[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 20 (Thursday, February 7, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S787-S790]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. DODD (for himself, Ms. Collins, Mr. Biden, and Mr. 
        McCain):
  S. 2606. A bill to reauthorize the United States Fire Administration, 
and for other purposes; to the Committee on Homeland Security and 
Governmental Affairs.
  Mr. DODD. Mr. President, I rise with my colleague, Senator Collins, 
along with Senators Biden and McCain, to introduce legislation that 
reauthorizes the U.S. Fire Administration, USFA.
  Established in 1974, the USFA provides critical support to 30,300 
fire departments across our Nation through training, emergency incident 
data collection, fire awareness and prevention education, and research 
and development activities. Each year, the USFA trains approximately 
one million fire and emergency personnel both at the USFA campus in 
Emmitsburg, Maryland, and through distance learning programs. The USFA 
also offers vital assistance to Federal Emergency Management Agency and 
Department of Homeland Security in the development of Federal 
preparedness and response policies.
  The legislation I am introducing today with my colleagues seeks to 
provide the USFA with proper resources so

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the agency may effectively meet the growing responsibilities of the 
fire service in the 21st century. It contains the following provisions. 
The USFA Reauthorization Act of 2008 provides $70 million in fiscal 
year 2009 with 1.3 percent annual increases through fiscal year 2012. 
The bill expands National Fire Academy training curricula to include 
issues relevant to urban-wildland interface fires, fires involving 
hazardous materials, and fire-based emergency medical services. The 
bill also encourages the expansion of onsite fire training, authorizes 
up to $5,000,000 annually for necessary technology upgrades to the 
National Fire Incident Reporting System, authorizes the USFA to expand 
research activities in relevant topics to urban-wildland interface 
fires, encourages the USFA to adopt national voluntary consensus 
standards relevant to firefighter health and safety, and requires the 
USFA to provide greater coordination with other Federal, State and 
local agencies on fire prevention and fire-based emergency medical 
services programs. Finally, the legislation establishes a rotating 
position at the DHS National Operations Center for State or local fire 
service officials. This new position will bring the expertise of the 
fire service to the incident management and information sharing 
activities of the Center.
  I am pleased to say this bipartisan legislation is supported by the 
Congressional Fire Services Institute, the International Association of 
Fire Fighters, the International Association of Fire Chiefs, and the 
National Volunteer Fire Council.
  The U.S. Fire Administration performs a critical array of duties that 
ensure the safety of Americans each day. It is important that we 
continue to pledge our support to the agency and our Nation's brave 
firefighters. I look forward to working with my colleagues on this 
important legislation.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:



                                S. 2606

       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 2008''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       Congress makes the following findings:
       (1) The number of lives lost each year because of fire has 
     dropped significantly over the last 25 years in the United 
     States. However, the United States still has one of the 
     highest fire death rates in the industrialized world. In 
     2005, the National Fire Protection Association reported 3,675 
     civilian fire deaths, 17,925 civilian fire injuries, and 
     $10,672,000,000 in direct losses due to fire.
       (2) Every year, more than 100 firefighters die in the line 
     of duty. The United States Fire Administration should 
     continue its leadership to help local fire agencies 
     dramatically reduce these fatalities.
       (3) Members of the fire service community should continue 
     to work together to further the promotion of national 
     voluntary consensus standards that increase firefighter 
     safety.
       (4) The United States Fire Administration provides crucial 
     support to the 30,300 fire departments of the United States 
     through training, emergency incident data collection, fire 
     awareness and education, and support of research and 
     development activities for fire prevention, control, and 
     suppression technologies.
       (5) The collection of data on fire and other emergency 
     incidents is a vital tool both for policy makers and 
     emergency responders to identify and develop responses to 
     emerging hazards. Improving the data collection capabilities 
     of the United States Fire Administration is essential for 
     accurately tracking and responding to the magnitude and 
     nature of the fire problems of the United States.
       (6) The research and development performed by the National 
     Institute of Standards and Technology, the United States Fire 
     Administration, other government agencies, and non-
     governmental organizations on fire technologies, techniques, 
     and tools advance the capabilities of the fire service of the 
     United States to suppress and prevent fires.
       (7) The United States Fire Administration is one of the 
     strongest voices representing the fire service of the United 
     States within the Federal Government, and, as such, it should 
     have a prominent place within the Department of Homeland 
     Security.

     SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR UNITED STATES 
                   FIRE ADMINISTRATION.

       Section 17(g)(1) of the Federal Fire Prevention and Control 
     Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 2216(g)(1)) is amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``and'' after the 
     semicolon;
       (2) in subparagraph (D), by striking the period at the end 
     and inserting a semicolon; and
       (3) by adding after subparagraph (D) the following:
       ``(E) $70,000,000 for fiscal year 2009, of which $2,520,000 
     shall be used to carry out section 8;
       ``(F) $72,100,000 for fiscal year 2010, of which $2,595,600 
     shall be used to carry out section 8;
       ``(G) $74,263,000 for fiscal year 2011, of which $2,673,468 
     shall be used to carry out section 8; and
       ``(H) $76,490,890 for fiscal year 2012, of which $2,753,672 
     shall be used to carry out section 8.''.

     SEC. 4. NATIONAL FIRE ACADEMY TRAINING PROGRAM MODIFICATIONS 
                   AND REPORTS.

       (a) Amendments to Fire Academy Training.--Section 7(d)(1) 
     of the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (15 
     U.S.C. 2206(d)(1)) is amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (H), by striking ``terrorist-caused 
     national catastrophes'' and inserting ``all hazards, 
     including acts of terrorism'';
       (2) in subparagraph (K), by striking ``forest'' and 
     inserting ``wildland'';
       (3) in subparagraph (M), by striking ``response tactics 
     and'' and inserting ``response, tactics, and'';
       (4) by redesignating subparagraphs (I) through (N) as 
     subparagraphs (M) through (R), respectively; and
       (5) by inserting after subparagraph (H) the following:
       ``(I) response, tactics, and strategies for fighting large-
     scale fires or multiple fires in a general area that cross 
     jurisdictional boundaries;
       ``(J) response, tactics, and strategies for fighting fires 
     occurring at the wildland-urban interface;
       ``(K) response, tactics, and strategies for fighting fires 
     involving hazardous materials;
       ``(L) advanced emergency medical services training;''.
       (b) Triennial Reports.--Section 7 of such Act (15 U.S.C. 
     2206) is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(m) Triennial Report.--In the first annual report filed 
     pursuant to section 16 for which the deadline for filing is 
     after the expiration of the 18-month period that begins on 
     the date of the enactment of the United States Fire 
     Administration Reauthorization Act of 2008, and in every 
     third annual report thereafter, the Administrator shall 
     include information about changes made to the National Fire 
     Academy curriculum, including--
       ``(1) the basis for such changes, including a review of the 
     incorporation of lessons learned by emergency response 
     personnel after significant emergency events and emergency 
     preparedness exercises performed under the National Exercise 
     Program; and
       ``(2) the desired training outcome of all such changes.''.
       (c) Authorizing the Administrator to Enter Into Contracts 
     to Provide On-Site Training Through Certain Accredited 
     Organizations.--Section 7(f) of such Act (15 U.S.C. 2206) is 
     amended to read as follows:
       ``(f) Assistance.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Administrator may provide assistance 
     to State and local fire service training programs through 
     grants, contracts, or otherwise.
       ``(2) Authorization to enter into contracts to provide on-
     site training through certain accredited organizations.--
       ``(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B), 
     the Administrator may enter into a contract with nationally 
     recognized organizations that have established on-site 
     training programs that comply with national voluntary 
     consensus standards for fire service personnel to facilitate 
     the delivery of the education and training programs outlined 
     in subsection (d)(1) directly to fire service personnel.
       ``(B) Limitation.--The Administrator may not enter into a 
     contract with an organization described in subparagraph (A) 
     unless such organization--
       ``(i) operates a fire service training program accredited 
     by a nationally recognized accreditation organization 
     experienced with accrediting such training; or
       ``(ii) at the time the Administrator enters into the 
     contract, provides training under such a program under a 
     cooperative agreement with a Federal agency.
       ``(3) Restriction on use of funds.--The amounts expended by 
     the Administrator to carry out this subsection in any fiscal 
     year shall not exceed 8 per centum of the amount authorized 
     to be appropriated in such fiscal year pursuant to section 17 
     of this Act.''.

     SEC. 5. NATIONAL FIRE INCIDENT REPORTING SYSTEM UPGRADES.

       (a) Incident Reporting System Database.--Section 9 of the 
     Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 
     2208) is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(d) National Fire Incident Reporting System Update.--Of 
     the amounts made available pursuant to subparagraphs (E), 
     (F), and (G) of section 17(g)(1), the Administrator shall use 
     not more than an aggregate amount of $5,000,000 during the 3-
     year period consisting of fiscal years 2009, 2010, and 2011 
     to carry out activities necessary to update the National Fire 
     Incident Reporting system to an Internet-based, real-time 
     incident reporting database, including capital investment, 
     contractor engagement, and user education.''.

[[Page S789]]

       (b) Technical Correction.--Section 9(b)(2) of such Act (15 
     U.S.C. 2208(b)(2)) is amended by striking ``assist State,'' 
     and inserting ``assist Federal, State,''.

     SEC. 6. FIRE TECHNOLOGY ASSISTANCE AND RESEARCH 
                   DISSEMINATION.

       (a) Assistance to Fire Services for Fire Prevention and 
     Control in Wildland-Urban Interface.--Section 8(d) of the 
     Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 
     2207(d)) is amended to read as follows:
       ``(d) Rural and Wildland-Urban Interface Assistance.--The 
     Administrator may, in coordination with the Secretary of 
     Agriculture, assist the fire services of the United States, 
     directly or through contracts, grants, or other forms of 
     assistance, to sponsor and encourage research into 
     approaches, techniques, systems, equipment, and land-use 
     policies to improve fire prevention and control in--
       ``(1) the rural and remote areas of the United States; and
       ``(2) the wildland-urban interface.''.
       (b) Technology Research Dissemination.--Section 8 of such 
     Act (15 U.S.C. 2207) is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:
       ``(h) Research Dissemination.--Beginning 1 year after the 
     date of the enactment of the United States Fire 
     Administration Reauthorization Act of 2008, the 
     Administrator, in collaboration with the relevant departments 
     and agencies of the Federal Government, shall make available 
     to the public information about all ongoing and planned fire-
     related research funded by the Administration during fiscal 
     year 2008 and each fiscal year thereafter, as well as the 
     results generated from such research, through a regularly 
     updated Internet-based database.''.

     SEC. 7. ENCOURAGING ADOPTION OF STANDARDS FOR FIREFIGHTER 
                   HEALTH AND SAFETY.

       The Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (15 
     U.S.C. 2201 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:

     ``SEC. 37. ENCOURAGING ADOPTION OF STANDARDS FOR FIREFIGHTER 
                   HEALTH AND SAFETY.

       ``The Administrator shall promote adoption by fire services 
     of national voluntary consensus standards for firefighter 
     health and safety, including such standards for firefighter 
     operations, training, staffing, and fitness, by--
       ``(1) educating fire services about such standards;
       ``(2) encouraging the adoption at all levels of government 
     of such standards; and
       ``(3) making recommendations on other ways in which the 
     Federal government can promote the adoption of such standards 
     by fire services.''.

     SEC. 8. STATE AND LOCAL FIRE SERVICE REPRESENTATION AT 
                   NATIONAL OPERATIONS CENTER.

       The Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (15 
     U.S.C. 2201 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 22 
     the following:

     ``SEC. 23. STATE AND LOCAL FIRE SERVICE REPRESENTATION AT 
                   NATIONAL OPERATIONS CENTER.

       ``(a) Establishment of Position.--The Secretary of Homeland 
     Security shall, in consultation with the Administrator, 
     establish a fire service position at the National Operations 
     Center established under section 515 of the Homeland Security 
     Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 321d) (also known as the `Homeland 
     Security Operations Center') to represent the interests of 
     State and local fire services.
       ``(b) Designation of Position.--The Secretary of Homeland 
     Security shall designate, on a rotating basis, a State or 
     local fire service official for the position described in 
     subsection (a)
       ``(c) Management.--The Secretary of Homeland Security shall 
     manage the position established pursuant to subsection (a) in 
     accordance with such rules and regulations as govern other 
     similar rotating positions at the National Operations 
     Center.''.

     SEC. 9. COORDINATION REGARDING FIRE SERVICE-BASED EMERGENCY 
                   MEDICAL SERVICES.

       Section 21(e) of the Federal Fire Prevention and Control 
     Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 2218(e)) is amended to read as 
     follows:
       ``(e) Coordination.--
       ``(1) In general.--To the extent practicable, the 
     Administrator shall use existing programs, data, information, 
     and facilities already available in other Federal Government 
     departments and agencies and, where appropriate, existing 
     research organizations, centers, and universities.
       ``(2) Coordination of fire prevention and control 
     programs.--The Administrator shall provide liaison at an 
     appropriate organizational level to assure coordination of 
     the activities of the Administrator with State and local 
     government agencies, departments, bureaus, or offices 
     concerned with any matter related to programs of fire 
     prevention and control with private and other Federal 
     organizations and offices so concerned.
       ``(3) Coordination of fire service-based emergency medical 
     services programs.--The Administrator shall provide liaison 
     at an appropriate organizational level to assure coordination 
     of the activities of the Administrator with State and local 
     government agencies, departments, bureaus, or offices 
     concerned with programs related to emergency medical services 
     provided by fire service-based systems with private and other 
     Federal organizations and offices so concerned.''.

     SEC. 10. DEFINITIONS.

       Section 4 of the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 
     1974 (15 U.S.C. 2203) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (3), by striking ``Administration'' and 
     inserting ``Administration, who is the Assistant 
     Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency'';
       (2) in paragraph (7), by striking the ``and'' after the 
     semicolon;
       (3) in paragraph (8), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting ``; and'';
       (4) by redesignating paragraphs (6), (7), and (8) as 
     paragraphs (7), (8), and (9), respectively;
       (5) by inserting after paragraph (5) the following:
       ``(6) `hazardous material' has the meaning given such term 
     in section 5102 of title 49, United States Code;''; and
       (6) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(10) `wildland-urban interface' has the meaning given 
     such term in section 101 of the Healthy Forests Restoration 
     Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6511).''.
  Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President. I am pleased to join Senator Dodd in 
introducing legislation to reauthorize the U.S. Fire Administration. 
The bill would provide additional resources to help the agency meet its 
growing responsibilities. We are pleased to be joined by our fellow 
cochairs of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus--Senators McCain and 
Biden.
  Since its creation in 1974, the Fire Administration and its Fire 
Academy have helped prevent fires, protect property, and save lives 
among firefighters and the public. Today, the Fire Administration is 
also integrated into our national, all-hazards preparations against 
natural disasters and terrorist attacks.
  Last month marked the fifth anniversary of the Fire Administration's 
reorganization as part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency 
within the Department of Homeland Security. As both Ranking Member of 
the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and as a cochair of the 
Congressional Fire Services Caucus, I am pleased that the bill being 
introduced today does much more than reauthorize the Fire 
Administration.
  For example, the bill designates $5 million annually to support 
necessary technology upgrades to the National Fire Incident Reporting 
System. This important system helps State and local governments report 
and analyze fires, and allows nationwide sharing of data in standard 
formats. This database--the world's largest collection of fire-incident 
information--helps all levels of government to probe the nature and 
causes of injuries, deaths, and property loss resulting from fires.

  Another vital component of this bill establishes a rotating position 
at the DHS National Operations Center to be filled by a State or local 
fire-service official. In our comprehensive, all-hazards approach to 
major disasters, it is just as important to have the fire services 
represented at operations center as it is military liaisons.
  The bill has other important provisions, including provision for a 
1.3 percent annual increase in the initial $70 million authorization 
through fiscal year 2012. In addition, the bill expands National Fire 
Academy training programs to include topics like hazardous-material 
fires and fire-based emergency medical services. It authorizes expanded 
research on fires in the urban-wildland interface and in rural areas. 
It encourages the Fire Administration to adopt national voluntary 
standards on firefighter health and safety--an important topic, 
considering that about 100 brave firefighters lose their lives in the 
line of duty each year, with many more suffering serious injuries.
  My home state of Maine is keenly aware of the dangers of fire and the 
importance of effective fire services. Maine is one of the most rural 
states in the nation and most of its housing stock is wood framed. Some 
households rely on woodstoves for primary or supplemental heat.
  According to the Maine Department of Public Safety, nearly 50 Mainers 
died in fires every year through the 1950s, '60s, and '70s. The average 
so far for this decade is 18, and 2007 produced only 12 fire-related 
deaths, still too many but a considerable improvement.
  Maine public-safety officials attribute the decline to factors like 
wider use of smoke detectors and improved building codes--and fire-
prevention efforts. As our national resource and clearing house for 
fire research, education, and training, the U.S. Fire Administration 
certainly deserves a share of the credit for my state's progress in 
reducing the pain, devastation, and death wrought by fires.

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  I have no doubt the Fire Administration's beneficial effects will 
grow. Its new campaign for preventing smoking-related home fires is a 
worthy effort. Its growing curriculum of online courses on topics like 
incident command for nursing-home fires, emergency medical service at 
multi-casualty incidents, and emergency response to terrorism is a 
valuable resource for firefighters.
  The U.S. Fire Administration is a fine example of the good that can 
come of federal, state, and local collaboration to counter an ancient 
threat and to address new ones. I urge my colleagues to join me in 
supporting the reauthorization and improvement of this valuable agency.
                                 ______