[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 21160]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



   INTRODUCING THE STAFFING FOR ADEQUATE FIRE AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE 
                          (SAFER) ACT OF 2001

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GENE GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 30, 2001

  Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, in the aftermath of the heinous 
attacks against our nation on September 11, we have discovered many 
things that our society has taken for granted. Foremost among these is 
the selflessness and dedication of our nation's fire fighters.
  These brave men and women who have for so long protected our homes, 
families, and communities, are now being asked to fill a new, expanded 
role beyond simply putting out fires. Fire fighters engage in search 
and rescue activities, respond to natural disasters like floods, 
tornadoes, and hurricanes, and are on the front lines in the fight 
against terrorism, especially the growing threat of chemical and 
biological warfare.
  However, two-thirds of all fire departments in America are 
inadequately staffed and do not meet the National Fire Protection 
Association (NFPA)'s 1710 Standard, which recommends no less than four 
fire fighters per vehicle. My hometown of Houston, center of our 
nation's petrochemical industry, location of our nation's second-
largest port and home to a former president, is a prominent target for 
terrorist attacks. Tight budgets have led to a shortage of fire 
fighters, and have put an increasing strain on the ability of the 
Houston Fire Department to respond. Other jurisdictions across America 
suffer from similar staffing shortages.
  That is why I am introducing the Staffing for Adequate Fire and 
Emergency Response (SAFER) Act of 2001. This legislation will ensure 
that we have an adequate number of well-trained fire fighters who can 
fill that expanded role as first responders to fires, emergencies, and 
terrorist attacks, including chemical and biological attacks.
  The SAFER Act would establish a seven-year grant program, closely 
modeled after the successful Community Oriented Policing, Services 
(COPS) program. This program would add an additional 75,000 fire 
fighters in departments across America. Under SAFER, the Federal 
government would cover 75% of the salary and benefits for a three-year 
period, with the grantee covering the remainder of the cost. The local 
departments would then be required to retain that position for at least 
one additional year. Based on the experiences of the COPS program, once 
an agency has invested four years in an individual, it is likely that 
they will be retained.
  In the wake of the attacks on the World Trade and Pentagon, Congress 
has the responsibility to assist states and communities in protecting 
Americans from future terrorist incidents. I hope that Congress will 
act quickly and pass this legislation that will strengthen our homeland 
defense by providing our fire fighters the manpower they need to 
protect us from this expanded threat.

                          ____________________