Foundation's efforts at the state and local level.(life safety & security FOUNDATION)

FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS, THE Foundation has been working to create awareness at the state and local level in regards to the fire door inspection program and this industry's role in school security. The July issue of D & H contained an overview of our congressional activity, and in this issue you will find a summary of our work at the state level.

As the awareness for our programs grows, along with the budget to support these efforts, our objective is to have the ability to reach out to each and every state. The points below are areas where we have had the most response and are an indication of the positive feedback we have received.

* The Foundation has been in contact with Connecticut Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security. Home to Department of Homeland Security chairman, Senator Joe Lieberman ((I-CT), Connecticut was a natural fit for seeking grant money and the Foundation is in the process of submitting paperwork to fund a program that would address school security training there.

We are currently in discussion with the chairman of the Illinois Terrorism Task Force Training Committee and the director of the Illinois Fire Service Institute. The committee plays an important part in the state's homeland security funding decisions and these discussions will lead to the submission of grant applications and additional contacts for the state's safe schools efforts.

* The Foundation is working with multiple state training agencies to provide the fire door inspection training classes, Fire-Rated Doors, A Guide to Field Inspections at the state level that would include participation by homeland security and higher education officials. We are working with training managers at the Emergency Management/Homeland Security Departments and the agency's Higher Education Advisory Board to arrange training for the fire door inspection initiative.

* In June, the Foundation completed the Fire-Rated Doors, A Guide to Field Inspections training class in Augusta, Maine with very positive feedback from the state fire marshal's office and a request for a return visit. We have been in discussions with those in charge of funding for the Maine Homeland Security Department that will lead to the submission of grant applications to potentially fund additional training programs in Maine.

* We have had a number of meetings with the heads of fire service training for state level fire academies. These meetings are intended to educate them on our AHJ training initiative.

* In Virginia, discussions with the Office of Commonwealth Preparedness provided the Foundation with the steps that are needed to participate in the state's homeland security funding program, including submitting the official paperwork to be designated a certified vendor in the state. Every group must have this vendor designation, and the Foundation has begun the process of submitting the information.

I can't stress enough that the Foundation will look at every opportunity that presents itself. We solicit the support of every DHI member and ask that if you have inroads at the state and local level, please feel free to contact me so that we can take action. The process is long, but necessary, and your continued support of the Foundation enables us to continue this important work.

Bill Johnson can be reached at bjohnson@dhi.org or (703) 766-7039. For more information on the Foundation, please visit www.lifessafetysecurity.org.

By Bill Johnson, Managing Director,

Foundation for the Advancement of Life Safety and Security

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