The RELAY
The e-mail Newsletter of the New Jersey State Fire Chiefs’ Association—a member benefit
http://www.njchiefs.com
August 28, 2006 No. 2006-17
Membership Meeting in Wildwood September 14th
The annual membership meeting of the State Fire Chiefs Association will be held in the Wildwood Convention Center on Thursday, September 14th opening at 1:00 pm. Registration will open at 12:30 pm.
Meeting highlights include the annual Memorial Service, scholarship presentations, nominations, election, and installation of officers. Assemblyman Fred Scalara (Deputy Chief of the Nutley Fire Department), State Fire Marshall Larry Petrillo, and State Firemen’s Association President Leigh Peterson will speak.
Mike Kaminski, Program Specialist in the Resource Coordination and Planning Branch of the NIMS Integration Center (NIC) will talk about the latest information on NIMS.
For more details, go to http://www.njchiefs.com/journal/30-4%20Journal-Sep%2006%20rev.doc
Chiefs Website Back On Line
After much frustration, we have changed internet providers and the New Jersey State Fire Chiefs Association website is now back on line. Go to http://www.njchiefs.com and check it out. This isn’t a “current news” website, but has information about the Association and includes recent issues of the RELAY and the Journal. Applications for members, the Valor Award, and Scholarships can be downloaded. Information about the Association and the officers is included.
AFG Supplemental Awards for FY 2005 Announced
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced August 21st the first supplemental round of the Fiscal Year 2005 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) awarding 194 grants to fire departments throughout the United States. Three grants were made to New Jersey Fire Departments.
Community Fire Company No. 1, Newfoundland Operations and Safety $ 38,576
Hamilton Twp. Fire District #9 (Mercer County) Operations and Safety 67,732
Highland Chemical Engine Company, Pitman Operations and Safety 80,275
For additional information, go to http://cms.firehouse.com/content/article/article.jsp?sectionId=46&id=50816
Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program; Final Rule
The final rule for the Public Safety Officers Benefit Program (PSOB) has been released by the Bureau of Justice Assistance and will go into affect on September 11, 2006. These new regulations implement provisions of the Hometown Heroes Survivor Benefit Act, passed into law in 2003, which extend PSOB coverage to victims of heart attacks and strokes in the line of duty.In September 2005, the IAFC joined with nine other fire service organizations and raised concerns with the proposed draft rule language during its comment period.
For the full notice, go to http://www.iafc.org/displayindustryarticle.cfm?articlenbr=31258
For further information and a link to the Final Rule, go to http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fatalities/psob/
A related article is found at http://www.nvfc.org/news/2006-omb.html
Michelin Supports America's First Responders With Driving America's Safety
Initiative
As part of its continued commitment to social and corporate responsibility, Michelin announced the Driving America's Safety program. In addition to supplying drivers with road safety tips, the program provides consumers the opportunity to thank local firefighters and EMS personnel by nominating them to receive a donation of a full set of new tires for an emergency services vehicle—from ambulances and fire engines to small rescue trucks and sport utility vehicles.
For the full release, go to http://www.michelinmedia.com/pressSingle/value=MCH2006081745241/kw=
Commercial Equipment Direct Assistance Program
On August 16th, DHS announced it is seeking applications for the FY 2006 Commercial Equipment Direct Assistance Program (CEDAP). The program is slated to give more than $32 million in equipment to first responders in selected rural and smaller communities who are typically not eligible for funding through the department’s Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) grant program. The application period is now open and will close September 22nd.
CEDAP provides technology and equipment, together with training and technical assistance, to help enhance first responder capabilities through the nation. It provides resources such as communications interoperability equipment, information sharing technology, chemical detection devises, sensors, personal protective equipment, and rescue tools and training in how to use the equipment, devises, and technology.
For the text of the complete release, go to http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/odp/newsreleases/FY06_CEDAP_PR.pdf
Investigators Cite Inadequate Fire Safety In Seton Hall Tragedy
Faulty reporting procedures as well as inadequate fire safety precautions by officials at Seton Hall University contributed substantially to the deaths of three students and injuries to more than 50 others in a dormitory blaze more than six years ago, two of the nation's top fire investigators have concluded.
For the full article, go to http://fe.pennnet.com/Articles/Article_Display.cfm?ARTICLE_ID=266660&p=25
OSHA Revises Respiratory Protection Standards
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has revised its standards for respiratory protection programs to incorporate “assigned protection factors” that indicate the level of workplace respiratory protection a respirator or class of respirators is expected to provide.
This APF final rule, issued August 23rd, completes the revision of the reserve sections of OSHA’s Respiratory Protection Standard as published in 1998. The standard now contains provisions necessary for a comprehensive respiratory protection program, including selection and use of respirators, training, medical evaluation, and fit testing.
For the full article, go to http://www.firechief.com/news/OSHA_standard08242006/
For the text of the Regulation from the Congressional Record, go to http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/06-6942.pdf
Do You Have The Courage To Take The Seat Belt Pledge?
On April 23rd, firefighter Brian Hunton, a two year veteran of the Amarillo (TX) Fire Department, fell out of a ladder truck while responding to a fire, and later died from his injuries. Dr. Burton Clark, Management Science Program Chair at the National Fire Academy (NFA), upon hearing about a colleague's conversation with Brian's parents, began telling Brian's story to the NFA students he taught. He asked them to pledge to wear their seat belt and to make sure other brother and sister firefighters used their seatbelts.
If you want to be part of the generation of the fire service who fixes the seat belt problem, you can help change the organizational culture by having your leadership make seat belt rules and create accompanying consequences for lack of participation. Have your leadership require that the pledge be read and signed by your membership. Then fax the completed form. It is that easy.
For related information and a link to the Seat Belt Pledge Form, go to http://cms.firehouse.com/content/article/article.jsp?id=49694§ionId=10
Five Lessons for Responding to Disaster
As we reflect on the first anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, there is one lesson that stands above all the rest: effective federal government is absolutely essential. It was effective government that rescued hundreds of people from rooftops and fed, housed, and treated thousands more. It was also the lack of effective government that contributed to the failure of the levees and left people stranded at the Superdome and Convention Center in unacceptable conditions.
We must learn from Hurricane Katrina and act now to ensure our government is prepared for the nation’s next major challenge—whatever it is. Listed below are the critical lessons we should have learned and upon which we must now act:
1. For good results, government needs good people.
2. Coordination is king.
3. We must learn from our mistakes, but also our successes
4. Long-term challenges require long-term solutions
5. We must pay now, or we will pay later.
For the full article, go to http://www.governmentafterkatrina.org/research/5Lessons.pdf
2006 Life Safety Code® With Focus on Occupancies; 4-Day Seminar
The importance of the Life Safety Code® is most readily seen in public building fires that involve fatalities. Invariably, factors that contribute to the loss of life include building features that are not in compliance with the code. Everyone concerned with life safety compliance including: facility managers, inspectors, safety directors, engineers, architects, designers, risk managers, facility consultants, and project managers
The seminar will be offered September 18th to 21st at the Crowne Plaza Meadowlands, Secaucus.
For the full announcement and registration information, go to
http://www.nfpa.org/catalog/product.asp?catalog_name=NFPA+Catalog&pid=lso4&cookie%5Ftest=1
September is Campus Fire Safety Month
More than 10 million young adults between ages 18 and 24 will head to college in a few weeks. Will they be ready to face an emergency situation such as a residence hall or apartment fire? Since January 2000, 89 people have died and many more have been injured in on- and off-campus fires.
A public awareness campaign will remind parents and students about the need for better fire safety when heading to college. How can you help? Campus-related fires impact everyone in a college community, not just students. As fire chiefs, I urge you to help raise the awareness of this important safety message in your community. Please contact your local media and remind them of the dangers that students can face.
For the full announcement and a link to other resources, go to http://www.iafc.org/displayindustryarticle.cfm?articlenbr=31270
Iraq Vets Join North Hudson Fire Department
In July the North Hudson Regional Fire Department added two new members to this 300 plus member department. NJ National Guard Sergeants Raymond Valenzuela and Michael Alvardo made a list of candidates for induction in 2004, but soon learned they would be deployed to Iraq. After both had spent a year in Iraq, they returned home to good news. The regional department had held two spots for them in anticipation of their return.
The North Hudson Regional Fire Department was established in 1999 merging the municipal fire departments of Union City, North Bergen, West New York, Weehawken and Guttenberg and protects over 200,000 residents.
Additional information is found at http://www.nj.com/weblogs/print.ssf?/mtlogs/njo_jjupdate/archives/print164375.html
Where Leadership Begins
Elected officials who understand the nature of responding to natural disasters often witness an ascent in their political stature after the fact. Conversely those who falter during catastrophic events can find themselves staring into a political firestorm.
For instance, during 9/11, then New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani organized the coordinated response of city departments, and garnered support from state and federal sources. His frequent TV appearances and dynamic leadership were critical in this career-defining moment. On the other hand, New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin's leadership was questioned immediately after Katrina when he was seemingly unavailable. In fact, there was uncertainty regarding his whereabouts during the first few hours after the hurricane.
Had government heeded lessons from 9/11 and taken a proactive stance toward preparedness during Hurricane Katrina, according to a House report titled A Failure of Initiative, the devastating aftermath may have been avoided, or at least mitigated. As a result of his effective leadership, Giuliani's stature rose to that of a presidential candidate. Conversely as a result of the inept leadership that plagued the response to Hurricane Katrina, Nagin’s was widely criticized.
For the full article on elected officials roles in mitigating disasters, go to http://www.emergencymgmt.com/story.php?id=99430
“Management works in the system; leadership works on the system.” ~ Stephen R. Covey
Fire Protection Systems for Incident Commanders
There are numerous vacancies for two offerings (October 1-6 and October 22-27) of this course coming up fast at the National Fire Academy. It's the "street officer meets fire prevention." It's a must for every street commander in the nation. Ask anyone who's taken it, or taught it.
The course is designed to provide IC's with an understanding of the fire protection features installed in buildings. Knowing how these systems work and their proper use will help assist IC's to achieve strategic and tactical success. The course emphasizes the value of collecting this information during preincident planning and how to relay this knowledge to other firefighters who must respond and function effectively using these systems under emergency conditions.
Go to http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/training/nfa/resident/vip for general information about the VIP program and at the bottom of the page, click on the title of the course for specifics.
Thanks to Ron Kanterman for sending the notice of this course.
Maximizing Media Effectiveness
Many people fear talking to the media in the midst of an emergency, and some don't even relish the thought when they have good news to share. When dealing with the press, there are several keys to successfully communicate and reduce uneasiness while increasing your effectiveness. It is critical to develop relationships with your local news media right now, when there isn't an emergency. Meeting a local reporter for the first time in the middle of an incident is not the right moment to attempt an effective ongoing dialogue.
The media is one of the best resources for disseminating important, time-sensitive information quickly and efficiently to the public. Remember your encounters with the media are not personal. The reporter assigned to your story is simply working on an assignment—nothing more.
For the full article and some basic rules that can help you avoid controversy, go to http://www.emergencymgmt.com/story.php?id=99429&story_pg=1
Unsubscribe:
To unsubscribe from this newsletter—send an e-mail to: . To insure prompt service, please include your e-mail address in any correspondence to us. Use the word "REMOVE" in the subject line.
We respect your privacy. We never release private member information—name, e-mail, or street address—without your consent.
Relay No. 2006-17 Page 1