[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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