The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announces that the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) application period will be extended for one week due to Hurricane Irene response and recovery. The NEWdeadline for AFG applications is September 16, 2011 at 5:00 p.m. EST. This extension of time will allow our partners to address the immediate needs of their communities while providing adequate opportunity for them to apply for grant assistance under the AFG program.

Hurricane Irene has affected a wide expanse of communities on the East Coast of the United States. FEMA recognizes that many of the eligible applicants for the AFG grant application period, that is presently open, are fire departments and non affiliated EMS departments. FEMA understands that the most important focus should be on life and property.

Applicants who are in the process of completing an application can continue. Please note that the FEMA system did not have any disruption of service due to the storm and therefore, information submitted to date is intact. If applicants have not started their application yet, it’s not too late. The AFG website has tools available to assist with preparing competitive applications (www.fema.gov/firegrants).

Click here to read the entire article.

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By Chief Gary Bowker (Ret.)

Featured Columnist for FireRescue1

If we’re relying only on past ‘good’ experience or blind luck to handle an incident, we are setting the stage for disaster

There’s an old fire service saying that has been around for many decades that states, “What you do in the first five minutes is more important than the next five hours.”

This is especially true with regards to assessing and managing risk on the fireground. The initial arriving company officer is immediately tasked with assuming command and managing risks associated with the incident. Here are a few key points to consider:

Risk assessment techniques
One of the most important and immediate tasks of the IC will be to assess the level of risk in the situation and determine if that risk is acceptable. The IC has three choices, of either:

1. Accept the risk

2. Reduce the risk

3. Avoid the risk

Click here to read the entire article on FireRescue1.

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The 2011 World Police & Fire Games, hosted this year in New York City, will resume Monday, Aug 29 with a revised schedule after Sunday’s hurricane cancellation. The following update is from the 2011wpfg.org site:

Jacob Javits Convention Center (No Sport will begin before 2pm)

• Air Rifle: Rescheduled from Saturday to Monday 8/29 at 2pm.
• Badminton: Moved to Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday
• Basketball (5×5): 2pm START. Please check the website and email for updated schedule
• Bench Press: Meeting at 4pm in Room 1E-09 (Combat Room) on the Lower Level. Competition to start on Tuesday
• Body Building: THE EVENT HAS BEEN REVIVED. We will start with weigh-ins at 2pm. Athletes should check into the Body Building room at the back, right corner of the Athletes Village.
• Boxing: 2pm Weigh-ins and 4pm Athletes Clinic and Competitors Meeting in the Special Events Hall (Heroes Hall).
• Darts: 2pm start in the Special Events Hall (Heroes Hall).
• Judo: There will be a Judo meeting at 1pm to decide the future of Judo. Please be there. The meeting will be held in 1E-02
• Orienteering: Rescheduled to Thursday 9/1. Check the website for details
• Rowing – Indoor: Check-in and weigh-in at 3pm. Competition starts at 4pm
• Road Race: We are making an attempt to reschedule for Friday 9/2, however, this will not be a ½ Marathon, more likely to be a 10K
• Soccer – Indoor: Captain’s Meeting at 1pm on the court. Competition begins at 2pm
• Stair Climb: Tentatively scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 3rd.
• Table Tennis: 2pm Start
• Taekwondo: Weigh-in Monday, 8/29 at 5pm. Competition rescheduled from Sunday to Tuesday 8/30.
• Volleyball – Indoor: 2pm Start
• Wrestling: Weigh-in at 5pm in the Combat Arena on the court. Competition starts on Tuesday at 8am.

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FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) has been going strong for 10 years—and that’s long enough for some myths to develop about the program. Don’t let misconceptions discourage you from applying for a grant award.

MYTH: AFG isn’t designed for volunteer-based, rural, or small organizations like mine.

FACT: AFG is open to fire departments and nonaffiliated EMS organizations—no matter its membership composition, size, service area, or call volume. Additionally, under certain conditions, rescue squads, municipalities and non-Federal airport- and port-based fire and EMS organizations may also apply. For a full description of eligibility requirements, refer to the FY11 AFG Program Guidance, Section 1, Part III.A-B.

MYTH: There’s no way I can win an award without a grant writer.

FACT: The majority of AFG grantees do not use grant writers. We know that firefighters and first responders are focused on public safety—not grant writing—and that’s why we offer support to help applicants prepare and develop a competitive application. Take advantage of the AFG resources, and if you have questions along the way, contact the Helpdesk at 1-866-274-0960 or firegrants@dhs.gov.

MYTH: My application was rejected in the past, so there’s no point in trying again.

FACT: If your previous application was denied in the past, we encourage you to reapply. Each time you apply for a grant, we look at it as a brand new application. We do not hold previous denials against you.

MYTH: Some organizations stand a better chance at winning awards than others.

FACT: Politics and favoritism have no bearing on AFG awards. AFG awards are based on need and merit. The application review process ensures that all applications are judged fairly. For more information on

Click here to find out more information about FEMA’s AFG program.

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The Cincinnati Fire Department committed to another round of fundraising for the Muscular Dystrophy Association in a press release issued yesterday.

The program continues the lifelong partnership between the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) and the MDA. Once again, to show their dedication, CFD firefighters will be collecting donations.

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A lot of advances have taken place technology wise, but not enough is being done at the local level to protect firefighters

By FireRescue1 Staff

It sometimes seems like firefighters need to be reminded over and over again about the hazards they face on an every day basis. Safely responding to and returning from the emergency scene is still a major cause of injury and death to firefighters and civilians.

A University of Michigan study in 1998 came up with the following results:

• 2472 fire apparatus collisions per year.
• 6 occupants of fire apparatus killed per year.
• 413 occupants of fire apparatus injured per year.
• 21 civilians killed by fire apparatus per year.
• 642 civilians injured by fire apparatus per year.

Click here to read the entire article and find out how you can make fire truck rescues safer.

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The FY 2011 AFG application is now open and the September 9 deadline is fast approaching. FEMA’s site offers many helpful guides and tips to securing your grant.

The Narrative Assistance Guide walks you through the application narrative,one of the most critical components of your application. The following text is provided by FEMA to help you think through the needs and resources required for your department’s grant.

Be prepared to thoroughly explain, document and provide background information on the following five areas:

• Organization and/or community you serve
• Financial need
• Project description/budget
• Cost benefit
• Statement of effect

The following questions can help you formulate comprehensive answers on your application. Begin your discussion with a brief (no more than three sentences) opening statement as to what you are requesting and why. Then discuss the following:

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Black Helmet Apparel visited Dayton, Ohio last week to film the production of the first 9/11 Tribute Helmet at LION’s Helmet Manufacturing facility. Now you can see everything that goes into making these very special, hand-crafted American Heritage helmets.

You can find the helmet specifications and ordering information on Black Helmet Apparel’s website, follow updates from them on Facebook: www.facebook.com/blackhelmetgear, and learn more about the company here.

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By Robert Owens, Fire Engineering EMS

It is a warm summer day; outdoor activities for the citizens of your fire district are in full swing. You’re just finishing some apparatus cleaning when the radio opens….Engine 1, Medic 1 respond to a reported drowning 123 Main St. at Main St. Apartments. You are familiar with this apartment complex, as you have been there many times. As you make the block, you see people jumping and waving. You park the rig; as you approach the scene, you see no lifeguard on duty, and a body facedown in the pool.

In communities all across America, the above scenario plays out quite often. While not commonly thought of as a major problem, drowning accounts for approximately 4,000 infant and pediatric deaths annually, leaving an estimated 12,000 with varying degrees of brain injury. When adults are included in these statistics, the numbers increase to 7,000 drowning deaths each year. Despite these numbers, more than half of all parents and guardians feel that drowning is not a threat to their child.

A quick ride around your response district will show the huge potential for drowning and pool-related injuries, not to mention other static and dynamic water sources such as rivers, lakes, and ponds. When responding to water emergencies, you begin the process just as at any emergency scene: perform a size-up, determine resources needed, and develop an action plan from the information gathered.

Click here to read the entire article at Fire Engineering EMS.

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By Michael Lee
Featured Columnist for FireRescue1.com

When discussing rapid intervention, the initial introduction requires a step back to discuss briefly the “two-in/two-out” concept introduced to the fire service as a requirement by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

This administrative regulation was originally designed to be applied to a larger arena in that protection was required to protect from illness and injuries associated with hazardous environments that require respiratory protection.
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