[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 135 (Tuesday, October 15, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S10438]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      FEMA FIRE ACT GRANT PROGRAM

  Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, I wish to offer a few remarks in support 
of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, commonly known as FIRE 
Act grants. The FIRE Act grant program was established in fiscal year 
2001, due in large part to the efforts of my distinguished colleague 
from Connecticut, Senator Dodd.
  Since its inception, the program has assisted firefighters across the 
Nation. I am especially pleased that this program has been a shining 
example of an effective partnership between local and Federal 
Governments. It provides Federal assistance to meet local objectives 
without imposing mandates or interfering with local prerogatives, and 
it provides Federal dollars directly to the fire departments. It also 
addresses critical needs, awarding grants for training, wellness and 
fitness programs, vehicles, firefighting equipment, personal protective 
equipment, and fire prevention.
  FIRE Act grants have had a positive and very tangible impact on 
communities throughout the country, including in my home State of 
Wisconsin. In fiscal year 2002, as of October 1, 2002 my State received 
$2.445 million in grants awarded to 41 departments.
  These grants help firefighters to do their job better, make our 
neighborhoods safer, and, very importantly, give residents peace of 
mind. Increasing the training and equipment available to firefighters 
fosters an environment of enhanced safety between firefighters and the 
communities they serve. Keeping our communities safe has been and 
should continue to be a top priority for all of us. As the tragic 
events of September 11 have shown our Nation, local firefighters play a 
vital role to protect and secure our communities. We should give them 
the support they need.
  As I travel through Wisconsin and talk to local firefighters and 
emergency response personnel, I hear the same refrain, time after time: 
the FIRE Act grant program is vital to their work and has enabled them 
to get needed equipment and training that they would otherwise be 
unable to afford.
  We have taken up funding for the FIRE Act grant program in this body 
numerous times since its inception. In the wake of the terrorist 
attacks in New York and Washington, D.C. on September 11, 2001, the 
Congress amended the fiscal year 2002 Department of Defense 
Authorization Act to provide increased authorization levels to allow up 
to $900 million per year to be allocated for the FIRE Act grant 
program. The program was also expanded to allow grant applicants to 
apply for equipment and training funds to help firefighters respond to 
terrorist attacks or attacks using weapons of mass destruction. 
Additionally, Congress, through both the fiscal year 2002 VA-HUD-
Independent Agencies Appropriations bill and the Homeland Security 
package in the fiscal year 2002 Department of Defense Appropriations 
Act, appropriated $360 million to the FIRE Act grant program.
  As we finalize our appropriations bills this year we should continue 
to allocate resources to this important program. Keeping our 
communities safe has been and should continue to be a top priority for 
all of us. As the tragic events of September 11 have shown our Nation, 
local firefighters play a vital role to protect and secure our 
communities. We should give them the support they need.

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