U.S. Fire Administration Launches Blog

EMMITSBURG, MD � The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) today announced the launch of an interactive blog on its Website at USFA.DHS.gov. This blog will serve as a tool for the Fire Service to share comments, ideas, and success stories about fire prevention, preparedness, and response in America. In turn, USFA will post videos, outreach materials, and other helpful tools while charting feedback.

�Over 3,000 civilians and 100 firefighters lose their lives each year due to fire,� said U.S. Fire Administrator Greg Cade. �This blog is the perfect medium for an open dialogue with the Fire Service to discuss measures that we can undertake to help save lives. We hope to foster a community where USFA staff and readers can share ideas and experiences with each other and work together for a fire-safe America.�

USFA employees will contribute to and moderate the blog, including staff from the National Fire Academy. Their breadth of experience will provide unique perspectives on public education, research, data collection, and training issues. The first post discusses fire department preparedness for extreme weather emergencies and natural disasters, and how these events can place personnel and assets at risk, diminishing response capabilities. Future posts will cover topics such as how the rising cost of fuel is affecting fire and emergency services departments, college campus fire safety, how to get fire prevention messages into local news stories, residential sprinklers, and firefighter health and safety.

�The USFA is committed to being proactive in addressing emergent issues and innovative concepts through the new blog,� continued Cade. �The challenges faced by today’s fire service leaders and firefighters change rapidly and continue to grow in complexity. This new Internet tool provides another opportunity for USFA to stay abreast of current events and respond quickly to changes and the informational needs of this nation’s fire service.�

The USFA blog can be found at blog.usfa.fema.gov.

The United States Fire Administration recommends everyone should have a comprehensive fire protection plan that includes smoke alarms, residential sprinklers, and practicing a home fire escape plan.

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