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Recent News of Connecticut Fire Equipment Mechanics Association.
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content from Firehouse.Com
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HME, Incorporated, the World's Largest Independent Custom Firetruck Chassis
Builder acquires the Internet domain www.FireTrucks.com.
Ken Lenz, Director of Sales for HME, states, "HME has been on the bleeding
edge of technology and the Internet. This acquisition demonstrates HME's
belief in the Internet as a key component in the marketing fire apparatus."
HME was the first firetruck chassis builder to make a presence on the
Internet. HME's marketing through the Internet combined with the publication
On The Street has provided continued double digit growth and market
penetration.
"Our dominance on the Internet with search engine keyword ownership is
complimented with the acquisition of FireTrucks.com. The Internet will not
replace the sales process for fire apparatus but lays a great foundation for
the customer to obtain information on a given product. The FireTrucks.com
site will allow the surfer to find our products without the use of search
engines on the web", says Lenz
HME's embrace of technology encouraged the development of web site features
such as Build-A-TruckTM where the web user can actually build a chassis and
obtain a window sticker that shows standard features and options for the
chassis. HME has also solicited web users to aid in the design of new
products. The yet to be released new chassis model, the 1871-SLe, was
greatly influenced by a survey of competitive products and desired features
on the web.
"We intend to combine the high tech features of HME's corporate site with
apparatus OEM's to allow the web user to spec and build a complete fire
apparatus online", closes Lenz.
FIRE ACT UPDATE 10/25/00
As Congress is finishing up the FY 2001 appropriations bills, the time is
now to secure funding for FIRE Act, which Congress approved last week. The
program is authorized at $100 million and the fire service needs the full
$100 million in funding for FY 2001. Included below, courtesy of the
Congressional Fire Services Institute, are the key members to focus on and
their contact information. Right below that you will find a sample
communication that you can use for your faxes, phone calls and emails to ask
for their support. This communication is generic enough to also be used by
people in your community who support their fire and emergency services
agencies. If you want to be able to apply for federal grants for new
equipment, training and staffing next year, contact these members ASAP. If
you have any questions, contact Jerry Ross, CFSI legislative director at
202-371-1277 or cfsi@erols.com
Members:
Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert (IL)
Phone: 202-225-0600
Fax: 202-225-7733
Email: speaker@mail.house.gov
House Majority Leader Dick Armey (TX)
Phone: 202-225-4000
Fax: 202-226-8100
House Majority Whip Tom Delay (TX)
Phone: 202-225-0197
Fax: 202-225-5117
House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt (MO)
Phone: 202-225-6760
Fax: 202-226-0938
House Appropriations Chairman Bill Young (FL)
Phone: 202-225-5961
Fax: 202-225-9764
House Appropriations Ranking Member David Obey (WI)
Phone: 202-225-3365
Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (MS)
Phone: 202-224-3135
Fax: 202-224-4639
Email: senatorlott@lott.senate.gov
Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (SD)
Phone: 202-224-5556
Email: tom_daschle@daschle.senate.gov
Senate Appropriations Chaiman Ted Stevens (AK)
Phone: 202-224-3004
Fax: 202-224-2354
Email: senator_stevens@stevens.senate.gov
Senate Appropriations Ranking Member Robert Byrd (WV)
Phone: 202-224-3954
Fax: 202-228-4467
Email: senator_byrd@byrd.senate.gov
SAMPLE COMMUNICATION:
Dear Senator (Representative) Last Name:
I am writing (calling, faxing) to ask you to support the immediate full
appropriation of the FIRE Act, a vital new grant program to support the
nation's fire and emergency services personnel. The House and Senate
overwhelmingly approved the FIRE Act language in the FY 2001 Defense
Authorization Act.
None of the appropriations measures passed by Congress to date for FY 2001
include funds for a federal fire grant program , and without the
appropriation there will be no grants for the fire service next year. I urge
you to support the full $100 million authorized to begin this program in FY
2001. The grants would be administered through the Federal Emergency
Management Agency, directly to local fire departments and could be used for
personnel, training, equipment, apparatus and prevention/education programs.
Ten percent matching requirements for departments that serve less than
50,000 people and 30% for those that serve over 50,000.
In case you have any doubt about the necessity of this appropriation, let me
point out a few salient facts. Approximately 100 fire fighters die each year
in the line of duty, nearly double the number of law enforcement line of
duty deaths. Each year, Americans lose almost $9 billion in property loss
from fires. About 4,000 people lose their lives in fires, and untold
thousand more die from other hazards that our nation's firefighters respond
to. Fire departments respond to all emergencies including fires, medical
emergencies and hazardous materials incidents. The ability of fire
departments to protect the public directly influences the economic stability
of the nation.
Your support for the funding of this grant program can make a difference in
saving lives, because it will help emergency services personnel get the
equipment, training and staff they need to respond effectively to today's
emergencies. I am counting on your support.
Sincerely,
YOUR NAME
ADDRESS
PHONE NUMBER & FIRE DEPARTMENT
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