[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 8]
[House]
[Pages 11160-11162]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 PROVIDING FOR INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION OF FOREST SERVICE FIREFIGHTER 
            DEATHS CAUSED BY WILDFIRE ENTRAPMENT OR BURNOVER

  Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the

[[Page 11161]]

bill (H.R. 3971) to provide for an independent investigation of Forest 
Service firefighter deaths that are caused by wildfire entrapment or 
burnover.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 3971

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE INSPECTOR GENERAL 
                   INVESTIGATION OF FOREST SERVICE FIREFIGHTER 
                   DEATHS.

       (a) Independent Investigation.--In the case of each 
     fatality of an officer or employee of the Forest Service that 
     occurs due to wildfire entrapment or burnover, the Inspector 
     General of the Department of Agriculture shall conduct an 
     investigation of the fatality. The investigation shall not 
     rely on, and shall be completely independent of, any 
     investigation of the fatality that is conducted by the Forest 
     Service.
       (b) Submission of Results.--As soon as possible after 
     completing an investigation under subsection (a), the 
     Inspector General of the Department of Agriculture shall 
     submit to Congress and the Secretary of Agriculture a report 
     containing the results of the investigation.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Virginia (Mr. Goodlatte) and the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands 
(Mrs. Christensen) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Goodlatte).
  Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume, and I rise today in support of H.R. 3971, introduced by my 
colleague, the gentleman from Washington State (Mr. Hastings), to 
provide for an independent investigation of Forest Service firefighter 
deaths that are caused by wildfire entrapment or burnover.
  Today, as we debate this issue, large wildfires are burning across 
the country. Over 1.4 million acres have already been consumed, and the 
worst may be yet to come. The devastating fires that are burning right 
now warrant the passage of this legislation. This bill provides for a 
thorough and unbiased investigation of firefighter fatalities by an 
independent source.
  Firefighting is an inherently dangerous job, and we should do what we 
can to reduce the risks. I believe the main purpose for this 
legislation is to prevent future deaths from occurring. However, it is 
important to remember that the most effective way to prevent 
firefighter fatalities is to prevent catastrophic wildfires from 
occurring in the first place.
  Our Nation's forests are in desperate need of good management to 
restore them to a state where they can endure natural low-intensity 
wildfires, wildfires that are more predictable and, therefore, safer 
for firefighters and communities by preventing the extreme and erratic 
behavior that makes fighting fires so dangerous. It is very simple 
logic. The best way to prevent firefighter deaths is to prevent 
catastrophic wildfires.
  Due to past instances and the fires currently burning across the 
Nation, I believe this bill provides another tool for the well-being of 
firefighters. In so doing, I hope that we will not lose focus on the 
more important point of preventing wildfires through the healthy 
management of our forest land.
  This legislation is important and strives to ensure mistakes causing 
deaths are not made twice. It ensures our Nation's commitment to the 
safety of firefighters. The integrity for investigations of firefighter 
deaths should not be jeopardized, and by passing this legislation we 
move to address the issue of creating safer environments for 
firefighters by preventing catastrophic wildfires.
  I urge the Members of this body to join me in taking this important 
step today. By passing H.R. 3971, we can renew the efforts for 
firefighter protection and move on to ultimate safeguards for 
firefighters, which are the management of healthy forests and the 
prevention of catastrophic wildfires.
  I congratulate the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Hastings) for his 
introduction of this legislation, and I urge my colleagues to join me 
in declaring a strong complement to the safety of firefighters.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3971; and I want to commend 
the sponsors of this legislation, the gentleman from Washington (Mr. 
Hastings), the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Nethercutt), the 
gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. Dunn), but also on our side the 
gentleman from Washington (Mr. Smith), the gentleman from Washington 
(Mr. Inslee), the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Dicks), and the 
gentleman from Washington (Mr. Larsen) for introducing this bill.
  I think it is important, especially as we look at the fires that are 
raging in the West today, that we provide for an investigation of any 
deaths that might occur, as well as the deaths that occurred last year. 
So I am pleased to stand here in support of this legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield such time as 
he may consume to the gentleman from Washington State (Mr. Hastings), 
the author of the legislation.
  Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from 
Virginia for yielding me this time.
  Mr. Speaker, the massive wildfires burning out of control in Arizona 
today are on the front pages of newspapers all across America reminding 
people in other parts of the country of the enormous threat these 
dangerous fires pose to both lives and property.
  Westerners, however, need no such reminders because we live with the 
destructive power of wildfires year in and year out. At this time each 
summer, as the fire season gets under way, thousands of men and women 
strap on their gear and head out to fire lines seeking to contain one 
of the most destructive natural forces known to man.
  Fighting wildfires is dirty, dangerous, and, at times, terrifying 
work. Those who do it face risks most of us can hardly imagine. They do 
so knowing that with first-rate training, equipment, and leadership, 
their efforts will help protect the lives and property of those caught 
in the path of raging wildfires.
  Often, firefighters are injured in the line of duty. Sometimes, 
tragically, lives are lost on the fire line. In some cases, the cause 
is beyond anyone's control, other times mistakes are made. And mistakes 
will inevitably be made in these situations, which are so 
extraordinarily challenging to both the mind and the body.
  Each time tragedy strikes in this way, it is only natural to seek to 
understand precisely what happened and why. Mr. Speaker, that desire is 
at the heart of this legislation before us today. Last summer, in my 
district, four young firefighters lost their lives fighting a fire 
known as the Thirty Mile Fire in Okanogan County. They were Tom Craven, 
Karen Fitspatrick, Jessica Johnson, and Devin Weaver.
  To most Americans, the people they see fighting wildfires in the news 
reports are just figures on their TV screens, and that is, of course, 
understandable. But to those of us in the West, those men and women are 
our neighbors and our friends; and it is natural for us to want to do 
all we can to protect those who risk so much protecting us. One of the 
best ways to protect lives in the future is to fully understand what 
caused the lost lives in the first place. That must be the unquestioned 
top priority of the Federal firefighting officials in the aftermath of 
any lethal wildfire.
  My bill, H.R. 3971, is to ensure that that is done. This legislation 
requires the Inspector General of the Department of Agriculture to 
conduct an investigation in the deaths of any firefighters killed by 
wildfire. This investigation is separate and independent of any Forest 
Service internal review. An independent examination of what went wrong 
will help provide information on how similar events can be prevented in 
the future and how firefighters can better be prepared and protected 
and how lives can be saved. Independent investigations will also help 
to ensure oversight and accountability in the Forest Service.

[[Page 11162]]

  Mr. Speaker, this legislation may not benefit the families in my 
district that have endured the tragic loss of their loved ones; yet I 
am confident that they, more than anyone, understand the value of 
requiring independent investigations in the future. Should such a 
tragedy occur again, everyone concerned will have more confidence and 
faith in an independent investigation than an internal agency review.
  It is the hope that no firefighter will lose their life battling a 
wildfire; yet we should pass this bill to make certain that if there is 
a loss of life, that tragedy will be independently investigated to 
identify what happened, why it happened, and how it can be prevented in 
the future.

                              {time}  1430

  In addition, no matter how much we improve the quality of 
investigations, it is vital that we take the necessary steps to improve 
forest health through reponsible forest management practices. We have 
already seen too many devastating fires in the West this year that have 
caused terrible damage and harm to property and families.
  Congress must act to address forest health and management practices. 
Regrettably, for too long this has not been a priority of the Federal 
Government. This ``hands-off approach'' has contributed to the 
devastation we see today in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, indeed 
throughout the West. Effective forest management is vital to removing 
the root causes of forest fires.
  Finally, Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
acknowledge Senator Maria Cantwell for her leadership in the other 
body. She has introduced companion legislation and has tirelessly 
worked to ensure that this legislation becomes law. The goal of H.R. 
3971 is simple and straightforward: Ensuring independent investigations 
to improve firefighting safety. I urge Members to support H.R. 3971.
  Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Dan Miller of Florida). The question is 
on the motion offered by the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Goodlatte) 
that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3971.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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