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This Week in EMS: A Recap for March 24 - 30, 2007
Two major announcements came out this week for first responders in need of funding and equipment.
First, the Department of Homeland Security announced the opening of the 2007 Assistance to Firefighters Grants program, which will award approximately $492.3 million this year to fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical service organizations.
Interested applicants may submit two applications, one for consideration under each of two categories: Operations and Safety, and Vehicle Acquisition.
Applications are due by May 4, 2007. View the complete announcement on EMSResponder.com for more information: Application Period Opens for Federal Fire and EMS Grants.
Also this week, the Department of Homeland Security announced a new program to seek technology solutions and ideas from first responders, and to provide funding for selected proposals.
The program, called TechSolutions, was established by DHS's Science and Technology (S&T) directorate.
"No one understands the needs of first responders better than first responders," said Jay M. Cohen, Under Secretary for S&T, in a prepared statement. "Every day, hundreds of law enforcement officers, fire fighters, emergency medical services personnel and bomb-squad members think, 'there's a better way to do this,' and we want to hear from them."
According to the announcement, "S&T's commitment to spiral development and rapid prototyping ensures funding for selected proposals within 45 days, and a solution demonstrated within 12 months of funding. Costs of the solutions should be commensurate with the proposal, but less than $1 million per project. Solutions also should deliver up to 100 percent of identified requirements, and first responders will partner with the department from start to finish."
Responders are encouraged to submit ideas that would aid safety, efficiency, or address a known capability gap that impacts multiple sectors of the emergency response community.
For more information visit: DHS Calls for Tech Tips from First Responders.
Another announcement for the EMS community came this week from the National EMS Memorial Service. The organization has released the names of the 16 EMS providers who will be honored at the 15th annual National EMS Memorial Service in Roanoke, Virginia on May 26.
To read the names and additional memorial details, read the full article: Honorees Announced for the 2007 National EMS Memorial Service.
Finally, in a touching EMSResponder.com exclusive, staff writer Lisa Snowden recounted the life and career of Bella, a highly accomplished search and rescue dog with the Los Angeles Fire Department. Bella was rare in that she was trained to find both survivors and cadavers, and her missions included the Oklahoma City bombing and the World Trade Center terrorist attacks.
Bella continued to respond to disasters even after she began facing health setbacks of her own. She recently died at age 14. To read more about Bella and to see a photo of her in action, visit California Search Dog Led Remarkable Life.
Reminder:
Nominations continue to be accepted for EMS Magazine's 22nd Annual EMT/Paramedic of the Year Award, sponsored by Braun Industries and ZOLL Medical Corporation. Nominations must be received by July 2, 2007.
For full contest rules and instructions please visit www.emsresponder.com/paramedic.
Other top headlines on EMSResponder.com this week:
