[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 61 (Wednesday, April 28, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2753-S2754]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                FIRE GRANTS REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2010

  Mr. LIEBERMAN. Mr. President, yesterday Senators Dodd, Collins, 
Carper, McCain, and I introduced the Fire Grants Reauthorization Act of 
2010.
  The bill we presented to the Senate is a bipartisan piece of 
legislation that provides support to our Nation's firefighters and 
emergency medical service responders. It reauthorizes the Assistance to 
Firefighters, AFG, program and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and 
Emergency Response program, SAFER--two highly successful programs I 
worked to establish in 2000 and 2003, respectively.
  I think we are all aware of the great sacrifices first responders 
make for us. Since September 11 and the Hurricane Katrina catastrophe, 
firefighters in communities large and small have assumed a greater role 
in overall national emergency preparedness. They are now the frontline 
of defense in most communities for disasters of all

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types. More than ever, firefighters need the training and equipment to 
deal not only with fires but also with hazardous materials, nuclear, 
radioactive and explosive devices, and other potential threats.
  The demands on firefighters have increased in other ways as well. As 
the New York Times reported last year, firefighters are responding more 
and more to medical emergencies--15.8 million in 2008, a 213 percent 
increase from 1980. Right here in Washington, DC, at Fire Engine 
Company 10--known as the ``House of Pain'' for its grueling schedule--
80 percent of the calls are for medical emergencies. Our Nation's 
firefighters--like other first responders are the first to arrive and 
the last to leave whenever trouble hits. They deserve all the support 
we can give them.
  Regrettably, they do not always get it. Firefighters often lack the 
equipment and vehicles they need to do their jobs safely and 
effectively. The U.S. Fire Administration reported in 2006 that 60 
percent of fire departments did not have enough breathing apparatuses 
to equip all firefighters on a shift, 65 percent did not have enough 
portable radios, and 49 percent of all fire engines were at least 15 
years old.
  We can and should do more so that these brave men and women have what 
they need to protect their communities and themselves as they perform a 
very dangerous job. Our bill takes much-needed steps to ensure that 
they do.
  To start with, because career, volunteer, and combination fire 
departments all suffer from shortages in equipment, vehicles, and 
training, our bill requires that each type receives at least 25 percent 
of the available AFG grant funding. The remaining funds will be 
allocated based on factors such as risk and the needs of individual 
communities and the country as a whole. This creates an appropriate 
balance, ensuring that funds are directed at departments facing the 
most significant risks while guaranteeing that no department is left 
out.
  We have also taken a number of steps in our bill to help fire 
departments recover from the recession. Faced with economic 
difficulties, local governments have reduced spending on vital 
services, including fire departments. Among other things, these cuts 
have prevented many departments from replacing old equipment and forced 
them to lay off needed firefighters. To help departments rebuild, we 
have lowered the matching requirements for AFG and SAFER. Departments 
are still required to match some of their grant awards with funds of 
their own--ensuring they have some skin in the game--but the reduced 
amount will make it easier for them to accept awards.
  We have also created an economic hardship waiver for both grant 
programs that will allow FEMA to waive certain requirements, such as 
requiring that grantees provide matching funds, for departments in 
communities that have been especially hard hit by tough economic times.
  Our bill contains a number of other important provisions. It raises 
the maximum grant amounts available under AFG. As common sense would 
suggest, large communities often require a substantial amount of 
equipment, and they will now be able to apply for funding in amounts 
more in line with what they need.
  We also would provide funding for national fire safety organizations 
and institutions of higher education that wish to create joint programs 
establishing fire safety research centers. There is a great need for 
research devoted to fire safety and prevention and improved technology. 
The work these centers do will help us reduce fire casualties among 
firefighters and civilians and make communities safer.
  As important as it is to help our firefighters, we must also demand 
accountability when we spend taxpayer dollars. For this reason, we 
require that FEMA create performance management systems for these 
programs, complete with quantifiable metrics that will allow us to see 
how well they perform. Going forward, this will allow us to see what 
works in these programs and what does not so that we can make needed 
improvements when required.
  We have also included provisions to prevent earmarks from being 
attached to these programs. AFG and SAFER have never been earmarked--an 
impressive accomplishment--and we want to keep it that way. The funding 
for these programs needs to go to firefighters, not pet projects.
  Finally, this legislation authorizes $950 million each for these 
vital programs. This is actually less than what was authorized in the 
past. We believe that supporting our nation's firefighters and 
emergency medical service responders ought to be a priority, but we 
recognize that these tough fiscal times require some belt-tightening. 
Authorizing funding for AFG and SAFER at these amounts sends the 
message that Congress can direct funding where it is needed while also 
showing discipline.
  These programs address a vital national need. Our legislation ensures 
that fire departments get the support they need to protect their 
communities while also protecting taxpayer dollars. I urge my 
colleagues to join me in supporting the reauthorization of these 
important programs.

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