N.J. ASSISTANT FIRE-RESCUE CHIEF, 42, DIES IN THE LINE OF DUTY-MEDICAL EMERGENCY
The Secret List www.FireFighterCloseCalls.com
A Flanders Fire & Rescue Company (Mt Olive Township, Morris County, NJ) Officer died in the Line of Duty today after responding on a run at Mountainview Elementary School. The death of Assistant Fire Chief Thomas Shields, 42, is being called the first line-of-duty death for the Flanders fire company since 1927.
The husband and father of two responded to the school because a student reportedly became overheated. The child was fine and Chief Shields returned to the firehouse and then headed home, feeling ill. He told his wife he was having chest pains, EMS responded but tragically Chief Shields died at Saint Clare’s Hospital in Denville. As always our most sincere condolences to all affected by this loss. HERE is their webpage: http://www.flandersfire.org/home
The Secret List www.FireFighterCloseCalls.com
A Flanders Fire & Rescue Company (Mt Olive Township, Morris County, NJ) Officer died in the Line of Duty today after responding on a run at Mountainview Elementary School. The death of Assistant Fire Chief Thomas Shields, 42, is being called the first line-of-duty death for the Flanders fire company since 1927.
The husband and father of two responded to the school because a student reportedly became overheated. The child was fine and Chief Shields returned to the firehouse and then headed home, feeling ill. He told his wife he was having chest pains, EMS responded but tragically Chief Shields died at Saint Clare’s Hospital in Denville. As always our most sincere condolences to all affected by this loss. HERE is their webpage: http://www.flandersfire.org/home
FROM THE IAFC REGARDING ACTION:
Tomorrow, Wednesday, June 1, the House of Representatives is scheduled to consider H.R. 2017, the Fiscal Year 2012 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act. NOTE: This bill would cut the FIRE grant program from $405 million to $200 million and the SAFER grant program from $405 million to $150 million. In addition, the bill would end the existing waivers to the SAFER grant program, and limit the number of cities eligible for the Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) program to the top 10 cities based on risk.
Please contact your Representative ASAP and ask them to vote for the following amendments:
Amendment to restore funding to the FIRE and SAFER grant programs. This amendment would restore funding for the FIRE and SAFER grant programs to $335 million for each program (Sponsored by Steven LaTourette (R-OH) and Bill Pascrell (D-NJ)).
Emphasize that the American public views fire and emergency response as an “inherently governmental function” and that the FIRE and SAFER grant programs are the only federal programs that help fire departments prepare for all hazards, including those of national significance.
Point out that the FIRE and SAFER grant programs use a highly-regarded merit-based, peer-review process to grant awards directly to fire departments. If you have received a FIRE or SAFER grant, explain how they have improved your emergency response capabilities. Also, let your Representative know if you plan on applying for a FIRE or SAFER grant, and how these grant programs can help you protect your jurisdiction.
Amendment to extend the existing SAFER waivers through FY 2012.
For the FY 2011 SAFER grants, there is a waiver on the 10/20/50/70 percent local match requirement and a waiver on the requirement that SAFER funds cannot supplant existing state or local funds. For FY 2011, the SAFER funds also can be used to re-hire and retain firefighters. The amendment also would remove the $100,000 per firefighter cap on SAFER awards and the requirement to retain the SAFER firefighter for a fifth year at the local jurisdiction’s expense.
=Explain why it is important that fire departments be adequately staffed to ensure the health and safety of your fire department and the American public.
If you have received a SAFER grant, explain how the SAFER-funded firefighters or the SAFER-funded volunteer recruitment/retention programs have improved your fire department’s operations.
=Amendment to remove the limit on the number of cities eligible for the UASI grant program.
REMIND THEM that there is still an active terrorist threat and that many of the United States’ urban areas are still at risk. If you have received funding as part of a UASI grant, explain how it has been used to improve regional and local cooperation in emergency response operations and enhanced your capability to respond to a terrorist attack or other disasters.
REMIND THEM that there is still an active terrorist threat and that many of the United States’ urban areas are still at risk. If you have received funding as part of a UASI grant, explain how it has been used to improve regional and local cooperation in emergency response operations and enhanced your capability to respond to a terrorist attack or other disasters.
=Lastly, make it clear that your Representative should oppose any amendment to eliminate the FIRE and SAFER grant programs.
Explain that the local fire service is the nation’s front-line responder to all disasters, natural and man-made, and that these programs play an even more important role now that many local budgets are being cut.
You can locate contact information for your representative on THIS website http://www.house.gov/ by inputting your full 9-digit zip code at the top right-hand corner of the homepage. This tool will direct you to your Representative’s web page where you can find his or her phone number and/or submit comments in support of these amendments. Alternatively, you can call the House switchboard at 202-225-3121 and ask to be connected to your Representative’s office.
You can locate contact information for your representative on THIS website http://www.house.gov/ by inputting your full 9-digit zip code at the top right-hand corner of the homepage. This tool will direct you to your Representative’s web page where you can find his or her phone number and/or submit comments in support of these amendments. Alternatively, you can call the House switchboard at 202-225-3121 and ask to be connected to your Representative’s office.
MORE HERE: http://www.iafc.org/
RUNAWAY FD RIG IN NEW YORK :
An unmanned fire department SUV was slightly damaged this morning after it rolled over a small tree and crashed into a stoop. It happened around 1000 hours when firefighters from the Arbor Hill station were inspecting a building. Rescue 2, a Chevrolet Suburban SUV used to carry paramedics and paramedic equipment, was parked outside on the street when — for reasons that officials said are not yet clear — it began to roll slowly down the block. The SUV jumped the curb, crushed a small tree and ran into a concrete stoop at 178 North Lake, shoving the steps about a foot out of alignment-no one was injured.
At some point, whether the truck slipped into gear with a failure of some sort, they don’t know yet. The Firefighters had been out of the truck for five or six minutes before the accident, the vehicle has been sent for a mechanical inspection.
REMINDER-FIREFIGHTER SURVIVAL WEEK IS A FEW WEEKS AWAY:
Fire/EMS Safety, Health and Survival Week is June 19-25, 2011
2011 Theme: Surviving the Fire Ground – Fire Fighter, Fire Officer & Command Preparedness
Mayday: Not If…When.
With so many changes (budget cuts, staffing reductions, reduced training, etc.) in so many fire departments, it is a critical reminder critical for fire fighters to focus on their own survival on the fire ground. There is no other call more challenging to fire ground operations than a Mayday call — the moment when a fire fighter’s personal safety is in imminent danger. Fire fighter fatality data have shown that fire fighters “becoming trapped and disoriented represent the largest portion of structural fire ground fatalities.” The incidents in which fire fighters have lost their lives, or lived to tell about it, have a consistent theme — inadequate situational awareness put them at risk. MORE HERE TO HELP YOUR FD PREPARE FOR SAFETY WEEK:
2011 Theme: Surviving the Fire Ground – Fire Fighter, Fire Officer & Command Preparedness
Mayday: Not If…When.
With so many changes (budget cuts, staffing reductions, reduced training, etc.) in so many fire departments, it is a critical reminder critical for fire fighters to focus on their own survival on the fire ground. There is no other call more challenging to fire ground operations than a Mayday call — the moment when a fire fighter’s personal safety is in imminent danger. Fire fighter fatality data have shown that fire fighters “becoming trapped and disoriented represent the largest portion of structural fire ground fatalities.” The incidents in which fire fighters have lost their lives, or lived to tell about it, have a consistent theme — inadequate situational awareness put them at risk. MORE HERE TO HELP YOUR FD PREPARE FOR SAFETY WEEK:
NOTE: SAFETY WEEK, formerly known as safety “STAND DOWN” Week, is a collaborative program sponsored by the IAFC and the IAFF, coordinated by the IAFC Safety, Health and Survival Section and the IAFF Division of Occupational Health, Safety and Medicine, in partnership with more than 20 national fire service organizations.
Departments are encouraged to suspend all non-emergency activity during Safety Week and instead focus entirely on this years theme related training and education until all shifts and personnel have taken part. An entire week is provided to ensure each shift and duty crew can spend one day focusing on these critical issues.
Departments are encouraged to suspend all non-emergency activity during Safety Week and instead focus entirely on this years theme related training and education until all shifts and personnel have taken part. An entire week is provided to ensure each shift and duty crew can spend one day focusing on these critical issues.
Take Care-BE CAREFUL.
BillyG
The Secret List 5-31-11 / 2209 Hours
