The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued an updated “Interim Smallpox Fact Sheet” for recently vaccinated individuals, which addresses the adverse cardiac effects reported by some individuals who had received the smallpox vaccination.
The Fact Sheet states: “There is evidence suggesting that smallpox vaccination may cause cases of heart inflammation (myo-carditis), inflammation of the membrane covering the heart (pericarditis), and a combination of these two problems (myopericarditis). A few cases of heart pain (angina) and heart attack also have been reported following smallpox vaccination. It is not known at this time if smallpox vaccination causes angina or heart attacks.”
In view of the adverse cardiac events reported to the CDC, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), an advisory committee of the CDC, on March 28, issued recommendations that, at least until further research can be completed, persons with known underlying heart disease and those with three or more major cardiac risk factors be excluded from the current voluntary smallpox vaccination programs. The Committee did not recommend special medical follow-up for individuals with cardiovascular risk factors who had already been vaccinated but recommended that individuals who have been vaccinated see a health care provider immediately if they develop shortness of breath, chest pain, or other symptoms of cardiac disease. The CDC had asked the ACIP to rule on questions related to adverse cardiac effects and the smallpox vaccine.
As of March 31, the CDC reports, most cases of adverse heart events (myocarditis, pericarditis, and myopericarditis) occurred in the military. Most of the cases were mild to moderate, and the patients have recovered. One patient hospitalized with heart failure on March 27 was still hospitalized on March 31 (reported at press time). The CDC said the incidence of adverse cardiac events in the military was at the rate of 1 in 20,000.
Two cases of angina and three cases of heart attack (two 50-year-old female health care workers died) were reported among the 25,645 civilians vaccinated as of March 21. There were seven reports of heart problems. Four patients, including the three with heart attacks, had clearly defined risk factors for coronary artery disease noted in their medical history, the CDC said. At press time, experts were investigating whether the adverse cardiac events were caused by the smallpox vaccination or underlying medical problems.
The adverse cardiac events led to the temporary suspension of the voluntary smallpox vaccination programs in several states.
For additional and updated information, go to www.cdc.gov/.
[Sources: CDC press release March 28, 2003, “Smallpox Vaccine Information Statement (VIS): Important Interim Supplementary Information,” CDC, March 31, 2003, online]
CDC says infection-control precautions needed to contain SARS
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that recommended infection-control precautions must be instituted as soon as SARS is suspected in an individual and that the precautions should continue to be employed consistently and correctly if SARS is to be contained.
As of April 24, the CDC reported that 4,288 cases of SARS, from 25 countries, including the United States, had been reported to the World Health Organization since Nov-ember 1, 2002.
During this period, there were 251 deaths reported worldwide. There have been no deaths in the United States.
In the United States, 245 cases, from 37 states, were reported to the CDC as of April 23. The majority of these suspect and probable SARS cases were connected with travel. Thirty-seven of the 39 probable SARS patients had traveled to Mainland China; Hong Kong; Singapore; Hanoi; or Toronto, Canada. There has been only limited secondary spread through contact, such as family members and health care workers. One was a health-care worker who provided care to a SARS patient. One was a household member of a SARS patient.
SARS transmission in Toronto has been limited to a small number of hospitals, households, and a religious community that met in Toronto in late March.
President Bush issued an executive order on April 4 that allows for the forced quarantine (if the secretary of Health and Human Services deems it necessary) of suspected SARS patients.
[Source: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), CDC, April 24, 2003.]
National Fire Academy first semester enrollment period is now open
The National Fire Academy (NFA) is now accepting applications for its first semester (October 2003-March 2004) 2004 residential program, which begins October 1, 2003. The enrollment and application period for the first semester officially opened Thursday, May 1, and will close June 30, 2003. Applications postmarked after the open enrollment period will not be accepted.
General eligibility requirements include substantial involvement in fire prevention and control, emergency medical services, fire-related emergency management activities, or other allied professions. Applicants must also meet specific selection criteria for each course. For additional information, go to www.usfa.fema.gov/fire-service/nfa.cfm/.
CDC issues interim guidance on EMS transport for SARS patients
Health care personnel are at high risk for contracting Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) from patients with whom they are in close contact. In early April, at least 140 paramedics had been quarantined in Toronto, Canada, because of contact with suspected SARS patients.
On April 11, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued interim guidelines covering emergency ground transport of patients with SARS.
- Among the CDC recommendations are the following:
- Use standard precautions (with eye protection to prevent droplet exposure), plus contact and airborne precautions.
- Use respiratory protection. Respirators should provide at least 95 percent filtering efficiency (e.g., N-95); appropriate fit testing is recommended.
- Use a minimum of EMS personnel to transport suspected SARS patients. Do not allow non-SARS patients or passengers in the vehicle.
- Notify receiving facilities that you are transporting a suspected SARS patient before your arrival, so the facility can institute appropriate infection-control procedures.
- Discuss concerns regarding movement of possible SARS patients with appropriate local, state, and federal health authorities, including the CDC [24-hour response number: (770) 488-7100].
- Hand hygiene is of primary importance. SARS may be spread not only by respiratory droplets and possible airborne transmission but also by bringing residual infectious particles on environmental surfaces (door handles, light switches, elevator buttons, for example) in direct contact with your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Use protective equipment throughout transport.
- Do not eat, drink, apply cosmetics, handle contact lenses, or perform any other similar activity during patient transport.
- Wear disposable, nonsterile gloves for all patient contact. Remove the gloves and discard them in biohazard bags after patient care is completed (e.g., between patients) or when soiled or damaged. Wash your hands or disinfect them with a waterless hand sanitizer immediately after removing the gloves.
- Wear disposable fluid-resistant gowns for all direct patient care. Remove the gown and discard it in a biohazard bag after patient care is completed or when soiled or damaged.
- Wear eye protection in the patient-care compartment and when working within six feet of the patient. Corrective eyeglasses alone do not constitute appropriate protection.
- Wear N-95 (or greater) respirators in the patient-care compartment during transport. The respirator should be fit tested.
- Close the door/window between the driver and the patient compartment before a suspected SARS patient is brought onboard. The driver should wear an N-95 (or greater) respirator if the driver’s compartment is open to the patient-care compartment. Drivers who provide direct patient care (including moving patients on stretchers) should wear a disposable gown, eye protection, and gloves, as described above, during patient-care activities. Personnel whose duties are strictly limited to driving need not wear gowns and gloves.
- It is preferable to use vehicles that have separate driver and patient compartments and can provide separate ventilation to these areas for transporting possible SARS patients. If a vehicle without separate compartments and ventilation must be used, open the outside air vents in the driver compartment, and turn on the rear exhaust ventilation fan; let it run at the highest setting during the transport—to provide relative negative pressure in the patient-care compartment.
- You may administer oxygen using nonrebreather facemasks during transport.
- The patient may wear a paper surgical mask, if tolerated, to reduce droplet production.
- Use a resuscitation bag-valve mask to perform positive-pressure ventilation. If available, use units equipped for HEPA or equivalent filtration of expired air.
- Avoid cough-generating procedures (e.g., nebulizer treatments) during prehospital care.
Infection Control/Protective Equipment/Procedures
The guidelines include also precautions for use with mechanically ventilated patients, handling clinical specimens, disposing of waste, and cleaning and disinfecting procedures after transport.
In addition, the CDC recommends that personnel who develop symptoms of SARS within the 10-day post-exposure period after having transported a suspected SARS patient seek medical evaluation and that the affected employee be reported to the state health department and to the CDC. If the worker does not have a fever or symptoms of respiratory illness, the worker may continue working during the 10-day post-exposure period.
The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) issued a News Alert to its members on April 2 pertaining to “CDC Guidance on Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)” and is encouraging all EMS providers to review the information and take appropriate infection-control measures to limit the spread of this disease.
The CDC Web site www.cdc.gov/ncidod/ sars has extensive information on the disease and the complete guidance documents, which can be downloaded in PDF format.
CDC updates SARS interim U.S. case definition
The revised Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) case definition of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) as of April 20 is as follows:
A suspect case of SARS would include the following symptoms: Respiratory illness of unknown etiology with onset since February 1, 2003, AND the following criteria:
- Measured temperature greater than 100.4°F (greater than 38°C) AND
- One or more clinical findings of respiratory illness, such as cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, hypoxia) AND
- Travel (includes transit in an airport) within 10 days of onset of symptoms to an area with documented or suspected community transmission of SARS. The “areas” include the following: People’s Republic of China (Mainland China and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region); Hanoi; Vietnam; Singapore; and Toronto, Canada. Areas with secondary cases limited to health care workers or direct household contacts are excluded; OR
- Close contact (cared for, lived with, or had direct contact with respiratory secretions and/or body fluids of a patient known to be a suspected SARS case) within 10 days of onset of symptoms with a person with a respiratory illness who traveled to a SARS area or a person known to be a suspect SARS case.
A probable case of SARS would have the same conditions as for a suspect case but also one of the following: radiographic evidence of pneumonia or respiratory distress syndrome OR autopsy findings consistent with respiratory distress syndrome without an identifiable cause.
New federal patient privacy rules took effect April 14
On April 14, federal regulations that define and are intended to ensure patient medical privacy went into effect. These standards, according to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Tommy G. Thompson, are “to protect the personal health information of every American patient” and “will help to ensure appropriate privacy safeguards are in place as we harness information technologies to improve the quality of care provided to patients.”
The patient privacy regulations are part of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996. Adopted in April 2001, HIPAA had set a two-year period within which covered individuals and agencies could establish procedures and systems to facilitate compliance with the new rules.
The HIPAA standards, which apply to health plans, hospitals, doctors, “and other health care providers around the country,” also give patients greater access to their medical records and more control over how their health plans and health care providers use their personal information. According to The Health Privacy Project, (HPP) a nonpartisan nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting privacy in the health care arena, the new standards generally should ensure that health care providers, plans, and information clearinghouses “more securely collect, share, and store medical information and put in place appropriately scaled technical and administrative safeguards.”
Health plans, doctors, pharmacies, and other health care providers will explain to consumers how their personal information is disclosed and protected. Consumers now will be able to see their records and obtain a copy (for a fee); they may ask that any errors be corrected. Consumers may file complaints about privacy issues with their health plans or providers or with the HHS Office for Civil Rights.
Doctors and hospitals are prohibited from releasing patient information to employers or third parties for marketing information unless the patient has given specific permission. Health care plans/companies can disclose only the minimal information needed to deliver the patient’s health care.
The rules entail implementing procedures that will ensure patient privacy in waiting rooms and offices, in hospital emergency rooms, and even on Web sites and may include activities such as keeping sign-in sheets, patient charts, and television monitors out of the sight of other patients and visitors and installing fire walls and encryption on Web sites. Some covered entities may have to designate a privacy officer and train employees in how to follow the rules.
According to HHS, the new rules are not supposed to interfere with doctors’ ability to treat their patients or “important public health activities, such as tracking infectious disease outbreaks and reporting adverse drug events.”
The HHS has posted materials to assist with the implementation of these rules and frequently asked questions at http://www. hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa/assist.html/. The site also offers the “Am I a covered entity?” feature, which, the HHS says, will serve as a “decision tool” for agencies and individuals that need help in determining if they are covered by these regulations.
The HHS has the authority to enforce the regulations through fines and even imprisonment. Thompson said the HHS would use the penalties when necessary to protect the confidentiality of personal medical information.
The rules have been met with mixed reviews. From the perspective of the fire service, some EMS providers are not quite sure of whether they are covered by the rules; yet, if they are covered and do not comply, they could be subject to penalties. Advocates of patient rights and privacy, on the other hand, are concerned that the rules do not adequately protect patients’ medical privacy or that the HHS will not effectively enforce compliance.
Congress passes smallpox compensation legislation
The Smallpox Emergency Personnel Protection Act of 2003 passed by Congress on April 11 was awaiting President Bush’s signature at press time.
The measure provides compensation for health care workers, law enforcement officers, firefighters, security personnel, emergency medical personnel, and other public safety and support personnel specified in the legislation (or their survivors) if they suffer significant injury, illness, or disability or die as a result of receiving the smallpox vaccine as part of the voluntary smallpox emergency response plan.
Compensation would be paid for injuries and illnesses that result from the smallpox vaccination (minor scarring and localized reactions are excluded). Covered would be costs for “reasonable and necessary” medical care and wages lost because of serious illness and disability. A benefit would be paid in the case of death. Lost wages would be compensated at two-thirds or three-quarters of the employee’s income, according to the number of minor dependents. There would be no compensation for income loss for the first five days unless there is a loss of income for more than 10 days.
A benefit of up to $50,000 a year would be awarded if the worker were permanently and totally disabled, and there would be no lifetime cap. The benefit for temporary or partial disability would be subject to a lifetime limit of about $262,000. The payment portion of the bill is modeled after that of the Public Safety Officers’ Benefit Program (PSOB).
In the case of death, the spouse would receive a death benefit of approximately $262,000. Dependents may be awarded the $262,000 in a lump sum, or they may choose annual payments of $50,000 until the age of 18.
Payments would supplement (be secondary to) other benefits to which the employee may be entitled from the state or locality or other federal programs.
The legislation also stipulates that workers be informed on the issues pertaining to the smallpox vaccine/vaccination and be given medical screenings before vaccination and be medically monitored post-vaccination.
The entire bill may be viewed at www. loc.gov (Library of Congress), click “Thomas Legislation Information,” enter “H.R. 1770.ENR” in the appropriate search slot.
Star ME-1 dry fire sprinklers recalled
About 60,000 Star ME-1 dry fire sprinklers, manufactured by American Household Inc., formerly known as Sunbeam Corporation, Boca Raton, Florida, are being recalled, advises the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). These sprinklers were manufactured from 1977 through 1982. The CFSC has alleged that these sprinklers are defective and are likely to fail to operate in a fire.
According to the CPSC, samples of Star ME-1 sprinklers removed from several locations and tested by independent testing laboratories did not operate as intended.
For information on how to submit claims for replacements, consumers should call (888) 551-5014 toll-free anytime or visit the recall Web site at www.starme1recall.com. For information about previous recalls of Star ME-1 sprinklers, go to http://www.cpsc.gov/ cpscpub/prerel/prhtml03/03116.html/.
The CPSC has also announced that approximately 400,000 Star ME-1 dry fire sprinklers manufactured from 1983 through 1995 by Sprinkler Corporation of Milwaukee, Inc. (SCM), formerly known as Star Sprinkler Corporation, have also been recalled and should be replaced immediately. Since the manufacturer is no longer in operation and has no assets, owners will not be eligible for a free replacement or refund.
Replacing these sprinklers also complies with the requirements of the recently revised National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 25, Standard for the Inspection, Testing and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems, says the CPSC. NFPA 25 now recommends that all dry sprinklers that have been in service for 10 years or more should be immediately replaced or tested. Star ME-1 fire sprinklers produced before 1994 are subject to this requirement. Although not subject to the revised standard, Star ME-1 fire sprinklers produced from 1994 through 1995 also should be replaced because over time they can cease to operate effectively in a fire, according to the CPSC. For additional information on testing and replacing dry-type fire sprinklers, go to www.nfpa.org. For more information on the SCM Star ME-1 fire sprinklers, call the CPSC Hotline at (800) 638-2772, or visit the National Fire Sprinkler Association’s Web site at www.nfsa.org/.
Changes recommended in NFIRS 5.0 independent audit report
An audit of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)/United States Fire Administration (USFA) National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS 5.0) has been completed by an independent accounting firm. The audit report (H-05-03) is posted at www.usfa.fema.gov/. The report offers six recommendations related to contracting arrangements, system development, and system control.
- The report recommends that the USFA administrator; the Information Technology Services Directorate (ITSD) assistant director/chief information officer; and FEMA’s senior procurement executive, Financial Acquisition Management Division (FAMD) coordinate to reconsider the acquisition strategy for NFIRS 5.0 development, enhancement, and maintenance services to ensure contractor competition has been sufficiently considered and the USFA is acquiring services in the most economical and effective manner.
- The USFA administrator and the ITSD assistant director/CIO ensure that an NFIRS 5.0 analysis of alternatives, benefit cost analysis, and return on investment are documented and consistent with Office of Management and Budget requirements. This is especially important in light of the recently increased options in the fire software marketplace.
- General systems controls need improvement in the areas of segregation of duties, security authorization, establishing a formal change management process for NFIRS (change control), and contingency planning. Specific recommendations in these areas were issued for limited official use only; computer security weaknesses were identified and specific recommendations for correcting each were offered.
The USFA had conducted two system reviews prior to the audit, with the objective of improving NFIRS 5.0 and related processes.
Page 13 of the PDF version of the audit report is a customer response form (IG Report No.: H-05-03) on which customers can answer specific questions related to the report and offer comments to the FEMA Office of Inspector General.
Review of FEMA/USFA Firefighter Grant program applications underway
Peer review panels began reviewing fire department applications for 2003 Assistance to Firefighters grants the week of April 21, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the United States Fire Administration. The first announcement of recipients was to be made early this month (after press time). Approximately 19,950 fire departments applied for about $2.5 billion (including the nonfederal share). The 2003 program was funded at $750 million.
A state-by-state listing of applications is posted at www.usfa.fema.gov/inside-usfa/03requests.cfm. The most current information regarding the program is available at www.usfa.fema.gov/.
SEI certifies DuPont ensembles for chemical and biological use
The Safety Equipment Institute (SEI) has certified several DuPont ensembles for personal protection for responders to incidents involving chemicals and biological agents, in accordance with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1994, Protective Ensembles for Chemical or Biological Terrorism Incidents, 2001 edition. The testing was done at Intertek Testing Services (ITS), Cortland, New York, SEI’s contract testing laboratory.
All NFPA 1994 ensembles are designed for a single exposure (use). The ensembles must include garments, gloves, and footwear. The certified ensembles are as follows:
- Class 1 (vapors, aerosols, pathogens): DuPont TychemT Responder Front Entry, Level A Garment with attached gloves; TychemT TK Front Entry, Level A Garment with attached gloves; and TychemT TK Rear Entry, Level A Garment with attached gloves.
- Class 3 (liquid drops, pathogens): TychemT CPF3 Coverall with Short Overhood and Boots, Model 3T463; and TychemT CPF3 Coverall with Long Overhood and Boots, Model 3T464.
SEI certification, in addition to the initial compliance testing at an independent laboratory, entails a rigorous quality assurance audit of the manufacturing facilities, which must be operated in accordance with ISO 9001. A Certified Product List is posted at http:// www.seinet.org/.
Congress approves an additional $2.23 billion for first responders
The $79 billion supplemental spending package for the war in Iraq cleared by a House-Senate conference on April 12 included $3.9 billion for the Department of Homeland Security. The $3.9 billion was broken down as follows:
- $2.23 billion for grants for local police, fire, and medical services.
- $1.3 billion for grants to state governments; they are to distribute 80 percent of the money to local governments.
- $200 million in grants for protecting critical infrastructure.
- $700 million for security grants to “high-threat, high-density urban areas” containing critical infrastructure.
- $11 million for an independent probe of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. President Bush was expected to sign the bill immediately (at press time).
In March, Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge announced that nearly $600 million has been made available to states and U.S. territories to help state and local public safety and law enforcement personnel “prevent, prepare, and respond to terrorism.” A breakdown of the $600 million by state is available at http://www.dhs.gov/ interweb/assetlibrary/ODP_State_Homeland_Security_Grant_Program.pdf/.
Bill would help rural fire departments acquire federal excess property
The Rural Fire Department Equipment Priority Act (H.R. 1311, S. 641), introduced in the House and Senate in March, would enable rural fire departments to more easily access federal excess property by granting them higher priority when Department of Defense excess property is screened.
The Federal Excess Personal Property Program (FEPP) gives state forestry agencies, through the USDA Forest Service, access to equipment ranging from Jeeps and bulldozers to fire hoses and welders. Military vehicles and other equipment are adapted for firefighting and then loaned to local fire departments. However, in April 2002, local fire departments were dropped to the second screening process, moving foreign military, law enforcement, and education organizations ahead of the FEPP in priority.
The National Volunteer Fire Council and the National Association of State Foresters urge that you contact your representatives and senators immediately and ask them to cosponsor H.R. 1311 or S. 641. For assistance in contacting your legislators, go to http://www.congress.org/congressorg/dbq/officials or http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/. You may also call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121.
Bill would change method of administering first responder grants
Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) introduced two bills in April that would change the manner in which the Department of Homeland Security administers grants through the Office of Domestic Preparedness (ODP).
Senate Bill 796 would move the ODP from the Border and Transportation Directorate to the Office for State and Local Government Coordination, which is overseen by the Secretary of Homeland Security. Senate Bill 838 would authorize the Department of Homeland Security to provide waivers allowing states receiving ODP grants to use the funds for more than one of the categories outlined in the grant program. Both bills have been referred to the Senate Committee on Government Affairs, chaired by Sen. Collins.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge, when testifying before the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee in early April, urged the committee members to pass legislation that would change the distribution formula for grants distributed through ODP. He would prefer that the formula for determining the size of a state’s grant be based on the state’s vulnerability to a terrorist threat instead of the state’s population.
2002 Assistance to Firefighters Fire Prevention grants awarded
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the United States Fire Administration (USFA) announced that 35 fire departments and organizations were awarded grants exceeding $2 million in the first round of awards under the 2002 Fire Prevention and Safety Grants phase of the 2002 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program.
The funds were granted under a noncompetitive portion of the AFG program. Participants were “encouraged to apply, especially national, state, local, or community organizations recognized for their experience and expertise in fire prevention or safety programs and activities,” according to FEMA/USFA. Priority was given to projects focusing on the prevention of fire-related injuries to children. A list of all grant award recipients announced to date is posted at www.usfa.fema.gov/. Future grant recipients will be listed as awards are made.
Local 9-1-1 call centers face a growing crisis
The nation’s 9-1-1 system is falling further and further behind in its ability to respond to life-threatening situations, according to the National Emergency Number Association (NENA). NENA president John Melcher says wireless phone technology, inadequate funding, and demands from homeland security pose major challenges for many local 9-1-1 systems.
Among the problems Melcher points to are the following: (1) Fewer than 2 percent of U.S. communities can locate callers using wireless phones; yet, about one-third of all calls to national 9-1-1 centers are made on wireless phones. (2) Many states and localities are not spending funds and resources derived from surcharges on phone bills and wireless phone customers to improve E9-1-1 systems and services but are using them for other purposes instead. “With lives and homeland security at stake,” Melcher says, “9-1-1 funds should be invested in 9-1-1 systems.”
E9-1-1 issues are receiving higher priority in Washington, D.C., because of the important role of communications in relation to homeland security and several reported tragedies involving wireless phone callers who could not be located in time by would-be rescuers. The Federal Communications Commission had planned a public forum for April 29 (after press time) and is urging rapid compliance with E9-1-1 regulations.
CPSC seeks reports on candle and mattress/bedding fires
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is asking fire departments for reports on fires involving candles and mattresses and bedding. They will be accepted until September 30, 2003. Participating fire departments will be paid $50 for each in-scope report received. In addition to the reports, the CPSC would like photographs of the products or the products themselves, when possible. The CPSC may conduct follow-up investigations. For additional information, e-mail Robin Ross at rross@cpsc.gov/. n
RSPA moves to enhance the security of hazardous-materials shipments
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA) issued a final rule imposing heightened security requirements for hazardous-materials shippers and carriers.
“The security of hazardous materials is an important public issue,” said Samuel G. Bonasso, RSPA acting administrator. “Under this rule, shippers and carriers of certain highly hazardous materials must develop and implement security plans, including mandatory security training for employees.”
Security plans must identify potential security risks and measures to protect shipments of hazardous materials covered by the rule. Companies are permitted to tailor security plans to specific circumstances and operations, and measures may vary with the level of threat. However, all security plans must include personnel, access, and en route security measures. Under the rule, employees responsible for the transport of hazardous materials must be trained on how to be aware of security risks and enhance security.
The final rule was published in the Federal Register on March 25, 2003, under docket HM-232. For additional information, go to the RSPA Web site www.rspa.dot.gov/, or contact publicaffairs@rspa.dot.gov/.
USFA Assistance to Firefighters Grant congressional briefing summary
In March, United States Fire Administration (USFA) Administrator R. David Paulison and USFA Grant Program Director Brian Cowan briefed members of Congress on the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program.
Paulison reported that the program, which originated in 2001, was already reaping benefits in the areas of protecting firefighter lives and preventing fires in the communities. He also noted the following:
- Under the Fiscal Year 2002 Fire Prevention and Safety grant program, approximately $10 million of the $360 million has been awarded to more than 80 fire departments and organizations for the prevention of fires, particularly for the prevention of fire-related injuries to children.
- As a part of a baseline assessment of the results of the FY2001 AFG program, FEMA/USFA partnered with the 2002-2003 United States Department of Agriculture’s Leadership Development Academy Executive Potential Program (EPP) for a “collaborative” assessment of the quality and effectiveness of the AFG program’s grant process. The EPP team surveyed recipients of the FY2001 grant program. Overall, the survey and analysis reflect that the grant program has been highly effective in improving the readiness and capabilities of firefighters across the nation, especially in the areas of fire prevention, firefighting equipment, personal protective equipment, firefighting vehicles, wellness and fitness, and training.
- The “extremely high level of interest in the grant program by the firefighting community” is evident in the overall 64 percent survey response rate and the 35 percent comment rate.
- Virtually all participants (99 percent) are satisfied with the program’s ability to fulfill their departments’ needs.
- More than 88 percent of the participants who were able to measure change at the time the survey was distributed reported improvement in firefighters’ fitness and health as a result of the program; 86 percent said injuries were reduced.
- Of those recipients receiving firefighting equipment, 99 percent noted improvements in firefighter safety; 98 percent reported improvements in operational capacity.
Paulison attributed the success of the grant program to various factors, including the fact that “the entire fire service united behind the program and provided us with clear guidance on which to base the program” and that “participation in the program far exceeded everyone’s expectations.” He added, “No one could have foreseen that we would have had nearly $3 billion in requests in 2001.” Another reason Paulison cited as a factor in the program’s success was that “the awards were made based on the recommendations of peer evaluators from every branch of the fire service who volunteered their time and energy for three weeks to review applications at the National Emergency Training Center in Emmitsburg during April and May of 2001.”
A copy of the completed Executive Potential Program report will be available on the USFA Web site at a later date.
USFA National Fire Department Census: Phase 2 now online
The United States Fire Administration (USFA) has posted the results of the second phase of the National Fire Department Census, which covers from September 2002 through January 2003. About 20,000 fire departments registered during both phases of the census; the first phase was conducted from October 2001 through Spring 2002.
The online directory of fire department data includes the department name, address, Web address (if applicable), organization type (i.e., federal, state, local, for example) and department type (i.e., career, volunteer, paid per call). Fire department personnel can now update their department’s data online. USFA staff will review and verify all changes to the database. The National Fire Department Census data are posted at http:www.usfa.fema.gov/applications/fdonline/ and may be downloaded.
Fire departments not already registered in the census may complete the form online or download it at http://www.usfa.fema.gov/ applications/fdonline/help.cfm/ and fax it to (301) 447-1049. Questions about the census may be submitted to the USFA at http:// www.usfa.fema.gov/applications/feedback/ census.cfm/.
HERO Act reintroduced
Congresswoman Jane Harman (D-CA) and Congressman Curt Weldon (R-PA) have reintroduced the Homeland Emergency Response Operations (HERO) Act (H.R. 1425), intended to ensure the nation’s first responders will have greater access to shared broadcast frequencies for interoperable radio communications.
Because of the scarcity of unused spectrum, first responders have not been able to fully use interoperable communications equipment.
Congress, in 1997, had given the Federal Communications Commission the deadline of December 31, 2006, for making the broadcast spectrum accessible solely by public safety agencies, provided that that digital television rollout would reach 85 percent of American households. (Only 1 percent of households now have digital television.) The HERO Act would remove that requirement.
Line-of-Duty Deaths
March 25. Youth Firefighter Karlton Allen Cole Briscoe, 16, of the Hickory Flat (MS) Volunteer Fire Department: Of injuries sustained when his private vehicle left the roadway and crashed into a ravine while en route to an alarm.
March 26. Firefighter/Training Officer Kevin Whitely, 48, of the Emmett City (ID) Fire Department: Collapsed and died while walking to the fire truck at a call for a gas leak, which evolved into a carbon monoxide environment.
March 27. Fire Suppression and Mitigation Specialist Charles Krenek, 48, of the Texas Forest Service, Lufkin, Texas: Helicopter crash while he and his crew were engaged in an aerial search for space shuttle Columbia debris in East Texas.
March 30. Fire Police/Firefighter Isaac Donald Tshudy, 62, of the Lickdale Volunteer Fire Department, Jonestown, Pennsylvania: Became ill while directing traffic at the scene of an accident on I-81 and was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.
April 3. Firefighter Richard A. Long, 56, of the Gallipolis (OH) Fire Department: Of injuries sustained when the pumper apparatus he was operating en route to a brush fire left the roadway and overturned.
April 7. Battalion Chief Randy Hill, 43, of the Screven County Fire Department, Sylvania, Georgia: Of an apparent heart attack after completing a three-mile walk as part of his monthly physical fitness training.
Source: National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Database, United States Fire Administration.
