Wise Regional School – September 10-12, 2021
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The Aid to Localities funding program increased by 5.45% for Fiscal Year 2022,
stemming from the Virginia Fire Services Board’s approval and fire-related insurance collections.
RICHMOND – July 12, 2021 – The Virginia Fire Services Board (VFSB), a Governor-appointed policy body that consists of 15 members from Virginia’s Fire Service, the insurance industry, municipal organizations, and citizen representatives; and the Virginia Department of Fire Programs (VDFP) announced today a 5.45% budget increase in the Fire Programs Fund. The increase totals $1.8 million dollars to the Virginia Aid to Localities (ATL) funding program, which bumps up the total aid to $34 million dollars for statewide distribution.
ATL funding comes from the Virginia Fire Programs Fund, which is derived from 1 percent of fire-related insurance coverage collected in the previous calendar year. Approximately 75% of the total fund goes directly to a total of 323 counties, cities, and incorporated towns within the Commonwealth. Twenty-five percent goes to VDFP’s operational budget.
VDFP administers the ATL program in conjunction with the Board.
The current fiscal year (FY22) increases follow pivotal milestones for the Board. In 2020, VFSB pushed to increase ATL funding to support training initiatives, construction of fire training centers, firefighting equipment, and protective gear. The Board’s request was made in response to increasing budget trends in Virginia’s Fire Service. During fiscal year 2021 (FY21), minimum ATL funding levels jumped from $10,000 to $15,000 and $20,000 to $30,000. This fiscal year, 152 Virginia localities will see an increase as they received above the minimum in FY21. The Board approved to allow the minimum funding levels to remain at the FY21 increases.
“The Board saw a trend in the rising costs of insurance, particularly the types of insurance in which the 1% that goes to the Fire Programs Fund is derived – fire, miscellaneous property and casualty, marine, homeowners, and farm owners insurance,” said VFSB Chair Scott Garber. “We made a strategic move in considering these increases to align with the rising costs in keeping fire departments operable.”
“The increased funding allows us to assist Virginia’s Fire Service in growing their departments and personnel. In some cases, ATL funding increases budgetary choices for financially strapped fire departments,” said VDFP Acting Executive Director Garrett Dyer. “Our purpose is to assist where we can to help fire departments meet or exceed their service delivery goals.”
Funding is available annually on July 1, the start of VDFP’s new fiscal year. Qualifying localities are required to submit annual reports and financial documentation to receive an allocation.
RICHMOND – May 12, 2021 – With the Colonial Pipeline cyberattack causing gas shortages in parts of the East Coast and in the Commonwealth, there have been reports of long lines at gas stations and Virginians traveling to remote locations to find gas reserves in order to stock up.
The Virginia Department of Fire Programs wants to advise residents and commuters about safe ways to dispense flammable fuels such as (gas, diesel or heating oil) into a portable container for proper storage:
For additional reference, the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code outlines the specific requirements for fuel dispensing and storage:
Contact your local fire marshal or VDFP’s State Fire Marshal’s Office for further information regarding fire and life safety education.
Need a vaccine? Learn how to get your shot at Vaccinate.Virginia.gov or call 1-877-VAX-IN VA. Language translation and TTY services available.
¿Necesita vacunarse? Infórmese de cómo obtener su vacuna visitando Vaccinate.Virginia.gov o llamando 1-877-829-4682. Servicios de traducción y teléfonos de texto (TTY) están disponibles.
Improper handling of dry ice when converted to a gaseous state presents structural, respiratory, and environmental hazards.
RICHMOND – December 30, 2020 – The Virginia Department of Fire Programs, a leader in enhancing public safety, is cautioning first responders, health care professionals, and citizens in the Commonwealth about the dangers of improper storage and disposal of dry ice, which has surged in use to transport COVID-19 vaccines that require storage at ultra-low temperatures.
Dry ice is a solid form of carbon dioxide (CO2). Dry ice weighs just about twice as much as regular ice. Dry ice goes from a solid to a gas (sublimates) as it warms, releasing carbon dioxide.
According to a white paper on dry ice response issued by the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) Hazardous Materials Committee, the primary health hazard occurs when dry ice returns to its gaseous carbon dioxide state at -78°C. The gas quickly expands and displaces oxygen inside enclosed spaces such as in transport compartments, small buildings, and walk-in coolers.
“We’re noticing a number of groups who are coming into contact with dry ice with the mass distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, who may not be aware of the risks that dry ice may impose. For example, dry ice at room temperature, could “off-gas” a high level of CO2 in a confined space. This is a hazard,” said VDFP Executive Director Michael Reilly. “First responders who are trained in hazardous materials response are aware of the proper handling, storage, and disposal of dry ice. We remain partners in response and prevention. We also want to stress the importance of risk mitigation during such an unprecedented time.”
Additional Hazards
If carbon dioxide gas is released while in transport or in storage, hazards can include an increased potential for an explosion due to pressure building within tightly sealed containers with no pressure relief device, unconsciousness due to displaced oxygen, and frostbite or burns if contact with cryogenic liquid or solid pieces of dry ice occurs.
VDFP encourages groups such as health care professionals and medical facility employees who are administering COVID-19 vaccines to call on first responders when carbon dioxide exposures arise.
“Our concern is about how Virginians should properly interact with the volumes of dry ice that the vaccines are packed with. There should be no eating, drinking, or smoking wherever the dry ice is handled, stored, and disposed,” said Virginia State Fire Marshal Garrett Dyer, “If an accident involving carbon dioxide occurs, such as a spillage, there are also environmental impacts to consider. This is why proper disposal of volumes of dry ice by a trained professional is important.”
How to Safety Interact with Dry Ice
Resources
The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) President and Chairman of the Board Chief Richard R. Carrizzo recently issued an email of resources for its members to consider regarding the potential for civil unrest in response to Election Day and after.
“To help fire departments provide service to their communities in uncertain environments, the IAFC has both compiled and developed the following resources,” read more here.
Training Suspensions Due to Tropical Storm Isaias
August 3, 2020 – UPDATE: VDFP has extended training suspensions to all VDFP-funded programs throughout Virginia until 8 a.m. on Wednesday, August 5. This is a change from August 2.
Students and instructors should contact their respective VDFP Division Offices with any questions or concerns.
VDFP Implements Cancer Reduction Efforts for Virginia Firefighters by Prohibiting Use of Engineered Wood Products Containing PMDI During Live Fire Trainings
Industry research shows that burning oriented strand board (OSB) containing PMDI (poly-methylene diphenyl diisocyanate)
during firefighter training presents increased exposure to cancer-causing carcinogens.
RICHMOND – July 22, 2020 – The Virginia Department of Fire Programs (VDFP) today announced updates to its Live Fire Training Policy that includes the prohibition of the use of oriented strand board (OSB) containing PMDI (poly-methylene diphenyl diisocyanate), and performing decontamination at the end of live fire training with medical evaluation procedures following live fire training events. This policy change covers training burns that are conducted in VDFP training programs, facilities that host VDFP funded schools, and when flashover simulators are utilized.
Current research indicates that exposures to carcinogens, and other hazardous byproducts, such as PAHs (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons) and benzene can occur with the use of these OSB wood products containing PMDI, which release significant levels of toxic byproducts when burned.
Cancer reduction among firefighters and EMS personnel remains a top priority for Governor Northam. As the state agency that provides training programs and resources for firefighters in the Commonwealth, VDFP is charged with prioritizing this effort in alignment with industry standards and best practices. The new policy meets the current version of NFPA 1403 (2018), Standard on Live Fire Training Evolutions.
“We are adopting aggressive cancer prevention efforts during such critical training. After each live fire training, a complete wash down of PPE, SCBA, and other tools used in the fire occurs. Also, personal cleanup is done and then a medical evaluation is completed,” said VDFP Executive Director Michael Reilly. “We understand that this prohibition of engineered wood containing PMDI, as well as the extensive rehab procedures may be met with some opposition. However, based on industry research and our mandate to reduce carcinogen exposures and cancer related deaths among Virginia’s Fire Service, it is the right thing to do.”
The Virginia Fire Services Board (VFSB) has been a proponent of this cancer-reducing measure and supports VDFP’s new policy, “The Fire Service explores several methods to reduce risks and harm to our men and women in the field,” said VFSB Chair Walt Bailey, “It is much more meaningful to create policies and involve local and state officials. Then, the widespread action follows.”
Prominent fire services organizations, Virginia Professional Fire Fighters and the Virginia Firefighters Association, also support the decision to prohibit the use of wood products containing PMDI during live fire trainings and will assist with implementing the new practices at the local level.
“The Virginia Professional Fire Fighters reinforces the policy update and applauds Fire Programs for taking such action to protect Virginia’s Fire Service,” said Virginia Professional Fire Fighters (VPFF) President Robert Bragg. “We are united and serious about reducing carcinogen exposure to our firefighters. It is imperative that we continue to adopt preventative solutions.”
“The Virginia State Firefighters Association serves a large population of volunteer firefighters throughout the Commonwealth. By joining together to share research and resources, this decision covers a lot of ground,” said VFSA President Ken Brown.
Visit the VDFP website Policies page for more information on the VDFP Live Fire Training Policy.
June 4 and 5, all VDFP employees remain in telework status
All VDFP employees at Headquarters and Divisions 1-7 will remain in a teleworking status through Friday, June 5.
Continue to conduct VDFP business by phone and email: https://www.vafire.com/about-virginia-department-of-fire-programs/agency-directory-2/.
Wednesday, June 3 all VDFP employees continue to telework
In an effort to keep all Virginia state employees safe and free from harm, and in conjunction with direction from Governor Northam, all VDFP employees at Headquarters and Divisions 1-7 will continue to telework on Wednesday, June 3.
Continue to conduct VDFP business by phone and email: https://www.vafire.com/about-virginia-department-of-fire-programs/agency-directory-2/.