Firefighting

November 16, 2009 -- Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) announced the application window for grants provided through the Department of Homeland Security Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Services (SAFER) program is now open.

SAFER grants are aimed at increasing the number of firefighters and enhancing a department’s ability to ensure that their communities have adequate protection from fire and fire related hazards. This year Congress appropriated approximately $210 million for the SAFER program.

“I encourage local companies to apply for funding through this federal grant to help support outreach and recruitment of the next generation of first responders,” said Higgins.    » read more »

Governor sets aside $20 million in ARRA funds to keep firefighters employed

FALL RIVER – October 7, 2009 – Moving to help municipal fire departments impacted by budget cuts that have forced layoffs and vacancies resulting from attrition, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick today announced he will release $8.1 million in federal stimulus funds to 13 municipal fire departments in the Commonwealth. The funds will be used to rehire 127 firefighters who were laid off because of budget reductions.    » read more »

08/31/2009 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today signed Executive Order S-16-09 to waive fees and help recovery efforts for the victims of wildfires in Los Angeles, Mariposa, Monterey, Placer, Santa Cruz and Yuba Counties.

Today, the Governor announced the establishment of a Local Assistance Center to help victims of the 49 fire in Placer County. The center will open on Tuesday, September 1 at 9 a.m. and will provide information on state and local services to assist those who have been impacted by this event.    » read more »

Gov. Nixon signs bill creating new fund to benefit families of emergency personnel killed in the line of duty

June 19, 2009 -- KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Standing inside a Kansas City fire station, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon today signed a bill to benefit the families of Missouri emergency personnel killed in the line of duty. House Bill 580, which establishes the Line of Duty Compensation Act, allows a claim to be filed with the Division of Workers' Compensation on behalf of a law enforcement officer, firefighter, emergency medical technician, air ambulance pilot or air ambulance registered nurse for a benefit of $25,000.    » read more »

June 16, 2009 -- A wildfire rages across southern California wildlands towards residential communities, endangering residents and firefighters and sending property up in smoke. This is an increasingly common story, occurring several times a summer.

To better understand these Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) fires and how best to prevent or fight them, researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have issued an in-depth study on fire behavior and defensive actions taken in a community during a such a fire.    » read more »

May 29, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall today encouraged New Mexico communities to take advantage of a limited opportunity to apply for fire station construction grants.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) is funding a new $210 million grant program aimed at helping communities build or renovate fire stations. All non-federal fire departments and state and local governments that fund or operate fire stations are eligible to apply for the funds through the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency.    » read more »

May 29, 2009 -- CONCORD - New Hampshire Governor John Lynch today encouraged local communities looking to construct, expand or renovate fire stations to apply for grants funded through the federal stimulus act.

The goal of this funding is to preserve and create jobs, while promoting firefighter safety and improved response capability.

“As the national recession continues to impact the state and local communities and we must work to ensure that even during these difficult economic times we continue to support critical public safety functions,” Gov. Lynch said. “These grants will help communities that are struggling in these difficult economic times and will also create and retain good-paying construction jobs.”    » read more »

Schumer: Firefighters Are True American Heroes And Deserve Recognition and Resources

May 27, 2009 -- U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today proposed legislation to support volunteer firefighters and emergency medical services (EMS) providers in the Southern Tier. Schumer’s legislation would offer a $1,000 tax credit for active members of volunteer firefighting and EMS organizations. The bill is aimed at helping recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters at a time when it is increasingly difficult to find adequate numbers of people who can volunteer their time for the community, leaving many departments thinly staffed.    » read more »

Senator Introduces New Plan To Prevent Layoffs And Recruit More Volunteers; Provision Will Be Included In A Spending Bill Set To Pass In The Senate This Week

May 18, 2009 -- U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer joined Senator Chris Dodd in unveiling a new proposal to support volunteer and paid firefighters in the Southern Tier. The current firefighters grant program, Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants, may only be used to hire new, additional career fire fighters. Senator Schumer and Senator Dodd have introduced legislation that changes the SAFER grants program, and allows funds awarded in the next two years to be used to restore or retain current workforce levels despite local budget cuts.    » read more »

May 8, 2009 -- DES MOINES – During a ceremony today at the State Capitol, Iowa Governor Chet Culver signed legislation extending new health benefits to both firefighters and police officers.

“As Governor, I am deeply concerned that our first responders face higher than normal rates of certain diseases, including cancer,” said Governor Culver. “This bill is one important way that we can ensure that we meet the needs of our fire fighters and police officers. They risk their lives, and they are there for us, every day when we need them. I’m proud to sign this legislation on behalf of the men and women who literally keep our streets safe, and who save lives – our police officers and firefighters.”    » read more »

Stresses Vigilance During Wildfire Season

May 8, 2009 -- Ample spring moisture may have dampened fire risk along the Front Range and Eastern Plains, but lower-elevation areas of northwest Colorado will likely see an elevated risk of large wildfires this summer, Colorado Governor Bill Ritter said at his annual wildfire briefing today.

The mountain pine beetle infestation sweeping across Colorado's high country also will continue to create large stands of dead and dying trees that are particularly susceptible to large fires during the hot and dry spells typical of Colorado summers, Gov. Ritter said.    » read more »

05/06/2009 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today proclaimed a state of emergency in Santa Barbara County as a result of the Jesusita Wildfire which has burned over 400 acres, destroyed homes and caused the evacuation of over 8,000 people.

Earlier this week, the Governor signed an executive order which mobilizes the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) and other state agencies to secure and deploy the additional resources and personnel that are necessary to save lives and protect homes statewide from wildfires.

The text of the proclamation is below:

A PROCLAMATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY

WHEREAS on May 5, 2009, a wildfire started in Santa Barbara County, which is exacerbated by high winds and continues to burn; and    » read more »

05/05/2009 -- As part of California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s ongoing commitment to emergency preparedness, today he issued Executive Order S-05-09, which mobilizes the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) to secure and deploy the additional resources and personnel that are necessary to save lives and protect homes statewide from wildfires.    » read more »

Encourages Fire Chiefs to Apply for Grants Aimed at “Shovel-Ready” Station Construction

May 3, 2009 -- Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that she has written to fire chiefs around the state to inform them of $210 million in competitive federal stimulus grants that will be available for local fire station construction and renovation.

“Connecticut has a long and proud tradition with volunteer and professional firefighting. Resources are traditionally committed to much-needed life-saving equipment with little left over for capital improvements,” Governor Rell said. “These grants can help local departments advance their ‘shovel-ready’ projects while creating construction jobs that will put money back in their local economies.”    » read more »

Dozens Of Homes Already Destroyed As Fire Now Covers More Than 15,000 Acres

Columbia, S.C. - April 23, 2009 - South Carolina Governor Sanford today issued a State of Emergency for Horry County as a wildfire that has already consumed 15,000 acres and destroyed an estimated 70 homes continued.

The state Forestry Commission is the primary agency in charge of fighting the fire, and the state Emergency Management Division has also deployed support assets to the scene in consultation with the Governor’s Office. The state Emergency Operations Center has been activated, with assets dispatched to fight the fire including a National Guard helicopter and other personnel.    » read more »