News You Can Use

October 5, 2007

Deadline Approaching for Volunteer Fire Company/Ambulance Service Grant Applications

The Volunteer Fire Company and Ambulance Service Grant application deadline is quickly approaching, according to Pennsylvania's Office of State Fire Commissioner (OSFC).  The 45-day application process closes at 4 p.m. EDST on October 11, 2007. 

Maximum grants for volunteer fire companies and ambulance services are set at $30,000 and $20,000, respectively.  Funding may be requested for up to 2 projects in the following eligible categories: 

• Construction and/or renovation of the fire company's or ambulance service's facility and purchase or repair of fixtures and furnishings necessary to maintain or improve the capability of the company to provide fire, ambulance, and rescue services. 
• Purchase or repair of firefighting, ambulance, or rescue equipment. 
• Debt reduction associated with the facility or equipment categories above. 
• Training and certification of members.

Eligible companies and service organizations should consult the OSFC website for guidelines and an application.

Environmental Education Grants Available  

Pennsylvania schools, universities, nonprofit groups, and county conservation districts with eligible projects and programs aimed at increasing environmental awareness and understanding and promoting stewardship are urged to apply for the 2008 Environmental Education Grants Program, administered through the PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).   

Changes for the 2008 grant program include: 

• An increase in mini-grants from $2,000 to $3,000;
• The addition of school outdoor learning resources as a new grant category; and,
• The addition of funding for teacher preparation programs that meet Academic Standards for Environment and Ecology and Science and Technology.

Grant amounts vary from $3,000 for mini-grants to $20,000 in areas designed specifically to cover timely and critically important topics, including:

• Sustainable energy sources and technologies, including solar, wind, hydro, biomass, geothermal and alternative transportation fuels;
• Air quality, including ground-level ozone, transportation and electric generation issues; and,
• Watersheds, including acid mine drainage, non-point source pollution and water conservation.

During September 2007, DEP announced 128 grants totaling more than $1 million for environmental education.  Since the program's inception, DEP has awarded more than $6 million in grants to support a broad range of environmental education programs.  The Environmental Education Act, Act 24 of 1993, mandates that 5 percent of all pollution fines and penalties collected annually by DEP be set aside for environmental education.   

For complete details and an application, click here.  You may also request an application by writing to the DEP Environmental Education Grants Program, P.O. Box 2063, Harrisburg, PA 17105-2063; or call 717-772-1828.  

Deer Collisions and Autumn 

It is that time of year again when motorists and deer are most likely to have an unfortunate meeting.  The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC), and insurance companies agree that most deer collisions occur in October, November, and December. 

Pennsylvania crashes in 2006 involving deer totaled 2,701 and included 11 deaths.  Total crashes for fall and early winter 2006:   

September -- 128
October -- 484
November (the highest number of crashes) -- 738
December -- 267  

Key factors contributing to the collisions with deer include the fall breeding season which increases movement and distraction, and summer's fawns naively wandering into a predicament, according to the PGC.  Add those dynamics to the fact that deer frequently travel in family groups and, in single file, blindly following the one before them.  The addition of hunters to Pennsylvania's woodlands further increases deer movement and the likelihood of an ill-timed leap across a roadway.   

Motorists are advised to slow down after sunset and before sunrise during this high-risk period and assume if one deer appears there are others nearby.  For more deer and motoring safety, click here.

Autumn Travel Reminders   

Along with the increased movement of deer causing concern during autumn travel come other seasonal changes requiring a little extra caution on the roads, according the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.   

The lower position of the sun contributes to intense sun glare during morning and afternoon rush hours, sometimes reducing visibility to near zero.  Frost will soon form creating slippery conditions, especially on bridges and overpasses.  Add falling leaves covering highway markings and their contribution to slippery roadways and you have a formula for dangerous driving conditions.   

PennDOT offers the following safety tips for autumn driving: 

• Watch for sudden and slow-moving traffic
• Increase following distances
• Allow extra room to stop
• Slow down
• Use extra caution on narrow and winding roads
• Keep the windshield clean inside and out
• Maintain a clutter-free visor
• Keep a good pair of sunglasses within easy reach
• Exercise caution through shaded areas

Access additional safety tips here.   

Conference to Coincide With Breast Cancer Awareness Month 

Breast cancer survivors, medical professionals, community and corporate leaders, legislators, and advocates will converge in the Harrisburg Hilton on Tuesday, October 16, and Wednesday, October 17, 2007 for the PA Breast Cancer Coalition Annual Conference.   

Breast cancer risk factors, detection, mammography, radiation therapy, treatment for the uninsured and under-insured, grassroots advocacy, and wellness programs are among topics for the 16 workshops offered during the conference set for 7 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Wednesday October 17.  An evening reception on Tuesday, October 16 at 6 p.m. will honor survivors, activists, physicians and leaders in the field of breast cancer research.   

Register until 4 p.m. Monday, October 15.  For more information call 1-800-377-8828 x101 or email: kim@pabreastcancer.org.   

In Pennsylvania alone, 1 in 7 women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer at some point in her life.  This disease continues to be one of the most common types of cancer among Pennsylvania women, according to the PA Commission for Women.   

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Link to breast cancer related resources.  For more information about what the Pennsylvania Commission for Women is doing to raise awareness about breast cancer this, and every, month, click here or call 888-615-7477.   

Blueprint for School Safety Planning Released

School administrators, teachers, parents, law enforcement and community groups are being armed with the tools to create an up-to-date school safety plan.  The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General is making available a new statewide school safety CD to facilitate preparedness in the event of external or internal threats.   

Key elements of the plan include creating an interactive and secure website, accessible by emergency first responders, with critical information about each school in the district.  Detailed floor plans; interior and exterior photos; a complete contact list of all teachers and administrators, and a district-wide crisis management response plan are made immediately available.   

The free CD provides for inexpensive development of the district's safety plan.  All of the necessary equipment and software information are included.  Interested schools and districts can receive a copy of the School Safety Project CD through the AG's Education and Outreach section at 1-800-525-7642 or by email to education@attorneygeneral.gov.  Click here for additional details.