October continued a difficult month for the first responder community following the tragedies of 11 September. Although fire engines still responded to fires, ambulances to medical emergencies, and police to calls for help—the healing for the dead and missing brothers in New York had obviously taken a toll.  Stopping by the Fire Department of New York’s (FDNY) web site and reviewing the funeral service schedules is the most vivid example.  With upwards of fifteen funerals per day—the families, friends, department, and brotherhood of firefighters across the world mourn the deaths and celebrate the service and self-sacrifice of these men and women on a daily basis. 

      Even with the recovery effort still underway, FDNY continued to reorganize following a loss of almost four percent of the department’s work force, including the majority of the heavy rescuers and chief officers.  Hundreds were promoted in services in late September and hiring has been expedited to fill in the vacancies. A look into preventative operating procedures will be conducted in the coming months in an attempt to  determine what, and if any practices should be changed to avoid future tragic events. 

       In other areas of the first responder community the highly publicized Assistance to Firefighters Program for fiscal year (FY) 2001 concluded  with the announcement that all of the 100 million in grant money had been awarded.  Over 31,000 departments across the nation submitted grants during an accelerated one-month application period last May.  Although many in Congress questioned the need, the overwhelming number of applications demonstrated that federal assistance to local fire departments is vital to their survival and ability to provide emergency  services. 

        In addition, the tragic events of 11 September have already brought additional attention for the community highlighted by significant increases in funding from the original program funding of $100 million in FY 2001, which was cut from $300 million during appropriations last winter.  Funding for FY 2002, 2003, and 2004 have already been projected to soar upwards of $600M, $800M and $1B respectively.  As America  was educated as to the importance of the first responder community by the events in September—and not just for house fires and medical  emergencies—it appears Congress and others have as well. 

       Federal assistance programs have provided billions if not trillions to local police departments across the nation, and now fire departments hav  begun to reap the financial rewards of congressional attention, but what about EMS?  Within the last month, growing attention is being  directed to supporting Emergency Medical Services (EMS) through a separate funding program similar to the FIRE ACT.  Although no final plans have been announced, this third first responder community should keep their eyes and ears open for funding during this heightened  period of attention. 

          General News: 

                 s     Departments across the nation have been busier than normal dealing with suspicious packages and anthrax scares.  HazMat teams  and bomb squads have been responding 
                        non-stop, finding both good intention calls and malicious pranks. 
                 s     Donations to the New York Firefighters 9-11 Disaster Relief fund topped $50 million and congress approved an increase to  $250,000 for single lump sum benefits  for the families of public safety officers who die or are totally disabled in the line of duty. 
                 s     A Memorial Service for New York City firefighters who died on September 11th has been announced for November 18th.  More  information can be obtained  through Firehouse.com. 
                 s     Fairfax County Fire Department, located in Northern Virginia and one of the first departments on-scene at the Pentagon September 11th, initiated a review of departmental procedures for dealing with Chem-Bio incidents, firefighter accountability and interdepartmental communications.  It is expected that other 
                 s     Metropolitan Washington department will follow suit in the coming months.  Departments throughout the country have initiated review of current disaster response plans to ensure operational implement ability.