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    Scuttlebutt 2/21

    Feb. 15, 2021
    Firefighter Delivers Pledge at Inauguration
    Andrea Hall South Fulton Ga 60020aeadceb4 6009bab87ac56

    Firefighter Delivers Pledge at Inauguration

    South Fulton, GA, Fire Department Capt. Andrea Hall, who is a 28-year veteran firefighter and the first African American woman to hold the rank of captain in her department, delivered the Pledge of Allegiance at the inauguration of President Joe Biden on Jan. 20.
    Hall, who was asked to give the pledge by Harold Schaitberger, who is the president of the IAFF, and Biden’s inauguration committee, called it “a privilege and an honor to help usher in a new chapter of leadership for our country.”
    Biden has a long history of working with the IAFF.

    ESO Predicts Key Fire Service Trends for 2021

    EMS data and software providerESO predicts that four areas will be of greatest concern to the fire service in 2021.
    Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
    ESO predicts that COVID-19 will continue to wreak havoc on the fire service in 2021.
    ESO predicts that COVID-19 will continue to wreak havoc on the fire service in 2021.

    Provider safety: The safety and wellness of responders will be stretched to the limit amid a massive surge in COVID-19 encounters and significant risk of exposure to disease, physical exhaustion and mental/emotional burnout.

    Budgets: Although some effect of COVID-19 has hit fire service budgets, the worst is yet to come.

    Recruitment: The stress and strain of COVID-19 is increasing retirement and decreasing desire to enter the fire service.

    Public health responsibilities: Fire departments will be expected to take on increased responsibility in their community in regard to major events and public health emergencies.

    To download the 2021 Fire Service Predictions whitepaper, visit eso.com/resources/2021-fire-service-predictions.

     
    NVFC Toolkit for Healthy, High-Performing Departments

    The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), in partnership with the American Psychological Association and the Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance, launched the Psychologically Healthy Fire Departments initiative to support firefighters and EMS providers and to create healthy, successful departments. The toolkit is designed to help fire department leaders to promote and foster well-being among their members.
    The toolkit delves into six categories: member involvement, health and safety, member growth and development, work-life balance, member recognition and effective communication. The toolkit examines each category along with specific actions that can be taken, special issues to consider and case studies from successful departments.
    To download the toolkit, visit nvfc.org/phfd.
    FEMA Taking Grant Applications
    Fema Us 5e9f530258256

    The application period for FEMA's Fire Prevention and Safety Grant Program for fiscal year 2020 is open through 5 p.m. ET on Feb. 26, 2021.

    With $35.5 million in funding available, the Fire Prevention and Safety Grant Program is one of three FEMA grant programs that’s aimed at enhancing the safety of the public and firefighters as it relates to fire and fire-related hazards. One of the aspects that FEMA's administrator considers when rewarding grants is the degree that the funding will reduce deaths, injuries and property damage by reducing risks that are associated with fire-related and other hazards.

    For more information, visit fema.gov.


    NFFF Accepting Scholarship Applications

    The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) is accepting online applications through March 1, 2021, for the 2021-2022 Sarbanes Scholarship Program, the Alan Patrick Sondej Memorial Scholarship Fund and the Motorola Solutions Foundation Enhanced Scholarship Initiative, which provide financial assistance to spouses, life partners, children and stepchildren of firefighters who are honored at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial.

    NFFF
    Nff Fscholarships 2021 2022 Fb 768x403
    To be eligible, children must be under age 30 presently and have been under age 22 at the time of their firefighter’s death. All applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalency or must be in their final year of high school. Applicants also must be pursuing or planning to pursue undergraduate or graduate studies, a certification program or job-skills training at an accredited institution and must be enrolled or planning to enroll as a full- or part-time student.

    For more information, visit firehero.org.

    NFPA Sets Date for Wildfire Preparedness Day

    The NFPA and State Farm will host the eighth annual Wildfire Community Preparedness Day event on May 1, 2021, with a focus on what homeowners can do to help to protect their personal property from wildfire.
    Nfpa2021 Prep Day Banner

    Over the past decade, the United States has witnessed a steady increase in wildfire activity. Experts predict that this trend will remain. Despite billions of dollars to support wildland fire suppression efforts, the number of homes that are lost in wildfires per year increased by 163 percent.

    For more information, visit wildfireprepday.org.


    This Month in Fire History

    Feb. 2, 1978, Chester, PA—Wade Dump Fire leads to cancer deaths of 20 first responders

    Feb. 7, 1904, Baltimore—Great Baltimore Fire destroys more than 1,500 buildings

    Feb. 7, 2009, Victoria, Australia—Black Saturday bushfires kill 170

    Feb. 14, 1995, Pittsburgh—Bricelyn Street house fire kills three firefighters

    Feb. 14, 2000, Houston—McDonald's restaurant fire kills two firefighters

    Feb. 18, 1969, Crete, NE—Anhydrous ammonia train derailment kills nine

    Feb. 20, 2003, West Warwick, RI—Station Nightclub fire kills 100

    Feb. 23, 1991, Philadelphia—One Meridian Plaza high-rise fire kills three firefighters

    Feb. 24, 1989, Orange County, FL—Lake Buena Vista gift shop fire kills two firefighters

    Courtesy NFPA

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