[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 131 (Monday, September 19, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: September 19, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                       FIRE SAFETY EDUCATION ACT

                                 ______


                          HON. STENY H. HOYER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 19, 1994

  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, as the chairman of the Congressional Fire 
Services Caucus, I am proud to introduce the Fire Safety Education Act.
  Just over 20 years ago, in 1973, the National Commission on fire 
Prevention and Control issued a report entitled ``America Burning.'' 
This was a watershed report resulting in the establishment of the U.S. 
Fire Administration, and focusing attention on our country's fire 
problem which had been overlooked for too long. Incredibly, at the time 
this report was published, our country led all industrialized countries 
in per capita fire deaths and property losses.
  While progress has been made in the last two decades--we've nearly 
halved the per capita death rate--our fire statistics still demonstrate 
that progress can be made. Annually, fire kills almost 6,000 civilians, 
injures 29,000 innocent lives, and results in several billion dollars' 
worth of property damage.
  Clearly, we must continue to focus resources on our country's fire 
problem. One of ``America Burning's'' first recommendations back in 
1973 was that greater attention must be paid to fire prevention 
efforts. Like almost any other public policy question today, prevention 
plays an integral role by stopping problems before they occur. Fire 
prevention has the potential to save more lives, more property, and 
more public resources than any advance in technology, fire fighting 
tactics or fire training.
  However, despite the importance of fire prevention programs, large 
constraints on State and local budgets have resulted in decreased fire 
prevention programs. Now is not the time for localities to ratchet down 
their fire prevention programs, particularly in light of the progress 
we have made to date.
  Consequently, I am proud to introduce the Fire Safety Education Act. 
This legislation will create a grant program through the U.S. Fire 
Administration for State and local fire prevention efforts. Half of the 
grant money in this bill is designated for established fire prevention 
programs which have demonstrated success. This bill will encourage 
communities to continue their fire prevention programs by offering 
Federal assistance if they do.
  In addition to encouraging fire prevention grants, the Fire Safety 
Education Act seeks to improve our country's collection and analysis of 
fire data, and sets reporting requirements so that we may be confident 
our Federal and local resources are being used effectively.
  I encourage my colleagues to support this important effort which will 
ultimately help protect the lives and property of American citizens, 
and help prevent the unnecessary injury of our country's fire and 
emergency response personnel.

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