[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 66 (Wednesday, May 12, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5366-S5367]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTERS ACT

  Mr. ROCKEFELLER. Mr. President, I am proud today to cosponsor S. 
2411, the Assistance to Firefighters Act of 2004. This legislation, 
introduced by my colleagues Senators Dodd and DeWine, would reauthorize 
the FIRE Act grant program through 2010, as well as make a number of 
improvements to the existing program. This legislation will improve the 
ability of firefighters across to the country to do their jobs more 
safely and effectively.
  Four years ago, I was proud to be an original cosponsor of the 
Firefighter Investment and Response Enhancement (FIRE) Act, which has 
generated nearly $2 billion in grants since the program was enacted. It 
has provided critical dollars enabling fire departments to pay for the 
purchase of new equipment, to better train their personnel, and to 
establish fire prevention campaigns. Although this is a notable step 
forward, in West Virginia, and throughout the country, fire departments 
remain seriously underfunded. I hope my colleagues will agree that much 
more needs to be done before we can feel comfortable about the level of 
preparedness of our firefighters.
  In West Virginia, almost every single one of our approximately 460 
fire departments is undermanned and without the necessary equipment 
they need to do their jobs. I worry, as I'm sure many of my colleagues 
do, that communities could find themselves in the unacceptable position 
of being ill-prepared to respond to an emergency. Very few towns and 
cities in West Virginia can afford to hire and train more firefighters, 
or to purchase new firefighting equipment without additional Federal 
assistance.
  I will bet most of my colleagues would be surprised at the number of 
volunteers who currently make up the majority of our Nation's fire 
service. Volunteers compose nearly 75 percent of all firefighters 
nationwide. That percentage is much higher in rural States like West 
Virginia, where 95 percent of our firefighting personnel are 
volunteers. We rely on firefighters in most communities to assist us 
not only to put out fires, but also in cases of natural disasters, car 
accidents, hazardous material spills, and this mostly volunteer fire 
service would be called upon to respond to any acts of terrorism that 
might occur. Additional firefighters are needed, as well as an 
immediate infusion of new and better equipment so that they can do 
their jobs more effectively. Currently there are not enough portable 
radios or breathing apparatus equipment, and many departments lack the 
resources needed for proper vehicle maintenance. Reauthorizing the FIRE 
Act grant program will allow fire departments to hire more full-time 
personnel and further alleviate the costs of maintaining up-to-date 
equipment and training.
  After 4 years, there are many facets of the program that need 
updating to reflect the learning process both Congress and the Fire 
Service we have undergone. This bill would make several improvements to 
the existing law that reflect the changing nature of the world we live 
in today and acknowledge that there are better and more efficient ways 
to administer the program. The measure would align the FIRE Act with 
new standards in Federal emergency management put in place since the 
creation of the Department of Homeland Security. It also lowers the 
matching funds requirement by a third for fire departments serving 
communities of 50,000 residents, and cut requirements in half for 
communities of 20,000 people or fewer, in order to lessen current 
budget strains. It would also open up funding to nonprofit Emergency 
Medical Service units not affiliated with fire departments. Right now, 
only EMS units attached to fire departments are eligible for funding. 
This provision in particular will improve the safety and security of 
West Virginians, where many of our EJMS units are independent of the 
local fire department.
  I agree with the statements that have been made by virtually every 
Member of Congress that the world we

[[Page S5367]]

live in today sits in stark contrast to that of the one we knew prior 
to the tragedies of September 11, 2001. Probably no group knows this 
better than the dedicated firefighters who place themselves in harm's 
way every time they respond to a call. Fortunately, we have an 
opportunity here to demonstrate that we recognize the importance of the 
work these firefighters do, and help them to protect us by quickly 
enacting this bill.
  The Assistance to Firefighters Act of 2004 would translate directly 
into saved lives and will increase the safety of West Virginians and 
Americans in communities across this country. I encourage my colleagues 
to join me in supporting this important legislation.

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