Place: The Shaw's Center
1 Lexington Avenue
Brockton, MA 02301
Tickets: $ 35.00 per person
It is expected that this event will sell out quickly. Advanced ticket sales are available for Fire Chiefs and close Fire Service associates from Chief Tim Travers until Friday, March 19th, at which time tickets will be made available to the general public. If you would like to take advantage of advanced tickets sales please send a check:
Made payable to: “BFD, Local 144,” to
Chief Tim Travers, Ret.
751 Washington St.
Whitman, MA 02382-1315
And the tickets will be promptly mailed to you. Don’t be left out!
If your group wishes to make a presentation please let me know by emailing travers@nfsa.org.
Captain Lawrence E. Barnes, Jr., Ret. - Lawrence Fire Dept.
Captain Lawrence E. Barnes, Jr., Ret. - Lawrence Fire Department - 79 - a resident of Methuen died at his home on Friday, March 5, 2010. Born in Millinoncket, Maine, on June 1, 1930. He was a graduate of Stearns High School, class of 1947. He was a vertan of the U.S. Nave, retired Captain Lawrence Fire Department and served the department from 1956 to 1981. He was a member of Lawrence Local 146 Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts, The International Assocaition of Fire Fighters, Reliefs Inn, Lawrence Firefighter Retirees Assocaiton, which he was one of the founders and Trustee, Lawrence Firefighter Mutual Relief Association, Lawrence Firefighters Credit Union, Lawrence Lodge of Elks B.P.O.E. 65, Retirees State, County and Municipal Employee Association of Massachusetts, Arlington Club and Concordia Club. Arrangements: a funeral Mass. will be celebrated at 10 A.M. on Tuesday - March 9, 2010 in St. Mary Church in Lawrence. Family and friends may call on Monday, March 8, 2010 from 4 to 8 P.M. at the John Breen Memorial Funeral Home Inc. - 122 Amesbury St., Lawrence. For more information or to send an online condolence, please go to www.breenfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to: Resident Trust Fund at the Wingate at Andover, 80 Andover Str, Andover, MA 01841.
District Chief Leo J. McElaney, Ret. - Boston Fire Dept.
McELANEY, Leo J. Of Needham, died on March 1, 2010, at the Tippett Home in Needham. He was born in Boston to Hugh McElaney and Teresa (Driscoll) McElaney on August 3, 1925. He is survived by his devoted wife of 60 years, Annette (Galasso) McElaney and his loving children, Hugh McElaney and his wife Tina Chen, Joan Fleming, R.N., and Brian McElaney, M.D. and his wife Patti. Also surviving are his grandchildren, Kara Fleming, Tom Fleming and Laura Fava and her husband Anthony; his sister Louise Petruzzelli; his brother in laws Don Fowler and Frank Galasso and sister in law Pat McElaney and many nieces and nephews. He was preceeded in death by his son in law Stephen Fleming, his sisters Ruth Fowler and Mary Stevens, his brother Dr. James McElaney and his brother in law Paul Stevens. He volunteered for service during World War II at the age of 18 and served with the Coast Guard aboard the USS Pocatello in the North Pacific. Upon cessation of hostilities he served at the Cape Decision Lighthouse in Alaska and was subsequently honorably discharged. He returned to his home in Roslindale and joined the Boston Fire Department in 1948. He served in the Back Bay, Jamaica Plain, the North End and Roxbury. He was awarded the Roll of Merit for his rescue of a fire victim in 1966. In the same year, he was awarded Firefighter of the Month by the Boston Record-American and Sunday Advertiser. He retired with the rank of District Chief in 1985. After private services, he was buried in the family plot at St. Joseph's Cemetery in West Roxbury. He was a devoted son, husband, father and grandfather He was best known for his quick wit and love of nature and for his affection for his favorite dog, Bailey. He will be deeply missed. The family wishes to thank the staff at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Needham and the Hebrew Rehabilitation Center of Roslindale for their kindness, care and comfort. Memorials may be made to VNA Care at 5 Federal St., Danvers, MA 01923, to the Tippett Home at 920 South St., Needham, MA 02492 or the Make A Wish Foundation or Humane Society. For obit or to send a note of condolence www.eatonfuneralhomes.com Eaton Funeral Home 781-444-0201
Posted by
FCAMSECTREAS
- Fri, Mar 5, 2010, 11:54 A
U.S. Fire Administrator Recognizes Women Firefighters
U.S. Fire Administrator Recognizes Women Firefighters
Washington, DC - Since 1981, this nation has recognized the month of March as an opportunity to celebrate the contributions made by all women to this great nation of ours. I am honored to join with many others in recognizing the countless and unselfish acts of so many women serving their communities in fire and emergency medical services (EMS) organizations as firefighters and emergency medical technicians.
Since women have joined the ranks of the American Fire Service as career and volunteer members, the quality and richness of our culture and honorable profession has been truly enhanced. Their contributions to our previously male-dominated industry have been transforming and compelling in departments and communities across this nation. It has been my observation first hand, both as a metropolitan fire chief and now as the U.S. Fire Administrator, that the fire service is truly a better service provider today in part because of the many women who have heard this special calling to serve their communities.
Every day, these 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.
As the nation celebrates Women’s History Month, I ask my fellow fire service leaders, to join me in celebrating the contributions of all women, past and present, in the American Fire Service. On behalf of the dedicated men and women of the U.S. Fire Administration, we are grateful for your dedication and commitment to our mission. We are proud and honored to witness the efforts of all firefighters in service today, protecting their communities.
Posted by
FCAMSECTREAS
- Fri, Mar 5, 2010, 11:51 A
Updates from CFSI
Hearings Held on Department of Homeland Security Fiscal Year 2011 Budget
Last week, both the Senate and House of Representatives held hearings on the Obama Administration's Fiscal Year 2011 (FY11) budget for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Secretary Janet Napolitano testified before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, the House Homeland Security Committee, and the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security.
Within the DHS budget are many important programs to the fire service including the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grants (SAFER). The administration proposed significant cuts to both programs. Congressman Bill Pascrell (NJ-8), a longtime supporter of the FIRE and SAFER Grant programs, staunchly defended both programs during the House Homeland Security hearing. "Overall these two programs have been cut by $200 million which is 25% less than what we passed in FY 2010. At a time when we are still fighting our way out of a deep recession and municipalities are being forced to slash public safety budgets everyday, this is exactly the wrong time to cut vital grants programs like FIRE and SAFER."
The House and Senate Appropriations Committees will now begin work on crafting Fiscal Year 2011 spending bills. CFSI will continue to work with members of Congress on funding for these important programs and will continue to provide updates as the appropriations process moves forward.
Senate Approves Nomination of Elizabeth Harman to Head FEMA Grants Office
Elizabeth M. Harman, nominated by President Obama to become Assistant Administrator for FEMA's Grant Programs Directorate, was confirmed by the Senate yesterday by a voice vote. Ms. Harman will manage 55 grant programs, ranging from money intended for the preparedness and post-disaster assistance to state, local, and tribal governments, to security at ports and transit systems.
Harman most recently served as the Director of Training for Hazardous Materials and Weapons of Mass Destruction at the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF). Prior to joining IAFF, she was an instructor at the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute, the Johns Hopkins University Medical School, and George Washington University. She began her career as a firefighter and emergency medical technician in Bowie, MD, and Fairfax, VA.
CFSI Holds Webinar on Advocating for Fire Sprinklers on Capitol Hill
On Thursday, February 25 CFSI held a webinar titled, "Advocating for Fire Sprinklers on Capitol Hill." Guest speaker Andy Quinn, founding partner of McAllister and Quinn, talked about the Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act. Quinn discussed potential strategies for passage of the bill and answered questions regarding the overall outlook for working with Congress in the second session of the 111th Congress. He also urged listeners to contact their members of Congress in support of the bill.
An important legislative initiative for the major fire service organizations, the measure was originally introduced in 2003 following the Station fire in West Warwick, RI that claimed the lives of 100 victims. This bill would amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to classify automatic fire sprinkler systems as 5-year property for purposes of depreciation, thus creating an incentive to install sprinkler systems in buildings. To listen to the complete audio of the webinar visit: www.cfsi.org.
Sponsored by Fire Engineering, the CFSI webinar series is an educational resource for members of the fire service. On March 31 at 2:00PM EST, CFSI will host its next webinar featuring Chief Billy Goldfeder. With the 22nd Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner and Seminars approaching, the webinar will focus on the event theme: "Making the Right Decision." Chief Goldfeder will offer his insights on firefighter safety and the importance of making good decisions in order to reduce the number of deaths and injuries in the fire and emergency services. Bill Webb, CFSI Executive Director, will host the webinar that will provide ample time for a question and answer session.
Why you should be at the BBRS Hearing on March 9th!!!
Please read the following update from Past FCAM President Tim Travers. Following his report I have reposted the information about the March 9th -BBRS hearing. We urge you to attend this meeting!
An Update from RI.
This morning/Afternoon, the RI Building Code Committee heard public testimony on their amendments to the State Building Code(s) and other related codes. Naturally most of the testimony centered on the 1 and 2 Family Dwelling Code. The committee saw fit to remove Section R 313.1 on sprinkler protection from the code and move it to the Appendix effectively making residential sprinklers non-mandatory. Their reasoning for this was to allow more time to study the issue and re-visit the provision at the next code cycle.
All the of the usual suspects were there and the testimony was much of the same. However, a new twist showed up at this meeting. It seems that the opponents felt it fitting to all wear stickers (about 3 x3 inches) showing a sprinkler head with a red line through the head! This blatant display did not go un-noticed by the fire service in the room. A representative from the SFMO remarked in his testimony that many people are under-educated about sprinklers, as shown by many in the audience who have their stickers on, with the pendent sprinkler pointing upward. A representative from the Providence FD was not so polite, stating that those stickers were an insult to the fire service and to those who have died in fires in the state (This in a state that lost 100 citizens in a nightclub that should have been sprinklered and recently lost 5 people in a single family dwelling fire).
In a related topic, the committee felt it necessary to strike the end of the last sentence of the “Intent” statement from the code (R101.3). This is the part that states “…to the built environment and to provide safety to fire fighters and emergency responders during emergency operations.” Their reasoning was that this was not in previous versions of the code so why add it now. Once again the fire service in the room was incensed.
The testimony in favor of the residential sprinklers came from the NFSA, NFPA, the RI Fire Chiefs Assoc, the RI Fire Marshal’s Assoc, Providence FD & the RI SFMO.
The committee vote was 13 to 3 to move the code as amended (with residential sprinkler provisions in the appendix).
At the end of the day it was; Builders, Building Officials, Realtors – 1; and Fire Safety Advocates and the Fire Service - 0
They did agree to convene a sub-committee to study residential sprinklers and report back to the entire committee in an year. I am not optimistic in the outcome of that report…
Tim
Timothy P. Travers, EFO, CFO
_________________________________________________________________
The Fire Pevention Association of Mass. have responded to our request to have members present at the hearing. FCAM members are asked to attend to show unitied fire service support for the inclusion of residential sprinklers in future codes adopted by the Board of Building Regulations and Standards.
Members of the Phoenix Society - burn survivors will be there to show their support.
This is not a public hearing and the BBRs has allowed only one hour for delivery of the report. Chief George Baker - Mashpee, who was a member of the study committee will the spokesman for FCAM that day.
The presents of the Fire Chiefs and Fire Prevention Officers in force will display our support of residential sprinklers.
(The following is the original posting on this matter)
Chiefs The subcommittee report on 1&2 family residential sprinklers will be discussed and possibly reported out with a recommendation to the full BBRS Board on March 9th. We expect this will not be a favorable report. This is the first step in the process as the new 1&2 family residential code will soon begin to be revised. Therefore I am requesting as much attendance as possible at this meeting to show the fire service support for residential sprinklers.
Thanks
Tom
Here is the info for the BBRS Meeting For Tuesday, March 9th, from Noon - 1 p.m.
What: BBRS Meeting - FCAM is presenting a white paper outlining the Association's position on the installation of residential sprinkler systems in new construction 1 & 2 -family residences.
Who: The goal is to have a visible presence in front of the BBRS to demonstrate FCAM's commitment getting this code adopted by having a large turnout of Fire Chiefs. Other groups, including the American Burn Association and the Phoenix Society, the Fire Prevention Officers Association, and others will also be sending representative.
Where: Wellesley National Guard Armory-NOTE CHANGE OF VENUE-MEETING IS NOT IN BOSTON
Directions: Traveling toward the West on Route 9, Minuteman Lane is 1800 feet from Route 128 (95)
On the right. Traveling East, make “U” turn at the lights 800 feet before Route 128.
Minuteman Lane is 1200 feet toward the West.
Pull into the parking lot and enter through the side door DO NOT USE THE FRONT
DOOR.
Uniform: Regular Work Uniform
FYI: The Fire Prevention Officers Association is issuing the same invitation to their members. We encourage you to allow your FPO to attend this event with you so that their organization is as well-represented as FCAM.
The entire hearing is from Noon - 4 p.m., but the part of the meeting we need to attend is from Noon - 1 p.m. Representatives from FCAM will remain at the hearing as observers after 1 p.m.
Please send an email to Bill Dolan indicating your intention to attend this meeting.
This seminar will include a review of the early warning indicators of a juvenile bomb maker, the current national statistics on juveniles and bombs and the precursors and instrumentalities showcased by the Internet. Participants will be provided with pre-and post- blast investigative techniques from the "Bomb Tech" perspective that will include a discussion of the issue as it relates to educational institutions. The "Bomb Techs" presentation will include static display, a canine and robot demo, and will utilize actual case examples to highlight teaching points.
This seminar will also give participants a "criminal investigators" perspective that will be highlighted by a section on "how to build a case" that incorporates sound investigative principles and juvenile legal issues. This seminar will also have a clinical perspective that examines emotional and behavioral functioning of juveniles engaged in bomb making. What are the considerations when there is a need to identify appropriate mental health or social services?
This seminar is designed for a multi-disciplinary audience to include:
Public Safety First Responder - Red and Blue teams
ADA's
School personnel
Fire Safety/JFS Educators
JFS Clinicians
MA & RI IAAI members
Probation Officers
School resource officers
Case workers
Educators
6.5 contact hours available toward educator PDP's
Course #: 200-039-951 Session A
Date: April 29, 2010
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Location: Devens Common Center, Devens, MA 01434 - www.devenscommoncenter.com
31 Andrews Parkway - attached to Springhill Suites by Marriott
Payment in advance is required. Please submit a completed standard DFS/MFA student application by downloading the form from the following link:
Also, include your money order or personal check for $30.00, made payable to "The Massachusetts Firefighting Academy Trust Fund" to the following address:
MAIL TO: Registrar
Massachusetts Firefighting Academy
State Road, PO Box 1025
Stow, MA 01775
(978) 567-3200
NOTE: Cash will NOT be accepted and purchase orders will ONLY be accepted for reserving a spot.
Lunch and breaks throughout the day are included in the cost of the course.
Seating is limited, so please submit your application and payment early.
LODGING:
A limited number of rooms will be available at the governmental rate of $121.00 per night. Those colleagues who are traveling from out of town or out of state and require lodging, please contact the Springhill Suites by Marriott hotel directly to make your reservation by calling (978) 772-3030 and mention the governmental room rate. Lodging costs will be the attendee's responsibility.
Should you have any further questions, please feel free to contact Sgt. Paul Zipper or Michael McLeieer using the respective contact information listed below.
Sgt Paul T Zipper #2096
Massachusetts State Police
Fire & Explosion Investigation Section
PO Box 1025 - 1 State Road
Stow MA 01775
cell 978-273-7351
vm 978-567-3327
and
Michael O. McLeieer
Fire Prevention & Juvenile Firesetter Training Coordinator
Massachusetts Firefighting Academy
Massachusetts Department of Fire Services
National Fire Academy Adjunct Instructor
(978) 346-4731 - Office
(978) 375-1968 - Cellular
(269) 327-4353 - Facsimile
FCAM asks that you support our vendors by supporting this bill
March 4, 2010
To : All
RE: Mass STATE BID OSD TAX 1% for Fire Vendors
Please be advised that a Bill was Filed to take away this unwarranted tax on small Business. The Bill is : “ A Bill to Repeal The Operational Services Division Administration 1 % Fee “
This Letter is being sent out and everyone needs to call their Legislator and if they do not know who they are the Main number is 1-617-722-2800 , Please ask their State Representative SIGN on to the Bill- The More people that sign on the more likely it can be passed – NOW is not the Time for New TAXES
The 2010 Assistance to Firefighters Grant application period is set for March 29 – April 30, 2010. The 2010 AFG informational workshops will be conducted throughout Massachusetts during the week of March 15th, 2010.
The full schedule appears as follows: Registration through the Mass Fire Academy is requested but not required. If there are any questions feel free to contact me at the number(s) below.
Please plan to join us:
Friday, May 13-14, 2010
The Crowne Plaza, Worcester, MA
Please join us at the country's premier conference on Juvenile Firesetting!
Presenters from across the U.S. & New Zealand
Keynote address:
Meri-K Appy, President of the Home Safety Council
Topics of Interest:
Cyberbullying, social media & the Internet
Anger management
CBT skills for firesetting
Working with parents
Middle school fire safety
Community interventions
Up to 9 CEUs Available
$129 Conference Registration
FREE Pre-Conference Institute with early
registration, $30 additional after 4/1
For more information or to register online go to www.brandonschool.org
Sponsored by , Department of Fire Services, MA Association of Safety & Fire Educators,
MA Property Insurance Underwriting Association
Please be advised I have settled in to the position of Division Manager of the Public Fire Protection Division at the National Fire Protection Association and am available to assist you in any way possible. The Public Fire Protection Division has responsibility for the NFPA Standards that directly impact the American Fire Service. Some of our Standards deal with fire apparatus, (like 1901), ppe and scba, training standards,(like 1001 and 1021), wellness and safety,(1500) and staffing and response recommended Standards,(1710 and 1720) and fire investigagtion,(921) and haz mat training and response.
Please feel free to contact me if you have a question about a Standard or the NFPA. The process used to develop these Standards is open to everybody, whether you are a NFPA member or not, allowing you the opportuinity to comment on proposed revisions or submit a proposal to a Technical Committee to address an issue you have identified.
My NFPA contact information is:
1 Batterymarch Park
Quincy,MA 02169
Phone 617-984-7299 (O) kwillette@nfpa.org
More information about the NFPA and the Standards process can be found at WWW.NFPA.org and for more information about the Public Fire Protection Division, including our Fire Service Blog, visit http://nfpa.typepad.com/fireservicetoday/ .
I look forward to maintaining a strong relationship between the NFPA and FCAM.
- Mon, Mar 8, 2010, 2:02 P
