Fire service leaders urge that FEMA remain in DHS; IAEM-USA says no

In a letter to President-elect Barack Obama in December, the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), and Congressional Fire Service Institute (CFSI) requested that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) remain in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The organizations warned that failure to do so “could endanger America’s emergency response capabilities.”

IAFC President Larry J. Grorud, IAFF General President Harold A. Schaitberger, and CFSI President Dr. William Jenaway stated: “America’s fire service believes that emergency preparedness and response to all hazards is integral to our nation’s homeland security, and we urge you to keep FEMA in its current role as an autonomous component within DHS.”

The organizations also provided the following rationale for their position:

• Separating FEMA from DHS “could create a bureaucratic barrier between FEMA and the other DHS preparedness and response components, such as the Office of Intelligence and Analysis, the Office of Health Affairs, the Office of Infrastructure Protection, and the U.S. Coast Guard.”
• Also, FEMA’s work with local first responders would be separated from the department’s communications interoperability programs at the Offices of Emergency Communications and Interoperability and Compatibility.
• The “instability” that would be created within DHS and FEMA during the months Congress would deliberate while enacting such a change “would prevent FEMA from performing its core preparedness and response mission.”
• FEMA will be better able to prepare for and respond to acts of terror, natural disasters, and other manmade emergencies as a critical component of the DHS.

A copy of the letter to President-elect Obama is at www.iafc.org: Government Relations > Issues: Homeland Security.

Also a proponent of having FEMA remain in DHS is DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff. He said separating the two agencies would create more layers of bureaucracy and would deprive FEMA of easy access to DHS resources, such as helicopters and communications equipment.

Senior ranking Republican members of the House Committee on Homeland Security of the 110th Congress voiced their position in favor of having FEMA remain within DHS in an editorial entitled “Splitting off agency courts disaster” in The Washington Times (Jan. 14, 2009). Members Peter T. King (NY), Mark Souder, (IN), Dan Lungren (CA), Mike Rogers (AL), Dave Reichert (WA), Michael McCaul (TX), and Charlie Dent (PA) maintain that the roles of DHS and a separate FEMA “would only be confused and efforts duplicated” and that “FEMA would be considerably weakened without DHS resources at its immediate disposal.”

On the other hand, more than 1,500 members of the U.S. Council of the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM-USA) voted at its annual conference to have FEMA be restored to its former status as an independent agency and that its director report directly to the President and be a member of the President’s Cabinet. According to IAEM-USA President-elect Russell Decker, CEM, the board of directors unanimously voted in favor of the proposal.

Emergency management and homeland security experts, including former FEMA Director James Lee Witt, say moving FEMA out of DHS is “the first, and probably most important, step in helping FEMA regain its status as one of the most successful and admired federal agencies, as it was early in this decade.”

IAEM-USA believes that crisis management (DHS’ mission to prevent and catch those who would commit an act of terrorism against the United States) and consequence management (FEMA’s mission to deal with the impact of any disaster—natural, technological, or terrorism-related) should be separate.

According to an article by Mark Hosenball in the December 22, 2008, issue of Newsweek, IAEM officials met with Obama aides and requested the separation of FEMA from DHS. The article noted that two people familiar with transition discussions, who asked for anonymity, said Obama’s advisers were conducting “a sweeping review of Homeland Security.”

Line-of-Duty Deaths

 

2008

December 8. Lieutenant Rick H. Borkin, 42, Thiensville (WI) Fire Department: collapsed while participating in mandatory fire department training; cause of death to be determined.

December 17. Firefighter Jerry Parrick, 59, West End Volunteer Fire and Rescue, De Borgia, MT: struck by semi-tractor trailer while in his personal vehicle warning motorists of a motor vehicle accident on the roadway.

December 22. Firefighter Michelle L. Smith, 29, Delaware City (DE) Fire Company No. 1, Inc.: injuries sustained when struck by a vehicle while assisting with patient care at a motorcycle accident on December 20.

December 23. Lieutenant Steve Hagan Sr., 48, Blenheim (SC) Fire Department: heart attack suffered on December 22 at the scene of a motor vehicle accident.

December 27. Driver Dennis G. McClenahan, 54, Princeton Junction (NJ) Volunteer Fire Co. #1: apparent heart attack.

December 30. Fire Police Captain Norm Koch, 79, East Pembroke (NY) Fire Department: apparent heart attack.

December 31. Firefighter Richard Lee Montgomery, 54, Hobo-Big V Volunteer Fire Department, Booneville, MS: apparent heart attack.

December 31. Firefighter Jarrett Little, 24, Walker County Fire and Rescue, Rock Spring, GA: apparatus accident while responding to a chimney fire.

2009

January 2. Firefighter Gary Stephens, 57, Elizabeth (NJ) Fire Department: accidentally run over by a fire truck at the scene of a structure fire.

January 3. Firefighter/Mechanic John C. Myers, 61, Union Chapel Volunteer Fire Department: Pittsburg, OK: injuries received in a motor vehicle accident while working at the scene of an outdoor grass fire.

January 9. Lieutenant Kevin M. Kelley, 52, Boston (MA) Fire Department: apparatus accident while returning from medical call. Cause of accident is under investigation.

Source: USFA Firefighters Memorial Database

FAA revises Helo EMS Rules

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) published in November 2008 the following revisions relative to the operating of helicopter EMS (HEMS) flights under Part 135.

• Pilots of a flight, or sequence of flights, that includes a Part 135 segment must conduct all visual flight rules (VFR) segments within the weather minimums and minimum safe cruise altitude determined in preflight planning.
• Pilots must establish a minimum safe cruise altitude during preflight planning by identifying and documenting obstructions and terrain along the planned flight path. They must also determine the minimum required ceiling and visibility for conducting the flight using the revised weather minimums. These minimums vary according to whether the flight is local or cross-country, in daylight or at night, the type of terrains, and the equipment aboard.
• HEMS instrument flight rule (IFR) operations are permitted at landing areas without weather reporting if an approved weather reporting source is within 15 nautical miles of the landing area or if an area forecast is available. The night-vision goggles revision sets weather minimums consistent with these changes. “FAA Publishes Helo EMS Rule Changes,” Mark Huber, www.ainonline.com, Nov. 18, 2008, accessed Jan. 15, 2009/.

USFA releases provisional 2008 firefighter fatality statistics

The United States Fire Administration (USFA) announced that 114 firefighters died in the line of duty in the United States in 2008. Firefighters from 34 states and one from the Virgin Islands were among the fatalities.

United States Fire Administrator Greg Cade said these tragic losses remind firefighters in all fire departments across the United States of the necessary commitment to focus on and improve operational safety. He emphasized that many of these losses are preventable and that the USFA is dedicated to continuing its efforts to ensure that the losses are decreased in 2009.

Following are some of the early-known facts on 2008 fatalities the USFA has available:

• Heart attacks and strokes were responsible for the deaths of 50 firefighters (43.8 percent), representing a decrease from 54 of the 118 (45.7 percent) firefighters in 2007.
• Twenty-six on-duty firefighters died in association with wildland fires, more than double the 11 wildland firefighter fatalities in 2007 and above the annual average of 21 wildland fire-associated fatalities over the past 10 years.
• Almost two-thirds (64.9 percent) of firefighter fatalities occurred while performing emergency duties.
• Twenty-nine firefighters died as the result of vehicle crashes: 14 deaths involved aircraft crashes, 15 firefighters died in motor vehicle crashes, six firefighters were killed in crashes involving their personal vehicles, and three died in water tender (tanker) crashes. Speed and failure to use seat belts historically contribute to these incidents.

The 2008 fatality statistics are subject to change. The USFA is contacting state fire marshals to verify the names of firefighters reported to have died on-duty during 2008. The final number of firefighter fatalities will be reported in the USFA’s annual firefighter fatality report, expected to be available by early July. The annual fatality reports from 1986 through 2007 and the Firefighter Fatality Retrospective Study 1990–2000 are available at www.usfa.dhs.gov/.

DHS revises NIMS

Among the changes in the revised National Incident Management System (NIMS) released by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in December 2008 are a clarification of incident command system concepts, an increased emphasis on planning and mutual aid, an expanded intelligence/investigation function, and an improved alignment of the NIMS document with the National Response Framework (NRF), according to FEMA Administrator David Paulison.

The extensive NIMS revision involved more than 100 partners from all levels of government, private sector, nongovernmental organizations, and subject matter experts representing a broad spectrum of emergency management and incident response disciplines. FEMA reviewed almost 6,000 comments from more than 280 individuals and organizations throughout three official nationwide comment periods for the revisions. The National Advisory Council also extensively reviewed the document and made recommendations. With the NRF, NIMS provides a single, comprehensive approach to incident management, FEMA explains. Additional information on preparedness programs is at www.dhs.gov and www.fema.gov/.

NIOSH releases firefighter fatality investigation reports

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recently released the following firefighter fatality reports.

• F2008-02. “Fire fighter trainee suffers heart attack during simulated fire suppression exercise—North Carolina,” August 14, 2007. It is available at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face200802.html/.
• F2007-24. “Captain suffers sudden cardiac death while in travel status for training—Texas,” April 27, 2007. It is available at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face200724.html/.
• F2007-38. “Fire fighter suffers sudden cardiac death after responding to two calls—Kansas,” November 21, 2007. It is available at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face200738.html/.
• F2008-06. “Volunteer fire fighter and trapped resident die and a volunteer lieutenant is injured following a duplex fire—Pennsylvania,” February 29, 2008. It is available at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face200806.html/.
• F2007-09. “Career probationary fire fighter dies while participating in a live-fire training evolution at an acquired structure—Maryland,” February 9, 2007. It is available at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face200709.html/.
• F2008-17. “Volunteer assistant chief killed when struck by tractor-trailer while operating at a motor vehicle crash—North Carolina,” June 14, 2008. It is available at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face200817.html/.
• F2008-27. “Volunteer fire chief dies from injuries received when privately owned vehicle crashes into bay door, pinning him against fire tanker—Wisconsin,” July 23, 2008. It is at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face200827.html/.

DOT issues final rule for railroad hazmat tank cars

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced in January a final rule devised to improve the “crashworthiness” of railroad tank cars used to transport poison inhalation hazards (PIHs), such as chlorine and anhydrous ammonia.

The tank cars are to have improved puncture resistance from a side impact through a combination of thicker inner shells, where the hazmat is held, and/or thicker outer jackets, depending on the hazmat being transported. Also, each end of the tank car is to be protected with a full head shield, where one is not already mandated by existing regulations, and strengthened valves, top fittings, and a nozzle used to load and unload the tank car—to prevent a release in a rollover accident.

The new rule also imposes a 50-mile-per-hour maximum speed restriction for loaded PIH tank cars and allows an increase in the car’s gross weight to accommodate the enhanced safety measures. Tank car owners are to prioritize the retirement or replacement of older tank cars used in PIH service built before 1989 with nonnormalized steel that may not adequately resist the development of fractures.

According to Mary E. Peters, U.S. transportation secretary, the final rule provides for an increase in safety over existing rail hazmat tank car designs pending further technological and manufacturing advancements. She noted that adoption of these interim design standards will ensure the ongoing availability of PIH tank cars with improved safety while DOT completes longer-term research, testing, and validation of advanced tank car designs for a more stringent performance-based standard to further increase rail hazmat tank car crashworthiness.

The final rule, issued by the DOT Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration in close consultation with the Federal Railroad Administration, applies to PIH tank cars built on or after March 16, 2009.

FDA cites hazards of Raptiva®

Raptiva® (efalizumab), an immunosuppressant approved as a once-a-week injection to treat adult patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, has been reported to cause serious infections in some patients, which in some cases led to hospitalization and even death, according to the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA). According to an FDA Recall and Safety Alert (#83, January 2009), the product’s label will be updated to include data from studies of juvenile mice, which suggest that repeated administration of Raptiva® to pediatric patients may lead to permanent suppression of the immune system. The drug is not approved for children younger than 18 years of age.

The FDA is requiring Raptiva’s manufacturer to submit a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy that includes a medication guide for patients. Additional information is at www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2008/safety08.htm#Raptiva/.

Former HHS official warns of potential hazards of organophosphorus pesticides

Jerome M. Hauer, former assistant secretary for public health emergency preparedness, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and former director of emergency management for New York City, warned in a release that the “World at Risk” report issued by the Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism, though an excellent report, may unintentionally take the nation’s attention from “more likely terrorist threats” by focusing solely on biological and nuclear weapons.

Hauer singled out organophosphorus nerve agents. Whether released intentionally or accidentally, he said, they have the potential to “inflict significant casualties in minutes, especially if used by terrorists willing to die in the effort.” These substances, although not as catastrophic as biological or nuclear weapons, Hauer says, are highly toxic and can be obtained relatively easily and in quantities sufficient for terrorist attacks.

Moreover, Hauer points out that millions of tons of hazardous materials are transported across our nation’s highways, rails, and waterways. Organophosphorus pesticides commonly used in agriculture could be as deadly in a truck accident as if used as a terrorist weapon, he adds.

Should there be an event that involves organophosphate poisoning, victims may have only minutes to receive the antidote and emergency medical personnel may not be able to help everyone in need, according to Hauer. Modeling scenarios, he notes, have predicted that a serious chemical event could produce hundreds to a few thousand casualties, depending on the level of toxicity, the length of exposure, and atmospheric dispersion and persistence. In addition, he says, federal government stockpiles of chemical nerve agent antidotes would not be available for immediate use, since they are intended for replenishment purposes only.

He recommends that state and city officials continue to evaluate their risks at the local level and train and equip their police, fire, and EMS personnel accordingly. This includes equipping first responders with personal protective equipment and antidotes that will keep them from becoming casualties themselves, training and exercising specifically to deal with chemical terrorism, and participating as individual groups and in large-scale exercises in specialized simulated responses that involve the medical community and local, state, and federal agencies that will help identify gaps in response protocols and strengthen partnerships among agencies so they will be able to work together more effectively at such events.