Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) News

Refrigerants used in cooling systems for homes and businesses are being replaced with alternatives that have less potential for global warming. But the transition comes at a risk: Some of the new refrigerants are flammable.  Although less flammable than gases such as propane, for example, new refrigerants can still ignite and burn with a high intensity under ideal circumstances. The new materials have low-flame velocity and are less easily ignited; however, one byproduct of combustion is t...

Research is a Congressionally mandated mission of the U.S. Fire Administration, although their activities are limited by funding and staffing challenges. “A lot of what we do is work with other agencies and organizations that are conducting research,” says G. Keith Bryant, U.S. Fire Administrator. “We have the data to help them with their research.” Research partners include Underwriters Laboratories (UL), the National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST), the Na...

The mission of the U.S. Fire Administration is to support and strengthen fire and emergency medical services (EMS) and to help stakeholders prepare for, prevent, mitigate and respond to all hazards. It is an entity of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). G. Keith Bryant was sworn in as the U.S. Fire Administrator in 2017. Prior to his presidential appointment, he was the chief of the Oklahoma City Fire Department (OCFD). Experience as a fi...

Mr. Ed Comeau has been recognized by the International Fire Safety Training Association (IFSTA) and the Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI) as the recipient of the 2020 Dr. Anne W. Phillips Award for Leadership in Fire Safety Education. Campus fire safety For over 20 years, Comeau has been the leading advocate in the nation for campus fire safety. The genesis of his efforts began in 1999 when he published the first edition of Campus Firewatch, an electronic newsletter that has ra...

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), an organization representing the volunteer fire, emergency medical, and rescue services, has been awarded a federal Fire Prevention & Safety (FP&S) grant from FEMA to focus on responder behavioral health initiatives. The $278,900 grant will allow the NVFC to develop new tools and resources to help volunteers who are experiencing issues impacting their mental wellbeing. Need For Support Services And Resources Firefighters have a high rate of...

The National Association of Fire Equipment Distributors (NAFED) recently honored longtime Amerex team member and industry icon, Craig Voelkert, with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Craig exemplified this significant honor through his dedication to progressing the fire suppression industry. His commitment to innovation and industry engagement led to product advancements that are critical elements of life safety. In the early 1990s, Amerex founder Ned Paine discovered Craig at a Nevada fire schoo...

The Metropolitan “Metro” Fire Chiefs Association, a Section of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) held its 2019 annual conference in Edmonton, Alberta June 8-14. More than 110 Metro chiefs from Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Mexico, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States attended the conference and elected the Association’s 2019-2020 officers and board members. The officers are: Chi...

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) announced Roger Allard, Robert G. Bill, Gunnar Heskestad, and Hsiang-Cheng Kung as the winners of 2019 Phillip J. DiNenno Prize. The award and $50,000 in prize money were presented at NFPA’s Conference & Expo in San Antonio. The prestigious DiNenno Prize recognizes groundbreaking innovations that have had a significant impact in the building, fire and electrical safety fields. The prize is named for the late Philip J. DiNenno, the greatl...

To help first responders handle the potential challenges aligned with energy storage systems (ESS) and solar energy, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has updated its first-of-its-kind ESS safety training for the fire service with new technology insights, relevant research, and expanded solar considerations. The surging popularity of ESS and photovoltaic systems (PV) in both commercial and residential settings underscores the need for clear, current fire protection and suppression...

The report is based on 2008 to 2010 data from the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) announces the release of a special report examining the characteristics of portable heater fires in residential buildings. The report, Portable Heater Fires in Residential Buildings (2008-2010), was developed by USFA’s National Fire Data Center and is based on 2008 to 2010 data from the N...

2012 Career Fire Chief Kelvin J. Cochran,of the Atlanta Fire Rescue Departmentin Atlanta, GA. Fire Chief Magazine, part of Penton Media, Inc.’s Public Infrastructure Group, and Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE: OSK) company, today announced the 2012 winners of the annual “Fire Chief of the Year” awards. Career Fire Chief Kelvin J. Cochran of the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department in Atlanta, Ga. and Volunteer Fire Chief Jona Olsson of the...

FEMA and the National Commission on Children and Disasters are promoting fire safety awareness USFA have issued a new report on the high risks fires pose for children based on the latest available data released by the National Centre for Health Statistics.With home fires on the rise in winter months and a new study showing that young children are at an especially high risk of getting seriously injured or dying in residential fires, the Federal Eme...

FEMA and other federal organisations have collaborated to develop measures against tsunami like situations Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate briefed President Obama on the Department's ongoing coordination activities with potentially affected states and territories. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and its federal partners are closely monitoring the effects of the earthquake and subsequent tsunami that...

U.S Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano emphasized on collaboration to fight against disasters The MOC between the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and New Zealand's Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management establishes a framework for information sharing and emergency management cooperation. U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano and New Zealand Ambassador to the United States Mike Moore today signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (M...

Non profit agencies will benefit in infrastructure makeup through the furniture assistance provided by FEMA Furinture donated to seven non profit agencies will be used by needy people who have suffered in a disaster.The Federal Emergency Management Agency's Louisiana Recovery Office donated furniture to the first of seven nonprofits, Calcasieu Unmet Needs Committee at FEMA's Sherwood Staging facility in Baton Rouge. The Calcasieu Unmet Needs Committee and the other six nonprof...

FEMA has urged the residents to be prepared for snowstorms and other winter emergencies Storm could impact 100 million americans; families should visit ready.gov for tips on how to prepare for snowstorms, dangerous driving conditions and other types of winter emergencies.With a major winter storm approaching the Midwest and expected to impact many states, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is urging all residents in the areas that could be impacted to get prepared....

$16.3 million additional mitigation aid for flood protection measures for Katrina and Gustav recovery projects FEMA mitigation aid for flood protection comes in the form of four FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program grants and will benefit the Katrina and Gustav recovery projects.The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced more than $16.3 million in additional mitigation aid for flood protection measures in St. Charles, Franklin and Jefferson parishes, as well as for...

FP&S is a part of Assistance to Firefighter Grants program useful for firefighters involved in it   Projects supported by Fire Prevention and Safety grants often align with the types of activities performed by Fire Corps programs. The FY 2010 Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) Grant application period will open soon, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Grant Programs Directorate has released a Get Ready Guide to help departments start prepping their gran...

The Fire Prevention and Safety Grants are meant to enhance the safety of public and firefighters Fire Prevention & Safety grants support projects that enhance the safety of the public and firefighters from fire and fire-related hazards. The Department of Homeland Security posted the FY2011 Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) Grants Program Guidance on the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) Program Web site. The application period is scheduled to begin on Jan. 3, 20...

Places become desolate and hard enough to travel after winter storms making navigating directions difficult The National Weather Service refers to winter storms as the "Deceptive Killers" because most deaths are indirectly related to the storm. While the danger from winter weather varies across the country, nearly all Americans, regardless of where they live, are likely to face some type of severe winter weather at some point in their lives. That could mean snow or subfr...

Former FEMA director James Lee Witt emphasized on the D-Block auction for better first responders communication The National Broadband Plan provides the framework for a truly nationwide, interoperable broadband network for public safety, and it all depends on an auction of the D Block. During a keynote at the National Press Club, former FEMA Director and CEO of Witt Associates James Lee Witt joined a broad-based group of stakeholders calling for a public auction of valuable 7...

Every citizen including government employees play a crucial role in ensuring the security of United States "If You See Something, Say Something" campaign originally implemented by New York City's Metropolitan Transportation Authority is a simple and effective program. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano joined U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) Administrator Martha Johnson, Federal Protective Service (FPS) Director Eric Patterson, and...

Fire Estimate Summary is a resource for communities to get basic data on important fire issues quickly Each fire estimate summary is a great resource for communities to quickly get basic data on fire issues. The Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) United States Fire Administration (USFA) issued the 2009 Fire Estimate Summary Series which presents basic information on the size and status of the fire problem in the United States as depicted through data collected...

The collaborative group in Denton County would promote sharing intelligence information FEMA Region 6 partners with state, local and private sector to share intelligence information. When it comes to disasters, man-made or natural, emergency management and law enforcement experts say it is the advance planning, developed partnerships and information sharing that ensures collaborative response and recovery operations. This concept prompted the creation of a collaborative gro...

FEMA provides funds to RTA to purchase new replacement parts and tools for vehicles that were destroyed The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced an approximate $1.9 million in additional funds for the Regional Transit Authority. "The funding provided by FEMA to restore, rebuild and maintain our facilities and fleet enable the Regional Transit Authority to keep its commitment to the people of New Orleans," said Justin Augustine, vice president of Veolia Transportation...

FEMA manages the NFIP which has developed tools to learn about  flood risk and flood insurance The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) manages the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and has developed useful tools for individuals to learn about their flood risk and flood insurance. With some forecasters already predicting heavy spring floods, now is the time for Minnesotans to consider purchasing flood insurance for their home or business. Most home and busine...

Hazard mitigation plans helps  fight flood and storms that causes damage to life and property September's damaging rainfall was a powerful reminder of why such a mitigation plan is needed. In late September, the fierce storms that struck Clark County caused enough destruction to warrant a federal disaster declaration and lent urgency to the county's efforts to reduce damage from future storms. At the time disaster struck, Clark County Emergency Management Director Mich...

$100 million hazard mitigation grant forwarded to the state’s Office of Community Development FEMA approved $100 million in hazard mitigation grant program to offer additonal funds to the state’s Office of Community Development. The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced it has approved an additional $100 million in hazard mitigation grant program funding to the state’s Office of Community Development. "The OCD program is one of the most ambitio...

Craig Fugate said the protection of families and homes depends on timely preparations done by people FEMA administrator Craig Fugate issued a statement on 29 November marking the end of the '2010 Atlantic Hurricane Season' on 30 November 2010. The Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Craig Fugate, issued the following statement on the 2010 Atlantic Hurricane Season. The season began on June 1 and was the most active hurricane season since 2005, with...

Proper planning is a must for severe winter which includes snow, sub freezing, strong winds or even solid ice FEMA recommends that people with special needs develop and stay in touch with a nearby network of assistance before winter storms or record cold move in. The onset of winter-like weather requires a resetting of the preparedness refresh button . Extreme cold and harsh winter storms can dramatically increase the daily hardships and day to day survival challenges fo...