[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 18]
[House]
[Pages 24328-24329]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    COMMENDING OUR FIRST RESPONDERS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Sutton) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Ms. SUTTON. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 731 to 
commend our first responders for their tireless efforts to ensure our 
safety as they serve on our Nation's front lines. These brave men and 
women are often the first ones on the scene and the last ones to leave.
  Firefighters in Lorain, Elyria, Barberton, Akron, Brunswick, 
Strongsville and throughout my district and our Nation deserve our 
deepest gratitude. In spite of all of the cuts that our firefighters 
are facing, they continue to put their lives on the line to save ours.
  Far too many communities in the 13th District of Ohio have had to lay 
off firefighters. In Lorain, 33 percent of the time, fire station No. 4 
is closed. But even with these frequent closures, they still put their 
lives on the line. They risk their lives without hesitation. Lorain 
firefighters Shawn Lloyd and Dan Russell were injured as they pulled a 
6-year-old girl from a fire. Four firefighters from Elyria saved the 
56-year old life of Russell Bowles, who wasn't breathing and had no 
heartbeat. They used a defibrillator to bring him back to life and then 
rushed him to the hospital.
  In August, an Elyria Township firefighter was injured by a gas tank 
explosion as he was responding to a house fire. In Akron, fire captains 
Albert Bragg and Charles Twigg arrived at a house fire and were told 
someone was still in the home. Without hesitation, they ran into the 
house. They found the man and they carried him to safety. And when a 
man in Brunswick was experiencing a type of cardiac arrest known as the 
``widow maker'' because it almost always results in death, it was 
firefighter Russ Merhaut and his fellow team members who arrived on the 
scene and resuscitated him.
  First responders not only keep us safe, they also actively support 
our communities. This year, Barberton police officers and firefighters 
helped raise about $1,800 for the Youth in Action fund during the 
Police versus Fire Olympics. In Strongsville, the fire department plays 
an active role in Safety Town, which is a fire safety program that 
teaches children about fire safety and prevention.
  We can sleep soundly at night knowing that these men and women are 
here to serve and protect us. But all too often, their service comes at 
a costly price. Each year, approximately 80,000 of our Nation's 
firefighters are injured. And last year, 103 firefighters were killed. 
Those who have made the ultimate sacrifice put their community and 
their neighbors above their own lives. And even though our departed 
firefighters are no longer with us, the lessons they taught us will 
last forever. Their noble and unrelenting allegiance to public service 
embodies the American spirit, and I cannot imagine better role models.
  For these reasons, our Nation's firefighters and first responders 
deserve our continued praise and support. H. Res. 731 expresses our 
great appreciation for these great men and women. However, true support 
should come in the form of job stability. Protecting the jobs of our 
first responders is a top priority in ensuring the safety of all 
communities.
  I was very pleased that language included in the supplemental 
appropriations bill this year expanded the use of the SAFER grants to 
allow communities to retain and rehire firefighters. Communities in my 
district are looking forward to applying for those grants that they so 
desperately need.
  Given the economic hardships currently facing our country, these 
grants are critically important to the wellbeing of our firefighters 
and communities. Far too many communities have had to lay off 
firefighters. And as we all know, these fire department closures cause 
response times to be longer. This can be risky for emergency callers as 
well as for our firefighters because a working fire has more time to 
grow and become more dangerous.
  Lorain firefighters need these SAFER grants, and Fire Chief Tom Brown 
is ready and waiting to apply

[[Page 24329]]

for them. Elyria firefighters need these SAFER grants, and Elyria Fire 
Chief Rich Benton is ready and waiting to apply for them. In Akron, 38 
firefighters have been laid off. Our firefighters are people with 
mortgages and young children. Akron firefighters need these SAFER 
grants, and Fire Chief Larry Bunner is ready and waiting to apply for 
them.
  Competition for the estimated $630 million for the entire country 
will be intense. In 2008, 72 firefighters protected the city of Elyria, 
but today only 46 are tasked with the duty. And our union presidents 
like Dean Marks and Jon George are working hard to preserve jobs and 
the safety of their communities. The IAFF and the OAPF are working hard 
to protect the jobs of these brave men and women.
  Our Nation's first responders can never be thanked enough for their 
efforts. Through this resolution, we recognize their brave work, and it 
does not go unnoticed. We salute the sacrifices and commitment to our 
State and local government officials for their efforts to keep our 
communities safe and deter acts of terrorism. Let's get those SAFER 
grants out.

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