Ripon California - Cool-Thinking Trucker Avoids Fire Disaster

Cool-Thinking Trucker Avoids Fire Disaster
RIPON, CALIFORNIA, POLICE CHIEF RICHARD BULL is calling truck driver Randal Taylor, 49, of Salt Lake City, a hero after he cooly mitigated a potential fire disaster early Thursday morning.
Taylor was sleeping in the cab of his rig at the Flying J Truck Plaza when a fire broke out in his trailer. The load he was carrying included 908 pounds of sodium hydroxide and 612 pounds of an industrial-strength bleach, according to Chief Dennis Bitters of the Ripon Fire Department.
Instead of fleeing his truck that was parked with dozens of others in the layover lot, Taylor started driving it away with the intention of steering it to a safer location where the fire wouldn’t endanger the others. Just as he was pulling out of the lot, a Ripon police officer came along and the dash cam in his cruiser caught the activity.
Clik on Video from CNN

Tragedy in Lanier County, One killed

LANIER COUNTY, GA (WALB) - Tragedy in Lanier County. Two brothers who served their community as volunteer firefighters were involved in a wreck responding to a call.

One of them was killed. The other seriously injured.
Derrick Edward North died in the crash late Monday afternoon. Chad North was critically injured.
They were in this Stockton Volunteer Fire Department truck driving north on Highway 129. As they went through the intersection of Highway 84, the truck apparently swerved to avoid a car.
Investigators think the water in the tank shifted and caused to truck to roll twice. It came to rest against a utility pole.
We're told the North brothers were well-known and liked in the small community of Stockton.

http://www.walb.com/global/Category.asp?C=151146&clipId=&topVideoCatNo=15000&topVideoCatNoB=98800&topVideoCatNoC=65948&topVideoCatNoD=138451&topVideoCatNoE=157109&autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=3479058

NIOSH release new reports

NIOSH has recently released the following Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation Reports:
F2008-20
May 06, 2007
Volunteer fire fighter dies while performing exterior fire suppression at a large machine shed fire – Illinois http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face200820.html


F2008-12
Apr 08, 2008
Volunteer deputy fire chief dies when struck by motorized water monitor that "launched" off aerial ladder truck – Pennsylvania http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face200812.html


F2002-22 Revision
Sep 26, 2001
Fire fighter suffers fatal heart attack at fire at his residence – Florida http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face200222.html

More Eng. Wood Products

Good video on the issue with engineered wood floor joist. They are going to be around FF need to deal with them. They are great if they are protected by wallboard, drywall, home sprinklers etc. Biggest problem I can see is when they are unprotected. They are supposedly working on a fire retardant form of this product. Guess we will have to wait ans see?
The Dangers Of Truss Joists - Pre Engineered Floor Joists - VIDEO


Find more videos like this on firevideo.net

Tuesday fire from Carbon County, Pennsylvania

Love this raw video, a surround and drown situation. No reason to attempt any heroic actions and no one lost their lives in this one.



This fire is from Tuesday in Carbon County, Pennsylvania. It is in Franklin Township VFC's area. The fire broke out around 5:00 PM and neighbor Mark Zovak captured the action.
The woman who lives in the home made it out safely with her two grandchildren.
WNEP-TV interviewed the man behind the lens in the video below. You will also likely note that the video above does not include all of the shots captured by Mr. Zovak. At about :53 into WNEP's story one firefighter almost takes a nasty tumble off the porch while wrestling with a hose.

Volunterr FF dies friday battling grass fire

SILVER CITY — A volunteer firefighter died late Friday after battling grass fires in the area, officials confirmed Saturday afternoon. John Adams, 45, of Silver City parked a firetruck along Oklahoma 51 about 10 p.m. and then collapsed. He was pronounced dead at the scene, said Silver City Fire Chief Brutus Beall. "The fire was almost over and he started talking and just collapsed," Beall said. More than 600 acres were burned Friday after an arsonist set fires around the small city eight miles west of Mannford. Fire officials said most of the fires had been contained; however, a few hot spots remained Saturday.

Full story here http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20090222_11_A15_SILVER43963&rss_lnk=1

WV LODDs Updated Link

If you have trouble reading this email, please go to the online version.

Firefighter Nation Weekend Update - February 20, 2009 A look at popular news, features, blogs, forums, videos and more on FirefighterNation.com, in partnership with FireRescue Magazine Top News LODD: Two West Virginia Firefighters Killed Battling Structure Fire

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Two firefighters were killed Thursday

Come on Guys LODD for a trailer? Work Smarter?

CRAIGSVILLE, W.Va. -- Two firefighters were killed Thursday night while fighting a fire in Nicholas County, West Virginia. The fire happened just after 10 p.m. at a trailer on Route 20 in Craigsville. The State Fire Marshal's Office says Lt. Johnnie Hammons, 49, and Timothy Nicholas, 26, were the firefighters killed in a fire in Nicholas County Friday morning.
Hammons had been on the fire department for around 11 years, while Nicholas served for about a year. Both died while fighting a trailer fire on Route 20 in Craigsville Thursday night.
Investigators believe they might have died after the roof of the trailer collapsed.

UPDATE: Two Firefighters Killed in the Line of Duty, Names Released
Last Updated: 7:29 PM 02/20/09 - Two firefighters were killed Thursday night while fighting a fire in Nicholas County, West Virginia. WEB EXTRA: watch the complete 6pm news conferenceClick for Full Story

NFPA releases new report on home structure fires

NFPA releases new report on home structure fires Fires strike where people live
February 17, 2009 – Three hundred ninety-nine thousand home fires were reported in the United States in 2007, according to the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA’s) recently released Home Structure Fires report. The category of homes includes one- and two-family dwellings and apartments.
On average, eight people die in home fires every day in the United States - a total of 2,865 deaths. Home fires accounted for 84 percent of all civilian fire deaths and resulted in 13,600 injuries. Direct property damage was estimated at $7.4 billion.

Truck Roll over on Texas

Texas as a crew works to put out a brush fire along the railroad tracks at North 14th and Cottonwood. As firefighters were spraying water from the moving brush truck it rolled down a steep embankment, briefly trapping and slightly injuring three firefighters.

Click here to watch the story from KTXS-TV

 

 

		February 19, 2009
	President Obama Signs Economic Stimulus Bill Funding Included for Fire Station Construction, Other Fire Service Priorities On Tuesday, February 17, President Obama signed The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, commonly referred to as economic stimulus legislation. Among the bill's initiatives is funding for a variety of fire service-related items, including $210 million for competitive grants for "modifying, upgrading, or constructing non-Federal fire stations." The maximum grant size is capped at $15 million and up to five percent of the appropriated funds may be used for grant administration. The stimulus bill also eliminates the local matching requirement under the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants for funds appropriated in FY 2009 and FY 2010. Local governments had previously been required to match hiring grants at 10 percent in the first year of the grant, 20 percent in the second, 50 in the third, and 70 in the fourth. There has never been a matching requirement for SAFER grants for recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters. Both the fire station funding and the SAFER match elimination are part of a section in the bill dealing with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) State and Local Programs. Based on the area of the bill that the fire station funding is located in, it appears likely that this grant will be administered by the same office that administers the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG), SAFER, and Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) grant programs. The stimulus bill includes several line items for wildland fire-related programs, including: $15 million for "'Wildland Fire Management' hazardous fuels reduction" through the Bureau of Land Management. $500 million for "Wildland Fire Management" through the United States Forest Service, including $250 million for "hazardous fuels reduction, forest health protection, rehabilitation, and hazard mitigation activities on Federal lands" and $250 million for "State and private forestry activities including hazardous fuels reduction, forest health, and ecosystem improvement activities on State and private lands." The NVFC will monitor the implementation of the economic stimulus legislation closely and provide you with updates as warranted by events.

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Uncle Jay Explains

Sure, the new stimulus package may seem hard to figure out. Uncle Jay will explain it all, just as soon as he figures it out.

Waterway was jettisoned from the ladder

Another Waterway Lauched! No Firefighters Hurt this Time.....

from http://www.google.com/reader/view/feed/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.myfirecompanies.com%2FNewsRSS%2F10066%2F10030%2FNews.rss?hl=en
Another Waterway Lauched! No Firefighters Hurt this Time.....

Wednesday, February 18, 2009 -
While flowing water from an elevated master stream this morning, a Gary truck company experienced a catastrophic failure of their waterway. The nozzle, carriage and 1 section of waterway was jettisoned from the ladder, which was elevated to approximately 40 feet and landed a few yards away.<... [ more ]

What wrong with this picture

Wait, she went to Italy, The plane cost $10,00 an hour to run, it was a 20 hour flight. Not to mention that her husband went with, who else, lets see security detail, and? CNN had this on the tubhe, right now you go to look for it on the internet on their site and it's not there?

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/02/19/pelosi-pope/

http://michellemalkin.com/2009/02/13/italian-adventure-what-is-on-nancy-pelosis-mind-right-now/

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/pelosi-orders-chairmen-to-look-for-budget-cuts-2009-02-19.html
Pelosi orders chairmen to look for budget cuts
Posted: 02/19/09 03:06 PM [ET]
A week after Congress passed a $787 billion economic stimulus package , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is asking committee chairmen to look for ways to trim the federal budget.In a letter sent Thursday to the chairmen, Pelosi asked them to hold hearings on agencies they oversee and to report back to her.

Nationwide Petition Launched To Withhold Communion From Speaker ...Pewsitter, PA - Feb 17, 2009February 17, 2009 – As Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi prepares to meet with Pope Benedict tomorrow in Rome, stateside, a nationwide petition project has ...

snopes.com: Nancy Pelosi's Jet
Jan 6, 2009 ... Nancy Pelosi spurned use of the Speaker's 'small private jet' and order it be ... Cost to us another $60000. Folks, that is $480000 per month and that is an ... to make the cross-country trip without stopping to refuel. ...www.snopes.com/politics/pelosi/jet.asp - Similar pages -

and while we are on it, expensive date?

The Costs Of Obama’s Weekend Trip(s)
We are usually pretty tolerant of expenditures by any President to travel like a world leader — but why is there such little talk about Mr. Obama having his Valentines date in Chicago?

Whoa Nellie

IT'S WINTER FOR MANY OF US.....

Saturday, February 14, 2009 -
These PA Firefighters had difficult challenges-but were able to keep fighting the fire. A good reminder on apparatus positioning, securing our rigs the best we can (and sometimes, that may not even work!) and always thinking about "what else" may go wrong. No one was injured.

Recently Released NIOSH Reports

Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation # F2008-12 Volunteer Deputy Fire Chief Dies When Struck by Motorized Water Monitor that “Launched” Off Aerial Ladder Truck – Pennsylvania (added 2/13/09)
Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation # F2002-22 Fire Fighter Suffers Sudden Death at Fire at his Residence – Florida (revision added 2/13/09)
Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation # F2007-18 Nine Career Fire Fighters Die in Rapid Fire Progression at Commercial Furniture Showroom – South Carolina (added 2/12/09)
Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation # F2008-04 Fire Fighter Trainee Suffers Sudden Cardiac Death During Strenuous Training Drill – Georgia (added 2/2/09)
Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation # F2008-02 Fire Fighter Trainee Suffers Heart Attack During Simulated Fire Suppression Exercise – North Carolina (added 1/6/09)
Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation # F2007-24 Captain Suffers Sudden Cardiac Death While In Travel Status for Training – Texas (added 1/5/09)
Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation # F2008-27 Volunteer Fire Chief Dies from Injuries Received when Privately Owned Vehicle Crashes into Bay Door Pinning him Against Fire Tanker – Wisconsin (added 12/22/08)
Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation # F2008-17 Volunteer Assistant Chief Killed When Struck by Tractor-Trailer While Operating at a Motor Vehicle Crash – North Carolina (added 12/18/08)
Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation # F2007-09 Career Probationary Fire Fighter Dies While Participating in a Live-Fire Training Evolution at an Acquired Structure – Maryland (added 12/9/08)
Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation # F2008-06 Volunteer Fire Fighter and Trapped Resident Die and a Volunteer Lieutenant is Injured following a Duplex Fire – Pennsylvania (added 12/4/08)
Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation # F2007-38 Fire Fighter Suffers Sudden Cardiac Death After Responding to Two Calls – Kansas (added 12/4/08)

Keep your windows Closed

HOUSTON, TEXAS, FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED to a working apartment fire Thursday night in the Clear Lake area. The 2-alarm blaze destroyed 20 apartment units …… and a fire engine.

Engine 71 was the first-in pumper and had the first handline taken into service. Investigators believe that a flying ember blew into the right rear cab door and started a fire inside the cab.

The engine was an older pumper and was written off as a total loss.

40 years' worth of thanks

This was on several Blogs, put it hear again to make sure you saw it. Really heart warming.

The firefighter crawled on his stomach through the pitch-black apartment, the smoke so thick he couldn't see his hand in front of his face. Somewhere inside was a baby and he had to find her. A window broke, light filled the room, and he saw her lying in her crib, dressed only in a diaper, unconscious. Soot covered her tiny nose. She wasn't breathing and had no pulse.
He grabbed her and breathed life into her as he ran from the apartment.
Click here to read more about William Carroll and Evangeline Harper.

Lion Apparel Releases New Video About isodri

Lion Apparel Releases New Video About isodri

from Firefighter Hourly by Jay Lowry
Lion Apparel, the world’s largest supplier of firefighter protective clothing, announced today the release of a new video that highlights the importance of keeping firefighters dry and the features, advantages and benefits of its patented isodri® moisture management system.
isodri® is a unique system invented by Lion that fights the proven problems of wet turnout gear by delivering a superior moisture management solution. Each and every isodri® component is engineered to reduce the water intake. This reduces the heat storage capacity and working weight, promoting both comfort and safety in the protective ensemble.
The video includes:• An overview of the importance of keeping turnout gear dry• A demonstration of the isodri® system versus a common liner system• Frequently asked questions from firefighters

“Every firefighter deserves dry gear. Our isodri® moisture management system is often the deciding factor in why firefighters choose our turnout gear over our competitors’ gear," said Karen Lehtonen, director of products for Lion’s Protective Systems Group. "We made this video to tell the world about the benefits of our system and the advantages it has over other turnout gear on the market.”
The isodri® video, produced in conjunction with DuPont, can be viewed athttp://www.janesville.bz/isodrivideo.html.
Lion Apparel Inc. is a 111-year-old, family owned global company based in Dayton, Ohio, USA. Through offices in the U.S., Canada, U.K., Germany, France, Australia and Spain, Lion serves the uniform and personal protective equipment (PPE) and logistics requirements of police and fire departments, civilian government agencies, emergency services, and military organizations around the world.

Focus on Rural Volunteers

The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) created the “Rural and Volunteer Fire Department Resources” web page in December 2008 to address the unique realities that face Emergency Services Sector (ESS) departments and agencies in rural America. Some of the realities covered include large, minimally populated areas to protect, changing staff levels, water supply challenges, and a lack of population to provide a revenue or tax base to support emergency services. The Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) acknowledges these circumstances can affect operational effectiveness and continuity.

To support rural responders and volunteer departments, USFA amassed numerous target-audience-specific resources such as statistics, reports, programs, publications, and training opportunities, on topics regarding hazardous materials, prevention and safety, recruitment and retention, and health and safety. The resources and links for rural and volunteer organizations can be accessed at www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/subjects/rural/index.shtm.

Also targeted to volunteer and rural responders is the February 2009 “Health and Wellness Guide for the Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services,” prepared by the USFA in partnership with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC). Originally released in 1992, USFA periodically revises the guide. In the 2003 update, volunteer departments identified insufficient funding, lack of well-defined requirements, and the inability to keep members motivated as barriers to implementing comprehensive programs. The 2009 guide demonstrates ways to overcome these obstacles, and provides direction for developing and implementing a department program. The EMR-ISAC notes that it particularly highlights examples of existing health and wellness programs, and how they have maintained their success over time.

In addition to new information on health and wellness issues, trends, and programs, the guide offers the most current information on how volunteer fire departments can enhance compliance with appropriate National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) firefighter health and safety standards such as NFPA 1583, “Health Related Fitness Programs for Fire Fighters.” “This partnership to improve the health and wellness of the volunteer fire service will support reducing the primary cause of on-duty deaths in the volunteer fire service—heart attack and stress,” said Acting Assistant Administrator Dr. Denis Onieal. "Effective health and wellness programs will also be expected to contribute to operational effectiveness of volunteer fire departments as well as serve as a valuable retention and recruitment instrument.” To view and download the guide, visit http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/fa_321.pdf. (2.4MB, 67 pages)

Ship Fire In Persian Gulf

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A tanker burst into flames Tuesday after colliding with a container ship in a shipping channel off the coast of Dubai.
As the tanker’s product leaked through the breached hull it was burned off on the water. The fire was put out shortly after and both ships have now been towed out of the shipping channel.

The Associated Press has the DETAILS.

Australia still Burning Fire News

Fires still buruning in Australia, Windy conditions may spread flames, and dozens more bodies are found. Police say the total could reach 300. At least 50 people remained missing, so the number of people killed by the worst bush fires in Australia's history could continue to rise as search teams moved into previously inaccessible areas, police said.

Australia Fire Toll Could Exceed 200 -
Officials have come under criticism for failing to notify residents of the danger or evacuate towns facing high fire risk on Saturday. Australian fire ...
BBC NEWS Asia-Pacific Australia counts deadly fire toll
Feb 9, 2009 ... Arsonists who started some of the bushfires in Australia that have killed 170 people are guilty of mass murder, the prime minister says.
Australia Police Confirm Arson Role in Wildfires - NYTimes.com
Feb 10, 2009 ... Australia Police Confirm Arson Role in Wildfires .... Death Toll in Australian Fires Climbs to 131 (February 9, 2009); Australian Bushfires ...

Can't wait for the Press review of this Press Conference

I for one did not get much out of Obamas press conference to say what if anything that this stimulus bill will actually do. He said there was not Pork in it, but there was nothing other than spending money for projects that would make jobs. The so called jobs seem to be short term building and remodeling jobs and really no plan for long term stimulus for make jobs here in the US. I guess what he is after that they can have jobs NOW, adn buy stuff to stimulate the economy? He talked about schools that the FED's will help build? Isn't this the local level of Governments job? Did he really need to fly to Elkhart, Ind., today for promote this package? How much did that cost us for a one day trip, 1, 2, million for transportation, security?

At Town Hall Rally, Obama Pushes Stimulus Plan New York Times, United States - 7 hours ago President Barack Obama listened to a question at a town hall meeting in Elkhart, Ind., on Monday. By PETER BAKER ELKHART, Ind. — President Obama took his ...

I kind of think that he is forgetting the the press is hanging on everyword that he speaks now, after all he is the President. But I guess he can say "I guess I made a Mistake" and thats my 2 cents worth.

Obama and the Economy: When, If Ever, Was He Telling Us the Truth?
By John R. Lott, Jr.“Freedomnomics” author/Senior Research Scientist, University of Maryland
As the final push for the 778 page, $827 billion stimulus package faces votes today and tomorrow in the Senate, President Obama is hammering his opponents and pushing hard for the bill. On Friday, Obama pointedly reminded Republicans that he won the November election and had the right to get his policies enacted. But the stimulus bill bears little resemblance to his campaign promises. It bears little resemblance his many promises he made just a month ago.
If Obama claims a mandate, shouldn’t it be related to what he campaigned on?
Take an emphatic promise that Obama made just a month ago, well after the heat of the presidential campaign had passed: “We are going to ban all earmarks — the process by which individual members insert pet projects without review.” That wasn’t a new promise. During the third presidential debate on October 15, 2008 Obama bluntly promised: “they need to be eliminated.”
But now take Obama’s testy defense of those same earmarks last Friday. Obama reportedly “also defended earmarks as inevitable in such a package.”

Watch for this shift in Obama's stimulus wording tonight and beyond
The 61-36 vote procedural Senate balloting a short time ago indicates President Obama will get his controversial economic stimulus-OMG-look-at-all-that spending bill through the Senate tomorrow.
You could see in his remarks in Elkhart, Ind., today (See video below by scrolling down or clicking on the "Read more" line) a change in strategy. And you'll hear even more about it during his news conference coming up here shortly. And the rest of this week. He's great on the stump. It's much easier than governing.

Wildfires in Australia - February 9

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid823425597/bclid877032950/bctid10453413001


UPDATE:The death toll from Victoria’s devastating bush fires now stands officially at 130, estimated as high as 200 possibly dead with refugees flooding Red Cross centers.Oneof the “darkest days in Victoria’s history” and described the deadly inferno as “hell on earth” - John Brumby, Victorian Premier“Firstyou’re fighting for your home, then you’re fighting for your life”Australian Bushfires The Facts:Currentsizeup: 865,000 acres.(350,000 hectares)• New South Wales - 50 fires burning•Victoria - 26 fires, including one with a 60-mile firefront.• 700 homes have so far been confirmed lost, with 550 in the area of Kinglake and Kinglake west, about 30 miles north-east of Melbourne, where many of the deaths occurred.• Record-breakingtemperatures nearing 115 degrees(46C) today.• Another fire is threatening Beechworth in Victoria’s north east.• Otherfire-affected areas include the regional city of Bendigo, in central Victoria, and the town of Marysville in the Yarra Valley, which has been destroyed with only one building left standing. In Victoria, 14,000 homes are also without power.• AustralianArmy would be “providing logistics and support”. Resources:The Australian Army has been called in to assist the thousands of weary firefighters who have been battling the blazes over the past 24 hours, and the government has announced a $10 million (£4.5 million) emergency relief fund to help the thousands of Victorians now left homeless. The fires are now officially the worst in Australia’s history, surpassing the death toll of the Ash Wednesday fires which claimed 76 lives when they tore through Victoria and South Australia in February, 1983.Asthe Prime Minister announced the emergency bushfire relief fund and the support of the Army, other Australian states banded together with Victoria, with the Premiers of South Australia and New South Wales offering to send firefighters and equipment across the border.
Arson:Several of the fires are believed to have been deliberately lit, and arsonists are hampering firefighting efforts with some blamed for relighting fires that had already been extinguished. “There are no words to describe it other than mass murder,” Prime Minister Kevin Rudd told local television.Thedeath toll – which has been climbing by the hour –(Source - California Fire News)

Stimulus Bill, Some Info for you to ponder

With some comments
LINK to CNN's site
Story Highlights
Congressional Republicans unveil list of "wasteful" Senate stimulus spending
Stimulus bill passed in the House without any Republican support
One provision: A $246 million tax break for Hollywood movie producers
Another concern: $75 million for salaries of employees at the FBI
Hats Off to CNN for actually putting this on their web site.

• $2 billion earmark to re-start Future Gen, a near-zero emissions coal power plant in Illinois that the Department of Energy de-funded last year because it said the project was inefficient. Shouldn't Energy companies fund their own infrastructure just like big oil invests in it’s own infrastructure. http://www.futuregenalliance.org/
• A $246 million tax break for Hollywood movie producers to buy motion picture film.
What? You got to be kidding?
• $650 million for the digital television converter box coupon program. So it’s the government’s job to buy everyone a TV converter that is probably already obsolete?
• $88 million for the Coast Guard to design a new polar icebreaker (arctic ship). While this is an important item for the Coast Guard this item should not be part of this Bill. Re-submit it as part of another, more appropriate Bill and if there is a need fund it.
• $448 million for constructing the Department of Homeland Security headquarters. There are a lot of government buildings out there. Re-hab one for half the cost. Times are tough.
• $248 million for furniture at the new Homeland Security headquarters. Bring your old stuff. Make do.
• $600 million to buy hybrid vehicles for federal employees. JUST SAY NO.
• $400 million for the Centers for Disease Control to screen and prevent STD’s. Take it out of your existing budget.
• $1.4 billion for rural waste disposal programs. Give it to the STATES. It their obligation to dispose of their own waste.
• $125 million for the Washington sewer system. SEE ABOVE.
• $150 million for Smithsonian museum facilities. WRONG BILL.
• $1 billion for the 2010 Census, which has a projected cost overrun of $3 billion. WRONG BILL. http://www.census.gov/2010census/
• $75 million for “smoking cessation activities.” Want to really make people quit smoking? Keep hiking the taxes. Otherwise you’re not serious about getting people to quit.
• $200 million for public computer centers at community colleges. No. People should buy their own computers. A computer is not an entitlement. They already have them in public libraries.
• $75 million for salaries of employees at the FBI. Wrong bill. If they need a pay raise it should go through the normal channels.
• $25 million for tribal alcohol and substance abuse reduction. No. They want to be independent Nations then fund your own programs with gambling revenue. http://www.hhs.gov/asl/testify/t991013a.html
• $500 million for flood reduction projects on the Mississippi River. Not again, Move. http://www2.mvr.usace.army.mil/UMRCP/
• $10 million to inspect canals in urban areas. States job. Handle it.
• $6 billion to turn federal buildings into “green” buildings. ABSOLUTELY NO WAY. UTTER WASTE OF CASH.
• $500 million for state and local fire stations. OF COURSE! Actually it’s the local jurisdictions job to fund this but tax caps have been putting them behind along with the post 9-11 frenzy.
• $650 million for wildland fire management on forest service lands. Wrong Bill.
• $1.2 billion for “youth activities,” including youth summer job programs. MAYBE. If the “YOUTS” are actually working and paying taxes. This is also so that they can buy Foreign made game systems too!
• $88 million for renovating the headquarters of the Public Health Service. NO. http://www.usphs.gov/
• $412 million for CDC buildings and property. NO. http://www.cdc.gov/
• $500 million for building and repairing National Institutes of Health facilities in Bethesda, Maryland. Is it in such bad repair? How did it get there, they had the money to redo the Capitol building visitors area. http://www.nih.gov/
• $160 million for “paid volunteers” at the Corporation for National and Community Service. http://www.nationalservice.org/ Typical government doublespeak. “Paid Volunteers” No. Hell no. The Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) was created to help provide economic relief to the citizens of the United States who were suffering through the Great Depression. Call it what is is?http://www.indiana.edu/~liblilly/wpa/wpa_info.html
• $5.5 million for “energy efficiency initiatives” at the Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration. Smoke and mirrors. http://www.cem.va.gov/cem/cems/listcem.asp
• $850 million for Amtrak. It’s time AMTRAK made a profit or go under. http://www.amtrak.com
• $100 million for reducing the hazard of lead-based paint. Stop making it, stop importing it.
• $75 million to construct a “security training” facility for State Department Security officers Can't they can be trained at existing facilities of other agencies. You can train at Blackwater for much less I’m sure.
• $110 million to the Farm Service Agency to upgrade computer systems. Upgrade to what Vista? Ha! http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/webapp?area=home&subject=landing&topic=landing
• $200 million in funding for the lease of alternative energy vehicles for use on military installations. No. I’m sure the Military is being forced to buy these because they are made in some lowlife Senators district. Launch another investigation.

Ok so now that we have a peek into how our hard working Congress goes about the “People’s business” we can clearly see that they should all be fired. This is just a snippet of over 600 pages that we are going to get the bill for. While some of these things are worthwhile and deserve to be funded this Bill is not the appropriate piece of legislation. Our economy is tanking because the government messed it up with bad policies and lax oversight. This is their attempt to fix it? With a wish list of pet projects? We as taxpayers should all be indignant. It’s bad enough that congress is confirming one unethical cabinet member after another.
The point of this Bill is supposed to CREATE JOBS. Not temporary jobs, but LONG TERM, EXPANDED ECONOMY TYPE JOBS! Nothing on this page appears to do that. Reducing the hazards of lead paint for 100 million large is not going to cut it. Congress needs to do things like cut taxes for Americans reduce tax rates across the board and give businesses incentives to expand through tax cuts and employment incentives. Even lowering interest rates would help. This will cause businesses to start retooling and expanding. They also need to address the banking mess once and for all. That should be done with the quickness. People need real jobs that are created in the private sector. It’s the private sector that should be leading the charge with some help from the Feds, not the other way around.


Now is the time to call your Senator and tell them to sink the pig!

Stimulus Bill, Some Info for you to ponder

With some comments
LINK to CNN's site
Story Highlights
Congressional Republicans unveil list of "wasteful" Senate stimulus spending
Stimulus bill passed in the House without any Republican support
One provision: A $246 million tax break for Hollywood movie producers
Another concern: $75 million for salaries of employees at the FBI
Hats Off to CNN for actually putting this on their web site.

• $2 billion earmark to re-start Future Gen, a near-zero emissions coal power plant in Illinois that the Department of Energy de-funded last year because it said the project was inefficient. Shouldn't Energy companies fund their own infrastructure just like big oil invests in it’s own infrastructure. http://www.futuregenalliance.org/
• A $246 million tax break for Hollywood movie producers to buy motion picture film.
What? You got to be kidding?
• $650 million for the digital television converter box coupon program. So it’s the government’s job to buy everyone a TV converter that is probably already obsolete?
• $88 million for the Coast Guard to design a new polar icebreaker (arctic ship). While this is an important item for the Coast Guard this item should not be part of this Bill. Re-submit it as part of another, more appropriate Bill and if there is a need fund it.
• $448 million for constructing the Department of Homeland Security headquarters. There are a lot of government buildings out there. Re-hab one for half the cost. Times are tough.
• $248 million for furniture at the new Homeland Security headquarters. Bring your old stuff. Make do.
• $600 million to buy hybrid vehicles for federal employees. JUST SAY NO.
• $400 million for the Centers for Disease Control to screen and prevent STD’s. Take it out of your existing budget.
• $1.4 billion for rural waste disposal programs. Give it to the STATES. It their obligation to dispose of their own waste.
• $125 million for the Washington sewer system. SEE ABOVE.
• $150 million for Smithsonian museum facilities. WRONG BILL.
• $1 billion for the 2010 Census, which has a projected cost overrun of $3 billion. WRONG BILL. http://www.census.gov/2010census/
• $75 million for “smoking cessation activities.” Want to really make people quit smoking? Keep hiking the taxes. Otherwise you’re not serious about getting people to quit.
• $200 million for public computer centers at community colleges. No. People should buy their own computers. A computer is not an entitlement. They already have them in public libraries.
• $75 million for salaries of employees at the FBI. Wrong bill. If they need a pay raise it should go through the normal channels.
• $25 million for tribal alcohol and substance abuse reduction. No. They want to be independent Nations then fund your own programs with gambling revenue. http://www.hhs.gov/asl/testify/t991013a.html
• $500 million for flood reduction projects on the Mississippi River. Not again, Move. http://www2.mvr.usace.army.mil/UMRCP/
• $10 million to inspect canals in urban areas. States job. Handle it.
• $6 billion to turn federal buildings into “green” buildings. ABSOLUTELY NO WAY. UTTER WASTE OF CASH.
• $500 million for state and local fire stations. OF COURSE! Actually it’s the local jurisdictions job to fund this but tax caps have been putting them behind along with the post 9-11 frenzy.
• $650 million for wildland fire management on forest service lands. Wrong Bill.
• $1.2 billion for “youth activities,” including youth summer job programs. MAYBE. If the “YOUTS” are actually working and paying taxes. This is also so that they can buy Foreign made game systems too!
• $88 million for renovating the headquarters of the Public Health Service. NO. http://www.usphs.gov/
• $412 million for CDC buildings and property. NO. http://www.cdc.gov/
• $500 million for building and repairing National Institutes of Health facilities in Bethesda, Maryland. Is it in such bad repair? How did it get there, they had the money to redo the Capitol building visitors area. http://www.nih.gov/
• $160 million for “paid volunteers” at the Corporation for National and Community Service. http://www.nationalservice.org/ Typical government doublespeak. “Paid Volunteers” No. Hell no. The Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) was created to help provide economic relief to the citizens of the United States who were suffering through the Great Depression. Call it what is is?http://www.indiana.edu/~liblilly/wpa/wpa_info.html
• $5.5 million for “energy efficiency initiatives” at the Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration. Smoke and mirrors. http://www.cem.va.gov/cem/cems/listcem.asp
• $850 million for Amtrak. It’s time AMTRAK made a profit or go under. http://www.amtrak.com
• $100 million for reducing the hazard of lead-based paint. Stop making it, stop importing it.
• $75 million to construct a “security training” facility for State Department Security officers Can't they can be trained at existing facilities of other agencies. You can train at Blackwater for much less I’m sure.
• $110 million to the Farm Service Agency to upgrade computer systems. Upgrade to what Vista? Ha! http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/webapp?area=home&subject=landing&topic=landing
• $200 million in funding for the lease of alternative energy vehicles for use on military installations. No. I’m sure the Military is being forced to buy these because they are made in some lowlife Senators district. Launch another investigation.

Ok so now that we have a peek into how our hard working Congress goes about the “People’s business” we can clearly see that they should all be fired. This is just a snippet of over 600 pages that we are going to get the bill for. While some of these things are worthwhile and deserve to be funded this Bill is not the appropriate piece of legislation. Our economy is tanking because the government messed it up with bad policies and lax oversight. This is their attempt to fix it? With a wish list of pet projects? We as taxpayers should all be indignant. It’s bad enough that congress is confirming one unethical cabinet member after another.
The point of this Bill is supposed to CREATE JOBS. Not temporary jobs, but LONG TERM, EXPANDED ECONOMY TYPE JOBS! Nothing on this page appears to do that. Reducing the hazards of lead paint for 100 million large is not going to cut it. Congress needs to do things like cut taxes for Americans reduce tax rates across the board and give businesses incentives to expand through tax cuts and employment incentives. Even lowering interest rates would help. This will cause businesses to start retooling and expanding. They also need to address the banking mess once and for all. That should be done with the quickness. People need real jobs that are created in the private sector. It’s the private sector that should be leading the charge with some help from the Feds, not the other way around.

Now is the time to call your Senator and tell them to sink the pig!

Australia Battles Bushfires

Death toll in Australian fires may top 100
MELBOURNE (UPI) -- The death toll from raging southern Australian wildfires reached 84 Sunday and is expected to soon top 100, officials said.

Australia Battles Bushfires as Temperatures Soar Voice of America - Feb 7, 2009 - Emergency officials have said that scorching temperatures and strong winds have caused conditions perfect for deadly firestorms.
Video: 84 Killed in Deadliest-ever Australian Wildfires AssociatedPress
Australian wildfires kill 93 as floods bring crocs to town AFP

Scores Dead In Australian Firestorm, 84 Killed In Country's ...
Feb 8, 2009 ... Towering flames razed entire towns in southeastern Australia and burned fleeing residents in their cars as the death toll rose to 76 on

Did not realize someone actually made them?

The protection for empty building may catch on in the rest of the country, here is a good video on removal, Well worth the watch,
VPS FDNY Style
February 05th, 2009 Category: Outside Functions, Videos
Here is an outstanding video of what the fire service needs to know about the VPS system. This video features Capt Tony Tricarico Squad 252, FDNY(ret) discussing all of the ins and outs about the system. It’s nearly 15 minutes long, and worth every second of it. It really needs no further introduction.

Collision with Truck Kills One

Collision With Rivereside Fire Truck Kills One
Thursday, 05 February 2009
Related Article:
February 4, 2009
MIRA LOMA -- One person was killed when a large pickup truck collided with Riverside County fire truck, authorities said.
The accident was reported shortly after 5 a.m. at Etiwanda Avenue and Van Buren Boulevard, the California Highway Patrol reported. Riverside County fire Capt. Julie Hutchinson said one person in the passenger vehicle was killed and two firefighters suffered "moderate" injuries...READ ALL at KTLA
Read More

Fw: [FITOAM:112] free CHEMTREC training video

 

News Release

For Immediate Release                                                                                                                               February 5, 2009

Contact:  Scott Jensen (703) 741-5834                                                                                                     

Email: scott_jensen@americanchemistry.com

 

free training video provides valuable FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE FOR EMERGENCY RESPONDERS

 

ARLINGTON, VA (February 5, 2009) – When faced with an incident involving hazardous materials or dangerous goods, emergency responders need quick access to a reliable resource that can provide critical and immediate assistance directly to the scene.  Thanks to a recently released training video, emergency responders can learn about a free, valuable emergency response tool called CHEMTREC (CHEMical TRansportation Emergency Center) that has been serving the needs of fire fighters, law enforcement, and other emergency responders since 1971.

 

"We will be successful when every emergency responder knows our number by heart and takes advantage of our services," said Randy Speight, Managing Director of CHEMTREC. "Our experienced staff is available around the clock to anyone, anywhere who is dealing with an incident involving hazardous materials or dangerous goods."

 

CHEMTREC is a 24/7/365 emergency call center that provides immediate information and assistance to anyone involved in a hazardous materials incident.  It is staffed with emergency service specialists who can provide access to hazmat experts, chemists, physicians, and toxicologists as well as millions of Material Safety Data Sheets.

 

"This free training video is a must watch for all first responders," said Tim Butters, Chairman, Hazardous Materials Committee, International Association of Fire Chiefs. "CHEMTREC has been and continues to be a tremendous asset to all emergency responders."

 

Emergency responders will learn that CHEMTREC can work for them in other ways from participating in drill/exercise programs designed to help them train and prepare for an incident to the ability to trigger established mutual aid teams to the scene when an incident occurs.

 

To obtain a free copy of the CHEMTREC – An Overview for Emergency Responders - training video visit www.chemtrec.com

# # #

The American Chemistry Council (ACC) represents the leading companies engaged in the business of chemistry.  ACC members apply the science of chemistry to make innovative products and services that make people's lives better, healthier and safer.  ACC is committed to improved environmental, health and safety performance through Responsible Care^®, common sense advocacy designed to address major public policy issues, and health and environmental research and product testing.  The business of chemistry is a $664 billion enterprise and a key element of the nation's economy.  It is one of the nation's largest exporters, accounting for ten cents out of every dollar in U.S. exports.  Chemistry companies are among the largest investors in research and development.  Safety and security have always been primary concerns of ACC members, and they have intensified their efforts, working closely with government agencies to improve security and to defend against any threat to the nation's critical infrastructure.