[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 64 (Tuesday, April 18, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S1204]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       FIRE GRANTS AND SAFETY ACT

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, this week, the Senate will consider 
legislation to protect and support firefighters across the country: the 
Fire Grants and Safety Act.
  Every day, our Nation's bravest run headfirst toward danger to 
extinguish fires and defend our communities. And they do it without a 
moment's hesitation--no matter the risks they face. We saw that last 
week, when a 2-day chemical fire raged at a plastics recycling plant in 
Richmond, IN, forcing thousands of people to evacuate. Firefighters 
worked around the clock, while inhaling toxic plumes, to battle the 
flames and protect families. This was just weeks after firefighters in 
East Palestine, OH, responded to a similar crisis, when a train 
carrying toxic chemicals derailed and exploded into a raging ball of 
fire.
  But it is not only huge, headline-making fires that expose 
firefighters to dangerous pollutants; it is nearly every household 
fire, as well. The No. 1 line-of-duty cause of death for firefighters 
is occupational cancer from toxic exposure. And yet fire departments 
still lack critical equipment--like self-contained breathing 
apparatuses--that protect firefighters from toxic gases. Even when 
departments do have this gear on-hand, it can be dangerously outdated. 
In many cases, this equipment is nearing--or past--its expiration date, 
oftentimes by 10 years or more.
  Before the recess, the Senate voted 96-0 to advance the Fire Grants 
and Safety Act, which would help fire departments obtain updated, 
lifesaving equipment. It would reauthorize two grant programs through 
2030: the AFG Program and the SAFER Program.
  Whether career, volunteer, or combination fire departments, AFG helps 
ensure that they have the resources they need to train and equip 
personnel. And SAFER helps with hiring and staffing to ensure 24/7 
community protection. In the history of these programs, AFG has 
provided $8.1 billion to fire departments, and SAFER has provided $5.2 
billion. We need to pass this bill before these programs expire on 
September 30, so our fire departments have the resources and personnel 
they need to keep our communities safe.

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