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
Posted by
FCAMSECTREAS
- Wed, Dec 7, 2011, 12:58 P
National Fire Academy Launches FESHE Recognition Program
National Fire Academy Launches FESHE Recognition Program
Contact:
USFA Press Office: (301) 447-1853
December 7, 2011
EMMITSBURG, Maryland — The U.S. Fire Administration’s (USFA) announced today a new National Fire Academy (NFA) program opportunity for educational institutions offering undergraduate fire science degree programs. This effort is designed to offer national recognition to students participating in the Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education (FESHE) model core associate’s and bachelor’s courses. The new FESHE recognition acknowledges the regionally accredited institutions that promote the standardization of fire science course titles, descriptions, and outcomes across the nation.
"The NFA has consistently demonstrated a commitment to standardize fire science degree programs. Working with FEMA and USFA partners in colleges and state fire training systems, the USFA has an opportunity to support a universal system of professional development for fire service personnel," said Ernest Mitchell, U.S. Fire Administrator.
To achieve this national recognition from the USFA, regionally accredited institutions will provide a six-course model fire science curriculum in their associate's or baccalaureate programs. In addition, regionally accredited institutions with the FESHE designation will also be able to provide the participating students with a NFA course Certificate of Completion for each course they complete. The documentation of a student’s participation in the FESHE model core curriculum will further recognize the graduate’s degree as one tied to a nationally recognized standard of education and achievement. This national approach to standardizing fire science education will produce graduates well prepared to improve the quality of fire and emergency services delivery throughout the nation.
"With our current NFA curriculum development and delivery and our continued resolve to prepare the fire service for the future through training and education, this FESHE effort moves the fire service another step closer to providing the leadership and safety all citizens have come to expect of their fire departments now and into the future," said NFA Superintendent Dr. Denis Onieal.
Recognized institutions will be highlighted on the FESHE college list.
For more information about the FESHE program and the USFA’s continued efforts to standardize professional development for the nation’s fire service, visit the USFA website at www.usfa.fema.gov. For information about how to become a FESHE-recognized institution, contact Ms. Diane Close at (301) 447-1376 or via e-mail at Diane.Close@fema.dhs.gov.
USFA Releases 2010 Fire Estimate Summary Series Contac
USFA Releases 2010 Fire Estimate Summary Series
Contact:
USFA Press Office: (301) 447-1853
December 5, 2011
EMMITSBURG, Maryland — The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) issued the 2010 Fire Estimate Summary Series today which presents basic information on the size and status of the fire problem in the United States as depicted through data collected in USFA’s National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS). The data summary series was developed by USFA’s National Fire Data Center and is further evidence of FEMA’s commitment to sharing information with the American public, fire departments, and first responders around the country to help them keep their communities safe.
"The fire estimate summaries serve as a great resource tool for members of the fire service and the public to obtain general information regarding fire issues impacting our nation’s communities," said Glenn Gaines, Deputy U.S. Fire Administrator. "It is important to use this information to further reduce the risk of deaths, injuries, and property loss due to fire."
Individual summaries are issued as part of the Fire Estimate Summary Series and address the size of a specific fire or fire-related issue as well as highlight important data trends. As part of this series, 17 summaries have been issued presenting basic information on the leading causes of residential building and nonresidential building fires, deaths, injuries, and dollar losses for 2010 and highlighting overall trends in these leading causes for the 5-year period of 2006 to 2010. Additional new and updated fire estimate summaries will be periodically released under this series as future year data become available.
The complete Fire Estimate Summary Series is available at www.usfa.fema.gov/statistics/estimates/. For further information regarding other statistical reports or any programs and training available at USFA, visit www.usfa.fema.gov.
Posted by
FCAMSECTREAS
- Thu, Nov 10, 2011, 12:46 P
USFA and NFPA Join Forces Again to Put a Freeze on Winter Fires Contact:
USFA and NFPA Join Forces Again to Put a Freeze on Winter Fires
Contact:
USFA Press Office: (301) 447-1853
NFPA Press Office: (617) 984-7275
November 10, 2011
Emmitsburg, MD – As we move closer to winter and home fire deaths begin to increase, the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) remind everyone that fire safety and prevention are especially important in the coming months. Because home fires are more prevalent in winter than in any other season, USFA and NFPA are once again jointly sponsoring a special initiative – Put a Freeze on Winter Fires – to help raise public awareness about winter fires.
“These fires are a painful reminder of what we see every year – the temperatures drop and fires increase,” said NFPA President Jim Shannon. According to NFPA statistics, space heaters account for about one third of home heating fires and approximately 80 percent of the home heating fire deaths.
The USFA’s Winter Residential Building Fires (PDF, 1Mb) report shows that each winter an estimated 108,400 residential building fires occur in the United States, resulting in 945 deaths, 3,825 injuries, and $1.7 billion in property loss. Cooking is the leading cause of winter residential building fires at 36 percent followed by heating at 23 percent. Winter residential building fires occur mainly in the early evening hours, peaking from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
“The winter season brings the highest number of home fires, more than at any other time of year,” said USFA’s Deputy Fire Administrator Glenn Gaines. “Home fires increase in part due to cooking and heating. Winter storms can also interrupt electrical service and cause people to turn to alternative heating sources that contribute to the increased risk of fire during the winter months.”
Winter Fire Safety Tips
The USFA and NFPA recommend following these safety tips to prevent winter home fires:
Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period, turn off the stove.
Space heaters need space; keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from each heater.
Check electrical cords often and replace cracked or damaged electrical or extension cords. Do not try to repair them.
Never use your oven or stovetop to heat your home. They are not designed for this purpose and can be a fire hazard. In addition, carbon monoxide (CO) gas might kill people and pets.
Do not put your live Christmas tree up too early or leave it up for longer than two weeks. Keep the tree stand filled with water at all times.
Avoid using lighted candles. If you must use candles, place them in sturdy candleholders that won’t burn.
If you smoke, use only fire-safe cigarettes and smoke outside.
“Winter fires are preventable,” Gaines emphasized. “Everyone should find out what they need to know to prevent a tragedy and have a safe winter season.”
For more information about the causes of winter fires, winter storm fire safety, holiday fire safety, and tips that will help prevent the incidence of fire in the home, visit the USFA website at www.usfa.fema.gov/winter and the NFPA website at www.nfpa.org/winter.
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Posted by
FCAMSECTREAS
- Tue, Oct 25, 2011, 6:52 A
USFA, Justice Department Initiate Public Safety Emergency Vehicle Safety Study
USFA, Justice Department Initiate Public Safety Emergency Vehicle Safety Study
Contact
USFA Press Office: (301) 447-1853
October 24, 2011
Emmitsburg, MD. – The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), in partnership with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)/National Institute of Justice (NIJ), has begun a study of emergent topics in emergency vehicle and roadway operations safety to assist in the development and demonstration of best practices for the emergency services. The International Fire Service Training Association (IFSTA) will conduct the study.
"USFA is committed to reducing the incidence of vehicle crashes and emergency responders being struck on the roadway as they are a large cause of onduty fatalities," said Deputy U.S. Fire Administrator Glenn Gaines. "We are grateful for the U.S. Department of Justice's support of this important initiative which benefits both the fire service and law enforcement."
Each year, approximately 25 percent of onduty firefighter fatalities occur while responding to or returning from incidents, with the majority of fatalities resulting from vehicle crashes. This represents a leading cause of firefighter fatalities - second only to heart attacks.
While this is a critical issue for the fire service, it is also an issue for the law enforcement community. Data from the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund shows that from 2001-2010, vehicle-related crashes - including motorcycle crashes and struck while operating on the roadway - were the leading cause of onduty fatalities for U.S. law enforcement officers. These fatalities represented 43 percent of the total number of officers who lost their lives on duty during that time.
“Increasing safety for our law enforcement officers and firefighters is one of our highest priorities,” said John H. Laub, Director of the National Institute of Justice. “We are delighted to work with our partners at the USFA to discover what works best to reduce deaths and injuries from vehicle crashes and being struck by vehicles.”
Added IFSTA Executive Director Mike Wieder, “These types of injuries and fatalities are among the most preventable types for all emergency responders. IFSTA is grateful for the opportunity presented to us by the U.S. Fire Administration and the DOJ's National Institute of Justice to perform this study with the goal of reducing these losses.”
Further information on USFA's vehicle and roadway operations safety initiatives may be found on the USFA website.
Posted by
FCAMSECTREAS
- Thu, Sep 29, 2011, 1:28 P
USFA Releases Residential Building Fires Topical Repor
USFA Releases Residential Building Fires Topical Report
Contact:
USFA Press Office (301) 447-1853
September 29, 2011
Emmitsburg, MD – The Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) 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 (PDF, 973 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 374,900 residential building fires are reported to U.S. fire departments each year and cause an estimated 2,630 deaths, 13,075 injuries, and $7.6 billion in property loss.
Cooking is the leading cause of residential building fires (44 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 p.m. to 8 p.m., when cooking fires are high.
Forty-six 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 (15 percent), intentional (12 percent), and open flame (11 percent).
Smoke alarms were not present in 21 percent of the larger, nonconfined fires in occupied residential buildings.
Residential Building Fires is part of the Topical Fire Report Series and is based on 2007 through 2009 National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) data. 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 the United States Fire Administration, visit www.usfa.fema.gov.
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- Mon, Jan 23, 2012, 1:50 P
