Here is a copy of the email. How could they be surprised?
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READ this very carefully before you submit your name for consideration, this IS NOT Operational deployment, this is "community service" assistance. Response necessary by Friday noon. REMEMBER: This is a minimum of a 30-day deployment.
[name deleted], Fire Chief
[name deleted] Fire Department
[phone number deleted]
-----Original Message-----
From: IAFC News [mailto:news@iafc.org]
Sent: Wednesday, August 31, 2005 6:19 PM
Subject: FEMA/DHS Requests Fire Service Emergency Assistance
IAFC CALL TO ACTION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: IAFC Communications Department
703/273-0911
http://www.iafc.org
FEMA/DHS Requests Fire Service Emergency Assistance
Urgent need for 1,000 2-person firefighter teams
Fairfax, VA, August 31, 2005… Our nation’s fire service has been called upon to send 1,000 two-person firefighter teams to help the citizens of the Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama affected by Hurricane Katrina.
FEMA has asked the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and the Metro Section of the IAFC/NFPA to get this request for assistance from FEMA to the fire service to help FEMA respond to disaster recovery efforts. The International Association of Fire Fighters is supporting this effort to inform fire fighters in response to FEMA’s request.
Due to FEMA/DHS policies & requirements, the initial teams will be limited to career firefighters and must be selected and approved by the chief of the department. Teams will need to be physically fit and capable of working in very austere conditions for an extended period of time – sleeping on the ground, eating MRE’s. They will need to pack for carry-on baggage only – backpacks are recommended. Teams will be working for at least a 30-day period.
The Volunteer & Combination Officers Section (VCOS) of the IAFC is working with FEMA to provide the same opportunities to volunteer fire fighters in this and in future disaster situations. “While we understand why this decision was necessary due to the absolute urgency of the situation and the need to get these teams in place as soon as possible, it is essential that FEMA/DHS use the volunteer fire service and the IAFC and VCOS are working to see that volunteer firefighters are included in this important effort,” said Chief Bill Killen, president of the IAFC.
“I know our nation’s fire chiefs will answer this call, just as we know that the fire chiefs of these affected states would help the citizens of our towns in a moment of crisis. Our prayers are with the thousands of citizens who are suffering and especially for those responders who are working to alleviate the destruction, pain and suffering,” said Chief Killen.
Individual team members will need to register through the National Emergency Training Center’s normal course registration process. FEMA will accept the fire chief’s certification on the application forms as the equivalent to a federal background check on the individual team members. Jurisdictions will be reimbursed for the teams and teams will be provided brief initial training in Atlanta as Community Relations Response Teams to prepare them to assist the citizens in the disaster area.
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For details, please read the message below from the Chief R. David Paulison, US Fire Administrator.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Washington, DC 20472
REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE FROM THE UNITED STATES FIRE SERVICE
IN RESPONSE TO HURRICANE KATRINA
Our Nation is faced with the most catastrophic natural disaster in modern times, and we are calling upon the Nation’s fire service to aid the affected citizens and communities. This is the United States Fire Administration’s initial request to mobilize members of the fire service within Federal guidelines.
The current need is for 1,000 two-person teams. A department may offer more than one two-person team. These people will be deployed as a team, and we prefer that they know one another prior to deployment.
This initial request is for full-time career firefighters that are employed by municipal government and sponsored by that municipality because of the way that salaries and expenses will be reimbursed. We will include the volunteer fire service in the next phase. They must be:
* Physically capable of performing manual tasks under severe conditions;
* Experienced in working with minimum supervision;
* Capable of living in austere, severe living conditions with minimal or no creature comforts for a period of at least 30 days;
* Free of medical condition(s) that would prevent them from working in these conditions for this period of time; and,
* Able to work within the ICS, provide basic first aid, and follow orders.
The work is non-operational community relations focused activities that consist of direct outreach to persons in the affected areas. They will assist victims in understanding how they will go about the process of getting Federal assistance, distributing information, providing minimal first-aid, and taking reports. The work will be outside, exposed to the elements and will require significant walking.
FEMA will notify the Chief of Department, and selected applicants will be notified by their Chief of Department that they have been selected. NO ONE SHOULD DEPLOY WITHOUT NOTIFICATION OF ACCEPTANCE FROM FEMA. Selected applicants will report to a central location in the Atlanta, Georgia area for training and further deployment. Travel to the Atlanta, Georgia area will be per government authorization in a manner specified upon acceptance. Acceptance information will also cover lodging and other related expense reimbursement information.
APPLICATION PROCESS
The application process is the exact same process as applying for a National Fire Academy resident course. Applicants will complete FEMA Form 75-5A (short form) general application which can be found at:
http://www.usfa.fema.gov/training/nfa/a ... abt1c.shtm
In box 12a. “Course Code and Title” the applicant should enter “COMMUNITY RELATIONS DEPLOYMENT”and “L282”. In Box #21, please fill in the names of BOTH team members. No other course information is required on the application, but everything else must be completed. This is the form that will be used for reimbursement to the department or jurisdiction. Additional salary / personnel information will be required upon acceptance. The application must be fully completed and signed by the Chief of the Department or the Chief’s designee. The application should be faxed to 301-447-1234. A scanned completed/signed application can be emailed to:
firehire@dhs.org
The department must submit two applications (one team). Single individual applications will not be accepted.
We will notify the first 1000 teams of their acceptance and process any additional applications in the event that they are needed in the future.
Submission of an application DOES NOT MEAN THAT THE TEAM HAS BEEN ACCEPTED. Acceptance is a second, separate process. The Chief of the Department or designee will be notified of the teams’ acceptance, and provided deployment information.
If you have any questions or need additional information, please call 301-447-7250.
INFORMATION FOR THE CHIEF OF DEPARTMENT
Your signature on the application represents your approval of the activity and deployment of the applicant team, as well as confirmation of the following:
* The suitability of the applicants to perform the duties listed under the severe conditions listed above;
* They have passed your department’s employment background check;
* They are familiar with and have demonstrated ability to work within the Incident Command System;
* They are capable of providing basic first aid and following orders.
The concept is that your team will be able to work independently under tough conditions, being provided only food, water and perhaps rustic shelter.
FEMA will reimburse the department or jurisdiction as necessary for the salary of each team. It is the responsibility of each team member to retain and submit receipts for other mission related expenses.
Submitting an application does not mean that the person is accepted. Acceptance is a separate process. Do not allow anyone from your department to deploy without official follow-up confirmation. That confirmation will provide specific detailed information.
If one member of the team drops out, then the other member of the team will either not deploy or be sent back home. The Chief of Department will be notified of the teams’ acceptance and provided the deployment information.
INFORMATION FOR THE TEAM BEING DEPLOYED
Do not self-deploy. If you are accepted, you will be given specific further directions from your Chief of Department.
Each team should bring a basic medical jump kit (bandages, BP set) to provide minimal first aid. You will be provided government ID in the Atlanta, Georgia area.
You will be deployed with another member of your organization as a team and will be working with that person for the duration.
Following are items which you must bring with you:
* sleeping bag;
* personal hygiene necessities:
* medications;
* insect repellent;
* sun screen;
* rain gear;
* flashlight and batteries.
We cannot guarantee that you will have a vehicle or a means to transport or store gear. FEMA will provide you with FEMA shirts. Remember that you may have to carry with you everything that you bring for the entire time. Finally, please ensure that members of your family can function without your presence for at least 30 days.
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