[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 14]
[House]
[Pages 19994-19997]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     UNITED STATES FIRE ADMINISTRATION REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2008

  Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the Senate bill (S. 2606) to reauthorize the United States Fire 
Administration, and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read the title of the Senate bill.
  The text of the Senate bill is as follows:

                                S. 2606

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

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This subtitle may be cited as the ``United States Fire 
     Administration Reauthorization Act of 2008''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       Congress makes the following findings:
       (1) The number of lives lost each year because of fire has 
     dropped significantly over the last 25 years in the United 
     States. However, the United States still has one of the 
     highest fire death rates in the industrialized world. In 
     2006, the National Fire Protection Association reported 3,245 
     civilian fire deaths, 16,400 civilian fire injuries, and 
     $11,307,000,000 in direct losses due to fire.
       (2) Every year, more than 100 firefighters die in the line 
     of duty. The United States Fire Administration should 
     continue its leadership to help local fire agencies 
     dramatically reduce these fatalities.
       (3) The Federal Government should continue to work with 
     State and local governments and the fire service community to 
     further the promotion of national voluntary consensus 
     standards that increase firefighter safety.
       (4) The United States Fire Administration provides crucial 
     support to the 30,300 fire departments of the United States 
     through training, emergency incident data collection, fire 
     awareness and education, and support of research and 
     development activities for fire prevention, control, and 
     suppression technologies.
       (5) The collection of data on fire and other emergency 
     incidents is a vital tool both for policy makers and 
     emergency responders to identify and develop responses to 
     emerging hazards. Improving the data collection capabilities 
     of the United States Fire Administration is essential for 
     accurately tracking and responding to the magnitude and 
     nature of the fire problems of the United States.
       (6) The research and development performed by the National 
     Institute of Standards and Technology, the United States Fire 
     Administration, other government agencies, and 
     nongovernmental organizations on fire technologies, 
     techniques, and tools advance the capabilities of the fire 
     service of the United States to suppress and prevent fires.
       (7) Because of the essential role of the United States Fire 
     Administration and the fire service community in preparing 
     for and responding to national and man-made disasters, the 
     United States Fire Administration should have a prominent 
     place within the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the 
     Department of Homeland Security.

     SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR UNITED STATES 
                   FIRE ADMINISTRATION.

       Section 17(g)(1) of the Federal Fire Prevention and Control 
     Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 2216(g)(1)) is amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``and'' after the 
     semicolon;
       (2) in subparagraph (D), by striking the period at the end 
     and inserting a semicolon; and
       (3) by adding after subparagraph (D) the following:
       ``(E) $70,000,000 for fiscal year 2009, of which $2,520,000 
     shall be used to carry out section 8(f);
       ``(F) $72,100,000 for fiscal year 2010, of which $2,595,600 
     shall be used to carry out section 8(f);
       ``(G) $74,263,000 for fiscal year 2011, of which $2,673,468 
     shall be used to carry out section 8(f); and
       ``(H) $76,490,890 for fiscal year 2012, of which $2,753,672 
     shall be used to carry out section 8(f).''.

     SEC. 4. NATIONAL FIRE ACADEMY TRAINING PROGRAM MODIFICATIONS 
                   AND REPORTS.

       (a) Amendments to Fire Academy Training.--Section 7(d)(1) 
     of the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (15 
     U.S.C. 2206(d)(1)) is amended--
       (1) by amending subparagraph (H) to read as follows:
       ``(H) tactics and strategies for dealing with natural 
     disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made 
     disasters;'';
       (2) in subparagraph (K), by striking ``forest'' and 
     inserting ``wildland'';
       (3) in subparagraph (M), by striking ``response'';
       (4) by redesignating subparagraphs (I) through (N) as 
     subparagraphs (M) through (R), respectively; and
       (5) by inserting after subparagraph (H) the following:
       ``(I) tactics and strategies for fighting large-scale fires 
     or multiple fires in a general area that cross jurisdictional 
     boundaries;
       ``(J) tactics and strategies for fighting fires occurring 
     at the wildland-urban interface;
       ``(K) tactics and strategies for fighting fires involving 
     hazardous materials;
       ``(L) advanced emergency medical services training;''.
       (b) On-Site Training.--Section 7 of such Act (15 U.S.C. 
     2206) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (c)(6), by inserting ``, including on-
     site training'' after ``United States''';
       (2) in subsection (f), by striking ``4 percent'' and 
     inserting ``7.5 percent''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(m) On-Site Training.--
       ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the 
     Administrator may enter into a contract with nationally 
     recognized organizations that have established on-site 
     training programs that comply with national voluntary 
     consensus standards for fire service personnel to facilitate 
     the delivery of the education and training programs outlined 
     in subsection (d)(1) directly to fire service personnel.
       ``(2) Limitation.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Administrator may not enter into a 
     contract with an organization described in paragraph (1) 
     unless such organization provides training that--
       ``(i) leads to certification by a program that is 
     accredited by a nationally recognized accreditation 
     organization; or
       ``(ii) the Administrator determines is of equivalent 
     quality to a fire service training program described by 
     clause (i).
       ``(B) Approval of unaccredited fire service training 
     programs.--The Administrator may consider the fact that an 
     organization has provided a satisfactory fire service 
     training program pursuant to a cooperative agreement with a 
     Federal agency as evidence that such program is of equivalent 
     quality to a fire service training program described by 
     subparagraph (A)(i).
       ``(3) Restriction on use of funds.--The amounts expended by 
     the Administrator to carry out this subsection in any fiscal 
     year

[[Page 19995]]

     shall not exceed 7.5 per centum of the amount authorized to 
     be appropriated in such fiscal year pursuant to section 
     17.''.
       (c) Triennial Reports.--Such section 7 (15 U.S.C. 2206) is 
     further amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(n) Triennial Report.--In the first annual report filed 
     pursuant to section 16 for which the deadline for filing is 
     after the expiration of the 18-month period that begins on 
     the date of the enactment of the United States Fire 
     Administration Reauthorization Act of 2008, and in every 
     third annual report thereafter, the Administrator shall 
     include information about changes made to the National Fire 
     Academy curriculum, including--
       ``(1) the basis for such changes, including a review of the 
     incorporation of lessons learned by emergency response 
     personnel after significant emergency events and emergency 
     preparedness exercises performed under the National Exercise 
     Program; and
       ``(2) the desired training outcome of all such changes.''.
       (d) Report on Feasibility of Providing Incident Command 
     Training for Fires at Ports and in Marine Environments.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the United 
     States Fire Administration shall submit to Congress a report 
     on the feasibility of providing training in incident command 
     for appropriate fire service personnel for fires at United 
     States ports and in marine environments, including fires on 
     the water and aboard vessels.
       (2) Contents.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall 
     include the following:
       (A) A description of the necessary curriculum for training 
     described in paragraph (1).
       (B) A description of existing training programs related to 
     incident command in port and maritime environments, including 
     by other Federal agencies, and the feasibility and estimated 
     cost of making such training available to appropriate fire 
     service personnel.
       (C) An assessment of the feasibility and advisability of 
     the United States Fire Administration developing such a 
     training course in incident command for appropriate fire 
     service personnel for fires at United States ports and in 
     marine environments, including fires on the water and aboard 
     vessels.
       (D) A description of the delivery options for such a course 
     and the estimated cost to the United States Fire 
     Administration for developing such a course and providing 
     such training for appropriate fire service personnel.

     SEC. 5. NATIONAL FIRE INCIDENT REPORTING SYSTEM UPGRADES.

       (a) Incident Reporting System Database.--Section 9 of the 
     Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 
     2208) is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(d) National Fire Incident Reporting System Update.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Administrator shall update the 
     National Fire Incident Reporting System to ensure that the 
     information in the system is available, and can be updated, 
     through the Internet and in real time.
       ``(2) Limitation.--Of the amounts made available pursuant 
     to subparagraphs (E), (F), and (G) of section 17(g)(1), the 
     Administrator shall use not more than an aggregate amount of 
     $5,000,000 during the 3-year period consisting of fiscal 
     years 2009, 2010, and 2011 to carry out the activities 
     required by paragraph (1).''.
       (b) Technical Correction.--Section 9(b)(2) of such Act (15 
     U.S.C. 2208(b)(2)) is amended by striking ``assist State,'' 
     and inserting ``assist Federal, State,''.

     SEC. 6. FIRE TECHNOLOGY ASSISTANCE AND RESEARCH 
                   DISSEMINATION.

       (a) Assistance to Fire Services for Fire Prevention and 
     Control in Wildland-Urban Interface.--Section 8(d) of the 
     Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 
     2207(d)) is amended to read as follows:
       ``(d) Rural and Wildland-Urban Interface Assistance.--The 
     Administrator may, in coordination with the Secretary of 
     Agriculture, the Secretary of the Interior, and the Wildland 
     Fire Leadership Council, assist the fire services of the 
     United States, directly or through contracts, grants, or 
     other forms of assistance, in sponsoring and encouraging 
     research into approaches, techniques, systems, equipment, and 
     land-use policies to improve fire prevention and control in--
       ``(1) the rural and remote areas of the United States; and
       ``(2) the wildland-urban interface.''.
       (b) Technology Research Dissemination.--Section 8 of such 
     Act (15 U.S.C. 2207) is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:
       ``(h) Publication of Research Results.--
       ``(1) In general.--For each fire-related research program 
     funded by the Administration, the Administrator shall make 
     available to the public on the Internet website of the 
     Administration the following:
       ``(A) A description of such research program, including the 
     scope, methodology, and goals thereof.
       ``(B) Information that identifies the individuals or 
     institutions conducting the research program.
       ``(C) The amount of funding provided by the Administration 
     for such program.
       ``(D) The results or findings of the research program.
       ``(2) Deadlines.--
       ``(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B), 
     the information required by paragraph (1) shall be published 
     with respect to a research program as follows:
       ``(i) The information described in subparagraphs (A), (B), 
     and (C) of paragraph (1) with respect to such research 
     program shall be made available under paragraph (1) not later 
     than 30 days after the Administrator has awarded the funding 
     for such research program.
       ``(ii) The information described in subparagraph (D) of 
     paragraph (1) with respect to a research program shall be 
     made available under paragraph (1) not later than 60 days 
     after the date such research program has been completed.
       ``(B) Exception.--No information shall be required to be 
     published under this subsection before the date that is 1 
     year after the date of the enactment of the United States 
     Fire Administration Reauthorization Act of 2008.''.

     SEC. 7. ENCOURAGING ADOPTION OF STANDARDS FOR FIREFIGHTER 
                   HEALTH AND SAFETY.

       The Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (15 
     U.S.C. 2201 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:

     ``SEC. 37. ENCOURAGING ADOPTION OF STANDARDS FOR FIREFIGHTER 
                   HEALTH AND SAFETY.

       ``The Administrator shall promote adoption by fire services 
     of national voluntary consensus standards for firefighter 
     health and safety, including such standards for firefighter 
     operations, training, staffing, and fitness, by--
       ``(1) educating fire services about such standards;
       ``(2) encouraging the adoption at all levels of government 
     of such standards; and
       ``(3) making recommendations on other ways in which the 
     Federal Government can promote the adoption of such standards 
     by fire services.''.

     SEC. 8. STATE AND LOCAL FIRE SERVICE REPRESENTATION AT 
                   NATIONAL OPERATIONS CENTER.

       Section 515 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 
     321d) is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(c) State and Local Fire Service Representation.--
       ``(1) Establishment of position.--The Secretary shall, in 
     consultation with the Administrator of the United States Fire 
     Administration, establish a fire service position at the 
     National Operations Center established under subsection (b) 
     to ensure the effective sharing of information between the 
     Federal Government and State and local fire services.
       ``(2) Designation of position.--The Secretary shall 
     designate, on a rotating basis, a State or local fire service 
     official for the position described in paragraph (1).
       ``(3) Management.--The Secretary shall manage the position 
     established pursuant to paragraph (1) in accordance with such 
     rules, regulations, and practices as govern other similar 
     rotating positions at the National Operations Center.''.

     SEC. 9. COORDINATION REGARDING FIRE PREVENTION AND CONTROL 
                   AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES.

       (a) In General.--Section 21(e) of the Federal Fire 
     Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 2218(e)) is 
     amended to read as follows:
       ``(e) Coordination.--
       ``(1) In general.--To the extent practicable, the 
     Administrator shall use existing programs, data, information, 
     and facilities already available in other Federal Government 
     departments and agencies and, where appropriate, existing 
     research organizations, centers, and universities.
       ``(2) Coordination of fire prevention and control 
     programs.--The Administrator shall provide liaison at an 
     appropriate organizational level to assure coordination of 
     the activities of the Administrator with Federal, State, and 
     local government agencies and departments and nongovernmental 
     organizations concerned with any matter related to programs 
     of fire prevention and control.
       ``(3) Coordination of emergency medical services 
     programs.--The Administrator shall provide liaison at an 
     appropriate organizational level to assure coordination of 
     the activities of the Administrator related to emergency 
     medical services provided by fire service-based systems with 
     Federal, State, and local government agencies and departments 
     and nongovernmental organizations so concerned, as well as 
     those entities concerned with emergency medical services 
     generally.''.
       (b) Fire Service-Based Emergency Medical Services Best 
     Practices.--Section 8(c) of such Act (15 U.S.C. 2207(c)) is 
     amended--
       (1) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (4) as 
     paragraphs (3) through (5), respectively; and
       (2) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new 
     paragraph:
       ``(2) The Administrator is authorized to conduct, directly 
     or through contracts or grants, studies of the operations and 
     management aspects of fire service-based emergency medical 
     services and coordination between emergency medical services 
     and fire

[[Page 19996]]

     services. Such studies may include the optimum protocols for 
     on-scene care, the allocation of resources, and the training 
     requirements for fire service-based emergency medical 
     services.''.

     SEC. 10. AMENDMENTS TO DEFINITIONS.

       Section 4 of the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 
     1974 (15 U.S.C. 2203) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (3), by striking ``Administration'' and 
     inserting ``Administration, within the Federal Emergency 
     Management Agency'';
       (2) in paragraph (7), by striking the ``and'' after the 
     semicolon;
       (3) in paragraph (8), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (4) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(9) `wildland-urban interface' has the meaning given such 
     term in section 101 of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 
     2003 (16 U.S.C. 6511).''.

     SEC. 11. SUPPORTING THE ADOPTION OF FIRE SPRINKLERS.

       Congress supports the recommendations of the United States 
     Fire Administration regarding the adoption of fire sprinklers 
     in commercial buildings and educational programs to raise 
     awareness of the important of installing fire sprinklers in 
     residential buildings.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Maryland (Ms. Edwards) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Maryland.


                             General Leave

  Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to 
include extraneous material on S. 2606, the bill now under 
consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Maryland?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  I rise today in strong support of S. 2606, the U.S. Fire 
Administration Reauthorization Act of 2008. This bill is a companion 
bill to H.R. 4847 that passed out of the House last April.
  The U.S. Fire Administration is an invaluable resource for our 
Nation's firefighters and for the communities they protect. Through 
training, data collection, fire education for the public, and for the 
support for fire-related research and development, the USFA provides 
critical tools and leadership. To the fire service from small-scale 
individual tragedies such as house fires and car accidents to the 
community- and region-wide disasters of terrorist attacks or floods, 
firefighters are often the first to arrive on the scene and are the 
last to leave.
  We depend on our firefighters, but firefighters also depend on us. 
They depend on the public and on their elected officials to make sure 
that they have the resources, the equipment and the training they need 
to do their job. If they are not properly equipped, we are all at risk.
  Congress saw the need to create the USFA in 1973 when the America 
Burning report called attention to over 6,000 Americans each year who 
died in fires and to the 100,000 who were injured. Through the 
leadership of the USFA and others, the number of people killed in fires 
each year has dropped by 50 percent down to approximately 3,000, and 
injuries have dropped by 84 percent. While impressive, 3,000 deaths are 
still far too many, especially when so many of these deaths and 
injuries are from our most vulnerable populations--children and the 
elderly.
  S. 2606 is nearly identical to the House bill that passed unanimously 
on this floor in April. The bill reauthorizes this important agency for 
4 years at funding levels that will enable the USFA to fully carry out 
its mission.
  I want to highlight that S. 2606 reflects the priorities for this 
agency as expressed by members of the fire service community at a 
Science and Technology Committee meeting held last year.
  S. 2606 authorizes the USFA to focus on the pressing challenges of 
fighting fires in the wildland-urban interface. As communities spread 
deeper into fire-prone wildlands, local fire departments are faced with 
the daunting challenge of fighting fires that differ significantly from 
those they are trained to tackle. The bill also authorizes the USFA to 
offer training for fires involving hazardous materials as well as 
advanced topics on emergency medical services.
  Firefighters today are called upon to respond to an ever broader 
array of emergencies. This authorization bill gives the USFA the 
authority to make sure its training program keeps pace with the 
increasing challenges to the fire service.
  S. 2606 is the product of bipartisan and bicameral collaboration, and 
it is supported by major fire service organizations, including the 
International Association of Fire Chiefs, the International Association 
of Firefighters, the National Volunteer Fire Council, the National Fire 
Protection Association, and the Congressional Fire Services Institute.
  The resources and leadership of USFA are an essential part of the 
ability of the fire service to protect our cities, towns and 
communities. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise, of course, in support of S. 
2606, a bill reauthorizing the United States Fire Administration. It's 
a companion bill to H.R. 4847, which passed the House in April with 
unanimous support after moving through the Committee on Science and 
Technology by regular order.
  This act authorizes the activities of the United States Fire 
Administration for fiscal year 2009 through 2012. USFA provides 
critical support to our Nation's firefighters through training, through 
research and development and through logistical support. For instance, 
the USFA provides firefighter training to over 80,000 firefighters per 
year; it compiles nationwide data on fire control and prevention 
activities, and it oversees the fire grants programs that have 
dramatically improved the capabilities and the preparedness of our 
Nation's fire services.
  This is an extremely important agency in our committee's 
jurisdiction. I'd like to thank Mr. Mitchell and Dr. Gingrey, vice 
chair and ranking member of the Technology and Innovation Subcommittee, 
for their hard work over the past year on this matter.
  The United States Fire Administration does a wonderful job of 
providing support to first responders across the country. The 
reauthorization of this agency is an important priority for me, and I 
urge the passage of S. 2606.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for 
time. I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HALL of Texas. I have no other speakers. I yield back the balance 
of my time.
  Mr. GINGREY. Mr. Speaker, I risk in strong support of S. 2606, the 
United States Fire Administration Reauthorization Act of 2008.
  This legislation reauthorizes the United States Fire Administration 
(USFA) for fiscal years 2009 through 2012 for the agency's activities 
in training, fire education and awareness, data collection, research, 
and standards development and promotion. S. 2606 provides $291 million 
in federal funds over this 5-year period, which is consistent with 
previously authorized levels and allows only for a modest growth in 
funding, capped at 3 percent in any of the fiscal years covered by this 
bill.
  The mission of USFA is to limit economic and life loss ``due to fire 
and related emergencies, through leadership, advocacy, coordination and 
support.'' This organization provides vital assistance in the areas of 
training, fire education and awareness, and awards grants to a number 
of local fire departments across the country. Since its inception in 
1974, USFA has trained over 1 million firefighters through local 
delivery courses as well as through the National Fire Academy in 
Emmitsburg, Maryland. USFA has provided support critical to reducing 
deaths and injuries in the U.S. from fire by 25 percent between 1996 
and 2006.
  S. 2606 is the Senate companion bill to H.R. 4847, which the House 
passed on April 3rd of this year by a vote of 412-0. The Senate bill 
includes the same authorization amounts and makes minor modifications 
to the House-passed version that only further improve the legislation. 
I am proud to say that this legislation has been crafted in both a 
bipartisan and bicameral way--with community stakeholders--to ensure 
that it meets the

[[Page 19997]]

needs of our firefighting community. I commend my colleagues on the 
Science Committee in particular Chairman Gordon, Ranking Member Hall 
and Mr. Mitchell of Arizona, who is the lead sponsor of the House-
passed bill--for their diligence in bringing this important legislation 
to the House floor today.
  Mr. Speaker, S. 2606 authorizes USFA to continue its current 
operations and expand training and research in a fiscally responsible 
manner. The bill will provide firefighter training to over 80,000 
firefighters per year and facilitate the delivery of education and 
training programs to firefighters through local training efforts. S. 
2606 also aids research into techniques, systems, and equipment to 
improve fire prevention and control in sparsely developed communities 
that have been particularly hard hit by fire in the past few years. 
This legislation also specifically addresses the issue of fighting 
fires in an urban-wildland interface--like the wildfires we saw last 
year in Southern California--by implementing methods to better respond 
and prepare for fires that move from wildlands to suburban and urban 
areas.
  As a physician, I am particularly pleased that S. 2606 includes 
language I offered in the Science Committee to improve emergency 
medical care by facilitating USFA's coordination with other groups as 
well as its ability to disseminate information on best-practices for 
EMS operations and management.
  Firefighters are called upon to extract victims from car crashes, 
building fires or collapses, and all other emergencies. It is critical 
that patients receive consistent care under medical direction. While I 
do not expect USFA to pursue studies into the medical care EMS patients 
should receive, I believe that this language in S. 2606 will give the 
Administrator the authority and flexibility to conduct studies into 
training, system design, and on-scene patient management. This will 
allow the Administrator to work with appropriate federal agencies and 
existing medical services in these local communities.
  Mr. Speaker, it has been a great honor to work with the men and women 
of our Nation's fire services--including the Congressional Fire 
Services Institute, the International Association of Fire Fighters, the 
International Association of Fire Chiefs, and the National Volunteer 
Fire Council--on this important legislation. The United States Fire 
Administration is a vital link to these first responders and this 
agency has made substantial contributions to improving fire services 
throughout the country. S. 2606 will ensure that USFA remains vibrant 
and productive in the years to come.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleagues on both sides of the 
aisle for their support and thoughtful contributions to this bill. I 
urge passage of S. 2606 that will enable the USFA to continue its 
record of achievement as well as prepare firefighters for the 
challenges they will face in the future.
  Mr. MITCHELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 2606, the United 
States Fire Administration Reauthorization.
  Last year, I was proud to introduce H.R. 4847, the House version of 
the U.S. Fire Administration Reauthorization along with my colleague 
from Georgia, Dr. Gingrey. I voted for and the House unanimously passed 
H.R. 4847 by a vote of 412 to zero on April 3, 2007.
  Firefighters are often the first--and the last-to leave an emergency 
scene. Whether it's putting out a house fire or a wildfire--or 
responding to a terrorist attack or a car accident--we depend on 
firefighters every day.
  But firefighters also depend on us. They depend on the public and 
their elected officials to make sure that they have the resources, the 
equipment and the training they need to do their job. Without those 
tools, we put them and all of us at unnecessary risk.
  The U.S. Fire Administration is an invaluable resource for our 
Nation's firefighters and the communities they protect. Through 
training, data collection, fire education for the public, and support 
for fire related research and development, USFA provides critical tools 
and leadership to the fire service. The resources and leadership of 
USFA are an essential part of the ability of the fire service to 
protect our cities, towns, and communities.
  Firefighters today are called upon to respond to an ever broader 
array of emergencies. This authorization bill gives USFA the authority 
to make sure its training program keeps pace with the increasing 
challenges to the fire service.
  S. 2606 reauthorizes this important agency for four years at funding 
levels that will enable USFA to fully carry out its mission.
  Last fall, the Science and Technology Committee's Subcommittee on 
Technology and Innovation, of which I am a member, heard testimony 
about the priorities of the Nation's fire service community for USFA. 
This bill directly reflects these priorities.
  Fighting wildfires in urban areas requires special training--and I'm 
proud that this legislation enhances Fire Administration training for 
wildland-urban interface fires. In Arizona, one of the toughest 
challenges our firefighters face is wildfires in the wildland-urban 
interface.
  This bill also authorizes USFA to focus on the pressing challenges of 
fires involving hazardous materials as well as advanced topics in 
emergency medical services.
  This legislation is the product of bipartisan collaboration and is 
supported by major fire service organizations, including the 
International Association of Fire Chiefs, the International Association 
of Fire Fighters, the National Volunteer Fire Council, the National 
Fire Protection Association, and the Congressional Fire Services 
Institute.
  The Senate passed S. 2606 unanimously on September 18, 2008. I urge 
my colleagues to support this vital legislation, bringing it one step 
closer to becoming law.
  Mr. WU. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support this legislation to 
reauthorize the United States Fire Administration (USFA). I want to 
congratulate Mr. Mitchell from Arizona for his work on this issue and 
for being instrumental in the passage of the House version of this bill 
earlier this year. I also want to commend Chairman Gordon for his 
leadership of the Committee on Science and Technology throughout the 
110th Congress.
  USFA was formed by Congress in 1974 in response to a report that 
found there were over 12,000 deaths annually due to fire in this 
country and over 300,000 fire injuries each year. Through the hard work 
of USFA and others, we have been fortunate to see that number drop 
dramatically.
  We are now a much safer nation, thanks to improved awareness of fire 
safety practices, increased use of smoke detectors and sprinklers, and 
other fire safety measures. Still, approximately 3,000 people die each 
year in fires and 10,000 more are injured. We also still see too many 
firefighters die in the line of duty, protecting our families and 
homes. We have a lot more work to do.
  USFA supports local fire departments in a variety of manners. It 
offers training and career development to thousands of mid-level 
firefighters, fire chiefs, and other emergency management officials. 
USFA is a great way for the federal government to help coordinate the 
efforts for firefighters at the local level.
  USFA also develops fire education and awareness curriculum material 
to be used in training citizens across the country, aiming its messages 
at groups who suffer the highest fire casualties, such as the young and 
the elderly.
  While Congress is working to reauthorize and build on this important 
program, the president is cutting the budget for this agency. The 
President's FY09 budget cuts funding to USFA by more than 5 percent.
  As firefighters learn to respond to new issues such as fires in the 
wildland-urban interface, terrorist events, and harmful materials 
incidents, we need to provide sufficient funds to train and prepare 
them for these situations.
  Firefighters risk their lives everyday, so they can protect ours. 
Passing this legislation is one way we can express our great 
appreciation. I recommend my colleagues support this legislation so it 
can be signed into law before the end of the 110th Congress.
  Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Maryland (Ms. Edwards) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the Senate bill, S. 2606.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. HALL of Texas. 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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