News in Brief

Scholarships awarded to survivors of fallen firefighters

The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation has awarded scholarships to eight survivors of fallen firefighters for the 2000-2001 academic year, according to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. The scholarships will assist two spouses and six children of fallen fire heroes.

The 2000-2001 recipients are the following:

Travis Bennett of Carriere, Mississippi. His mother, a Carriere firefighter, died in the line of duty in 1998.
Nancy Casiano of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her husband, a Philadelphia firefighter, died in the line of duty in 1999.
Amber Drews of Fort Myers, Florida. Her father, a San Carlos Park firefighter, died in the line of duty in 1990.
Helen King of Alamo, Tennessee. Her husband, a Maury City firefighter, died in the line of duty in 1998.
Kristin Mumford of West Haverstraw, New York. Her father, a Garnersville firefighter, died in the line of duty in 1998.
Elsa Schmidt of Cowlesville, New York. Her father, a Cowlesville firefighter, died in the line of duty in 1996.
Kellie Schoolman of Ashkum, Illinois. Her father, an Ashkum firefighter, died in the line of duty in 1988.
Kenneth Yost of Atglen, Pennsylvania. His father, a Cochranville firefighter, died in the line of duty in 1998.

The Foundation established its annual scholarship program in 1996 and named the awards in honor of Senator Paul S. Sarbanes of Maryland, a longstanding supporter of programs for families of fallen firefighters.

For more information, contact the Foundation at (301) 447-1365 or by e-mail at firehero@erols.com; visit www.firehero.org to learn more about Foundation programs.

Fallen Firefighters Foundation chooses board members

The Board of Directors of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation has selected Hal Bruno as its new chairman. Bruno, a volunteer firefighter and the director of the Chevy Chase (MD) Fire Department, is a nationally known journalist and member of the fire-rescue service.

Jerry Scannell, president of the National Safety Council and chairman of the board for the past seven years, will serve as vice chairman of the nine-member board. Las Vegas Chief Mario Trevino will lead the Fire Service Council. He succeeds Chief Neil Svetanics, who recently retired after 37 years with the St. Louis (MO) Fire Department.

Large trucks subject to new marking system

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has revised requirements for marking commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) with FMCSA-issued U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) identification numbers, providing a more consistent vehicle identification method.

Under the new rule, carriers operating in interstate commerce must display their name and U.S. DOT number on both sides of the power unit. Effective July 3, 2000, all new interstate motor carriers must submit a Form MCS-150 to the FMCSA before beginning operations and also must mark the power units of their commercial motor vehicles before putting them into service-not within 90 days, as under the previous requirements.

The rule requires commercial motor vehicles to be marked with the legal name or a single trade name of the business that owns or controls the motor carrier operation.

The name must appear as indicated on the motor carrier’s Motor Carrier Identification Report (Form MCS-150). Carriers have until July 5, 2005, to display that name on trucks and buses in their fleets.

Provisions concerning the use of removable marking devices, such as magnetic name tags, are retained in the new regulation. The new regulation was in the June 2, 2000, Federal Register.

EPA makes LEPC database available

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed a database of Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs) in each state. Where possible, the EPA linked to state Web sites that maintain LEPC contact information. The EPA maintains the database for all other states. To access this database, click onto http:// www.epa.gov/ceppo/lepclist.htm.

USFA issues NFIRS 5.0 BULLETIN

For those states considering using third-party vendor software at the state level, consider the following guidelines and information before purchasing a product, according to Stan Stewart of the United States Fire Administration (USFA) National Fire Data Center:

No specifications are currently documented for NFIRS 5.0 state-level software specifically. There are some functions beyond those contained in the USFA Data Entry Tool that should also be included in state level NFIRS 5.0 software. Beyond these functions, all states should be aware that all conversions of NFIRS 4.1 to 5.0 data must be done using the USFA conversion tool.

States opting for third-party software at the state level will also, at a minimum, need to use the USFA data conversion tool if they wish to convert and merge NFIRS 4.1 and 5.0 data in a single state-level database.

Some of the functions that vendor state level software should include are the following:

Individual Field Security: Software should be able to configure sensitive data fields for transmission to and from the department, state and federal levels.
State Plus One Codes: State software should be able to define and configure state level plus one codes and accept them from departments.
State Special Studies: State software should be able to define and configure statewide special studies fields.
State Defined Fields: State software should be able to accommodate additional state-defined and collected fields.
State Level Edits: State software should be able to define edits more rigid than the national standard that do not conflict with the NFIRS 5.0 standard edits.
Standard File Export: State software should be able to produce a standard NFIRS 5.0 compatible transaction file containing data from all participating state departments.
Standard Reporting: State level NFIRS reports should follow standard NFIRS incident and casualty count rules.

In addition to the above functionality, state NFIRS program managers should note the following points:

NFIRS 5.0 files sent to the USFA from state vendor software are considered “released” data.
Data contained in vendor software-generated files sent to the USFA are considered “nonsensitive” data.
Using vendor state software means a state cannot participate in national-level special studies.
Using vendor state software means a state cannot participate in the national level use of plus one codes.
Monitoring of all vendor software certification compliance beyond that of the state-level vendor must be done by the state and not by the USFA.

Finally, it should be noted that those using state-level vendor software may opt not to include the functionality for field security, additional edits, plus one codes, special studies, or state-defined fields listed above without any impact at all beyond that felt at the state level. For additional information, contact Stewart at stanford.stewart@fema.gov or by phone at (301) 926-5363.

NVFC seeks departments that have been awarded block grants

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) would like to hear from fire departments that have been awarded Community Development Block Grants (CDBGs). According to the NVFC, one department in Louisiana received $600,000 in CDBG money, which is being using to build two new fire stations and buy four refurbished pumpers and two refurbished tankers. Contact Craig Sharman, NVFC, at csharman@nvfc.org.

Legislation introduced to improve fire safety in U.S. Capitol buildings

In May, Congressman Steny Hoyer (MD), cochair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus (CFSC), introduced legislation (H.R. 4366) that would establish a director of fire safety in the Capitol’s Office of Architect. Senator Paul Sarbanes, also a cochair of the CFSC, introduced companion legislation (S. 2502). H.R. 4366 was referred to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and S. 2502 was referred to the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration.

The proposed legislation is in response to a report by the Office of Compliance, which noted fire safety hazards in congressional buildings. Among the problems cited were the lack of fire barriers, exit signs, emergency lighting, emergency power systems, emergency exits, and fire suppression and fire alarms. The extent of the fire safety threats is such that Alan Hantman, Architect of the Capitol, told Congressman Hoyer that if the Capitol were “held to the strict criteria of all those operating commercial buildings” in the District of Columbia, the Capitol would have to be closed.

The director of fire safety would be responsible for all fire safety and protection activities in the U.S. Capitol buildings and would have to ensure that the buildings meet all applicable codes and standards established by the National Fire Protection Association. Specifically, the director would be responsible for the testing and maintenance of all fire alarm, protection, and suppression systems in the buildings and would have to conduct a comprehensive inspection and risk assessment at least once a year.

HUD proposes rule on smoke detectors in manufactured homes

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has issued a proposed rule that would amend the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974. The new standard would require the following:

Manufacturers install more smoke alarms per home-one in (instead of outside) each bedroom.
Manufacturers would have to interconnect the smoke alarms so that when one is activated, all are activated.
All smoke alarms must be tested at the factory to ensure that they are working properly. Public comments were to be received by HUD’s Office of General Counsel by July 17, 2000 (after press time). The proposed rule was published in the May 18, 2000, issue of the Federal Register and is available at www.gpo.gov.

HHS proposes antikickback safe harbor for ambulance restocking

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has proposed a rule for an antikickback safe harbor for ambulance restocking. The safe harbor protection is divided into two categories: An ambulance supplier is protected when it pays the hospital a fair market value for drugs and supplies used during the transport of a patient. The second category would protect arrangements where a hospital restocks drugs and supplies used during the transport of an emergency patient, even if the restocking is for free or reduced prices.

To qualify, the agreements in both categories must meet several conditions. First, hospitals must restock on an equal basis for all ambulance suppliers. Second, the agreements must be part of comprehensive plans to improve emergency medical services to a service area. Third, the arrangements must be in writing. Fourth, both sides must make sure there is no double billing. Finally, the hospital and the ambulance supplier must maintain records of restocked drugs and supplies.

The proposed rule appeared in the May 22, 2000, Federal Register or can be accessed at www.gpo.gov. There is a 60-day public comment period on the rule.

Cardiac Arrest Survival Act passes house

On May 23, the House of Representatives passed the Cardiac Arrest Survival Act (H.R. 2498) by a vote of 415-2. A slightly different version (S. 1488) passed the Senate by unanimous consent on November 19, 1999. The legislation will most likely now go to a conference committee of the two chambers and, if approved, to the President for approval. President Clinton has already announced his support for the legislation. H.R. 2498 was introduced by Representative Cliff Stearns (FL) on July 13, 1999. The Senate version was introduced by Senator Slade Gorton (WA) on August 4, 1999.

This bill provides for the placement of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) inside federal buildings throughout the country. An AED is a device that can restore a pulse in a cardiac arrest victim by delivering an electric shock, thereby terminating the lethal rhythm disturbance in the patient’s heart. The legislation recommends the placement of AEDs while also protecting from legal prosecution physician overseers, maintenance personnel who keep the devices in working order, and laypersons who use the device.

$5 million funding for Volunteer Fire Assistance Program

The Senate Appropriations Committee approved a $15.5 billion fiscal 2001 spending bill on June 22. In the bill, the Committee more than doubled the administration’s requested allocation for the Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) Program to a funding level of $5 million. The House had already approved $5 million for the program last month.

In FY-2000, the program was funded at only $3.25 million and in FY-1999 the program was funded at $2 million. The Congressional Fire Services Institute and other fire service organizations have been supporting funding at $10 million annually.

The program is a 50-50 matching grant program administered through the state forestry services. To be eligible for the grants, a fire department must serve communities of 10,000 people or less. The grants can be used to purchase equipment, apparatus, training, and facilities and for other uses. The bill will go to the Senate floor next week.

Wildland firefighter shortages

Even as wildfires moved across New Mexico and Colorado, fire officials throughout the nation face a shortage of personnel at every level. The most severe of the shortages is in the initial fire attack crews. These crews are the first ones on the scene when a wildfire is reported and work to contain the fire before it spreads too rapidly.

In Region One alone, which includes Montana, Northern Idaho, North Dakota, and South Dakota, initial attack personnel will decrease from 529 firefighters to 397. While this decrease is more drastic than in other areas, nationwide the number of first attack personnel has significantly diminished. U.S. Forest Service officials project the number of wildland firefighters will be down 5.8 percent from 1999.

The shortage will result in a greater loss of property and potentially the lives of firefighters and civilians. In a June 21, 2000, article, the Washington Post estimated that a one percent reduction in initial attack crews could result in an additional 800,000 acres burned by wildfires annually. U.S. Forest Service officials attribute the reduction in wildland firefighters to increased overhead expenses, even though the total budget has increased 10 percent this year.

One piece of legislation could help ease some of the personnel cuts. Congressman Richard Pombo (CA) introduced the Wildland Fire Fighters Pay Equity Act (H.R. 2814) on September 8, 1999. This legislation would authorize equal overtime compensation for all federal employees engaged in wildland fire suppression. Senator Conrad Burns (MT) introduce companion legislation (S. 1498) on August 4, 1999.

Senator McCain plans to hold fire act hearing

The Congressional Fire Services Institute has received word that Senator John McCain (AZ) notified Senator Mike DeWine (OH) of his intentions to conduct a hearing on the Firefighter Investment and Response Enhancement Act (S. 1941). S. 1941 was introduced in November 1999 by Senators Christopher Dodd (CT) and Mike DeWine (OH). The legislation would authorize $5 billion in direct grants to fire departments. Presently, it has 27 cosponsors. Some of the potential uses of the competitive grants are training, equipment, communications, and personnel.

Senator McCain, a cochairman of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, chairs the Senate Commerce Committee where S. 1941 is pending.

New members elected to NFPA board

The National Fire Protection Association has announced that the following five new members will serve in its Board of Directors: Ronald P. Bertone, managing partner for Bertone Cozzarelli Architects and technical manager for professional liability cases at Robson/Lapina Forensic Engineers, Architects, and Scientists; Dennis Compton, chief, Mesa (AZ) Fire Department; Harold L. Gray, seaboard regional vice president for State Farm Insurance; Louis G. Jekel, attorney and Rural/Metro Wildland Fire Division chief; and Fred Leber, chief executive officer of LEBER/ RUBES INC.

Clinton Administration Comes Out in Support of Pascrell Bill

Editor’s note: On June 16, 2000, the Office of Management and Budget of the Executive Office of the President, representing the Clinton Administration, issued the following letter to Representative Bill Pascrell, author of the FIRE Act:

Executive Office of the President
Office of Management and Budget
Washington, D.C. 20503

The Honorable Bill Pascrell
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Representative Pascrell:

Thank you for your letter to the President regarding H.R. 1168, The Firefighter Investment and Response Enhancement (FIRE) Act. I am pleased to respond on his behalf.

The Administration recognizes the importance of the services provided by local firefighters. Thanks in large measure to the efforts of these men and women, the U.S. has made great strides in recent years towards lowering the number of fires, fire fatalities, and fire injuries. We owe the nation’s firefighters a great deal of gratitude for this success.

Despite these gains, the U.S. still has one of the highest fire death rates in the industrialized world. More than 100 firefighters lost their lives in the line of duty last year, including six firefighters in Worcester, Massachusetts. These casualties are unacceptable and we must do more to ensure that America moves to the forefront of the fight for fire safety.

The President’s FY 2001 Budget includes a $25 million pilot grant program to promote firefighter health and safety-related activities. We have targeted this program at the activities that can have the greatest effect on the safety of firefighters, including protective equipment, wellness/fitness programs, and specialized training.

In addition, as the President’s Chief of Staff has told International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) General President Al Whitehead-and as I have reaffirmed in separate remarks before a recent meeting of the IAFF, the Administration supports passage of the Firefighter Investment and Response Enhancement (FIRE) Act. This bill will authorized grants that allow local fire departments to hire more firefighters, and to pay for more training, equipment, and education programs-the tools needed to make new strides toward fire safety. We look forward to working with you to secure passage of this important legislation.

Again, thank you for sharing your views on this legislation. With your help, I am confident that we can secure passage of this much needed assistance for our nation’s firefighters.

Sincerely,
Jacob J. Lew
Director
Office of Management and Budget

Line-of-Duty Deaths, 2000

May 27: Firefighter Evan Shirk, 27, of the Moreau Fire Protection District, Eldon, Missouri, died from massive head trauma sustained from a motor vehicle accident while returning from the scene of an accident.

June 1: Firefighter Lyndell Smith, 46, of the Caldwell (KS) Volunteer Fire Department, died from injuries sustained in a fire apparatus accident while responding to a motor vehicle accident.

June 4: Firefighter/Rotor Craft Pilot George Burton, 48, of the Florida Division of Forestry, Ft. Myers, died from injuries sustained in a helicopter crash while fighting a wildfire in Lee County, Florida.

Source: National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Database, United States Fire Administration.