National Mutual Aid System - NMAS

10/07/2021

FHWA, IAFC, and Crash Responder Safety Week

National Traffic Incident Responders Awareness Week (NTIRAW) is now Responder Safety Week (CRSW). CRSW will be held from November 8-14 this year, and each day has a specific theme.

The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) encourages each member and department to review the events for CRSW and work to promote these at the local level.

Learn more about the efforts of all the folks involved by reading this excellent overview by Chief Norris W. Croom III.

https://www.iafc.org/iCHIEFS/iCHIEFS-article/fhwa-iafc-and-crash-responder-safety-week

10/05/2021

Disaster Planning Workshop Held

Joe Kratochvil of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) was featured on WAGM-TV for presenting and promoting community and first responder disaster planning.

The recent class was held in Fort Kent Fire Department, Maine.

A workshop on Disaster Planning was held at the Fort Kent Fire Department today.

10/01/2021

Home | Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee

U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, convened a hearing with disaster preparedness and response experts to hear how worsening natural disasters, including flooding, severe storms, and wildfires, continue to harm lives and livelihoods in Michigan and across the nation. Peters and the witnesses discussed how lawmakers can work to improve preparedness for and response to increasingly severe natural disasters, and strengthen the resiliency of our nation’s infrastructure to withstand their devastating effects.

https://www.hsgac.senate.gov/media/majority-media/peters-convenes-hearing-with-emergency-management-experts-to-examine-natural-disaster-preparedness-and-response

09/27/2021

Congratulations to Chief Micheal O’Brian, the International Director of the Fire and Life Safety Section, on winning the highest award for Fire Prevention given by the International Code Council! Robert W. Gain Fire Prevention Leadership Award. This award is well deserved!

Read more about the award: https://www.aspe.org/pipeline/international-code-council-honors-building-safety-professionals-and-organizations/

Congratulations to Chief Micheal O’Brian, the International Director of the Fire and Life Safety Section, on winning the highest award for Fire Prevention given by the International Code Council! Robert W. Gain Fire Prevention Leadership Award. This award is well deserved!

Read more about the award: https://www.aspe.org/pipeline/international-code-council-honors-building-safety-professionals-and-organizations/

09/22/2021

The Industrial Fire and Safety Section

The Industrial Fire and Safety Section is a forum for industrial fire and safety professionals to exchange ideas and experiences and an opportunity for industrial and municipal fire and safety professionals to network. The section gave the industrial sector a voice in the IAFC, and therefore a voice at the government level. The section has become a source for up-to-date information, training resources, regulatory input, and equipment information through a network of experienced professionals.

Learn more: https://www.iafc.org/about-iafc/sections/industrial-fire-safety

09/13/2021

9/11 Never Forget Lessons Learned

As we look back on the 20th anniversary of 9/11, we are honored to have Chief Joseph Pfeifer join us for this special podcast. Chief Pfeifer was the first FDNY chief on the scene as the first plane hit the World Trade Center. Chief Pfeifer retired from FDNY in 2018 as the Chief of Counterterrorism and Emergency Preparedness.

Listen as Chief Pfeifer outlines lessons learned these past 20 years, how we’ve built and improved our preparedness and what the fire service should do moving forward.

Chief Pfeifer is also sharing his account of the horrid events that took place on that day in a new book, Ordinary Heros: A Memoir of 9/11, which is available now.

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/ichiefs/2021/09/10/911-never-forget-lessons-learned

As we look back today on the 20th anniversary of 9/11, we are honored to have Chief Joseph Pfeifer join us for this special podcast. Chief Pfeifer was the first FDNY chief on the scene as the first plane hit the World Trade Center. Chief Pfeifer retired from FDNY in 2018 as the Chief of Counterterro...

09/12/2021

IAFC President’s Statement on September 11th, Twenty Years Later

Today we honor the legacy of those who responded to this event and pay our respects for the many lives lost far too soon. May they not be forgotten.

https://www.iafc.org/press-releases/press-release/president-statement-on-september-11th-20

IAFC President’s Statement on September 11th, Twenty Years Later

Today we honor the legacy of those who responded to this event and pay our respects for the many lives lost far too soon. May they not be forgotten.

https://www.iafc.org/press-releases/press-release/president-statement-on-september-11th-20

08/24/2021

The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) is committed to the #health and #safety of our #fire and #EMS department personnel, and we will continue to focus on fire and EMS personnel safety and advocate for mission-critical funding and equipment to assist fire chiefs in continuing to provide life-saving emergency services to their communities in the face of the economic impact and revenue loss they have suffered because of the #coronavirus pandemic.

https://www.iafc.org/press-releases/press-release/iafc-position-on-covid-19-vaccination-of-fire-and-ems-personnel

The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) is committed to the #health and #safety of our #fire and #EMS department personnel, and we will continue to focus on fire and EMS personnel safety and advocate for mission-critical funding and equipment to assist fire chiefs in continuing to provide life-saving emergency services to their communities in the face of the economic impact and revenue loss they have suffered because of the #coronavirus pandemic.

https://www.iafc.org/press-releases/press-release/iafc-position-on-covid-19-vaccination-of-fire-and-ems-personnel

07/23/2021

Emergency use respirator authorizations no longer in effect

The FDA announced the revocation of Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs) on June 30 for imported, non-NIOSH-approved respirators as well as decontamination and bioburden reduction systems. This impacts all health care personnel, including emergency medical services personnel. The revocation of these EUAs was due to the increase in domestically manufactured, NIOSH-approved N95s available throughout the country.

https://www.usfa.fema.gov/blog/ig-071521.html

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration no longer authorizes use of non-NIOSH-approved or decontaminated disposable respirators in health care settings.

07/08/2021

IAFC CEO Rob Brown discusses the future of the IAFC, plus emerging fire service issues

Fire Chief Marc Bashoor speaks with the International Association of Fire Chiefs' new CEO, Rob Brown. The two discuss emergent issues for the fire service, Brown's fire service background, and the honor and responsibility Brown feels to serve as CEO for the association.

https://www.firerescue1.com/leadership/articles/iafc-ceo-rob-brown-discusses-the-future-of-the-iafc-plus-emerging-fire-service-issues-iFceDvMQdMX5JRRX/

Following a difficult year, Brown looks ahead and focuses on top priorities for the association

07/04/2021

Happy Independence Day!

Happy Independence Day!

06/24/2021

Former Miami-Dade Fire Chief Dave Downey discusses partial building collapse, rescue efforts

Early Thursday morning, a high-rise building partially collapsed in Surfside, Florida, just north of Miami. Former Miami-Dade Fire Chief Dave Downey joins “CBS This Morning” to discuss the collapse and what rescue efforts could look like.

https://www.cbsnews.com/video/former-miami-dade-fire-chief-dave-downey-discusses-partial-building-collapse-rescue-efforts/#x

Early Thursday morning, a high rise building partially collapsed in Surfside, Florida, just north of Miami. Former Miami-Dade Fire Chief Dave Downey joins “CBS This Morning” to discuss the collapse and what rescue efforts could look like.

06/05/2021

Governor Northam Recognizes Recipients of 2020 Governor’s Fire Service Awards

Governor Ralph Northam today announced the recipients of the 2020 Governor’s Fire Service Awards, who were recognized at an awards ceremony held on June 4, 2021.

https://www.governor.virginia.gov/newsroom/all-releases/2021/june/headline-897001-en.html

Governor Ralph Northam, 73rd Governor of Virginia

05/17/2021

EMS Strong | Helping, unifying & inspiring EMS workers

Happy EMS Week! The IAFC is excited to mark the start of EMS Week by recognizing all the firefighters and EMS personnel who care for ill and injured patients in their communities. Check out the EMS Strong campaign for ways you can recognize the EMS providers in your fire department

https://www.emsstrong.org/

Created by the American College of Emergency Physicians in partnership with the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians, EMS Strong brings together dedicated EMS professionals.

05/10/2021

Kidde Recalls TruSense Smoke and Combination Smoke/Carbon Monoxide Alarms Due to Risk of Failure to Alert Consumers to a Fire

Kidde Recalls TruSense Smoke and Combination Smoke/Carbon Monoxide Alarms Due to Risk of Failure to Alert Consumers to a Fire.

https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2021/Kidde-Recalls-TruSense-Smoke-and-Combination-Smoke-Carbon-Monoxide-Alarms-Due-to-Risk-of-Failure-to-Alert-Consumers-to-a-Fire

Consumers should immediately contact Kidde for a free replacement alarm. Consumers should keep using the recalled alarms until they install replacement alarms.

04/15/2021

Webinar: Unaware, Unwilling or Unable? Identify and Manage 3 Types of Underperforming Employees

District Chief Sobieski offers strategies for handling performance issues and details how to develop a performance improvement plan.

https://www.iafc.org/blogs/blog/iafc/2021/04/15/webinar-unaware-unwilling-or-unable-identify-and-manage-3-types-of-underperforming-employees

#leadership #leadershipdevelopment #management #employeeengagement #coaching

District Chief Sobieski offers strategies for handling performance issues and details how to develop a performance improvement plan.

04/14/2021

CISA releases an updated Fire as a Weapon Action Guide

The updated action guide promotes vigilance for our industry partners and empowers security professionals to observe and evaluate potential indicators, mitigate potential risk, and obtain help when necessary.

https://www.iafc.org/blogs/blog/iafc/2021/04/14/cisa-releases-an-updated-fire-as-a-weapon-action-guide

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) announced the updated Fire as a Weapon Action Guide to better understand the threats of fire as a weapon and help mitigate future attacks. In this action guide, CISA compiled notable events within the past year to capture the increased in...

04/12/2021

Webinar: Lessons Learned from Fukushima

Webinar: Lessons Learned from Fukushima

Wednesday, April 14, 2021, from 2:00 – 3:30 PM ET

March 11th marked the 10-year anniversary of the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in Japan which was caused by an initial earthquake and subsequent tsunami.

https://www.iafc.org/blogs/blog/iafc/2021/04/12/webinar-lessons-learned-from-fukushima

March 11th marked the 10-year anniversary of the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in Japan which was caused by an initial earthquake and subsequent tsunami. The Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident resulted in radioactive contamination over a wide area and environment...

03/29/2021

FEMA Will Cover 100% of COVID-19 Response Costs & Funeral Assistance

Recently, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (#FEMA) made two significant announcements to help assist communities with the response to #COVID19.

https://www.iafc.org/blogs/blog/iafc/2021/03/29/fema-will-cover-100-of-covid-19-response-costs-funeral-assistance

Recently, the Federal Emergency Management Agency made two significant announcements to help assist communities with the response to COVID-19. 

03/23/2021

Register for Wildfire Mitigation Webinar Series

Join the DOE and National Laboratories in April to learn more about the wildfire mitigation capabilities and technologies. Whether it’s a fire created by utility equipment or an oncoming fire that is threatening a utility company’s equipment, the National Laboratories have the solutions to help reduce risks.

https://www.iafc.org/blogs/blog/iafc/2021/03/23/register-for-wildfire-mitigation-webinar-series

The North American electric system infrastructure is vital, enabling our critical infrastructure as well as the nation's safety, prosperity, and wellbeing, but wildfires pose an inherent threat to the system. Approximately 10 percent of wildfire ignitions are sparked by faults on electrical infrastr...

03/23/2021

America’s First Responders Deserve Better Support From Federal Government in Preparation for Future Biological Events

The Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense will premiere a virtual meeting on Tuesday, March 23. Titled, Holding the Line on Biodefense: Supporting First Response to Large-Scale Biological Events, leaders from the International Association of Fire Chiefs and the National Association of State Emergency Medical Services Officials will be among those discussing their response to COVID-19 and how the federal government can better support first responders during a biological incident.

https://www.iafc.org/press-releases/press-release/america-s-first-responders-deserve-better-support-from-federal-government-in-preparation-for-future-biological-events

WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 19, 2021) – The Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense will premiere a virtual meeting on Tuesday, March 23. Titled, Holding the Line on Biodefense: Supporting First Response to Large-Scale Biological Events, leaders from the International Association of Fire Chiefs and the Na...

03/19/2021

CNIC announces Fire and Emergency Services Award Winners

When brave men and women are determined, not even a fire can stop them -- which is why Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) takes pleasure in recognizing winners of the 2020 Fire and Emergency Services (F&ES) awards program.

https://www.iafc.org/blogs/blog/iafc/2021/03/19/cnic-announces-fire-and-emergency-services-award-winners

03/18/2021

Home | Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee

Legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) to help protect #firefighters, #emergency responders and the #communities they serve has advanced in the Senate.

https://www.hsgac.senate.gov/media/majority-media/peters-sullivan-hassan-and-tillis-bipartisan-bill-to-protect-firefighters-from-hazardous-pfas-chemicals-advances-in-senate-

“I am very pleased to see that the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee, under the leadership of Chairman Peters, has voted to advance the PFAS Act.” said Chief Kenneth W. Stuebing, the Acting President and Chairman of the Board of the International Association of Fire Chiefs. “This legislation will develop helpful guidance that local fire departments can use to reduce exposure to PFAS for not only our firefighters but also the citizens we serve. Now that it has advanced through committee, I urge Congress to pass the PFAS Act as soon as possible.”

VIDEO: Peters Presses Senior Officials for Answers on Preparation and Response Failures That Led to January 6th Capitol Attack

03/10/2021

Congress Passes $1.9 trillion COVID-19 Relief Bill

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation to help the nation recover from the effects of COVID-19. The bill (H.R. 1319) includes $1.9 trillion to fund COVID-19 response, testing, and vaccination campaigns. It also will help states, territories, tribes, localities, and individual Americans cope with the economic consequences of the pandemic. It passed the U.S. Senate over the weekend.

https://www.iafc.org/blogs/blog/iafc/2021/03/10/congress-passes-$1.9-trillion-covid-19-relief-bill

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation to help the nation recover from the effects of COVID-19. The bill (H.R. 1319) includes $1.9 trillion to fund COVID-19 response, testing and vaccination campaigns. It also will help states, territories, tribes, localities, and ind...