[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 78 (Friday, May 23, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7146-S7147]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. McCAIN (for himself and Mr. Hollings):
  S. 1152. A bill to reauthorize the United States Fire Administration, 
and for other purposes; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation.
  Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, I am pleased to be joined this morning by 
Senators Hollings in introducing legislation to reauthorize the United 
States Fire Administration, USFA, for fiscal year 2004 through fiscal 
year 2006. This legislation would also re-establish the position of the 
U.S. Fire Administrator, which would serve in the new Department of 
Homeland Security.
  USFA's mission is to reduce the loss of life and property because of 
fire and related emergencies. Each year, fire injures and kills more 
Americans than all other natural disasters combined. Death rates by 
fire in the Unites States are among the highest in the industrialized 
world.
  The U.S. Fire Administration utilizes a number of tools to fulfill 
its mission. USFA's National Fire Data Center administers a national 
system for collecting, analyzing, and disseminating data and 
information on fire and other emergency incidents to state and local 
governments and the fire community. The National Fire Academy, NFA, is 
the premiere training academy for fire services. It is estimated that 
since 1975, over 1.4 million firefighters and other first-responders 
have benefitted from NFA training classes in emergency management, fire 
prevention, and anti-terrorism. USFA also engages in research, testing, 
and evaluation activities with public and private entities to promote 
and improve fire and life safety. Finally, USFA administers the popular 
Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, which provides competitive 
grants to local fire departments for training, wellness and fitness 
programs, vehicles, firefighting equipment, and fire prevention.
  The U.S. Fire Administrator plays an important role in our nation's 
fire control policy and homeland security initiatives by serving as the 
point-of-contact for the fire services. This position was eliminated in 
last year's legislation that established the Department of Homeland 
Security. On April 30, 2003, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation heard testimony from many of the major fire service 
organizations regarding the importance of the U.S. Fire

[[Page S7147]]

Administrator position, and the need for the Administrator to serve as 
a representative of the fire services within the Department of Homeland 
Security. This legislation would re-establish this position.
  Firefighting remains one of the most dangerous professions in the 
Unites States. We rely on firefighters to aid us in fires, accidents, 
and natural disasters. However, we have also witnessed the role that 
firefighters play as the first responders on the scene of any possible 
terrorist attack. It is important that we pass this legislation to 
ensure that the Federal government continues its appropriate role in 
helping our fire services adapt to this new challenge.
  I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and look forward to 
working with them to ensure timely passage of this legislation. I also 
ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:
       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``United States Fire 
     Administration Reauthorization Act of 2003''.

     SEC. 2. RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF POSITION OF UNITED STATES FIRE 
                   ADMINISTRATOR.

       Section 1513 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 does not 
     apply to the position or office of Administrator of the 
     United States Fire Administration, who shall continue to be 
     appointed and compensated as provided by section 5(b) of the 
     Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 
     2204(b)) after the functions vested by law in the Federal 
     Emergency Management Agency have been transferred to the 
     Directorate of Emergency Preparedness and Response in 
     accordance with section 503 of the Homeland Security Act of 
     2002.

     SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       Section 17(g)(1) of the Federal Fire Prevention and Control 
     Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 2216(g)(1)) is amended to read as 
     follows: ``(1) Except as otherwise specifically provided with 
     respect to the payment of claims under section 11 of this 
     Act, there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out the 
     purposes of this Act--
       ``(A) $52,000,000 for fiscal year 2004;
       ``(B) $53,560,000 for fiscal year 2005; and
       ``(C) $55,166,800 for fiscal year 2006.''.
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