[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 149 (Thursday, September 18, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9166-S9167]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     UNITED STATES FIRE ADMINISTRATION REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2008

  Mr. CASEY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 868, S. 2606.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A bill (S. 2606) to reauthorize the United States Fire 
     Administration, and for other purposes.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill, 
which had been reported from the Committee on Homeland Security and 
Governmental Affairs with an amendment to strike all after the enacting 
clause and insert in lieu thereof the following:

     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) The Federal Government should continue to work with 
     State and local governments and the fire service community 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 
     nongovernmental organizations on fire technologies, 
     techniques, and tools advance the capabilities of the fire 
     service of the United States to suppress and prevent fires.
       (7) Because of the essential role of the United States Fire 
     Administration and the fire service community in preparing 
     for and responding to national and man-made disasters, the 
     United States Fire Administration should have a prominent 
     place within the Federal Emergency Management Agency and 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);
       ``(F) $72,100,000 for fiscal year 2010, of which $2,595,600 
     shall be used to carry out section 8(f);
       ``(G) $74,263,000 for fiscal year 2011, of which $2,673,468 
     shall be used to carry out section 8(f); and
       ``(H) $76,490,890 for fiscal year 2012, of which $2,753,672 
     shall be used to carry out section 8(f).''.

     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) by amending subparagraph (H) to read as follows:
       ``(H) tactics and strategies for dealing with natural 
     disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made 
     disasters;'';
       (2) in subparagraph (K), by striking ``forest'' and 
     inserting ``wildland'';
       (3) in subparagraph (M), by striking ``response'';
       (4) by redesignating subparagraphs (I) through (N) as 
     subparagraphs (M) through (R), respectively; and
       (5) by inserting after subparagraph (H) the following:
       ``(I) tactics and strategies for fighting large-scale fires 
     or multiple fires in a general area that cross jurisdictional 
     boundaries;
       ``(J) tactics and strategies for fighting fires occurring 
     at the wildland-urban interface;
       ``(K) tactics and strategies for fighting fires involving 
     hazardous materials;
       ``(L) advanced emergency medical services training;''.
       (b) On-Site Training.--Section 7 of such Act (15 U.S.C. 
     2206) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (c)(6), by inserting ``, including on-
     site training'' after ``United States'';
       (2) in subsection (f), by striking ``4 percent'' and 
     inserting ``7.5 percent''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(m) On-Site Training.--
       ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), 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.
       ``(2) Limitation.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Administrator may not enter into a 
     contract with an organization described in paragraph (1) 
     unless such organization operates a fire service training 
     program that--
       ``(i) is accredited by a nationally recognized 
     accreditation organization experienced with accrediting such 
     training; or
       ``(ii) the Administrator determines is of equivalent 
     quality to a fire service training program described by 
     clause (i).
       ``(B) Approval of unaccredited fire service training 
     programs.--The Administrator may consider the fact that an 
     organization has provided a satisfactory fire service 
     training program pursuant to a cooperative agreement with a 
     Federal agency as evidence that such program is of equivalent 
     quality to a fire service training program described by 
     subparagraph (A)(i).
       ``(3) Restriction on use of funds.--The amounts expended by 
     the Administrator to carry out this subsection in any fiscal 
     year shall not exceed 7.5 per centum of the amount authorized 
     to be appropriated in such fiscal year pursuant to section 
     17.''.
       (c) Triennial Reports.--Such section 7 (15 U.S.C. 2206) is 
     further amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(n) 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.''.

     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.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Administrator shall update the 
     National Fire Incident Reporting System to ensure that the 
     information in the system is available, and can be updated, 
     through the Internet and in real time.
       ``(2) Limitation.--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 the activities 
     required by paragraph (1).''.
       (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, the Secretary of the Interior, and the Wildland 
     Fire Leadership Council, assist the fire services of the 
     United States, directly or through contracts, grants, or 
     other forms of assistance, in sponsoring and encouraging 
     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) Publication of Research Results.--
       ``(1) In general.--For each fire-related research program 
     funded by the Administration, the Administrator shall make 
     available to the public on the Internet website of the 
     Administration the following:
       ``(A) A description of such research program, including the 
     scope, methodology, and goals thereof.

[[Page S9167]]

       ``(B) Information that identifies the individuals or 
     institutions conducting the research program.
       ``(C) The amount of funding provided by the Administration 
     for such program.
       ``(D) The results or findings of the research program.
       ``(2) Deadlines.--
       ``(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B), 
     the information required by paragraph (1) shall be published 
     with respect to a research program as follows:
       ``(i) The information described in subparagraphs (A), (B), 
     and (C) of paragraph (1) with respect to such research 
     program shall be made available under paragraph (1) not later 
     than 30 days after the Administrator has awarded the funding 
     for such research program.
       ``(ii) The information described in subparagraph (D) of 
     paragraph (1) with respect to a research program shall be 
     made available under paragraph (1) not later than 60 days 
     after the date such research program has been completed.
       ``(B) Exception.--No information shall be required to be 
     published under this subsection before the date that is 1 
     year after the date of the enactment of the United States 
     Fire Administration Reauthorization Act of 2008.''.

     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 ensure the effective sharing 
     of information between the Federal Government and 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, regulations, and practices as 
     govern other similar rotating positions at the National 
     Operations Center.''.

     SEC. 9. COORDINATION REGARDING FIRE PREVENTION AND CONTROL 
                   AND 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 Federal, State, and 
     local government agencies and departments and nongovernmental 
     organizations concerned with any matter related to programs 
     of fire prevention and control.
       ``(3) Coordination of emergency medical services 
     programs.--The Administrator shall provide liaison at an 
     appropriate organizational level to assure coordination of 
     the activities of the Administrator related to emergency 
     medical services provided by fire service-based systems with 
     Federal, State, and local government agencies and departments 
     and nongovernmental organizations so concerned, as well as 
     those entities concerned with emergency medical services 
     generally.''.

     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, within 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''; and
       (4) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(9) `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).''.

  Mr. CASEY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that a Lieberman 
amendment, which is at the desk, be agreed to; that the committee 
substitute, as amended, be agreed to; that the bill, as amended, be 
read a third time and passed, the motions to reconsider be laid upon 
the table, with no intervening action or debate; and that any 
statements relating to the bill be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The amendment (No. 5631) was agreed to.
  (The amendment is printed in today's Record under ``Text of 
Amendments.'')
  The committee amendment in the nature of a substitute, as amended, 
was agreed to.
  The bill (S. 2606), as amended, was ordered to be engrossed for a 
third reading, was read the third time, and passed.

                          ____________________