The WFC recently sent a letter to the Washington Congressional delegation outlining concerns regarding chlorine gas evacuation.  Please click to see the full letter.

In an Aug. 2 letter to Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and other senators, Washington Fire Chiefs Executive Director Wayne Senter argues that chemical and railroad industries are pushing the new assessment approach -- developed in conjunction with the Departments of Homeland Security (DHS) and Defense (DOD) -- that downplays risks from potential disasters by dramatically reducing the distance toxic gases are projected to travel.

“The industry-initiated but federal agency-enabled and Congressionally-funded effort . . . has all along explicitly aimed at significantly modifying in a risk-minimizing direction the downwind toxic cloud estimates in all of the major national emergency response guidance documents, including . . . chemical facility submissions to the US EPA's Risk Management Program,” Senter writes....

Lynden Fire Department

We respond to save lives. When we can’t, we render a different kind of care to our patient’s survivors.

In my experience, the following components make a successful firefighter wellness program: 

A Strong Foundation 
• Focus on taking care of the customer (developing and applying compassion) 
• Focus on taking care of self and others (training in  stress resistance, resilience, and recovery) 

Behavioral-Health Program Development 
• Peer team and outside resource development 
• Operational guidelines 

Continuing Behavioral-Health Education Classes 
• How to have difficult conversations 
• Maintaining successful relationships 
• Dealing with change 

President Trump’s budget proposal contains major cuts to many federal grant programs. 

Assistance to Firefighter Grants:

Fortunately for fire districts/departments, the “Assistance to Firefighter Grant” (AFG) programs are safe for now.  This is because they fall under the umbrella of the Department of Homeland Security, one of three federal departments (along with Veteran’s Affairs and Defense) that, at this time, are escaping President Trump’s proposed budget cuts.

Proposed Cuts to Other Federal Grant Programs:

USDA Rural Development grant programs which have previously provided some equipment funding for fire districts/departments, are also slated for major cuts to funding...