IAFC Launches Grassroots Campaign to Remove Single Stair Provision from Housing Package
This week, the IAFC launched a campaign asking Senators to remove the provision of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act (H.R.6644) that would expand single-stair apartment buildings by legislating model code language to allow them up to six stories. Single-stair apartment buildings over 3 stories pose an unacceptable risk to both building occupants and to firefighters responding to an emergency. Additionally, this provision would circumvent the standard code development process and create a dangerous precedent for allowing nationwide building codes to be enacted by federal legislation.
Please visit the IAFC Action Center to send a message to your Senator asking them to remove this dangerous single-stair provision from H.R.6644.
CDC Issues Health Advisory on Ebola
On May 19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a Health Advisory on the new Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. While there is a potential for it to spread, the CDC asserted that the risk of Ebola spread to the United States is low. However, there is a risk of someone exposed to Ebola to enter the United States.
The National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center (NETEC) has released guidance to EMS personnel on Ebola, but they note the likelihood of EMS personnel encountering an Ebola patient during routine 9-1-1 response is low. EMS clinicians and fire service leaders can find resources and request technical assistance on the NETEC EMS landing page.
IAFC Priorities are Now Included in the Surface Transportation Reauthorization bill
On May 21 and May 22, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the House Energy and Commerce Committee marked up their sections of the surface transportation reauthorization (highway) bill (the Build America 250 Act, H.R. 8870).
During the mark-up of its section of the bill, the House Energy and Commerce Committee added the Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-ion Battries Act, the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, and the Railway Safety Act as part of a managers’ amendment.
The IAFC has been strong supporters of both the lithium-ion battery bill and the AM radio bill. In regard to the Railway Safety Act, the IAFC previously supported a provision that would allow local fire departments to directly receive federal hazardous material emergency planning grants, instead of having them go through the states. For the Build America 250 Act to become law, it must also clear the House Ways and Means Committee and then be considered on the House floor. The Senate has yet to release its companion to H.R. 8870.