Emmitsburg, MD, October 24, 2001–The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) has announced that it will conduct the first ever National Fire Department Census this fall. The USFA expects to begin mailing the census forms to every fire department across the country beginning this week.
The Census will include all state, local government, regional/metropolitan transportation authorities, Federal, industrial fire brigades, and contract fire departments.
The database will include:
* the fire department name
* address (geocoded)
* type of organization
* size of population they serve,
* area protected,
* number of firefighters and support persons, and
* specialized services provided.
The data will be compiled and made available to the public.
The USFA will distribute the Hazardous Materials Guide for First Responders on CD-ROM to all of the fire departments that respond to the census. The Guide is equivalent to 564 print pages and addresses the specific needs of first responders. Among topics covered are the initial response to transportation and fixed-facility incidents and information on about 1,750 hazardous materials. Also included are a hazardous materials index; specific material guides; a materials summary response table; DOT placards; silhouettes of rail cars, tank trucks, and chemical tanks; general information on approaching to a haz-mat incident; and important phone numbers.
Fire departments can complete the census form online at www.fdcensus.com, fill out the paper census form and fax it to (703) 845-4958, or send it in the return envelope provided.
The Census Form will contain the fire department’s login name, password, and instructions for completing the form online or by paper.
For more information, contact Alexandra Furr at 301-447-1353 or William Flemming, program director, TranTech, Inc., at 703-845-4956.
