[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 743 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

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115th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 743

 Congratulating the International Association of Fire Fighters on the 
                   100th anniversary of its founding.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           December 22, 2018

  Mr. Cardin (for himself, Ms. Collins, Mr. Reed, and Mr. Van Hollen) 
 submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Congratulating the International Association of Fire Fighters on the 
                   100th anniversary of its founding.

Whereas, on February 28, 1918, delegates representing 24 firefighter unions 
        united to form the International Association of Fire Fighters (referred 
        to in this preamble as the ``IAFF'') to ``organize all fire fighters . . 
        . foster a higher degree of skill and efficiency . . . improve and 
        protect members' health and welfare . . . establish safety standards . . 
        . cultivate friendship and fellowship . . . provide proper compensation 
        for work performed . . . and improve social and economic conditions'';
Whereas, in 1918, at the first IAFF Convention, the IAFF adopted 20 resolutions 
        to benefit firefighters and the fire service, including resolutions 
        relating to--

    (1) a two-platoon system;

    (2) pension laws;

    (3) automatic sprinkler systems;

    (4) building inspections; and

    (5) the removal of hazards for fire prevention;

Whereas, throughout the history of the IAFF, the IAFF has successfully improved 
        the knowledge, skills and abilities of the domestic defenders of the 
        people of the United States by designing, developing, and deploying high 
        quality standardized training in a multitude of disciplines, including--

    (1) hazardous materials response;

    (2) responding to incidents involving weapons of mass destruction;

    (3) confined space operations;

    (4) responding to incidents involving illicit drug labs; and

    (5) planning and responding to high-consequence incidents;

Whereas the IAFF has been the national leader in every significant firefighter 
        health and safety initiative for nearly a century, including--

    (1) the recognition of and fight against occupational diseases and 
illnesses, such as cancer and cardiovascular ailments;

    (2) the promotion of physical fitness screening and training; and

    (3) the promotion of mental health and wellness, including awareness 
and treatment of post-traumatic stress;

Whereas, on March 5, 2017, the IAFF opened the first-of-its-kind Center of 
        Excellence for Behavioral Health Treatment and Recovery to provide 
        science-based treatment to firefighters struggling with post-traumatic 
        stress and co-occurring health issues, such as substance abuse, 
        depression, and anxiety;
Whereas the mission of the Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Treatment 
        and Recovery reinforces the commitment of the IAFF to prioritizing the 
        safety and well-being of all IAFF members and provides a safe space for 
        firefighters to seek treatment and heal;
Whereas the IAFF actively works to secure the enactment of legislation at all 
        levels of government that directly impacts the jobs, economic security, 
        and safety of firefighters and emergency medical personnel, including--

    (1) the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 2201 
et seq.);

    (2) the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010 (Public 
Law 111-347; 124 Stat. 3623); and

    (3) legislation establishing--

    G    (A) the Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program (part L of title 
I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 
10281 et seq.));

    G    (B) the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (section 33 of 
the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 2229));

    G    (C) the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grant 
Program (section 34 of the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 
(15 U.S.C. 2229a)); and

    G    (D) presumptive illness compensation in a majority of States;

Whereas the IAFF has served as a leader in the widespread integration of fire 
        and emergency medical services, ensuring that nearly all professional 
        firefighters in the United States play a critical role in the delivery 
        of emergency medical services as cross-trained, dual-role firefighters 
        who are trained in both fire suppression and Emergency Medical Services 
        response;
Whereas the IAFF has partnered with the Muscular Dystrophy Association (referred 
        to in this preamble as the ``MDA'') to raise funds to support the search 
        for the cause of and cure for muscle diseases, including--

    (1) by declaring the MDA the charity of choice of the IAFF in 1954; and

    (2) by participating in Fill the Boot campaigns to raise more than 
$630,000,000 for the MDA;

Whereas, in furtherance of the mission of the IAFF to aid IAFF members and their 
        families in times of need, the IAFF established the IAFF Foundation to 
        provide--

    (1) aid to professional firefighters and emergency medical personnel 
following natural disasters;

    (2) assistance to IAFF members and their families for the treatment and 
care of burn injuries;

    (3) scholarships to the children of fallen IAFF members; and

    (4) maintenance of the Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial to honor IAFF 
members who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty;

Whereas the IAFF memorializes the thousands of firefighters and emergency 
        medical personnel who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service of 
        others, including--

    (1) the 343 firefighters who lost their lives on September 11, 2001;

    (2) the scores of firefighters and emergency medical personnel who have 
died in the years since September 11, 2001, of injuries and illnesses 
relating to the events of September 11, 2001; and

    (3) the firefighters and emergency medical personnel who have died of 
occupational disease;

Whereas each of the firefighters and emergency medical personnel who have made 
        the ultimate sacrifice in service of others is fondly remembered and 
        respected by IAFF members;
Whereas, as of December 2018, the IAFF has headquarters in both Washington, DC, 
        and Ottawa, Ontario, and represents more than 313,000 full-time 
        professional firefighters and paramedics in more than 3,200 affiliates;
Whereas, as of December 2018, greater than 85 percent of the population in 
        communities throughout the United States and Canada is protected by 
        firefighters and paramedics who are members of the IAFF;
Whereas the sustained and ongoing commitment of the members of the IAFF to the 
        people of the United States and Canada serves the public interest; and
Whereas countless firefighters from across the United States are honored at the 
        National Fallen Firefighters Memorial created by Congress and located on 
        the campus of the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) congratulates the International Association of Fire 
        Fighters on the 100th anniversary of its founding;
            (2) recognizes the expertise and devotion to service 
        demonstrated by the International Association of Fire Fighters 
        as the International Association of Fire Fighters continues to 
        be the voice for and represent the professional interests of 
        firefighters and emergency medical responders across the United 
        States and Canada; and
            (3) respectfully requests that the Secretary of the Senate 
        transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to the General 
        President of the International Association of Fire Fighters.
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