Ask Your U.S. Representative to Vote for Legislation to Retain AM Radios in Cars
On the week of September 14, the U.S. House of Representatives is scheduled to consider the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act (H.R. 979). The bill would require all auto manufacturers to keep AM radios in all new vehicles as a free standard service. We have seen that some auto manufacturers have removed AM Radio as a free standard service in new vehicles. AM Radio is an excellent resource to both disseminate public alert messages and is used as a last resort backup when all other communications have failed. IAFC members can use the IAFC’s Legislative Action Center to tell their Representatives to vote for the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act (H.R. 979).
IAFC Endorses Firefighter Mental Health Legislation
On August 17, Representatives Andrea Salinas (D-OR), Gabe Evans (R-CO), Sharice Davis (D-KS), and Tom Kean Jr. (R-NJ) introduced the Lifeline for First Responders Act (H.R. 10116). The bill is a companion bill, identical to the bill introduced by Senators Whitehouse, Hawley, Klobuchar, King, Schiff, Coons, Blumenthal, Kelly, Bennet, and Shaheen on June 17 (S. 4819). The bill would create a $7.5 million grant program within the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Office of EMS to support initiatives to address the mental health crisis among firefighters, EMS workers, and dispatchers. The IAFC has endorsed both the House and Senate bills and continues to encourage Congress to advance them.
IAFC Submits Comments to the CPSC regarding Lithium-ion Batteries in Micromobility Devices
On August 24, the IAFC provided comments on the Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) rulemaking that would set federal safety standards for lithium-ion batteries in micromobility devices. The IAFC has long advocated for the need to increase the safety of lithium-ion batteries in micromobility devices. Our comments described a number of incidents that have been documented by IAFC members. The proposed standards also would cover charging components along with other electrical components of these devices. While the IAFC was pleased to see the CPSC publish draft regulations, we will continue to push for the passage of the Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-ion Batteries Act (S.389). Our goal is making these uncertified devices safer, whichever way that can happen the fastest.
NIOSH Releases SCBA Training Prop Evolution Safety Checklist
The Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program (FFFIPP) released a SCBA Training Prop Evolution Safety Checklist. The checklist is based on dozens of FFFIPP investigations of fatalities that occurred during SCBA confidence training in props. This checklist is a concise, structured form which can be used as a reminder on best practices to prevent fatalities or serious injuries while conducting these trainings. Specifically, this is high-level information that could be applied to any SCBA confidence training prop style, etc. that fire academies or fire departments are using across the country.