Of course I know that you’re smarter than a fifth-grader (though some of the questions on that TV quiz show have raised some doubts about myself), but can you answer a few simple questions that have come up in conversations over the past two weeks on the road? I’m on a quest for some honest answers.
- Do you and your department plan to participate in the IAFC’s Safety Stand Down the week of June 17–23? Will you participate more or less than last year? If you won’t be participating at all, why not? (No recriminations here, just the truth.)
- Did you or your department participate in the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation’s Whistle Stop Bus Tour? If yes, what was your opinion of the tour? If no, besides distance, why not?
- In what ways does your department participate in the “green” environmental movement? Recycling? Solar panels? Other?
The 20 most interesting responses to janet@firechief.com will receive a set of SPRI exercise bands and a Chicago Fire Department Exercise poster, so include your full name and address in case you’re a winner!
Speaking of chances, how would you like a chance to receive $5,000 worth of top-quality, new equipment and tools free for your department? For the past four years, the Fire & Emergency Manufacturers & Services Association has offered fire departments a chance to win equipment from their members in exchange for filling out a simple online survey. In each of the past three years, fewer than 1,700 surveys have been completed, so your chances of winning could be pretty good! If your department would like the chance to comb through FEMSA member catalogs to select new equipment, then complete the questions at www.femsa.org/survey. A winner will be selected at the FEMSA meeting in October.
Finally, don’t you hate when people don’t pay their bills? Especially if they agreed to pay but then waffle and start changing the rules about payment? What if the late funds are supposed to be paid to fallen firefighters’ survivors?
The Department of Justice is the guilty culprit in this situation, and it’s time to help persuade President George W. Bush to tell them to pay up. The DOJ’s administration of the Public Safety Officers’ Benefit program, particularly the Hometown Heroes Survivors Benefit Act (PL 108-182), has made only two positive determinations out of the nearly 250 claims. This dithering around is an insult to Congress that also is forcing families to jump bureaucratic hurdles to prove their claims.
The Hometown Heroes Act, which was unanimously passed three years ago in both Houses of Congress, was created to provide a “presumptive benefit” to the families of public safety officers who die from a heart attack or stroke in the line of duty.
On behalf of the firefighters who gave their lives in the line of duty, I encourage you to write a letter to President Bush on your department’s letterhead and mail it today. Sean Carroll of the Congressional Fire Services Institute offers a sample letter, which you can download as a Microsoft Word document at firechief.com.
(Editor’s Note: CFSI Executive Director Bill Webb clarifies that this letter is being circulated on Capitol Hill for members of Congress to sign. “While a letter writing campaign by the fire service is important,” says Webb, “we need Congress to send a message to the White House as well.” To that end, he encourages members of the fire service to contact their senators and representatives to sign this letter to the president.)
I’d bet if these Hometown Heroes had the chance, they’d send a letter on your behalf, especially if the money helped make a mortgage payment or school tuition for your survivors.
