[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 83 (Thursday, June 20, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1112]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          FACTS ON THE 2002 ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTERS GRANTS

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                            HON. NICK SMITH

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 20, 2002

  Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, USFA has just recently completed 
its peer review of the applications for this year.
  Fire Operations and Firefighter Safety: $882,539,097 representing 58 
percent of the applications.
  Fire Fighting Vehicles: $1.26 billion representing 37 percent of the 
applications.
  Emergency Medical Services: $35,174,783 representing two percent of 
the applications.
  Fire Prevention Programs: $30,580,741 representing three percent of 
the applications.
  Volunteer/Combination fire departments: 17,786 applications 
requesting more than $1.9 billion.
  Career fire departments: 1,733 applications requesting more than $287 
million.
  This large number of requests by departments demonstrates just how 
significantly many fire departments are lacking the most basic of 
firefighting equipment.
  Last year, only 4% of applicants received awards--through a peer 
reviewed process, which is the fairest, most effective way to 
distribute these funds.
  Two years ago, Congress passed legislation authorizing a grant 
program to help fire departments enhance their ability to respond to 
fire and fire-related hazards. The program, known as the Assistance to 
Firefighters Grant Program, makes competitive, peer-reviewed awards to 
fire departments for basic needs such as training and equipment. In 
only its second year, the program has been extremely popular among the 
firefighting community and was appropriated at $360 million for fiscal 
year 2002.
  We invite you to co-sponsor H.R. 4548, which would protect the 
Assistance to Firefighters Grants as a program separate and distinct 
from the Administration's newly created initiative within FEMA aimed at 
helping emergency service personnel prepare for and respond to 
terrorist incidents. The fire service community has overwhelmingly 
opposed any consolidation of these two programs, concerned that it 
would negatively impact the grant program or possibly even eliminate it 
altogether. These programs, while both very important to first 
responders, serve distinct needs.
  The efficient and cost effectiveness of the Assistance to 
Firefighters Grants Program has been of great benefit to America's fire 
service. Congressmen Hoyer, Weldon of PA, and I ask your support as a 
cosponsor of this legislation that retains the current provisions of 
the program (authorized at $900 million), as administered by the U.S. 
Fire Administration. To sign on as a cosponsor, contact me or Dan Byers 
at 225-5064.

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