Family members of World Trade Center victims attend memorial service
On Sunday, October 28, relatives of those lost in the attacks on the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center gathered at Ground Zero to pay tribute to their loved ones in a memorial service. More than nine thousand reportedly attended the service.
Prayers of petition and words of comfort were offered by Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, a Fire Department of New York chaplain, and Imam Izak-El Mu’eed Pasha, a police chaplain. Tenor Andrea Bocelli sang “Ave Maria”; violinist Ilya Gringolts played “Raisins and Almonds”; and Renee Fleming of the Metropolitan Opera sang “God Bless America.”
Some grieving participants took home with them small pieces of rubble given to them by firefighters. Wooden urns holding ashes from the site were given to relatives at a private ceremony held after the memorial service.
(Source: Reuters, Ellen Wulfhorst, NY- Times.com, Oct. 28, 2001)
Terrorist attacks spur evacuation drill
The September 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon have led to the first-ever total evacuation drill for occupants of the BellSouth building in downtown Jacksonville, Florida. Reportedly, it took about 20 minutes for 2,000 employees to leave the 30-story structure.
The event turned out to be more than a practice exercise, however, and presented emergency personnel with some “lessons learned.” Among the unexpected occurrences was the entrapment of occupants in an elevator. (They were rescued in about 30 minutes.) Other issues that need to be addressed, according to participants working in the building, are the immediate availability of a key for locked doors and the predesignation of areas of refuge for each occupancy in the building.
(Reference: “Entire BellSouth Building Evacuated During Drill,” WJXT News4Jax.com, Oct. 25, 2001)
Judge dismisses firefighters’ lawsuit against city of Orlando (FL)
A judge dismissed the class-action lawsuit Orlando, Florida, firefighters had brought against the city. The firefighters had charged that the city withheld their medical records from them and failed to notify firefighters whose medical tests revealed abnormal results.
The lawsuit originally was filed by 13 firefighters, several of whom are afflicted with life-threatening diseases, such as hepatitis C.
The judge noted that although the Orlando city government could not be named as a defendant, there might be some basis for medical malpractice charges.
President Bush signs PSOB increase legislation
President George W. Bush has signed legislation that increases the Public Safety Officers Benefit (PSOB)-a one-time, lump-sum federal payment to the families of public safety officers killed or totally disabled in the line of duty-from a little more than $150,000 to $250,000. The increase will be retroactive to January 1, 2001, to include the families of those lost in the September 11 terrorist attacks. The PSOB provision was part of a broad antiterrorism bill.
Representative Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) and Senators Joe Biden (D-DE) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT) had proposed the increase long before the September 11 disaster. Lawmakers moved to make it part of the counterterrorism package because of the large number of officers killed in the September 11 attacks.
USFA changes Executive Fire Officer Program curriculum
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)/United States Fire Administration (USFA) has adjusted the curriculum of the Executive Fire Officer Program to enhance fire service leaders’ preparedness for an interagency, unified command approach integral to responding to events such as the September 11 terrorists attacks.
Effective December 10, 2001, the current third-year elective course “Executive Analysis of Fire Service Operations in Emergency Management (EAFSOEM)” will be mandatory in the second year of the EFO program and will be taken in place of “Strategic Management of Change.” EAFSOEM contains curriculum dealing with preparing for, responding to, and managing and mitigating large-scale incidents using multiagency resources at a strategic level. The “Community Risk Reduction” course will be mandatory in the third year of the program. The National Fire Academy Board of Visitors endorsed the changes.
Current second-year EFOP participants scheduled to participate in the “Strategic Management of Change” program during Fiscal Year 2002 will be transferred to an EAFSOEM offering.
Burris named new FEMA Region IV director
Kenneth O. Burris, Jr., chief operating officer (COO) of the U.S. Fire Administration, has been appointed director of Region IV for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), FEMA Director Joe M. Allbaugh has announced.
FEMA’s Region IV is headquartered in Atlanta and oversees agency operations in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
At press time, Burris’ departure date from the USFA had not yet been established. Burris, the first to serve as COO of the U.S. Fire Administration, has held that position since September 1999. Fire service organizations have requested that the position of COO not be abolished.
Before joining FEMA, Burris, a 22-year veteran of the fire service, had served for nine years as fire chief in Marietta, Georgia. He held senior positions with the International Association of Fire Chiefs and the Georgia Association of Fire Chiefs and is a past president of the Southeastern Association of Fire Chiefs.
CDC offers bioterrorism information for first responders
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has announced the following resources for the fire and emergency services community.
- “Update: Investigation of Anthrax Associated with Intentional Exposure and Interim Public Health Guidelines, October 2001,” is available on the Web at www.cdc. gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5041a1.htm/.
- “Recognition of Illness Associated with the Intentional Release of a Biologic Agent” is on the Web at www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5041a2.htm/.
- Additional information about responding to bioterrorism is available from the CDC Web site at www.bt.cdc.gov/, the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases at www.usamriid.army.mil/ education/bluebook.html/, the Association for Infection Control Practitioners at www.apic.org/, and the Johns Hopkins Center for Civilian Biodefense at www.hopkins-biodefense.org/.
Congress approves funding for AEDs in rural communities
The Senate Labor/Health and Human Services (HHS) Appropriations Subcommittee has approved $5 million to fund the Rural Access to Emergency Devices Act, a component of the Public Health Improvement Act of 2000, signed into law in November 2000.
The legislation would award grants to rural community partnerships for the purchase of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and training in their use. The House had earlier passed a measure appropriating $12.5 million for this new program. The Labor/Health and Human Services appropriations bill was scheduled to go to a conference committee at press time. Health and fire service organizations are pressing for the higher appropriation.
The Public Health Improvement Act of 2000 authorizes $25 million in funding over three years for supportive grants and directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make funds available to rural communities for the purchase of AEDs.
President signs bill honoring firefighters lost in the line of duty
The federal government will now lower the American flag to half staff on all federal buildings to coincide with the annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service held in Emmitsburg, Maryland, in October. The event honors firefighters who had died in the line of duty the preceding year and is attended by the firefighters’ family and friends. President George W. Bush recently signed the legislation (H.R. Res.42/S.J.Res.18) authorizing this commemorative practice.
FDNY firefighters to participate in study on sarcoidosis
Firefighters may be more prone to developing sarcoidosis, a disease that increases white blood cell counts, than the general population, according to Dr. Dave Prezant, Fire Department of New York (FDNY) deputy medical director. According to Dr. Prezant, the rate of sarcoidosis in New York City firefighters is 222/1000,000, 13 times the average.
Dr. Prezant, speaking at the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Redmond Symposium in Phoenix, Arizona, in September, discussed a proactive study on firefighters and sarcoidosis being conducted within FDNY in conjunction with IAFF Locals 94 and 854 in New York and the Montefiore Health Center.
Sarcoidosis, which can be detected through chest x-rays, affects T-cells that normally fight infection and can lead to respiratory and other problems. Its cause is unknown; it seems to be more prevalent in nurses, U.S. Navy personnel working aboard aircraft carriers, individuals who work with beryllium, and firefighters.
According to Dr. Prezant, 95 percent of those who have the disease do not have symptoms. Those with symptoms can develop shortness of breath and may be unable to continue working as firefighters. About one percent of cases are fatal.
At press time, a Sarcoidosis Registry was to be added to the IAFF Web site (www. iaff.org) so IAFF members can enter information that will be used to form a database. Participants will provide occupational history, medical history, and consent for the information (but not their name). The information will be shared with the union local so that the local can become aware of any increased incidence of the disease among firefighters.
CDC AND NIOSH issue interim recommendations for protective clothing for biologic agent response
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) have released the following interim recommendations for selecting and using protective clothing and equipment for response to suspected biologic agent incidents.
- For a suspected biologic agent, dissemination of a suspect agent by letter or package, a letter or package that can be easily bagged, and in cases where an aerosol generating device was not used, use a full-face respirator with a P100 filter or a power air-purifying respirator (PAPR) with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter and disposable hooded coveralls, gloves, and foot coverings.
- In the case of a suspected biologic agent where aerosol is no longer being generated and no splash hazard exists, use NIOSH-approved SCBA with a Level B protective suit.
- In the case of a suspected biologic agent that is being disseminated by an aerosol device or if the dissemination has stopped but there is no information about the duration of the dissemination or the concentration of exposure, use NIOSH-approved SCBA with a Level A protective suit.
To decontaminate, use sequences currently employed for hazardous-materials incidents. They should be appropriate for the level of personal protective equipment used.
Equipment can be decontaminated with soap and water and a 0.5% hypochlorite solution (one part household bleach to 10 parts water).
After removing the gear, emergency response employees should shower using copious quantities of soap and water.
The International Association of Fire Fighters had requested that the CDC and NIOSH issue the interim recommendations.
USFA to establish national fire department database
The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) has mailed census forms to fire departments in the nation as a first step in creating a national database of fire departments. The National Fire Department Census will include all state, local government, regional/metropolitan transportation authorities, federal fire departments, industrial fire brigades, and contract fire departments.
The database will include the name of the fire department, the address, the type of organization, the size of population served, the area protected, the number of firefighters and support persons, and specialized services provided. When compiled, the data will be made available to the public. Participating departments will be given the Hazardous Materials Guide for First Responders on CD-ROM.
For additional information, contact Alexandra Furr at 301-447-1353 or William Flemming, program director, Tran Tech, Inc. at 703-845-4958.
DOT proposes stronger hazardous materials legislation
U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Norman Y. Mineta has asked Congress to strengthen the nation’s security and safety in relation to the transporting of hazardous materials.
Mineta is specifically concerned about undeclared or hidden shipments of hazardous materials and is requesting more authority to stop and inspect shipments.
Legislation the DOT proposes would strengthen the authority of DOT inspectors and state enforcement partners to inspect packages in transportation and give inspectors the authority to stop seriously unsafe transportation. The DOT is also asking that the maximum civil penalty for hazardous materials violations be increased from $27,500 to $100,000; training requirements for individuals involved in transporting hazardous materials be increased; and the U.S. Postal Service be given authority to effectively enforce its regulations on mail shipments of hazardous materials and to impose civil penalties.
In addition, the DOT wants the current overlap of hazardous materials transportation regulations between itself and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration addressed in some areas and is asking that states be allowed to participate in a coordinated program of hazardous material carrier registrations and permits.
Senate approves Defense Spending Bill with increases for fire service
The Senate approved the Defense Spending Bill, which includes an amendment to increase funding for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program [originally the FIRE (Firefighter Investment and Response Enhancement) Act].
The amendment authorizes $600 million next year, $800 million the following year, and $1 billion in 2004. Should this amendment, introduced by Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), be retained in the final version of the Defense bill, Congress will be able to appropriate the additional funding. Whether or not Congress will agree to provide the full amount called for in the amendment remains to be seen. As of press time, the Defense bill was passed, but no monies had been specifically allocated for the fire service.
Federal Emergency Management Agency Director Joe M. Allbaugh reported that nearly 20,000 fire departments applied for about $3 billion in grants this year; $100 million had been appropriated.
USFA posts first responder anthrax resources on-line
To help America’s first responders cope with the anthrax threat, the U.S. Fire Administration has posted federal guidelines and other information resources about responding to bioterrorism incidents at http://www.usfa.fema.gov/hazmat/bioagents.htm/.
CPSC to begin rulemaking on mattress fire safety
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) will begin developing a safety standard to make mattresses less flammable and has voted to publish an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal Register. Since 1998, the CPSC has been researching options for addressing mattress fire hazards from open flames. The new standard will address fires ignited by sources such as candles, matches, and lighters.
There is a federal standard requiring mattresses to be resistant to cigarette ignition.
Line-of-Duty Deaths, 2001
September 16: Fire Police Lieutenant Willie Barns, 66, of Country Lakes Volunteer Fire Company #1, Browns Mills, New Jersey, died of an apparent heart attack while responding in his private vehicle to work a traffic control point following a transformer fire that had disabled traffic lights.
September 26: Captain Neil Woodward, 32, of the Blackman Volunteer Fire Department, Baker, Florida, collapsed and died from an apparent heart attack while en route to the hospital from his home, where he had worked with responding firefighters to extinguish a fire in the bathroom.
October 13: Captain Jay Jahnke, 40, of the Houston (TX) Fire Department, died of apparent smoke inhalation. He had been conducting search and rescue operations in a burning 40-story building and became trapped along with occupants on the fifth floor. He died later at the hospital.
October 13: Firefighter Kenneth J. Frayne, 28, of the Channahon (IL) Fire Protection District, died during dive rescue training.
October 14: Captain Bob Marsh, 78, of the Cal Nev Ari Volunteer Fire Department, Clark County Fire Department, Las Vegas, Nevada, suffered a fatal heart attack while responding to a reported vehicle accident.
October 24: Firefighter Michael Elliott, 46, of the Maple Rapids (MI) Fire Department, was hit by a tree when performing storm-watch duties while the community was under a tornado warning.
Source: National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Database, United States Fire Administration.
