[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 172 (Thursday, November 19, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2833]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                FIRE GRANTS REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2008

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 18, 2009

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 3791) to 
     amend sections 33 and 34 of the Federal Fire Prevention and 
     Control Act of 1974, and for other purposes:

  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of H.R. 3791, the Fire 
Grants Reauthorization Act.
  The economic downturn is adversely affecting the budgets of local 
governments and threatening a range of emergency services that 
communities count on. As declining state revenues force governors and 
city managers to make difficult choices, the budgets for programs that 
assist firefighters, first responders, and local communities nationwide 
with the equipment, training, and personnel have all been reduced.
  To help ease some of the burden, the Recovery Act and the FY09 
Supplemental Appropriations Act included provisions designed to enhance 
the existing resources of the SAFER and AFG programs by waiving the 
matching requirements and restrictions for fiscal years 2009 and 2010. 
But, the Assistance to Firefighter Grant and the SAFER grants programs 
will expire in FY 2009 and FY 2010. We gather here today to reauthorize 
these programs until 2014.
  Today, not only must fire departments fight fires, they must also 
handle emergency medical services, and serve as first responders in the 
case of terrorist attacks or natural disasters. As the array of tasks 
falling to local fire departments has grown, SAFER and AFG grants have 
helped local communities keep pace.
  In addition to reauthorizing these two vital programs, H.R. 3791 
permits the use of grant funds for volunteer and non-fire service 
emergency medical services organizations, increases funding for fire 
prevention and firefighter safety programs, and covers matching and 
maintenance requirements for fire departments facing economic hardship.
  Mr. Chair, these programs are vital to the safety and welfare of the 
American people. They need to be reauthorized.
  I encourage my colleagues to join me in support of H.R. 3791.

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