Last fall former IAFC President Chief Steve Westermann and I met with both presidential campaigns to convey six fire-service priorities: improve coordination in emergency response; reduce firefighter deaths; prevent fire-related deaths and property losses; focus on preparing for and preventing a future terrorist attack; assist the fire service with programs for recruitment and retention; and improve medical surge capacity. As Obama takes office we are confident he has heard our priorities three of which I will cover here. I will address the others in future columns.
Improve Coordination
The IAFC delegation emphasized four ways to improve coordination in emergency response among the federal state and local entities during disasters.
First the nation must develop a tiered response system to deal with disasters that require escalating resources. Each state must develop intrastate mutual-aid systems. The IAFC’s Mutual Aid System Task Force is working to ensure that every state territory and tribal land embraces this concept. The IAFC supports the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) as a national tool for moving resources between states. We also conveyed the need for quicker reimbursement to those departments that deploy resources for wildfires and other disasters.
Second the federal government must better explain its disaster response plans to state and local officials. Through the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) could develop training materials and guides that better explain the responsibilities of the federal state and local governments in the National Response Framework. DHS should also hire more fire and EMS chiefs and other fire-service leaders for high-level positions related to the design and management of the nation’s emergency response system.
Third the federal government should continue to promote communications and equipment interoperability. The National Incident Management System (NIMS) helps define a common terminology and command system. FEMA’s efforts to promote adoption of NIMS should be strengthened. Also the federal government should promote the use of voluntary consensus standards to ensure interoperability and support the efforts of the FCC and the Public Safety Spectrum Trust to develop a nationwide interoperable broadband system.
Fourth the federal government should increase funding for the FIRE and SAFER grant programs that support improved staffing equipment and training.
Reduce Firefighter Deaths
We urged Obama to support more funding for firefighter health and wellness programs through the USFA and explained how the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation’s 16-point plan to reduce firefighter deaths can serve as a guide for federal action. We emphasized the importance of fully funding NIOSH’s Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program.
In addition we urged his campaign to ensure improved management of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Public Safety Officers’ Benefits program. The families of fallen firefighters should receive the benefits due to them as specified by law. These benefits should also be expanded to include the families of firefighters and police officers permanently and totally disabled by heart attacks and strokes.
Prevent Fire-Related Deaths
The new administration should focus on preventing fire-related deaths especially among at-risk groups such as the young and elderly. We called for Obama to support the USFA with $70 million to solidly fund its outreach and prevention activities.
We also focused on fire sprinklers as an essential measure for saving lives. The federal government should educate the public about the benefits of installing sprinklers in both residential and commercial buildings and also enact legislation that provides tax benefits to property owners who install fire sprinklers.
