[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 103 (Tuesday, June 18, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S4120]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       FIRE GRANTS AND SAFETY ACT

  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, now on the fire bill, on a happier note, 
I am proud to say the Senate will send to the President's desk 
bipartisan legislation to support our brave firefighters in New York, 
on Long Island, and across the country. Our firefighters are heroes, 
whether it is New York's bravest at the FDNY or the smaller volunteer 
departments protecting suburban communities in Long Island and in 
Westchester or protecting rural communities throughout Upstate New 
York. Our firefighters represent the best of our community. They rush 
to danger every day to protect us, putting all else aside to help those 
in need.
  Now it is time for the Senate to be there for our firefighters. The 
Fire Grants and Safety Act reauthorizes a series of important grants 
that help keep our fire departments up to speed with Federal dollars. I 
was proud to help create these grants years back, and I have long 
supported this legislation to protect our firefighters so they have the 
support they need.
  The Federal funding in these grants goes directly to making sure that 
they have the lifesaving equipment and personnel they need to do their 
jobs safely and effectively. When it comes to protecting firefighters, 
we should spare no expense, and this legislation shows our firefighters 
that we have their backs as they rush to danger, as they risk their 
lives for our safety. This is especially true in smaller, more rural 
areas and in more suburban areas where there is often not enough 
revenue to afford more resources. Our volunteer firefighters are brave. 
They volunteer. They don't get paid. But they need the best equipment 
just like all the other firefighters, and this grant makes sure that 
that happens in many places.
  So this bipartisan legislation will ensure that our firefighters can 
continue working to keep their communities safe--in the larger cities 
where there are paid fire departments and in suburban and rural America 
where there are volunteer fire departments. It unites both of them in 
this legislation.
  I look forward to voting yes and sending this bill to the President's 
desk today.

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