NEWS - President Bush - Cut Fire Act, Project impact
President George W. Bush is calling for discontinued funding of the Firefighter Investment and Response Enhancement (FIRE) Act and abolishing FEMA’s Project Impact in an early outline of his 2002 federal budget proposal.


Notices for SCBA Users

• PASCRELL'S LANDMARK NATIONAL FIRE SERVICES BILL TO BECOME LAW 

  
  First of its kind pilot measure will provide $400 million over two years to go towards training, equipment and safety for America's 32,000 paid, part-paid and volunteer fire departments
  
  Washington -- The "Firefighter Investment and Response Enhancement (FIRE)Act" introduced by Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-N.J., 8th) is the first comprehensive national legislation dedicated to meet the special needs of America's 32,000 volunteer, paid and part-paid fire departments. Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT.) and Senator Mike DeWine (R-OH.) introduced Pascrell's bill in the Senate, where it was successfully attached to and was finally included in the FY01 Department of Defense authorization conference report, which passed today in the House by a tally of 382 to 33. The Senate is anticipated to pass the measure shortly and the President is expected to give it his signature, making the landmark FIRE Act law. "This is truly my proudest day as a Member of Congress because today we are fulfilling our obligation to those who make the ultimate commitment to us every single day," Pascrell stated. "Today signifies the day we stopped paying lip service to our firefighters at holiday parades -- without putting our money where our mouth the rest of the year. I have said repeatedly that the fire services have been the 'forgotten part of the public safety equation. That ends with this legislation."
  
  The amended FIRE Act, as passed in the conference report, authorizes approximately $400 million over two years in competitive grants to the nation's local fire departments. Grants would be awarded directly to local fire departments best able to identify their needs to be used to hire new personnel, initiate education and training programs, or to purchase new equipment. America's 32,000 paid, volunteer, and part-paid departments will all be eligible for the grants under the program, which will be administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
  
  The FIRE Act has been endorsed by all seven major national fire service organizations, including the International Association of Firefighters, nternational Association of Fire Chiefs, National Volunteer Fire Council, National Fire Protection Association, International Association of Arson Investigators, International Society of Fire Service Instructors, and National Association of State Fire Marshals.
  
  "Firefighters are our nation's 'first responders' and very often they are the last to leave. Yet, until today, the federal government has shown very little commitment to them and to the communities they serve," Pascrell concluded. "This is really a dream come true."
  
  America's fire departments are the first on the scene to fires, natural disasters, hazardous waste spills, and terrorist attacks, yet the federal government has shown little commitment to the fire services. One million firefighters are called to active duty every day, yet federal spending on fire prevention end training efforts totaled only $32 million in l999, compared with $11 billion in federal spending for law enforcement initiatives that same year.
  
  "Not only will this bill improve safety for both firefighters and the public, but it will also deliver much-needed property tax relief to our local folks," added Pascrell. "Every dollar that the federal government puts toward better training and equipment for firefighters, the less money residents will have to spend in taxes. We can't put a price on public safety, but this is truly a smart and long-overdue investment toward maintaining our fire services."
  
  Specifically, the FIRE Act will authorize $100 million for Fiscal Year 2001 and $300 million for Fiscal Year 2002. At the end of this two year period, FEMA and the National Fire Prevention Academy (NFPA) will issue a report to the Senate Commerce Committee on the need for further funding and on how the status of first two years of FIRE grant funding.
  
  "When firefighters go into a burning house, they do not ask the inhabitants whether they are Democrats or Republicans. This is not a political or partisan issue," Pascrell declared. "That is why support for FIRE bill has been so universal. We really could not have gotten where we are today with everyone's hard work."
  
  Indeed, support for the FIRE Act in Congress has been bipartisan and overwhelming, with 284 cosponsors in the House and 35 cosponsors in the Senate.
  
  In 1994, Congress passed a comprehensive crime bill that included groundbreaking provisions creating the Community Oriented Police Services (COPS) program. This initiative, which has proven very successful in contributing to the decreasing trend in crime throughout the nation, was designed to provide funding directly to local police departments for more officers and equipment. Pascrell wrote the FIRE Act by taking the general framework for the successful COPS program and applying it to fire services.
  
  U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD., 5th), Co-Chair of the Congressional Fire Caucus, was a prime cosponsor of this legislation and was instrumental in assuring that it was included in the Conference Report.
  
  "This bill is a major victory for firefighters across the nation and I want them all to know that they have a tireless supporter in Congressman Bill Pascrell," said Congressman Hoyer. "This legislation could save the lives of countless firefighters by ensuring that they have the most updated equipment and technology. While we cannot erase the hazards they face, we can end needless tragedies because of a lack of resources."
  
  Chief John M. Buckman German Township Volunteer Fire Department http://www.germanfiredept.org
  Vice-President International Association of Fire Chiefs
  http://www.iafc.org
  
  
  

  • SURVIVAIR URGENT SAFETY NOTICE 

    SURVIVAIR URGENT SAFETY NOTICE SCBA TWENTYTWENTY UPPER RIM REPLACEMENT
    
    June 28, 2000
    
    Survivair has received scattered reports from the field that the lens of the TwentyTwenty mask has separated from the mask rims. Under those circumstances it is possible that the lens may separate entirely from the mask skirt. This can lead to a serious safety hazard. All TwentyTwenty masks that meet the criteria below must be fitted with a modified P/N 962031 upper rim.
    
    Only TwentyTwenty facepieces that do not have an "X" stamped on the upper rim need to be retrofitted (see figure below). If the rim does not have an "X" as shown below, it must be replaced.
    
    For drawing go to : http://www.americanairworks.com/urgent.html Users of the TwentyTwenty facepiece are authorized by Survivair to accomplish this replacement. It does not need to be conducted by Survivair-certified technicians. However, there may be a few users who request the services of a Survivair Warranty Center.
    
    We know of no one who has had any injuries as a result of the lens separation. Nonetheless, we are conducting this retrofit in the interest of our user's safety.
    
    This notice is for the TwentyTwenty facepiece only. This notice does not effect the Classic facepiece.
    
    

  • BE CAUTIOUS WHEN GETTING GAS (JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.) 

    A recent outbreak of gas pump fires has prompted state officials to caution motorists when fueling their vehicles.
    
    The fires, reported at service stations in Columbia, Ozark, Troy, and St. Louis, were caused by a discharge of static electricity that ignited flammable gasoline vapors released during fueling, said Ron Hooker, administrator of the Missouri Department of Agriculture's Petroleum, Propane, and Anhydrous Ammonia Program. "Our investigators have discussed this problem with fire officials in several neighboring states that have also experienced this problem," Hooker said. "We have identified the ignition source, but we are at a loss as to why the static charge is building and discharging.
    
    "Investigators say the way in which the customers involved in the incidents fueled their vehicles may explain the static electricity source. In each case, the customers got out of their cars, placed the gasoline nozzle in the fuel tank, began fueling, and then got back into their vehicles. When the nozzle kicked off, the customers then exited their cars, reached for the gas nozzle, and released a static spark that ignited the fuel's flammable vapors.
    
    Hooker recommends that people ground themselves on a metal portion of their vehicles to discharge any static electricity before reaching for the gasoline nozzle. Once the nozzle is placed in the fuel tank, do not get back in your car until you have finished pumping the gas and have placed the nozzle back in the pump.
    
    In the meantime, the Missouri Department of Agriculture continues to work with other states to investigate these fuel pump fires. If you have had a similar problem or know of any in your area, please notify the agriculture department's Petroleum, Propane, Anhydrous Ammonia Program at (573) 751-4278.
    
    

  • MICHIGAN FIRE CHIEF RECEIVES OUTSTANDING PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD  WASHINGTON - The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today awarded Chief Richard A. Marinucci the agency's Outstanding Public Service Award. Marinucci, the Farmington Hills, Mich. Fire Department Chief, is honored for his extraordinary commitment and efforts to reduce America's fire losses.  In March of 1999, FEMA Director James L. Witt asked Marinucci to serve as his senior advisor on fire issues, and subsequently appointed him to be the United States Fire Administration (USFA) acting chief operating officer (COO).
    
    "Chief Marinucci exemplifies the highest standards of dedicated and 
    professional public service," said Witt. "I am pleased to have the 
    opportunity to publicly acknowledge his efforts with today's award."
    
    During his seven months as COO, Marinucci began the USFA reorganization  creating teams to enhance the work product. He also guided the development and drafting of a USFA action plan.
    
    In developing the USFA action plan, Marinucci directed the analysis and implementation of a new USFA organizational design, staffing patterns, budget and fiscal structuring, and policies and procedures. The plan provides will allow the USFA to continue its role as the national leader in fire prevention, training, education, and research initiatives.
    
    The long term impact of Marinucci's efforts will strengthen FEMA's ability to reduce losses of life and property caused by all types of hazards,including fire.
     

  • Emmitsburg, Md. - The United States Fire Administration (USFA), part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), today announced the availability of an updated guide that details sources of alternative funding for local fire and emergency medical service (EMS) departments.
    
    The Guide to Funding Alternatives for Fire and EMS Departments provides new and expanded information including: EMS reimbursement, private sector grant and foundation funding, and a state-by-state breakdown of available funding programs. The new manual updates the original 1993 edition.
    The manual is available in printed as well as downloadable format via the Internet. Visit the USFA on the World Wide Web at wWW.USFA.FEMA.GOV and click on publications. Another option is USFA's Publications Ordering Line at (301) 447-1189. Mail orders will be accepted via the following address:
    
    United States Fire Administration
    Publications
    16825 South Seton Avenue
    Emmitsburg, Maryland 21727
    
    

  • The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) wishes to inform users of self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) that certain high-pressure aluminum seamless and aluminum composite hoop-wrapped cylinders made of aluminum alloy 6351-T6 are susceptible to sustained load cracking in the neck and should area. If such cracks are not detected during visual inspection, cylinder rupture can occur, especially during filling. These ruptures can result in serious injury, death, and/or property damage. The Institute is therefore recommending that these cylinders be given special attention in order to eliminate the risks associated with such cylinder ruptures. These affected cylinders are used on a number of NIOSH-approved SCBA and are available in a number of sizes and durations ranging from 5 to 30 minutes.
    For more information, please contact NIOSH at:
    1095 Willowdale Road
    Morgantown, WV 26505-2888
    Phone: (304) 285-5907
    FAX: (304) 285-6030
    The complete text of this user notice may be found on the USFA web site at http://www.usfa.fema.gov/pdf/niosh12_99.pdf. This file (400 KBytes) is inportable document format (PDF). 

   

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