The Sequester

What is "The Sequester"?

A group of automatic budget cuts, projected to reduce federal spending by $1.2 trillion over the next 10 years... starting this Friday (03/01/13).

The cuts will impact federal spending on Defense, Education, the FBI, the DOJ, Customs and Border Patrol, Correctional officers and more.  The cuts will impact state spending also.

Why might you care?

National defense and local public safety members will feel the impact.  This means the US Military and first responders such as Police, Fire and EMS will experience budget reductions.

Grant programs like SAFER, AFG and USFA may be slashed, impacting fire departments.  Grant programs like Byrnes JAG, COPS, RSAT, NICS, JJDPA and SCAAP may be slashed, impacting law enforcement.

How will this impact you?

The concern is that the safety of our nation and that of our local communities may be compromised.

Jump over to our Facebook Page and let us know how "The Sequester" will impact your local department and your community!

THANKS to EMTs

On Monday we said THANKS to Firefighters.  Tuesday we said THANKS to Police Officers.

Today we say THANKS to EMTs everywhere!!

EMTs have a demanding job.  Did you know an EMS event occurs every single second in the USA?  That's a lot of medical emergencies ... 36 million per year to be exact!

In fact, nearly 70% of all calls to a Fire Department are medical calls.  And despite tightening budgets, the public still expects very fast response times.

EMTs have a surprisingly dangerous job, considering the potentials attacks they face from violent patients and bystanders.  The big question is whether EMTs and Firefighters should carry guns.

EMTs are a vital part of the Public Safety community that serves the public tirelessly - both On-the-job and Off-duty.  For example, this Off-duty EMT bravely paid the ultimate price this year while reportedly protecting two women who were being threatened.

In a bit of good news, New York officials are pursuing new legislation to provide better legal protection for EMTs and Paramedics.

Throughout the chaos and devastation of Superstorm Sandy, many EMTs conducted life-saving rescues.

And at least one EMT competed in the 2012 London Olympics this year!

So this week, we say THANKS to EMTs everywhere!!