U.S. Fire Administrator: Stay Safe on the Fourth

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- FEMA’s United States Fire Administration reminds everyone of the dangers associated with fireworks.  According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), far more U.S. fires are reported on July Fourth than on any other day, and fireworks account for more than any other cause of fires.  The risk of fireworks injury was highest for children ages 5-14 – more than twice the risk for the general population.

“Every year around the Fourth of July, thousands of people, most often children and teens, are injured while using consumer fireworks,” said U.S. Fire Administrator Ernest Mitchell. “Despite the well-known dangers of fireworks, few people understand that misuse of both legal and illegal fireworks can result in devastating burns, other injuries, fires, and even death.”

In 2010, fireworks caused an estimated 15,500 fires, including 1,100 total structure fires, 300 vehicle fires, and 14,100 others, according to a June NFPA report. That same year, U.S. hospital emergency rooms treated an estimated 8,600 people for fireworks related injuries.  In 2011, there were four reported deaths from fireworks.

“With so many areas of the nation experiencing drought-like conditions, I would encourage people to attend a local public display,” said Mitchell.  “Listen to local fire and safety officials for the most current information regarding fireworks in your area.”

If you are going to use legal and locally approved fireworks, follow these safety tips:

 •Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them.

 •Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks. Young children suffer injuries from sparklers, for example, which burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees – hot enough to melt some metals.

 •Always have an adult closely supervise fireworks activities if older children are allowed to handle devices.

 •Avoid buying fireworks that are packaged in brown paper because this is often a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and that they could pose a danger to consumers.

 •Never place any part of your body directly over fireworks when lighting the fuse. Back up to a safe distance immediately after lighting fireworks.

 •Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire.

 •Never try to relight or handle malfunctioning fireworks. Soak them with water and throw them away.

 •Never point or throw fireworks at another person.

 •Light fireworks one at a time, then move back quickly.

 •Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.

 •After fireworks complete their burning, douse the spent device with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding it to prevent a trash fire.

For those seeking more information regarding fireworks in your area, check with local fire officials and visit the following recommended websites:

 •www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml12/12203.html

 •www.usfa.dhs.gov

 •www.nfpa.org/itemDetail.asp?categoryID=2408&itemID=55435

As an entity of the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency, the mission of the United States Fire Administration is to provide national leadership to foster a solid foundation for our fire and emergency services stakeholders in prevention, preparedness, and response.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Big Lots Recalls Portable Ceramic Space Heaters Due to Fire, Electric Shock Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Portable Space Heater and Portable Oscillating Space Heater

Units: About 70,500

Importer: Big Lots, of Columbus, Ohio

Hazard: The heaters can overheat and melt, posing a fire or electric shock hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: Big Lots has received four reports of the product overheating and melting. There are no reports of injury, fire or property damage.

Description: This recall is of two models of 1500 watt Climate Keeper ceramic heaters. Both models have a fan, two dials on top, a wire mesh panel in front and the name “Climate Keeper” and a label on the bottom with the model number and ETL 3130679. Model #FH107A has grey plastic housing. Model #PTC-902T is an oscillating heater with silver-grey plastic housing, a molded handle on top of the heater and a small extra button between the two dials which controls the oscillation.

Sold exclusively at: Big Lots stores nationwide from September 2010 through March 2012 for about $20 for Model #FH107A and $25 for Model #PTC-902T.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled product immediately and return it to a Big Lots store for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Big Lots toll-free at (866) 244-5687 between 9 a.m. through 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s website at www.biglots.com

Model #FH107A

Model #PTC-902T

--- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about your experience with the product on SaferProducts.gov

CPSC is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of the thousands of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $900 billion annually. CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals - contributed to a decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

Under federal law, it is illegal to attempt to sell or resell this or any other recalled product.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, go online to: SaferProducts.gov, call CPSC's Hotline at (800) 638-2772 or teletypewriter at (301) 595-7054 for the hearing and speech impaired. Consumers can obtain this news release and product safety information at www.cpsc.gov. To join a free e-mail subscription list, please go to www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx.

The Departments of Interior and Agriculture Issue National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy Phase II National Report

Conducted extensive public outreach to prepare for upcoming wildland fire season

WASHINGTON - After a mild winter and low precipitation levels in many parts of the nation, the risk of wildland fire this season poses a challenge for the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture which, together, respond to more than 20,000 wildfires per year. Wildland fires today are becoming more complex, particularly in areas where urban populations are situated near forested and rangeland areas. To address those challenges, the two departments today issued A National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy, Phase II National Report, which focuses on restoring and maintaining resilient landscapes, creating fire-adapted communities, and responding to wildfires. The report was crafted by working closely with Federal, state and local governments, tribes, non-governmental organizations, and citizens.

"We have mapped out and established new levels of coordination, transparency and communication between the Federal Government and all of its partners," said Rhea Suh, Interior Assistant Secretary for Policy, Management and Budget. "Our collaboration has enabled us to focus on specific regional priorities and to develop more focused strategies to address the challenges."

"The Cohesive Strategy is an unprecedented collaborative planning and risk analysis document to improve response and resiliency in the event of wildland fire," said Butch Blazer, USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Natural Resources and the Environment. "Phase II sets a strong foundation for the type of diverse interests and activities involved when wildfire strikes."

The Cohesive Strategy builds on successes of the past while incorporating a new collaborative approach to managing a complex national problem - wildfire. This new approach includes all the partners involved in fire management and gives each a voice and a role in developing solutions to the collective problem. The Strategy will be implemented throughout 2012 using a three-phased approach and the involvement of a variety of stakeholders. It will be adaptable to different geographic scales: national, regional, and local, with a goal of promoting meaningful collaboration among stakeholders in an ‘all-lands, all-hands’ approach.

In Phase I, the national framework and goals were defined. In Phase II, regional assessments were completed to address and scale the national goals to the needs and challenges found at regional and local levels. Regional Strategy Committees representing three regions of the country - the West, Southeast, and Northeast, examined the processes by which wildland fire, or the absence of wildland fire, threatens areas and issues that Americans value, including wildlife habitats, watershed quality and local economies, among others.

"Discussing and addressing our wildland fire problems in a national, cohesive approach is a step in the right direction," said Randy Dye, President of the National Association of State Foresters. “We all recognize the importance of the document in framing future dialogue on wildland fire management issues. The states’ commitment to participate in the process ensured that a broad range of interests were considered and melded into the report."

The third and final phase of the cohesive strategy will build on the work from Phases I and II, as regional and national risk-based analyses and action plans are completed. The risk-based analyses will examine potential consequences, benefits and alternative actions designed by the regions to enhance decision-making across jurisdictional boundaries.

For more information on the National Cohesive Strategy visit www.forestsandrangelands.gov

National Fire Academy Adds New Chemistry Course to NFA Online

EMMITSBURG, MD – The U.S. Fire Administration's (USFA) National Fire Academy (NFA) announces the availability of a new NFA Online course: Foundational Concepts of Chemistry (Q228). Completion of Q228 is recommended prior to attending all NFA Hazardous Materials curriculum courses and is a precourse assignment for Chemistry for Emergency Response (R233) and Advanced Life Support Response to Hazardous Materials Incidents (R247). Beginning in October 2013, Foundational Concepts of Chemistry will be a prerequisite for acceptance into those courses. The course is approved for .4 Continuing Education Units (CEU).

Foundational Concepts of Chemistry provides students with fundamental knowledge to prepare for the more advanced Hazardous Materials curriculum courses.

There are currently 54 online courses available through NFA Online with topics including Emergency Medical Services, Emergency Response to Terrorism, Fire Prevention, Incident Management, Management Science, Public Education, and Wildland Firefighting. Students can access NFA Online at www.nfaonline.dhs.gov

For more information about the Hazardous Materials / Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) curriculum or other USFA programs and offerings, visit www.usfa.fema.gov. You can also follow USFA updates on Twitter at twitter.com/usfire

USFA Announces Fire Officials Selected for Harvard Senior Executives in State and Local Government Program

Emmitsburg, MD – Joined by three other fire service partners, U.S. Fire Administrator Ernest Mitchell announced today that four senior fire officials will receive fellowships to attend the Harvard University's Senior Executives in State and Local Government Program this summer at the John F. Kennedy School of Government. The 19-day program includes other state and local government leaders from across the United States and other countries with a focus on exploring the interrelationships between citizens and government, analyzing policy options, and examining the ethical and professional responsibilities of exercising leadership.

In announcing the fellowships, Administrator Mitchell stated, "Our cities and communities are confronted with significant challenges regarding the daily delivery of services and meeting the expectations of the public. The Harvard experience is a very valuable and unique learning opportunity that assists the fellows in further developing and exercising leadership."

Fellowships for this program are provided by Fire Protection Publications/International Fire Service Training Association (IFSTA), the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).  The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) administered the competitive selection process and coordinated the final phase which took place at USFA's National Emergency Training Center in Emmitsburg, Maryland on April 30.

U.S. Fire Administrator Mitchell further commented that "USFA, along with FPP/IFSTA, IAFC, and the NFPA believe that these senior fire executives will also represent fire and emergency services with a high degree of professionalism. We encourage participation in the Harvard Program because the experience at the Kennedy School of Government enables fire and emergency services officials to have important conversations with elected officials and appointed executives. Now more than ever we need to think creatively together and enjoy dialogue with others regarding the critical challenges facing our communities and nation.  The sponsoring organizations are delighted to award these fellowships and the entire fire service benefits from the quality of leaders produced by the program over the years."

The selection panel included representatives of FPP/IFSTA, IAFC, NFPA, USFA, and former Harvard University Senior Executives in State and Local Government program participants.

Those selected are:

• Claude Beauchamp, Director of Operations

Quebec National Fire Academy, Laval Quebec CANADA

• Martha Ellis, Division Chief

Salt Lake City Corporation Fire Department, Salt Lake City Utah

• Matthew James Fratus, Fire Chief

City of Rialto Fire Department, Rialto California

• Bertral Washington, Fire Chief

Clark County Fire Department, Las Vegas Nevada