The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and its United States Fire Administration (USFA) has issued a call to the nations Firefighters for assistance in the areas ravaged by Hurricane Katrina. The immediate need as of on September 1st is for 1,000 two-person teams. A fire department may offer more than one two-person team. These people will be deployed as a team, and the USFA that they know one another prior to deployment.

This initial request is for full-time career firefighters that are employed by municipal government and sponsored by that municipality because of the way that salaries and expenses will be reimbursed. The USFA reports that a call for the volunteer fire service will be coming in the next phase of the deployment which is still being formulated at press time.

The firefighters selected for this deployment must be:

" Physically capable of performing manual tasks under severe conditions;
" Experienced in working with minimum supervision;
" Capable of living in austere, severe living conditions with minimal or no creature comforts for a period of at least 30 days;
" Free of medical condition(s) that would prevent them from working in these conditions for this period of time;
" Able to work within the ICS, provide basic first aid, and follow orders.

According to the USAF the work to be performed is non-operational community relations focused activities that consist of direct outreach to persons in the affected areas. They will assist victims in understanding how they will go about the process of getting Federal assistance, distributing information, providing minimal first-aid, and taking reports. The work will be outside, exposed to the elements and will require significant walking.

FEMA will notify the Chief of Department, and selected applicants will be notified by their Chief of Department that they have been selected. NO ONE SHOULD DEPLOY WITHOUT NOTIFICATION OF ACCEPTANCE FROM FEMA. Selected applicants will report to a central location in the Atlanta, Georgia area for training and further deployment. Travel to the Atlanta, Georgia area will be per government authorization in a manner specified upon acceptance. Acceptance information will also cover lodging and other related expense reimbursement information.

APPLICATION PROCESS

The application process is the exact same process as applying for a National Fire Academy resident course. Applicants will complete FEMA Form 75-5A (short form) general application which can be found at: http://www.usfa.fema.gov/training/nfa/about/attend/nfa-abt1c.shtm
In box 12a. "Course Code and Title" the applicant should enter "COMMUNITY RELATIONS DEPLOYMENT"and "L282". In Box #21, please fill in the names of BOTH team members. No other course information is required on the application, but everything else must be completed. This is the form that will be used for reimbursement to the department or jurisdiction. Additional salary / personnel information will be required upon acceptance. The application must be fully completed and signed by the Chief of the Department or the Chief's designee. The application should be faxed to 301-447-1234. A scanned completed/signed application can be emailed to: firehire@dhs.gov

The department must submit two applications (one team). Single individual applications will not be accepted. USFA will notify the first 1000 teams of their acceptance and process any additional applications in the event that they are needed in the future.

Submission of an application DOES NOT MEAN THAT THE TEAM HAS BEEN ACCEPTED. Acceptance is a second, separate process. The Chief of the Department or designee will be notified of the teams' acceptance, and provided deployment information.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please call FEMA at 301-447-7250.

INFORMATION FOR THE CHIEF OF DEPARTMENT

Your signature on the application represents your approval of the activity and deployment of the applicant team, as well as confirmation of the following:

" The suitability of the applicants to perform the duties listed under the severe conditions listed above;
" They have passed your department's employment background check;
" They are familiar with and have demonstrated ability to work within the Incident Command System;
" They are capable of providing basic first aid and following orders.

The concept is that your team will be able to work independently under tough conditions, being provided only food, water and perhaps rustic shelter.

FEMA will reimburse the department or jurisdiction as necessary for the salary of each team. It is the responsibility of each team member to retain and submit receipts for other mission related expenses.

Submitting an application does not mean that the person or team is accepted. Acceptance is a separate process. Do not allow anyone from your department to deploy without official follow-up confirmation. That confirmation will provide specific detailed information.

If one member of the team drops out, then the other member of the team will either not deploy or be sent back home. The Chief of Department will be notified of the teams' acceptance and provided the deployment information.

INFORMATION FOR THE TEAM BEING DEPLOYED

Do not self-deploy. If you are accepted, you will be given specific further directions from your Chief of Department.

Each team should bring a basic medical jump kit (bandages, BP set) to provide minimal first aid. You will be provided government ID in Atlanta.

You will be deployed with another member of your organization as a team and will be working with that person for the duration.

Following are items which you must bring with you:

" sleeping bag;
" personal hygiene necessities:
" medications;
" insect repellent;
" sun screen;
" rain gear;
" flashlight and batteries.

We cannot guarantee that you will have a vehicle or a means to transport or store gear. FEMA will provide you with FEMA shirts. Remember that you may have to carry with you everything that you bring for the entire time. Finally, please ensure that members of your family can function without your presence for at least 30 days.