. New Orleans had serious dysfunctions before Katrina, just as we know that Detroit does now. We know that southern Florida has issues that make some of its population particularly vulnerable if a hurricane were to strike. BCLC has organized enough scenario workshops by now, that it has become pretty clear that almost every part of the country has its vulnerabilities and need critical infrastructure systems upgrades. Other countries have them too.

Countries like China, Japan, and Germany are increasingly investing in infrastructure systems - broadband, water, sewage, transportation, energy and the like as integrated elements of their future development. Is there any doubt that this will make them safer and more resilient in the long-term and contribute to their future prosperity?

Businesses, as subject matter experts, R&D investors, site selection decision-makers, innovative implementers, and supply chain creators have to have a seat at the assistance, recovery, and development table, and not just be seen as philanthropic bystanders to be tapped in times of emergency.

Strengthening resilience, sustainability, adaptive capacity or whatever you want to call it not only will enable people to ride out extreme events with less damage, it will deliver many other social and economic benefits as well.

My hope is that by taking on some of these approaches we can reverse the current "as-is" model so we can not only save tens of thousands of lives, but millions of dollars in losses and billions in rebuilding.

An ancillary benefit to this is this potential equation: the more resilient the community, the sounder the economy; the sounder the economy, the larger the consumer base. How about we work toward this goal for the not-too-distant future: improved pre-planning, design and coordination to lessen disasters and their impacts on communities, countries, and economies?