E-Update Archive
January 8, 2008
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 | | January 8, 2008 | |
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In this issue:
FY 2008 Appropriations Bring Increases in AFG and SAFER Grant Programs On December 20, President Bush signed H.R. 2764, legislation making appropriations for all federal agencies except the Department of Defense for FY 2008. Included in the bill was funding for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant programs. AFG received a $13 million increase to $560 million while SAFER was funded at $190 million, an increase of more than 65 percent. AFG and SAFER provide funding directly to fire departments and nonprofit EMS agencies for apparatus, equipment, training, staffing, and recruitment and retention of volunteers. Fire service representatives work closely with the Department of Homeland Security to ensure that the most deserving grant applications are funded. The funding and effectiveness of AFG and SAFER are the NVFC’s top legislative priority. H.R. 2764 provides the United States Fire Administration (USFA) with $43.3 million, an increase of approximately $2 million. USFA offers training and education for emergency services personnel and the public. USFA also performs research and collects data specific to the fire service and fire service activities. The long-term health of USFA and its National Fire Academy are critical to the fire service. Citizen Corps received flat funding at $15 million. Citizen Corps grants help fund programs such as Fire Corps, Medical Reserve Corps, Neighborhood Watch, Volunteers In Police Service, and Community Emergency Response Teams. Fire Corps, which is administered on a national level by the NVFC in partnership with the International Association of Fire Chiefs, promotes the use of citizen volunteers to enhance the capacity of fire and rescue departments by performing non-emergency functions. Between the Bureau of Land Management and the United States Forest Service, Congress provided more than $3 billion in funding for wildland fire management. The Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) program received $14 million, the same amount as last year, while the Rural Fire Assistance (RFA) was funded at $6 million. RFA was unfunded in FY 2007. RFA and VFA provide grants to fire departments in rural areas to prepare for responding to wildland fires. For information on other appropriation items, visit the. Volunteer Responder Incentive Protection Act Signed into Law On December 20, President Bush signed the Volunteer Responder Incentive Protection Act (VRIPA) into law. The NVFC previously reported that VRIPA had been passed by the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate. VRIPA provides tax relief to volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel who receive benefits from state and local units of government. Learn more about VRIPA and how it became law. Brian Williams Promotes Fire Corps in PSA Brian Williams, Anchor and Managing Editor of NBC Nightly News, recorded a video public service announcement (PSA) for Fire Corps, a locally-driven Citizen Corps program administered by the National Volunteer Fire Council. The 30-second spot informs the public that they can help their local fire and EMS departments by performing important non-emergency tasks. “As a former volunteer firefighter, I know fire departments around this country need your help with fundraising, education, promotions, and other non-emergency tasks,” Williams says in the message. He then refers listeners to the Fire Corps web site at www.firecorps.org to learn more and find a local program. Williams donated his time and resources to develop the PSA, which is airing on television stations across the country. View the PSA online at www.youtube.com/NVFCCommunications or http://firecorps.org/page/734/Marketing_Resources.htm. NVFC Heart-Healthy Firefighter Cookbook Wins Award The first edition of the National Volunteer Fire Council’s (NVFC) Heart-Healthy Firefighter Cookbook was awarded Bronze honors in the Manuals category of the 2007 Association TRENDS All-Media Contest. Association Trends is a national newspaper for association executives and suppliers. For over 30 years, Association TRENDS has been recognizing the best in nonprofit communications, from press kits and education programs to magazines, member communications, websites, promotional products, and more. “We are very pleased with this honor and are proud of the Cookbook and its role in helping to educate firefighters on their health and wellness habits,” says NVFC Executive Director Heather Schafer. Due to the success of the Heart-Healthy Firefighter Cookbook, the NVFC has now released the second edition of the Cookbook. The second edition features many of the delicious recipes found in the first edition, along with several new recipes, expanded nutrition information, and a great new look. With over 60 recipes, including those submitted by health-conscious firefighters, this Cookbook proves eating healthy has never tasted better. Firefighters, EMS personnel, and their families can use these recipes both at the station and at home for easy-to-make meals that are good to your heart without sacrificing any of the taste. Order your copy of the Heart-Healthy Firefighter Cookbook. While the Cookbook is complimentary, shipping and handling charges apply. Questions regarding the Cookbook or ordering can be sent to lricardo@nvfc.org. Honor an Emergency Responder as a Serving Hero Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robins are looking for stories about people who serve their communities in times of need. Through the Serving Heroes program, civilians and members of the emergency community can thank their hero through recognition and a profile on the Serving Heroes web site. The winners also receive a year’s worth of free Dunkin’ Donuts coffee. The only criteria for nominations is that the story be about an emergency responder in relation to a particular event. Honor your hero by nominating them as a Serving Hero. For more information and to submit a story, visit www.servingheroes.com. AFSA Releases 2008 Fire Sprinkler System Planning School Schedule The American Fire Sprinkler Association's (AFSA) has released the 2008 schedule for its Beginning Fire Sprinkler System Planning School. This two-week crash course is aimed at giving system layout technicians a comprehensive, practical approach to preparing fire sprinkler system drawings. Nine schools scheduled for the coming year. Dates include: February 4-15, March 3-14, April 14-25, May 12-23, June 16-27, July 14-25, August 11-22, September 22-October 3, and November 3-14. Learn more at http://www.firesprinkler.org. National Firewise Communities Program Publishes Quarterly Newsletter The National Firewise Communities program is designed to involve homeowners, community leaders, planners, developers and other stakeholders in an effort to protect people, property, and natural resources from the risk of wildland fire. Wildfire News and Notes is a quarterly newsletter published by Firewise that provides information and news to wildland firefighters and agencies where the primary focus is controlling or suppressing wildland fires. The December issue of Wildfire News and Notes is now available online. Calendar of Events Below is a list of events that the NVFC will be attending, as well as nationally recognized dates which the NVFC would like to acknowledge. Annual Apparatus Specification and Vehicle Maintenance Symposium NVFC Spring Meeting CFSI Dinner FDIC Fire Chief’s Station Style Conference Firehouse Expo Fire-Rescue International Support Those Who Support the Voice of the Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services The NVFC relies on the assistance of its corporate and association partners to be able to provide a voice for the volunteer fire and emergency services in Washington. We encourage you to look at a list of our Corporate Members and support them with your business. Join the NVFC and support the voice of the volunteer. Find out more and join online at www.nvfc.org. To be removed from the NVFC E-Update list click here. | | |
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