NEWS IN BRIEF
Witt confirmed as FEMA director
James Lee Witt recently was sworn in as the director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Previously, Witt had served the state of Arkansas for more than 16 years in various capacities, including as the director of the Arkansas Office of Emergency Services and the judge of Yell County (see Fire Fngineering, May 1993).
Upon being sworn in, Witt said he plans “to revitalize the agency and develop a new partnership with Congress, the W hite House, other federal agencies, state and local governments, and volunteer groups to make FEMA one of the most respected agencies in the nation.”
FEMA to air videoconference on needs of disabled during disasters
The impact of law and nature on disabled and elderly persons will he the subject of a nationwide videoconference that will be broadcast over the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Emergency Education Network (EENET) July 8, from 11 a m. to 3:30 p.m. EOT.
The morning segment will feature representatives from the U.S. Department of Justice, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and state and local governments, who will examine the effects of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
The afternoon segment, covering problems faced by the elderly and individuals with disabilities in Dade County, Florida, during and after Hurricane Andrew, w ill feature representatives from Dade County and Miami area social service agencies.
The EENET videoconference can be received at no charge with a Cband antenna or satellite dish. A special toll-free 800 telephone number will be given during portions of the broadcast to allow viewers to talk directly with program participants.
Satellite information is as follows: Spacenet IV, transponder 8, channel 4, downlink frequency 3780 MHz, audio frequency 6.2/6.8 MHz, location 101 degrees west, polarity horizontal; or ASC 1, transponder 12, channel 12, downlink frequency 3940 MHz, audio frequency 6.2/6 8 MHz, location 128 degrees west, polarity vertical.
Additional program details are available from EENET, National Emergency Training Center, Room K-009, Emmitsburg, MI) 21727, (301) 4471068.
CFSI adds EMS coordinator
Michael Smith has been added to the staff of the Congressional Fire Services Institute as its EMS coordinator. As EMS coordinator within the Government Affairs Department, Smith will expand coverage of EMS issues in the Washington Watchdog, the CFSI’s newsletter, and be responsible for increasing the flow of information from the CFSI to Capitol Hill staff members and the members of the Federal Interagency Committee on EMS.
Appointed for a one-year term with the aid of a grant from the American Ambulance Association (AAA), Smith represented the CFSI at the AAA Convention and Trade Show in Iais Vegas last November, where he met with members of the AAA Committees on Government Affairs and Public/Private Partnership.
FEMA lists hotels/motels meeting safety act criteria
A copy of the national master list of places of public accommodation that meet the fire prevention and control guidelines contained in the Hotel and Motel Fire Safety Act of 1990 published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in the November 24, 1992, issue of the Federal Register is available. The list will be updated periodically. For a copy of the list, write to the Government Printing Office, Superintendent of Documents, Washington, DC 20402-9325; the stock number is 069-001-00049-1.
“Test Smoke Alarms” day proposed
Upon learning from grammar school students in his jurisdiction during a Fire Prevention week classroom visit that about 90 percent of those who had smoke alarms in their homes did not check them regularly to determine whether they were in working order, Volunteer Firefighter David L. Bruna of the City’ of Marysville (KS) Fire Department set out to do something about it. “It hit me that humans need a reminder,” Bruna says, so he proposed that the first Tuesday of the month be designated smoke alarm day.
“Now stop and think w hat one day a month, only 12 days a year, could mean,” the volunteer firefighter says. “How many lives and how many dollars worth of personal property could he saved?”
Among suggestions Bruna has offered is that the monthly designation be made part of the annual fire department calendar that’s part of a public fundraising drive in many communities. Since his 1993 department’s calendars already had been printed when he conceived his idea, Bruna used a “’lest Smoke Alarms” rubber stamp to imprint the designation on the calendars. In addition, a local bank donated adhesive-backed stickers to be given to the community’s students for affixing to a calendar at home.
Bruna also has proposed his idea to state and federal legislators, federal agencies, the National l ire Protection Association and other fire service organizations, various state fire marshal offices, state governors, various business establishments, insurance companies, and the media.
Bruna has received the backing of his department’s chief, Charlie Lindeen; his employer, the Union Pacific Railroad, which published the suggestion in its magazine and newsletter; and the Marysville Chamber of Commerce, which has agreed to place the notice on calendars distributed throughout the county. The Kansas state legislature will issue a proclamation on the first-Tuesday designation in May; other states have indicated that similar actions may be taken in the future. For additional information on his proposal, contact Bruna at (913) 562-5096.
Clemson University adopts mandatory sprinkler policy
All new buildings erected on the campus grounds of Clemson (SC) University must have installed sprinkler systems, according to a policy adopted in January. Two major projects now under construction —a new performing arts building and renovations on an existing structure—will include sprinkler systems.
The policy covers installing sprinklers even in new buildings that normally would not require them, such as small dormitories or the new visitors’ center, explains Jack Abraham, chief of the University’s fire department.
According to Abraham, 40 percent of the buildings on campus are completely sprinklered, and 85 percent are at least partially sprinklered. Among the partially sprinklered structures are the dormitories, which have sprinklers in their trash chutes and basement storage areas.
At present, Abraham says, there are no requirements for retrofitting existing structures. As the money becomes available, he adds, the immediate objective is “to retrofit the high-rise dorms, perhaps floor by floor, beginning with the top floor.” Parents are asking for sprinklered dorms for their children, Abraham notes.
Campus fire officials have been working with the residential housing area since 1986 to initiate a policy mandating sprinkler systems in new construction. Abraham savs. The cause was helped, Abraham notes, by a severe fire that occurred at Clemson’s sister university in Columbia, South Carolina, which helped justify the sprinkler mandate. In addition, fire officials cited cost effectiveness (the size of the fire department can be reduced) and increased safety for firefighters and occupants as selling points for the sprinklers.
Another fire safety initiative taken by the campus fire department is to educate students about fire safety and how it can be compromised by actions such as false alarms and the use of drugs or alcohol.
Emergency personnel organization formed
TEAM 911, a service organization for emergency personnel, “will be fun for members and at the same time promote professionalism and support EMS research,” according to Jim Page, Jems communications chairman. Among the goals of TEAM 911 are educating the public about emergency services, financially supporting prehospital research, and sharing information among emergency personnel. launched at the EMS Today conference in March, TEAM 911 wall be headed by Mark Brown, former ocean lifeguard, EMT, urban paramedic, SWAT medic, flight medic, and instructor.
An annual membership fee of S12 will entitle members to more than S85 worth of discounts on magazine and journal subscriptions, books, videos, conferences, clothing items, and various products. Discounted vacations and tours of foreign emergency services are also planned.
Additional information is available from Mark Brown at (619) 431-9797.
USFA studying alternate funding for fire departments and EMS units
The U.S. Fire Administration has begun work on a handbook that will help local fire departments and emergency medical service units seeking new funding sources. The administration is soliciting information relative to effective alternative funding sources from the fire service and EMS organizations.
Suggestions and information should be sent to USFA Guide to Funding Alternatives Project, 1500 Wilson Blvd. (SPC Room 1200), Arlington, VA 22209, attention Marilyn Hall.
Proposal would establish federal EMS office
Rep. Steve Gunderson (R-WI) reintroduced to the 102nd Congress in January the Emergency Medical Services Amendments, which originally had been introduced last year.
The bill would establish a federal EMS office within the Department of Health and Human Services, establish/ enhance state EMS offices, and offer a demonstration telecommunications program that would enable patients and health professionals in rural communities to link up with medical specialists in larger health facilities for consultations regarding life-saving treatment.
According to Rep. Gunderson, the proposal would create a strong EMS presence at federal and state levels.
As of press time, no committee hearings had been scheduled for the measure.
Africanized honey bee topic of ! California symposium
‘ The behavior of the aggressive Africanized honey bee (AHB), commonly called the “killer bee,” and its impact on Orange County, California, residents and businesses was the topic of a symposium held in April. Sponsored by the Orange County Vector Control District and the Orange County Agricultural Commissioner, the one-day event featured recognized authorities on the AHB from the University of California, Ohio State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and government and emergency response representatives from Texas. Attendees learned how the use of education; advance preparation; and the cooperative efforts of governmental agencies, schools, hospitals, and public agencies could help Orange County effectively and safely manage the AHB expected to arrive in Southern California during 1994.
The AHB arrived in southeastern Texas from South America in late 1990. By 1992, Texas reported more than 1 20 stinging incidents, with an average of 400 stings per incident.
For additional information, contact Fred Beams at (714) 971-2421 or Steve Hill at (714) 447-7100.
Yvorra Leadership Development offers scholarships
The deadline for filing applications for the 1993 Yvorra Leadership Development (YLD) scholarships is August 30, 1993. The awards provide limited financial support to qualified applicants seeking to pursue leadership development training and education, including “nontraditional” educational programs.
The nonprofit corporation was organized to promote leadership within the emergency services and was founded in 1988 in honor of James Yvorra, who was killed in the line of duty. YLD has awarded 11 $ 1,000 scholarships since its inception.
Last year’s scholarship winners were Russel Mitchell, a firefighter with the Palm Beach County (FL) Fire Department; Allen Clark. Jr., rescue lieutenant with the Bell Township Fire Department in Salina, Pennsylvania; and Mark Martin, paramedic training officer with the City of Stow (OH) Fire Department.
For additional details, contact Mike Hildebrand of YLD at (410) 5863048.
