[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 90 (Wednesday, June 22, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1156]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        INTRODUCTION OF FIRE GRANTS REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2011

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                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 22, 2011

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 
introduce legislation to support our Nation's first responders. The 
Fire Grants Reauthorization Act of 2011 reauthorizes two programs--the 
Assistance for Firefighters Grant, AFG, Program and the Staffing for 
Adequate Fire and Emergency Response, SAFER, program--that were created 
to help local fire departments across the country maintain and increase 
their capabilities to do all that is asked of them, including fighting 
fires and responding to medical emergencies and disasters.
  Maintaining the equipment, training, and personnel to safely and 
swiftly respond to calls for assistance is increasingly difficult. Fire 
departments around the country have been forced to lay off firefighters 
and do without needed equipment and training. The fire grant programs 
have played an important role in helping local fire departments 
overcome some of these challenges, providing over $6 billion in 
assistance since 2000. These grants have been essential to maintaining 
public safety in many communities.
  Fire is a serious problem in the United States, killing over 3,000 
people a year--a rate higher than all other industrialized countries. 
In addition, approximately 20,000 people are injured, over 100 
firefighters are killed in the line of duty, and $10 billion in 
property is lost each year due to fire. Statistics show that minorities 
and low-income Americans are disproportionately the victims of fires. 
In addition to providing the resources necessary to ensure our fire 
departments have the equipment and personnel they need, the AFG program 
supports fire prevention and safety activities to help reduce the 
numbers of death, injury, and loss.
  The bill I am introducing today is nearly identical to the bill that 
moved through the Science and Technology Committee and then passed the 
House by an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote last Congress.
  The good news is that, even in these times of increasing 
partisanship, this common sense bill has once again garnered widespread 
support. I am pleased to be joined by the bipartisan co-chairs of the 
Congressional Fire Services Caucus in introducing the Fire Grants 
Reauthorization Act, along with other members from both sides of the 
aisle who have long supported these important programs.
  We need to ensure that our firefighters and emergency medical 
personnel have the tools that they need to protect us. This legislation 
will do just that.
  As the Ranking Member of the House Science, Space, and Technology 
Committee, which has jurisdiction over these programs, I look forward 
to working with my colleagues to put this important bill on the fast 
track and ensure that these critical programs are reauthorized as 
expeditiously as possible.

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