Firefighters move up in chain of access to defense property
Under an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Bill for Fiscal Year (FY) 2005, sponsored by Congressman Curt Weldon (R-PA), firefighters will have the same standing as law enforcement, defense contractors, and other defense-related organizations when reviewing and obtaining excess defense property under the Federal Excess Property Program (FEPP). The program is administered by the U.S. Forest Service.
Under the program, excess defense property no longer needed by the four military branches is made available to 12 organizations that include defense contractors, law enforcement, humanitarian assistance, civil air patrol, and military-related organizations or associations. After that, any federal department or agency can review the remaining items.
The Weldon Amendment would permit firefighters to screen property in the first tier with the defense-related organizations. Firefighters had this status in the FY 2001 National Defense Authorization Act, but the Department of Defense altered the screening process in April 2002, lowering firefighters to the last tier of property screening, where little property of value for firefighters’ use remains available.
This amendment is modeled after the Rural Fire Department Equipment Priority Act (H.R. 1311) introduced by Congressman Mike Ross (D-AR).
IAFC issues “Blue Ribbon Report on Volunteer Fire Service”
The Volunteer and Combination Officers Section of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) recently released its report A Call for Action—The Blue Ribbon Report: Preserving and Improving the Future of the Volunteer Fire Service. The report lists among its “Recommendations—A Call for Action” for the federal level the following: the advancement of a Congressional Resolution supporting the American Volunteer Firefighters Bill of Rights, creating an Office of Volunteer and Combination Fire Service within the Department of Homeland Security, and developing a grading system for evaluating local emergency response capability.
The report notes: “While volunteer firefighters and emergency workers provide a tremendous contribution to our country, they are often underfunded and ill-equipped.” It cites as examples under Lack of Resources the following:
- About 15,500 fire stations (32 percent) are at least 40 years old, and 27,500 (57 percent) have no backup electrical power.
- An estimated 60 to 75 percent of fire departments have too few fire stations to meet maximum response distance guidelines promulgated by the Insurance Services Office.
- About half of all fire engines are at least 15 years old, and more than one-third are more than 20 years old.
- One-third of firefighters per response are not equipped with self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), and nearly half of SCBA units are at least 10 years old.
In addition, numerous other inadequacies in areas of personal protective equipment, communications equipment, training, and specialty areas are cited.
The report notes the difficulties volunteer departments have retaining volunteers and the problems they experience because of poor leadership. However, the report says that the ineffective management can in part be attributed to the lack of programs at the local, state, and national levels to assist fire chiefs and volunteer managers in acquiring the knowledge and skills needed to be effective managers.
The IAFC outlines recommendations that can enhance the role of the volunteer fire service in “its partnership with all facets of homeland security response and as the first line of defense within local communities.” The recommendations are broken down into the local, state, and federal levels. Locally, the reports says, there should be support; appropriate funding for necessary safety gear and training; strategic planning that emphasizes volunteer retention; use of mutual aid; use of uniform incident management systems; and use of performance measurements to analyze response times, firefighting effectiveness, training, and retention rates of volunteer fire departments.
At the state level, government should develop and promote disaster planning, certify fire and emergency medical service personnel to comply with basic training standards, promote regional service delivery where local capabilities and technical expertise are weak, and provide statewide volunteer benefit programs to protect the firefighters and their employers from the risks associated with the volunteer fire service.
At the federal level, the report says the IAFC/volunteer service “must work to produce a national climate that encourages individuals to volunteer within their communities.” The report can be downloaded at http://www.iafc.org/downloads/VCOS_whitepaper.pdf/.
Opposition to redirecting state bioterrorism preparedness funds mounts
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is proposing taking $55 million from state projects to help prepare 21 cities for bioterrorism attacks under the “Cities Readiness Initiative.” Under this program, U.S. postal workers would help deliver antibiotics or antidotes within 48 hours of a biological attack to 21 major cities, including the District of Columbia. In addition to paying for the training of letter carriers, the redirected money would be used to install sophisticated disease surveillance equipment, purchase vaccines, and build new quarantine stations at U.S. airports. (Ceci Connolly, Washington Post, May 21, 2004; A23)
The American Public Health Association (APHA) opposes the redirection of funds. George C. Benjamin, MD, FACP, executive director of the APHA, acknowledged that rapid improvement in areas of vulnerability is needed; however, he said that new funds should be invested to meet those needs. Benjamin noted that similar money-shifting policies in the past “have bedeviled public health for decades.”
In addition to these proposed cuts, the Bush Administration’s fiscal year 2005 budget request cuts public health preparedness for state and local governments by more than $105 million.
The National Governors Association (NGA) also has voiced concern and displeasure with the cutting proposal, calling it “a threat to states’ ongoing homeland security efforts.”
In a May 19 letter, North Dakota Gov. John Hoeven, the chair of NGA’s Health and Human Services (HHS) Committee, and Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, the committee vice chair, urged HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson to reconsider his plan to reduce or redirect the already appropriated federal funds for fiscal years 2002, 2003, and 2004. They say “reneging on the funding commitment would threaten critical efforts aimed at strengthening bioterrorism preparedness capability and capacity in state public health systems across the country.” More information is available at http:// www.apha.org.
NYC adopts citywide incident management system
The Citywide Incident Management System (CIMS) recently adopted by New York City provides an all-hazards framework for emergency responders to enhance interagency decision making and communication, establish a common management structure, and provide for a joint after-action review process. The objectives include enhancing and formalizing the existing response system, acknowledging the potential for terrorism in emergencies, and ensuring interoperability with federal standards and requirements. A comprehensive training program that will ensure responders know and perform their roles and responsibilities under the CIMS is planned.
Largely based on the national incident command model, CIMS establishes a common understanding of roles, responsibilities, and terminology. The protocol also includes a unified and single command matrix. The CIMS gives agencies the authority to manage those parts of the operation related to their core competencies; this includes giving tactical direction to other agencies performing operations within that competency.
As examples, fire department core competencies include fire suppression; patient care and transport; search and rescue; chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear (CBRN)/haz-mat life safety; and mass decontamination. Police department core competencies include crime scene investigation, evidence preservation, perimeter control, site management and security, crowd control, traffic control, CBRN/haz-mat assessment and investigation into potential criminality or terrorism, evacuation, and water search and rescue.
Like the national system, the CIMS calls for an incident commander or a unified command section supported by the four major sections of Operations, Planning, Logistics, and Finance/Administration, each headed by a section chief. The Operations Section would manage the tactical operations. During the most complex incidents, which require a unified command structure, the CIMS envisions two or more deputy operations section chiefs (a senior officer each from the city’s fire department and police department, and other agencies as appropriate), each having authority to manage the areas of operation that fall within their core competencies.
The protocol also addresses the transition of command. Regardless of the command matrix, life safety operations are the highest priority and will be initiated by the first arriving responders capable of performing rescue. Those operations will not be disrupted or suspended because of transition of command to other agencies.
Additionally, the system allows for a criminal investigation to begin concurrent with life safety operations, with life safety taking priority. Following life-safety related operations, the incident will transition to allow for investigation to take priority. Recovery operations will begin only after investigative authorities permit it.
This plan has met with tremendous opposition and criticism from firefighters unions, academics, and some emergency management professionals.
FAA to expedite process for inspection of air tankers
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will work with the U.S. Forest Service to develop a system for inspecting the airworthiness of the U.S. Forest Service firefighting air tanker fleet. The agreement came in a meeting at press time with representatives of the House Forests and Forest Health Subcommittee. The meeting grew out of lawmakers’ concern over the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s decision to ground the entire air tanker fleet at the beginning of the wildfire season.
The Forest Service grounded the tanker fleet after the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) found some problems with the process the agency used to ensure the airworthiness of some planes after its investigation of three air tanker crashes in the past decade. The NTSB does not have the regulatory authority to inspect and certify the planes, and the FAA is not required to certify contracted Forest Service aircraft.
FEMA releases recommendations for emergency response
The report “Responding to Incidents of National Consequence,” developed by the National Fire Programs Division of the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), includes recommendations for fire and emergency services based on the events of September 11, 2001, and similar incidents.
The report is based on information gathered from responders to the 9/11 terrorism incidents in New York, Virginia, and Pennsylvania; the 2001 anthrax incident in Boca Raton, Florida; the 2002 Winter Olympic preparations in the Salt Lake City area; and the Oklahoma City bombing. The report, which will be given to students enrolled in certain National Fire Academy courses, can be downloaded from www.usfa.fema.gov/ downloads/pdf/publications/fa-282.pdf/.
NFAAA meets at FDIC
The National Fire Academy Alumni Association (NFAAA) held it annual meeting during FDIC 2004 in Indianapolis in April. Dr. Denis Onieal, superintendent of the National Fire Academy, was the guest speaker. In existence eight years, the NFAAA has more than 12,000 members.
Chairman Ron Kanterman reported on his participation in the first Line of Duty Death Summit, hosted by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. The NFAAA, Kanterman noted, is very supportive of this initiative and will be bringing its members additional information and action items in the coming months.
Among other items on the meeting agenda were the following:
- The board of directors purchased a table for the Congressional Fire Services Institute’s (CFSI) dinner held in May. The $33 million NFA campus expansion was on the agenda. He emphasized the need for all members to write, e-mail, or phone members of Congress to urge them to restore the funding.
- Two directors participated in the NFA planning meeting for a national credentialing system for local responders, similar to the red card wildland program, for national emergencies.
- A scholarship, funded by Delmar Publishing, was awarded to a first-time NFA attendee. Members were urged to remember that scholarship funds are available and to inform others in their home regions. Forms and information are available at www.NFAAA.org.
In recognition of his tireless dedication to the NFAAA and his services as director, Kanterman was presented with a $500 Hyatt gift certificate.
Representatives from Delmar Publishing, which supports the Alumni Association financially through a $1-per-book donation on sales of the Firefighters Handbook, presented a check for $8,300.
Line-of-Duty Deaths
May 3. Captain Grady “Roy” Austin, 74, Henderson County Fire Department, Lexington, Tennessee: fell off the tailgate of a pickup truck (POV) during a training activity.
May 11. Firefighter Joseph Edward Boles, 58, West Area Volunteer Fire Department, Inc., Fayetteville, North Carolina: collapsed from an apparent heart attack while doing required station and apparatus maintenance; he was transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
May 13. Firefighter Jeffrey W. Howell, 42, Sharon Springs (NY) Fire Department: collapsed and died of a heart attack while pulling hose off an apparatus at a working residential fire.
May 13. Firefighter Randy Henderson, 42, U.S. Forest Service, USDA, Forest, Mississippi: collapsed and died from a cause still to be determined (possible heart attack) while working a fire line in the initial attack of a lightning-caused fire in the Osceola National Forest, Florida.
May 13. Chief Harry E. Suggs II, 28, Green Pond Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service, Woodstock, Alabama: died in his sleep from a cause still to be determined while attending an EMS conference.
May 14. Firefighter Michael Martin, 18,: Ebenezer Volunteer Fire Department, Belton, South Carolina: vehicle accident while responding to a medical call.
May 17. Firefighter/EMT Connie C. Bornman, 56, Middle River (MD) Volunteer Ambulance Rescue Company: became ill and died from a cause still to be determined, possible heart attack, while assisting a patient on a medical emergency call.
Source: National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Database, United States Fire Administration.
News Glimpses
Schaumburg, IL, passes high-rise sprinkler ordinance. The Schaumburg, Illinois, Village Board passed an ordinance that requires high-rise buildings to be retrofitted with fire sprinkler systems, according to the Northern Illinois Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board. Owners of high-rise buildings constructed before fire sprinklers were required in 1982 will have until June 2013 to retrofit their buildings. The owner must complete at least 20 percent of a building’s retrofit every year. A high-rise is defined as being taller than 75 feet. Fire Chief David Schumann said the fire at the Cook County Building last October, in which six people died, highlighted the need for safer buildings.
Responders file lawsuits related to Ground Zero toxins, illnesses. Firefighters and police officers have filed more than 1,700 lawsuits against the City of New York alleging that the toxins in the World Trade Center debris have caused illnesses and conditions such as cancer, asthma, respiratory disease, and other health problems, according to reports in local newspapers.
Eight receive NFPA-sponsored Harvard fellowships. The following have been awarded National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) fellowships to attend Harvard University’s Senior Executives in State and Local Government Program at the John F. Kennedy School of Government: Ruben D. Almaguer, Miami-Dade (FL) Fire Rescue Department; Paul J. Berardi, Kansas City (MO) Fire Department; Kim M. Berryman, Gainesville (FL) Fire Rescue; I. David Daniels, Fulton County (GA) Fire Department; Sandra K. Schiess, City of Independence (MO) Fire Department; August B. Schwarz, City of Hoboken (NJ) Division of Fire; Adam K. Thiel, Virginia Department of Fire Programs, Richmond, Va.; and Terry S. Welker, City of Clearwater (FL) Fire & Rescue. The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) United States Fire Administration (USFA), the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), and the International Fire Service Training Association (IFSTA) partnered with the NFPA in the 2004 program. The selection panel included representatives from the funding partners as well as a 2003 program Fellow.
IAFC’s Briese winner of James O. Page award. International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) Executive Director Garry L. Briese, CAE, was awarded the James O. Page Award for his years of support and service to the emergency medical services community. With more than 30 years of fire service experience and 19 years as the IAFC executive director, Briese has long championed the emergency medical services field. The award, sponsored by Medtronic-Physio Control, is presented to an individual who has played a key role in creating and/or promoting nonclinical innovation andachievements in fire service management. It is named for James O. Page, who has been a visionary and national leader in fire service EMS for more than three decades.
Cats starts house fire. Liberal (KS) Fire Department investigators said cats started a fire while the occupants were on vacation. The two cats apparently jumped on the stove and ignited a burner by stepping on a pushbutton. Material on the stove caught fire. The flames spread to other areas of the kitchen; smoke filled the house. The fire apparently burned unnoticed for some time. The cats survived the fire and were treated at an animal hospital. AP, www.chicagotribune.com, May 21, 2004
Firefighters use foam to remove bees from pumper. When Wood River (IL) Fire Department returned to their pumper after inspecting a local restaurant, they found thousands of bees had landed on the hosebed. They moved the truck to the nearby parking lot of a tool company, hosed the bees off the truck with chemical foam, and put the apparatus back in service. Firefighters donned their turnout gear for protection. The Telegraph/John Badman, http://www.zwire.com, May 18, 2004
NFPA 1600 recommended as the national preparedness standard. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has recommended to the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks upon the United States that National Fire ProtectioAssociation (NFPA) 1600, Standard on Disaster/Emergency Management and Business Continuity Programs, be recognized as the national preparedness standard. NFPA 1600, available free online in PDF format at www.nfpa.org, establishes a common set of criteria for disaster management, emergency management, and business continuity programs; identifies methodologies for exercising those plans; and lists resources within the arenas of disaster recovery, emergency management, and business continuity planning.
FEMA’s new on-line course helps urban firefighters battle wildfires. The Wildland/Urban Interface Fire Operations for the Structural Firefighter Self Study (Q618) online, indpendent study course, developed by the U.S. Fire Administration’s National Fire Academy, identifies many of the operational activities and safety concerns for structural firefighters in the interface areas. It covers wildland fire behavior, safety issues, and operational issues. The course takes between two to eight hours to complete; those successfully finishing it will receive a certification of completion. The course is at http://www. usfa.fema.gov/applications/nfacsd/display.jsp?cc=Q618.
