[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 85 (Monday, June 24, 2002)]
[House]
[Pages H3832-H3833]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
PROVIDING FOR INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION OF FOREST SERVICE FIREFIGHTER
DEATHS CAUSED BY WILDFIRE ENTRAPMENT OR BURNOVER
Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 3971) to provide for an independent investigation of Forest
Service firefighter deaths that are caused by wildfire entrapment or
burnover.
The Clerk read as follows:
H.R. 3971
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE INSPECTOR GENERAL
INVESTIGATION OF FOREST SERVICE FIREFIGHTER
DEATHS.
(a) Independent Investigation.--In the case of each
fatality of an officer or employee of the Forest Service that
occurs due to wildfire entrapment or burnover, the Inspector
General of the Department of Agriculture shall conduct an
investigation of the fatality. The investigation shall not
rely on, and shall be completely independent of, any
investigation of the fatality that is conducted by the Forest
Service.
(b) Submission of Results.--As soon as possible after
completing an investigation under subsection (a), the
Inspector General of the Department of Agriculture shall
submit to Congress and the Secretary of Agriculture a report
containing the results of the investigation.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Virginia (Mr. Goodlatte) and the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands
(Mrs. Christensen) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Goodlatte).
Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume, and I rise today in support of H.R. 3971, introduced by my
colleague, the gentleman from Washington State (Mr. Hastings), to
provide for an independent investigation of Forest Service firefighter
deaths that are caused by wildfire entrapment or burnover.
Today, as we debate this issue, large wildfires are burning across
the country. Over 1.4 million acres have already been consumed, and the
worst may be yet to come. The devastating fires that are burning right
now warrant the passage of this legislation. This bill provides for a
thorough and unbiased investigation of firefighter fatalities by an
independent source.
Firefighting is an inherently dangerous job, and we should do what we
can to reduce the risks. I believe the main purpose for this
legislation is to prevent future deaths from occurring. However, it is
important to remember that the most effective way to prevent
firefighter fatalities is to prevent catastrophic wildfires from
occurring in the first place.
Our Nation's forests are in desperate need of good management to
restore them to a state where they can endure natural low-intensity
wildfires, wildfires that are more predictable and, therefore, safer
for firefighters and communities by preventing the extreme and erratic
behavior that makes fighting fires so dangerous. It is very simple
logic. The best way to prevent firefighter deaths is to prevent
catastrophic wildfires.
Due to past instances and the fires currently burning across the
Nation, I believe this bill provides another tool for the well-being of
firefighters. In so doing, I hope that we will not lose focus on the
more important point of preventing wildfires through the healthy
management of our forest land.
This legislation is important and strives to ensure mistakes causing
deaths are not made twice. It ensures our Nation's commitment to the
safety of firefighters. The integrity for investigations of firefighter
deaths should not be jeopardized, and by passing this legislation we
move to address the issue of creating safer environments for
firefighters by preventing catastrophic wildfires.
I urge the Members of this body to join me in taking this important
step today. By passing H.R. 3971, we can renew the efforts for
firefighter protection and move on to ultimate safeguards for
firefighters, which are the management of healthy forests and the
prevention of catastrophic wildfires.
I congratulate the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Hastings) for his
introduction of this legislation, and I urge my colleagues to join me
in declaring a strong complement to the safety of firefighters.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
(Mrs. CHRISTENSEN asked and was given permission to revise and extend
her remarks.)
Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3971; and I
want to commend the sponsors of this legislation, the gentleman from
Washington (Mr. Hastings), the gentleman from Washington (Mr.
Nethercutt), the gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. Dunn), but also on
our side the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Smith), the gentleman from
Washington (Mr. Inslee), the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Dicks), and
the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Larsen) for introducing this bill.
I think it is important, especially as we look at the fires that are
raging in the West today, that we provide for an investigation of any
deaths that might occur, as well as the deaths that occurred last year.
So I am pleased to stand here in support of this legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield such time as
he may consume to the gentleman from Washington State (Mr. Hastings),
the author of the legislation.
(Mr. HASTINGS of Washington asked and was given permission to revise
and extend his remarks.)
Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from
Virginia for yielding me this time.
Mr. Speaker, the massive wildfires burning out of control in Arizona
today are on the front pages of newspapers all across America reminding
people in other parts of the country of the enormous threat these
dangerous fires pose to both lives and property.
Westerners, however, need no such reminders because we live with the
destructive power of wildfires year in and year out. At this time each
summer, as the fire season gets under way, thousands of men and women
strap on their gear and head out to fire lines seeking to contain one
of the most destructive natural forces known to man.
Fighting wildfires is dirty, dangerous, and, at times, terrifying
work. Those who do it face risks most of us can hardly imagine. They do
so knowing that with first-rate training, equipment, and leadership,
their efforts will help protect the lives and property of those caught
in the path of raging wildfires.
Often, firefighters are injured in the line of duty. Sometimes,
tragically, lives are lost on the fire line. In some cases, the cause
is beyond anyone's control, other times mistakes are made. And mistakes
will inevitably be made in these situations, which are so
extraordinarily challenging to both the mind and the body.
Each time tragedy strikes in this way, it is only natural to seek to
understand precisely what happened and why. Mr. Speaker, that desire is
at the heart of this legislation before us today. Last summer, in my
district, four young firefighters lost their lives fighting a fire
known as the Thirty Mile Fire in Okanogan County. They were Tom Craven,
Karen Fitspatrick, Jessica Johnson, and Devin Weaver.
To most Americans, the people they see fighting wildfires in the news
reports are just figures on their TV screens, and that is, of course,
understandable. But to those of us in the West, those men and women are
our neighbors and our friends; and it is natural for us to want to do
all we can to protect those who risk so much protecting us. One of the
best ways to protect lives in the future is to fully understand what
caused the lost lives in the first place. That must be the unquestioned
top priority of the Federal firefighting officials in the aftermath of
any lethal wildfire.
My bill, H.R. 3971, is to ensure that that is done. This legislation
requires
[[Page H3833]]
the Inspector General of the Department of Agriculture to conduct an
investigation in the deaths of any firefighters killed by wildfire.
This investigation is separate and independent of any Forest Service
internal review. An independent examination of what went wrong will
help provide information on how similar events can be prevented in the
future and how firefighters can better be prepared and protected and
how lives can be saved. Independent investigations will also help to
ensure oversight and accountability in the Forest Service.
Mr. Speaker, this legislation may not benefit the families in my
district that have endured the tragic loss of their loved ones; yet I
am confident that they, more than anyone, understand the value of
requiring independent investigations in the future. Should such a
tragedy occur again, everyone concerned will have more confidence and
faith in an independent investigation than an internal agency review.
It is the hope that no firefighter will lose their life battling a
wildfire; yet we should pass this bill to make certain that if there is
a loss of life, that tragedy will be independently investigated to
identify what happened, why it happened, and how it can be prevented in
the future.
{time} 1430
In addition, no matter how much we improve the quality of
investigations, it is vital that we take the necessary steps to improve
forest health through reponsible forest management practices. We have
already seen too many devastating fires in the West this year that have
caused terrible damage and harm to property and families.
Congress must act to address forest health and management practices.
Regrettably, for too long this has not been a priority of the Federal
Government. This ``hands-off approach'' has contributed to the
devastation we see today in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, indeed
throughout the West. Effective forest management is vital to removing
the root causes of forest fires.
Finally, Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to
acknowledge Senator Maria Cantwell for her leadership in the other
body. She has introduced companion legislation and has tirelessly
worked to ensure that this legislation becomes law. The goal of H.R.
3971 is simple and straightforward: Ensuring independent investigations
to improve firefighting safety. I urge Members to support H.R. 3971.
Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Dan Miller of Florida). The question is
on the motion offered by the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Goodlatte)
that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3971.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of
those present have voted in the affirmative.
Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
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