US and MA Flags
Memorial Day Monday - May 27 - 2013 Flags to Half Staff
Sunrise until Noon
Noon to Sunset return to full staff _____________________
HALF STAFF Tuesday - 28 May 2013
In honor of
U.S. Army Specialist Mitchell K. Daehling of Dalton
Died 14 May 2013 in Kandahar Province - Afghanistan
Lighthouse Comemorative Chinstrap
May 25, 2013
Fire Chiefs Association of Massachusetts
Training, Developing and Educating Fire Service Professionals for the Next Generation
Posted by
FCAMSECTREAS
- Mon, May 21, 2012, 6:36 A
New Public Service Announcements Fight Hollywood Fire Sprinkler Myths With Humor
New Public Service Announcements Fight Hollywood Fire Sprinkler Myths With Humor
Introducing three new public service announcements and print ads that dispel Hollywood myths about fire sprinklers. Each spoofs a movie set where a burglar tries to clear a room full of people by setting off the sprinkler system. His antics fail, but the humor succeeds at entertaining AND educating.
HFSC offers the PSAs and ads at no cost. You’re encouraged to customize them with your fire department name and use the videos on TV, in movie theaters and on your website.
$1,000 Media Stipends Available - Application Deadline June 15th
BUILT FOR LIFE Fire Departments can apply for a $1,000 stipend to customize the PSAs and print ads and cover local media placement costs. HFSC will award 50 stipends and provide free customization for an additional 100 BUILT FOR LIFE fire departments.
USFA Releases Civilian Fire Injuries in Residential Buildings (2008-2010) Topical Report
USFA Releases Civilian Fire Injuries in Residential Buildings (2008-2010) Topical Report
Report focuses on the causes and characteristics of fire injuries in residential buildings
Contact USFA Press Office:
(301) 447-1853
May 2, 2012
Emmitsburg, MD. – The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) issued a special report today examining the characteristics of civilian fire injuries in residential buildings. The report, Civilian Fire Injuries in Residential Buildings (2008-2010) (PDF, 277 Kb), was developed by USFA's National Fire Data Center and is based on 2008 to 2010 data from the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS).
According to the report:
Seventy-six percent of all civilian fire injuries occurred as a result of fires in residential buildings.
Cooking (30 percent) was the primary cause for residential building fires that resulted in injuries.
Thirty-five percent of civilian fire injuries in residential buildings resulted from trying to control a fire followed by attempting to escape (26 percent).
Seventy-nine percent of injuries resulting from residential building fires involved smoke inhalation and thermal burns.
The leading human factor contributing to injuries in residential building fires was being asleep (55 percent).
Bedrooms (35 percent) were the leading location where civilian injuries occurred in residential building fires.
Civilian Fire Injuries in Residential Buildings (2008-2010) is part of the Topical Fire Report Series. Topical reports explore facets of the U.S. fire problem as depicted through data collected in NFIRS. Each topical report briefly addresses the nature of the specific fire or fire-related topic, highlights important findings from the data, and may suggest other resources to consider for further information. Also included are recent examples of fire incidents that demonstrate some of the issues addressed in the report or that put the report topic in context.
For further information regarding other topical reports or any programs and training available at USFA, visit www.usfa.fema.gov.
Posted by
FCAMSECTREAS
- Thu, Apr 26, 2012, 1:20 P
USFA Releases Residential Building Fires (2008-2010) Topical Report
USFA Releases Residential Building Fires (2008-2010) Topical Report
Report focuses on the causes and characteristics of fires in residential buildings
Contact USFA Press Office:
(301) 447-1853
April 26, 2012
Emmitsburg, MD. – The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) announces the release of a special report focusing on the causes and characteristics of fires in residential buildings. The report, Residential Building Fires (2008-2010) (PDF, 321 Kb), was developed by USFA's National Fire Data Center. Residential buildings include what are commonly referred to as "homes," whether they are one- or two-family dwellings or multifamily buildings. It also includes manufactured housing, hotels and motels, residential hotels, dormitories, assisted living facilities, and halfway houses.
According to the report:
An estimated 365,500 residential building fires are reported to U.S. fire departments each year and cause an estimated 2,560 deaths, 13,000 injuries, and $7.4 billion in property loss.
Cooking is the leading cause of residential building fires (45 percent). Nearly all residential building cooking fires are small, confined fires (94 percent).
Residential building fire incidence is higher in the cooler months, peaking in January at 11 percent.
Residential building fires occur most frequently in the early evening hours, peaking during the dinner hours from 5 to 8 p.m., when cooking fires are high.
Forty-seven percent of nonconfined residential building fires extend beyond the room of origin. The leading causes of these larger fires are electrical malfunctions (16 percent), unintentional or careless actions (16 percent), intentional (12 percent), and open flame (11 percent).
Smoke alarms were not present in 22 percent of the larger, nonconfined fires in occupied residential buildings.
Residential Building Fires (2008-2010) is part of the Topical Fire Report Series and is based on 2008 through 2010 National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) data. Topical reports explore facets of the United States fire problem as depicted through data collected in NFIRS. Each topical report briefly addresses the nature of the specific fire or fire-related topic, highlights important findings from the data, and may suggest other resources to consider for further information. Also included are recent examples of fire incidents that demonstrate some of the issues addressed in the report or that put the report topic in context.
For further information regarding other topical reports or any programs and training available at the USFA, visit www.usfa.fema.gov.
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The United States Fire Administration recommends everyone should have a comprehensive fire protection plan that includes smoke alarms, residential sprinklers, and practicing a home fire escape plan.
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Update your subscriptions, modify your password or e-mail address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page. You will need to use your e-mail address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please contact support@govdelivery.com.
This service is provided to you at no charge by the U.S. Fire Administration.
Posted by
FCAMSECTREAS
- Mon, Apr 23, 2012, 1:03 P
USFA, Office of Health Affairs Release Funding Alternatives for Emergency Medical and Fire Services
USFA, Office of Health Affairs Release Funding Alternatives for Emergency Medical and Fire Services
Contains information on federal funding, other new and innovative funding sources
Contact USFA Press Office
(301) 447-1853
April 23, 2012
Emmitsburg, MD. – The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), supported by the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Office of Health Affairs (OHA), and in partnership with the International Fire Services Training Association (IFSTA), announce the revision and release of Funding Alternatives for Emergency Medical and Fire Services (PDF, 3.7 Mb). The latest edition provides the most up to date information regarding funding for local level Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and fire departments. The document includes sources of federal funding as well as other new and innovative funding sources not discussed in previous editions.
"Adequate funding is one of the most challenging issues facing EMS and fire departments today," said U.S. Fire Administrator Ernest Mitchell. "This document provides valuable information for local-level departments facing financial challenges."
A key part of the project initiative was an enhanced study of critical funding issues for both fire and non-fire service based EMS systems.
"OHA is pleased to provide guidance on this important topic," said Dr. Alexander G. Garza, DHS Assistant Secretary for OHA and Chief Medical Officer. "Funding is critical for the successful operation of EMS response agencies – key to this nation's homeland security."
EMS and fire departments require funding for expenses such as equipment, training, and salaries in order to provide necessary protection to their respective communities. However, with tighter budgets, less government subsidies, and fewer donations, it is becoming increasingly more difficult for fire and emergency services departments to meet greater and more complex demands for its services.
"IFSTA was proud to work with USFA and OHA to provide this much needed information," said Mike Wieder, IFSTA Executive Director.
Further information on USFA's EMS research initiatives may be found on the USFA website.
Posted by
FCAMSECTREAS
- Fri, Apr 20, 2012, 7:23 A
Bereavement Uniform Program
Bereavement Uniform Program
The Lighthouse Uniform Company, long known for its Fallen Fire Fighter Dress Uniform Program, recently started a new program called the Bereavement Uniform Program.
The Bereavement Uniform is an offshoot of the Fallen Fire Fighter Dress Uniform Program. It is an active response to families finding themselves in need of ‘end game’ help.
A little background; Many times over the course of administering the Fallen Fire Fighter Dress Uniform Program, we’ve had difficult conversations about qualifying ‘line of duty death’. We’ve discovered, there is whole generation of firefighters, mostly retired now, who dedicated their lives to the Fire Service, never owned a dress uniform and are beginning to pass away. Their families want to give them a ‘fireman’s funeral’ and they don’t ‘qualify’ for the Fallen Fire Fighter Dress Uniform.
It doesn’t mean they don’t deserve one. It means there needs to be a different program and that’s what gave rise to the Lighthouse Bereavement Uniform Program.
Unfortunately, the Lighthouse can’t afford to provide free dress uniforms to every firefighter passing away. We did what we could with the Bereavement Program. You can get an overview at http://blog.lighthouseuniform.com/?p=1885.
As it turns out, the solution and success of the Bereavement Uniform Program actually hangs in the closets of many fire departments around the country and to that end we are reaching out and asking them to send us their ‘surplus and no longer used dress uniforms which we will clean, refurbish, re-rank as necessary and make them available to those families wanting/needing a Bereavement Uniform, at ‘no cost’.
We will also acknowledge and honor those departments who so generously and graciously gave to make this program work on our website ‘Wall of Fame’ and we will, upon request, send a shipping call tag so there’s no ‘out of pocket’ cost incurred by participating departments.
This is an opportunity to do something meaningful and important. It is an opportunity to “take care of those who took care of us”. With your help, it is doable. To find out more, email us at steve@lighthouseuniform.com or call 1-800-426-5225 (Seattle time). Ask for me.
Posted by
FCAMSECTREAS
- Thu, Apr 12, 2012, 7:54 P
USFA, Federal Highway Administration Complete Study of Traffic Incident Management Systems
USFA, Federal Highway Administration Complete Study of Traffic Incident Management Systems
Updated Traffic Incident Management Systems manual contains technical information and training programs for fire and emergency service providers
Contact: USFA Press Office
(301) 447-1853
April 12, 2012
Emmitsburg, MD. – The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Highway Administration, working in partnership with the International Fire Service Training Association (IFSTA) have, through a study of current traffic incident management practices and policies, updated the 2008 edition of the Traffic Incident Management Systems (TIMS) (PDF, 5 Mb) manual. The 2012 edition provides the most current technical information and training programs in traffic incident management for fire and emergency service providers in this area as well as guidance to local fire departments on compliance with the latest edition of the DOT Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).
"Effective traffic incident management can enhance roadway safety for firefighters and other emergency responders of which too many have been killed on duty from being struck by vehicles," said U.S. Fire Administrator Ernest Mitchell. "The USFA was pleased to work with the DOT Federal Highway Administration and IFSTA towards reducing this number."
This project included research into effective roadway operations safety and management examining such technology and practices as:
roadway safety vests and other personal protective equipment,
effective distance of placement of roadway warning signs,
correct amount and type of emergency vehicle warning lighting (e.g., intensity, color, etc.), and
roadway operations safety training.
"We're committed to enhancing the safety of firefighters and emergency responders working on our nation's roadways," said Victor Mendez, Federal Highway Administrator. "We must provide for the safety of these men and women who act selflessly to risk their lives to protect and assist the motoring public."
The updated TIMS manual includes case studies of roadway incidents that have taken the lives of firefighters, highway scene safety survival basics, incident command for roadway incidents, and examples of effective traffic incident management programs.
"Traffic incident management is an important operational and safety issue for today's fire service," said Mike Wieder, IFSTA Executive Director. "IFSTA was proud to work with USFA and the U.S. Department of Transportation in this initiative to protect firefighters operating on the roadway."
Further information about this study and other roadway safety projects may be found on the USFA website.
Posted by
FCAMSECTREAS
- Wed, Apr 11, 2012, 4:24 P
USFA and the U.S. Department of Justice Initiate Study of Best Practices for Emergency Vehicle Visibility
USFA and the U.S. Department of Justice Initiate Study of Best Practices for Emergency Vehicle Visibility
Study will benefit both the fire service and law enforcement
Contact: USFA Press Office
(301) 447-1853
April 11, 2012
Emmitsburg, MD. – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), supported by the U.S. Department of Justice National Institute of Justice (NIJ), and in partnership with the Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firemen's Association's (CVVFA) Emergency Responder Safety Institute, has initiated a study of emergency vehicle markings, lighting, and design to recommend best practices for increased visibility to approaching motorists.
"USFA is committed to reducing emergency vehicle crashes and responders being struck on the roadway," said U.S. Fire Administrator Ernest Mitchell. "We are grateful for DOJ's support of this important study which will benefit both the fire service and law enforcement."
The goal of this study is to develop best practices in the application of various chevron patterns, creative use of reflective decal markings, new arrangements of warning lights and other innovative designs, all with the intent of increasing the visibility of the emergency vehicles to motorists approaching them. The study will focus on emergency vehicles not covered by existing standards in this area.
"Increasing the safety of law enforcement officers and firefighters is a key focus of NIJ," said John H. Laub, Director of the National Institute of Justice. "Through effective emergency vehicle safety projects such as this, we are committed to reducing deaths and injuries from crashes and being struck by vehicles."
"CVVFA is pleased to work with both USFA and NIJ on this project to enhance the safety of emergency responders," said CVVFA President Michael Sullivan. "Our goal is to support the decision makers in local fire, police, and EMS departments on ways to enhance the emergency vehicle and roadway operations safety of their organizations."
Further information on USFA's emergency vehicle and roadway safety research initiatives may be found on the USFA website.
Posted by
FCAMSECTREAS
- Tue, Mar 27, 2012, 1:54 P
New guide addresses actions to improve individual and community wildland fire safety Contact:
USFA Releases Your Role in Fire-Adapted Communities
New guide addresses actions to improve individual and community wildland fire safety
Contact:
USFA Press Office (301) 447-1853
March 27, 2012
Emmitsburg, MD. – The U. S. Fire Administration (USFA), in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service and the International Association of Fire Chiefs, announces the release of Your Role in Fire-Adapted Communities (PDF, 772 Kb). This new guide promotes a holistic approach to wildland fire risk reduction in the wildland urban interface and addresses actions to improve individual and community safety.
For communities to become more resistant to wildland fire threats, a strong collaboration must exist between federal, state, and local agencies and the public. Aligning with the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) "whole community" principles, this guide encourages a community environment where individuals have access to critical information and the knowledge necessary to reduce the loss of life and property. Visit the FEMA website for information on the "whole community" approach to emergency management.
"It is important that fire departments partner with other local emergency response departments, state fire and forestry agencies, and any regional federal organizations before a fire begins," said U.S. Fire Administrator Ernest Mitchell.
The concept behind fire-adapted communities is that with proper community-wide preparation, populations and infrastructure can withstand the devastating effects of wildland fire, thereby reducing the loss of life and property. In addition to understanding wildland fire defensible space and preparedness, the guide further explains how a community can coexist with the threat of wildland fire and ultimately reduce the need for costly fire suppression responses. As the science of fire-adapted communities continues to evolve, agencies and the public can take steps now to understand better the role they play and actions they can take to coexist safely with wildland fire threats.
Your Role in Fire-Adapted Communities can be downloaded under the Publications section of the USFA website at: www.usfa.fema.gov
Bookmark and Share
The United States Fire Administration recommends everyone should have a comprehensive fire protection plan that includes smoke alarms, residential sprinklers, and practicing a home fire escape plan.
Follow USFA updates on Twitter
Update your subscriptions, modify your password or e-mail address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page. You will need to use your e-mail address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please contact support@govdelivery.com.
This service is provided to you at no charge by the U.S. Fire Administration.
Posted by
FCAMSECTREAS
- Sat, Mar 17, 2012, 3:38 P
USFA Releases Civilian Fire Fatalities in Residential Buildings (2008-2010) Report
USFA Releases Civilian Fire Fatalities in Residential Buildings (2008-2010) Report
"Other unintentionally set, careless" actions and "smoking" are the leading causes
Contact USFA Press Office: (301) 447-1853
March 14, 2012
Emmitsburg, MD. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) issued a special report today examining the characteristics of civilian fire fatalities in residential buildings. The report, Civilian Fire Fatalities in Residential Buildings (2008-2010) (PDF, 916 Kb), was developed by USFA’s National Fire Data Center and is based on 2008 to 2010 data from the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS).
According to the report:
Ninety-two percent of all civilian fatalities in residential building fires involve thermal burns and smoke inhalation.
The leading specific location where civilian fire fatalities occur in residential buildings is the bedroom (55 percent).
Fifty percent of civilian fire fatalities in residential buildings occur between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. This period also accounts for 47 percent of fatal fires.
Thirty-six percent of fire victims in residential buildings were trying to escape at the time of their deaths; an additional 35 percent were sleeping.
"Other unintentionally set, careless" actions and "smoking" (each accounting for 16 percent) are the leading causes of fatal residential building fires.
Approximately 44 percent of civilian fatalities in residential building fires are between the ages of 40 and 69. Thirteen percent of the fire fatalities in residential buildings were less than 10 years old.
Civilian Fire Fatalities in Residential Buildings (2008-2010) is part of the Topical Fire Report Series. Topical reports explore facets of the U.S. fire problem as depicted through data collected in NFIRS. Each topical report briefly addresses the nature of the specific fire or fire-related topic, highlights important findings from the data, and may suggest other resources to consider for further information. Also included are recent examples of fire incidents that demonstrate some of the issues addressed in the report or that put the report topic in context.
For further information regarding other topical reports or any programs and training available from the U.S. Fire Administration, visit: www.usfa.fema.gov
Posted by
FCAMSECTREAS
- Mon, Jan 23, 2012, 1:50 P
FEMA Training Identification Number (FTIN) for futre admissions
Folks,
Each of us has heard of some organization government or private that experienced the loss or compromise of data due to hacking. Many of us have had our personal email accounts hacked. Unfortunately, hacking has become a sport, simply a sign of the times. Aside from the sport hackers, criminals have collected personal information from several different unrelated databases in order to assemble personal information to commit fraud. As a government agency, we are not immune to this potential; we're required to protect personally identifiable information (PII).
This is a 3-month heads-up on a major change to the admissions process. In order to protect PII, we can no longer use Social Security numbers (SSAN) in our paper or on-line application process. We do, however, need a unique identifier that will allow us to record class registration, send acceptance and rejection notifications, provide stipend reimbursement (when appropriate), and record course performance and transcripts for John Jones or Mary Jones.
That unique identifier will be a FEMA Training Identification Number (FTIN). The explanation and process are provided on the How to Apply page on the NFA Website; the requirement applies to all FEMA academies / schools. I tried the process and timed myself, it took about 90 seconds. For those applicants without home or work access to the Web, they may use a computer at a library.
Of course we realize that this change will cause headaches for students applying for classes ON and OFF Campus 2 day, 6 day, 10 day and eventually Online classes. It will cause problems for our partners in State and local fire training, including all our staffs. This will take education, patience and understanding; we're going to do our best, and ask for everyone's cooperation.
I ask that you share this information with your students, subscribers, clients, members, organizations and list-serves. In order to ease the process, we're going to do everything we can to continuously advise and remind everyone of this upcoming change as we implement it beginning April 15th.
Dr. Denis Onieal
Superintendent
National Fire Academy
United States Fire Administration
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Department of Homeland Security
| Open ]
- Mon, May 21, 2012, 6:36 A
