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News You Can UseJune 15, 2007 Deadline Extension Announced for Grants to Enhance Security for Nonprofit Organizations Nonprofit organizations that submitted an application for the 2007 Urban Areas Security Initiative Nonprofit Security Grant Program and did not receive a confirmation message need to resubmit their application electronically to the PA Emergency Management Agency (PEMA). The grant application deadline is being extended to Tuesday, June 19, 2007. Twenty-four million dollars in grant funds, administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, is made available nationwide for nonprofits meeting the following criteria:
Nonprofit organizations deemed at high risk for a potential international terrorist attack, and located in the City of Philadelphia, City of Pittsburgh and the surrounding counties of Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Bucks, Butler, Cambria, Chester, Delaware, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Mercer, Montgomery, Somerset, Washington and Westmoreland, are eligible to apply for security grants. Obtain program guidance and an application kit and access related information. Don't Forget the Insect Repellant Whether you are packing for vacation or just heading out to your backyard to read a book, don't forget the insect repellant. The first positive mosquito sample of the 2007 season is prompting the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to issue a reminder to take precautions lessening your chances for exposure to a West Nile Virus-infected (WNV) mosquito. Insect repellant containing DEET is recommended as your first line of defense, particularly around dusk and dawn. Long sleeves and light-colored clothing will help you avoid pesky mosquitoes. Shoes, socks, and long pants are also advised by DEP. WNV can cause encephalitis, a brain inflammation. However, most people infected with WNV will not have any type of illness. Twenty percent of those infected will develop West Nile Fever with mild symptoms, including fever, headache, and body aches. Occasionally, those affected with WN fever will develop a skin rash on the trunk of the body and swollen lymph glands. PA's West Nile Virus Surveillance Program offers a link to its daily news. Consult the site for news on detection, spraying, and control information or sign up on that same page to receive email notification when new press releases and updates are issued. Fire Extinguisher Use Everyone knows the intended use of those red cylinders with an attached hose that hang on the wall at the office, malls, and other public venues we visit. Fire extinguishers may be recognizable, but according to the U.S. Department of Labor and the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), not everyone is familiar with their operation. Familiarize yourself with the P.A.S.S. technique for operating the most common types of fire extinguishers. The four-step directions should never be attempted if you have the slightest doubt about your ability to fight a fire and evacuate immediately. Operate a fire extinguisher
using the P.A.S.S. technique: Responding appropriately to a fire requires more than an understanding of the operation of a fire extinguisher. OSHA devotes considerable resources to train and prepare you should you encounter a fire. Access the Evacuation Plans and Procedures eTool website where you can learn more about types of fire extinguishers and responses to fire. Summer Home Security Measures Were you aware burglars break into a house, apartment, or condominium every 11 seconds? Did you know 60% of residential burglaries occurred during the daylight hours? Warm weather sets the stage for increased burglaries. According to the PA State Police (PSP), July has the greatest number of burglaries. People's tendency to leave homes less secure in summer increases opportunities for burglars. PSP statistics reveal 28% of unlawful entries involve no force – an unlocked door or window provided easy access to the home's contents. The PSP advise creating a careful and alert setting for your home. Discourage burglars with:
Download a copy of the Home Burglary Prevention Guide to protect your family and residence and also access a variety of PSP crime prevention and safety information. Hybrid Vehicle Owners May Qualify for Premium Discount If you are among those switching to a hybrid vehicle, you may be eligible for a discount on your auto insurance premiums. According to the PA Insurance Department, three insurers offer a discount to policyholders insuring hybrid vehicles. GEICO is joining Farmers and Travelers in offering Pennsylvania policyholders an incentive to making energy efficient decisions. Before deciding on any one company, the Insurance Department recommends consumers explore the market and get at least 3 identical quotes from different insurance companies allowing you to make an informed decision. Determine which company offers the best in price, coverage and service. For assistance, download a copy of the Insurance Department brochure, "Your Guide to Auto Insurance Premiums" or call 1-877-881-6388. The Guide explains the different types of auto insurance coverages, consumer choices, and rate comparisons of the top 20 carriers in central, eastern and western PA. You may also obtain a copy by calling the Department's Bureau of Consumer Services' regional offices at:
Consult the PA Insurance Department website for more resources. Fledglings Expected to Soon Take Flight Working in 2 hour shifts, volunteers are standing watch over Pennsylvania's 4 famed peregrine falcon fledglings perched on the 16th floor ledge of the Rachel Carson Office Building in downtown Harrisburg. Early flights may find the eyases landing on the street or in harm's way. Volunteers with radios remain in communication, enabling the rescue, examination and return of the fledglings to the nest. According to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), following the fledglings' maiden voyage, each will fly again and most likely land on a nearby building. Within a day or two, the young birds will develop the strength and skills necessary to return to the nest ledge. It was just early May when the first nestling appeared. A peregrine falcon chick or eyas possesses a special "egg tooth" on the end of its beak. The bird makes a neat cut all the way around the inside of the egg, essentially cutting off the large end of the egg. The blind, one and a half ounce chick is sustained by the small remnant of the egg yolk neatly tucked away inside its body. Falcon Cam, refreshing every 2 minutes, offers a bird's eye view of the 4 young peregrines and their parents. Learn more about the growth and development of peregrine falcon chicks here. See Falcon Focus from GreenTreks Network, Inc. for more on the environmental significance of the endangered peregrine. Falcon aficionados will enjoy GreenTrek's falcon message boards and links to falcon cams located around the world.
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