FIREFIGHTERS

Amendments

Health: provide compensation for injuries resulting from smallpox countermeasures, provide protection against chemical or radiological agents, increase distribution of vaccines, and improve vaccine injury compensation (S. 15), S5767 [19MY]

Articles and editorials

Another Blow to America's Firefighting Volunteers, H3572 [1JN]

First Responders Homeland Defense Act, S9011 [9SE]

Gaps in Communication, S9011-S9013 [9SE]

Intercepting Bioterrorism, H5737 [14JY]

Nearly 45,000 U.S. Police, Fire Officials Urged To Push Congress To Solve First Responder Interoperabilty Crisis; Hundreds of First Responders Expected To Oppose Giveaway to Nextel, S9011 [9SE]

Risky Business—Growth of Private Fire Crews Worries Forest Officials. Some Fear Training and Safety Are Compromised by Burgeoning Use of Contract Firefighters, S5231 [11MY]

True Public Servant, S12052 [8DE]

Bills and resolutions

Appropriations: making emergency supplemental appropriations for wildland firefighting costs (see H.R. 4419), H3437 (see H.R. 4419), H3537 [20MY]

Armed Forces: reimburse State and local governments for certain costs relating to the mobilization of Reserves who are first responder personnel of such governments (see S. Res. 464), S11305 [11OC]

Arms sales: express U.S. policy relative to global standards for the transfer of small arms and light weapons (see S. 2627), S7827 [8JY]

Aviation: require the temporary reinstatement of contracts for large air tankers that were cancelled by the Depts. of Agriculture and the Interior (see H.R. 4533), H3872 [9JN]

Baltimore, MD: tribute to victims of water taxi accident and the bravery of initial responders (see S. Res. 312), S2440 [9MR]

Bastrop, LA: conveyance of certain Federal land to establish and operate a regional emergency services training center for firefighters, police, and EMS personnel serving certain rural communities (see H.R. 4918), H6701 [22JY]

Crime: expand protections against the misuse of public safety officer uniforms (see H.R. 3815), H515 [11FE]

Dept. of Defense: make hazardous duty incentive pay available to uniformed service members performing firefighting duties (see S. 2355), S4493 [28AP]

Dept. of Homeland Security: authorize use of certain grants to pay costs associated with participation of part-time or volunteer first responders in terrorism response training courses (see S. 3005), S11496 [18NO] (see H.R. 5392), H9999 [18NO]

———award research and equipment grants, provide tax credit for employers hiring workers to replace employees receiving first responder training, and provide school-based mental health training (see S. 2459), S5949 [20MY] (see H.R. 5159), H7735 [28SE]

———develop and implement a program to enhance private sector preparedness for emergencies and disasters (see H.R. 4830), H5792 [14JY]

———establish a first responder and terrorism preparedness grant information hotline (see S. 2171), S2223 [4MR] (see S. 2239), S3180 [25MR] (see S. 2632), S7828 [8JY]

———establish the Office of Wireless Public Safety Interoperable Communications (see H.R. 4400), H3391 [19MY]

———make grants to first responders (see H.R. 5430), H11057 [7DE]

———provide improved and up-to-date communications equipment for the New York City Fire Dept. (see H.R. 4386), H3229 [18MY]

———require that half of amounts paid under certain grants for first responders be distributed directly to local entities (see H.R. 4810), H5470 [9JY]

District of Columbia: improve the administration of pension benefit payments to teachers, police officers, and firefighters (see H.R. 4657), H4893 [23JN]

Employment: expand definition of firefighter to include apprentices and trainees, regardless of age or duty limitations (see S. 2695), S8474 [20JY] (see H.R. 4472), H3604 [1JN]

Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act: reauthorize Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (see H.R. 4107), H2018 [1AP]

FEMA: make grants to fire departments for the acquisition of thermal imaging cameras (see H.R. 4643), H4765 [22JN]

Government: commend public servants for their dedication and continued service (see S. Res. 336), S4024 [8AP]

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health: long-term health monitoring of firefighters in disaster areas (see S. 2660), S8229 [15JY]

New York, NY: provide health services for individuals assisting with the response to terrorist attacks (see H.R. 4974), H6703 [22JY]

Railroads: require information on tank cars containing hazardous materials be available to first reponders (see H.R. 4802), H5470 [9JY]

Richmond, VA: tribute to firefighters, police, and others who responded to fire that started in an under-construction apartment building (see H. Res. 612), H2488 [29AP]

Safety: promote wildland firefighter safety (see S. 2410), S5227 [11MY]

———provide financial assistance to improve the health and safety of firefighters, promote use of life saving technologies, and achieve greater equity for departments serving large jurisdictions (see S. 2411), S5227 [11MY]

Taxation: provide a refundable tax credit to public safety volunteers (see H.R. 4216), H2372 [22AP] (see H.R. 4238), H2483 [28AP]

———treatment of personal safety clothing for volunteer firefighters (see H.R. 4339), H2815 [11MY]

Telecommunications: ensure availability of certain spectrum for public safety entities by establishing a certain date by which the transition to digital television shall be completed (see S. 2820), S9441 [21SE]

U.S. Fire Administration: provide assistance to firefighting task forces (see S. 3010), S11639 [19NO]

Volunteer firefighters: remove civil liability barriers surrounding donating fire equipment to volunteer fire companies (see S. 2793), S9130 [13SE]

Letters

Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program funding: Philip C. Stittleburg, National Volunteer Fire Council, S9176 [14SE]

———Steve Edwards, Congressional Fire Services Institute, S9176 [14SE]

Fair Pay for Military Firefighters Act: Joseph L. Barnes, Fleet Reserve Association, S4496 [28AP]

———Richard M. Dean, Air Force Sergeants Association, S4496 [28AP]

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health long-term health monitoring of firefighters in disaster areas: Afrack Vargas, California State Firefighters' Association, Inc., S8231 [15JY]

———Harold A. Schaitberger, International Association of Fire Fighters, S8231 [15JY]

———Philip C. Stittleburg, National Volunteer Fire Council, S8231 [15JY]

Project BioShield Act: Representative Barton, Committee on Energy and Commerce (House), H5730 [14JY]

———Representative Thomas, Committee on Ways and Means (House), H5729 [14JY]

Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Firefighters Program funding: Harold A. Schaitberger, International Association of Fire Fighters, S9169 [14SE]

———Philip C. Stittleburg, National Volunteer Fire Council, S9183 [14SE]

———Robert A. DiPoli, International Association of Fire Chiefs, S9169 [14SE]

Remarks in House

Amherst, NY: dedication of Swormville Fire Co. fire hall, E1725 [29SE]

Appropriations: making emergency supplemental appropriations for wildland firefighting costs (H.R. 4419), E957 [21MY]

Basking Ridge, NJ: anniversary of Basking Ridge Fire Co., No. 1, E1246 [25JN]

Becker, Richard, Jr.: Boyertown Area Times (publication) and Boyertown Jaycees Outstanding Firefigher and Emergency Management Services Person of the Year Award recipient, E556 [20AP]

Bedford, PA: anniversary of Bedford Fire Dept. #1, Inc., E974 [1JN]

Benson's Battalion (organization): tribute, E110 [4FE]

Budget: evaluation of Bush administration proposals, H898 [9MR], H1045-H1051 [11MR]

Colchester, CT: anniversary of Colchester Hayward Volunteer Fire Dept., E1560 [8SE]

Colonial Heights, VA: anniversary of Colonial Heights Fire Dept., E746 [5MY]

Crime: expand protections against the misuse of public safety officer uniforms (H.R. 3815), E174 [12FE]

Crosby Township, OH: tribute to Fernald Fire Dept., E1637 [15SE]

DaVanzo, John: National Volunteer Fire Council Volunteer Firefighter of the Year award recipient, E1837 [7OC]

Denton County, TX: tribute to Denton Fire Dept., E187 [24FE]

Dept. of Agriculture: tribute to Honor Award for Heroism and Emergency Response recipients, E1243, E1245 [25JN]

Dept. of Homeland Security: ensure that the Office of State and Local Government Coordination and Preparedness disburse grant funds to local first responders in a timely manner, H4512, H4513 [18JN]

———first responder interoperable communications funding, H7724 [28SE], H8878 [8OC]

———first responders funding, H4559 [18JN], H6762 [8SE]

———Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Hispanic-serving institutions funding for first responder training, H4514-H4516 [18JN], E1192 [21JN]

———Office of State and Local Government Coordination and Preparedness funding, H4480, H4481 [17JN]

———Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Firefighters Program funding, H4478-H4480 [17JN], H9173 [9OC]

Dept. of Justice: Medal of Valor posthumous awards to public safety officers and Office of Justice Programs funding, H5259, H5260 [7JY]

Disasters: tribute to first responders from Georgia, H6732 [7SE]

District of Columbia: improve the administration of pension benefit payments to teachers, police officers, and firefighters (H.R. 4657), H7705-H7707 [28SE]

Dover, NJ: anniversary of Dover Fire Dept., E1430 [20JY]

Employment: expand definition of firefighter to include apprentices and trainees, regardless of age or duty limitations (H.R. 4472), H3572 [1JN]

Enhanced 9-1-1 Institute: tribute, E188 [24FE]

Fairfax County, VA: tribute to Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce Valor Award recipients, E240, E244, E248 [26FE]

FCC: assign radio spectrum frequencies to public safety agencies (H.R. 1425), H8883 [8OC]

Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act: reauthorize Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (H.R. 4107), H2924 [13MY]

FEMA: establish a program to identify and catalog emergency preparedness compacts, H8901-H8903 [8OC], E1959 [11OC]

Fire prevention: wildfire prevention and management funding, H2992 [13MY]

Fortuna, CA: anniversary of Fortuna Volunteer Fire Dept., E1042 [4JN]

Frankenmuth, MI: anniversary of Frankenmuth Fire Dept., E1035 [4JN]

Frisco City, AL: tribute to residents involved in the rescue of Da'Jour McMillan, E1992 [16NO]

Garfield Township, MI: anniversary of Garfield Township Volunteer Fire Dept., E692 [28AP]

Glenside, PA: anniversary of Weldon Volunteer Fire Co. #3, E683 [28AP]

Government: commend public servants for their dedication and continued service, E794 [7MY]

Great Barrington, MA: anniversary of Hope Fire Co., E554 [20AP]

Great Neck, NY: anniversary of Vigilant Fire Co., E988 [2JN]

Hatfield, PA: tribute to Hatfield Volunteer Fire Co., E286 [3MR]

Health: provide compensation for injuries resulting from smallpox countermeasures, provide protection against chemical or radiological agents, increase distribution of vaccines, and improve vaccine injury compensation (S. 15), H5581 [13JY], H5721-H5741 [14JY], E1399, E1402 [16JY]

Kimberton, PA: anniversary of Kimberton Fire Co., E1691 [24SE]

Lake Arrowhead, CA: tribute to efforts of firefighters who protected community from wildfires, E1243 [25JN]

Lake Ronkonkoma, NY: anniversary of Ronkonkoma Fire Dept., E1116 [15JN]

Mountain Area Safety Task Force (MAST): tribute to efforts in dealing with California wildfires and their aftereffects, E1245 [25JN]

National Firefighters Day: observance, E195 [24FE]

National security: war on terrorism and homeland security funding, H4542, H4543 [18JN], H4833 [23JN]

Niagara County, NY: tribute to Niagara Falls Fire Dept., and New York State Park Police for rescuing a suicidal woman, E1386 [15JY]

North Hampton, PA: tribute to North Hampton Volunteer Fire Dept., E54 [27JA]

Paraguay: express condolences to the families of victims of the supermarket fire in Asuncion, E1667 [21SE]

Plaugher, Edward: Fire Chief (publication) Career Fire Chief of the Year award recipient, E1562 [8SE]

Prince William County, VA: tribute to Prince William Regional Chamber of Commerce Valor Award recipients, E410 [18MR]

Rhinelander, WI: tribute to hosting of collapsed structure training exercise for first responders, E333 [9MR]

Richmond, VA: tribute to firefighters, police, and others who responded to fire that started in an under-construction apartment building (H. Res. 612), H3547-H3549 [1JN], E1075 [8JN]

Safety: establish a permanent grant program to improve public safety communications and the interoperability of emergency communications equipment (H.R. 3370), H3009 [13MY], E843 [14MY]

Sauk City, WI: anniversary of Fire Dept., E877 [17MY]

Shepard, James: Portage, IN, Fireman of the Year award recipient, E1588 [10SE]

Telecommunications: ensure availability of certain spectrum for public safety entities by establishing a certain date by which the transition to digital television shall be completed, H8878, H8879 [8OC]

U.S. Fire Administration: Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program funding, H8995, H8996, H9002 [8OC]

Volunteer firefighters: remove civil liability barriers surrounding donating fire equipment to volunteer fire companies, H8877 [8OC]

———remove civil liability barriers surrounding donating fire equipment to volunteer fire companies (H.R. 1787), H7075, H7090-H7092 [14SE], E1627 [15SE]

Wharton, NJ: anniversary of Wharton Fire Dept., E1242 [25JN]

Remarks in Senate

Armed Forces: reimburse State and local governments for certain costs relating to the mobilization of Reserves who are first responder personnel of such governments (S. Res. 464), S11222 [11OC]

Baltimore, MD: tribute to victims of water taxi accident and the bravery of initial responders (S. Res. 312), S2403, S2404 [9MR]

Budget: reduce level of tax cuts and apply savings to firefighters grant programs, S2272 [8MR], S2606-S2611, S2640, S2641 [11MR]

Chesterfield County, VA: tribute to emergency medical services, police, and fire departments, S10835 [8OC]

Dept. of Agriculture: aerial firefighting aircraft funding, S6711 [14JN]

Dept. of Defense: make hazardous duty incentive pay available to uniformed service members performing firefighting duties (S. 2355), S4496 [28AP]

Dept. of Homeland Security: allocation of homeland security block grant funds to high-threat urban areas and U.S. seaports, S8941-S8945 [8SE]

———Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program funding, S9108 [13SE], S9176, S9177 [14SE]

———authorize use of certain grants to pay costs associated with participation of part-time or volunteer first responders in terrorism response training courses (S. 3005), S11500 [18NO]

———award research and equipment grants, provide tax credit for employers hiring workers to replace employees receiving first responder training, and provide school-based mental health training (S. 2459), S5956-S5958 [20MY]

———establish a first responder and terrorism preparedness grant information hotline (S. 2171), S2233 [4MR]

———establish a first responder and terrorism preparedness grant information hotline (S. 2632), S7867 [8JY], S7900 [9JY]

———first responder interoperable communications funding, S10357 [4OC]

———first responder interoperable communications funding through reductions in human resources account funding, S9009-S9014 [9SE]

———first responders funding through reductions in tax cuts, S8996-S9003 [9SE]

———Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Federal Air Marshals Program, and Office of State and Local Government Coordination and Preparedness funding, S9053-S9055 [10SE], S9669 [24SE]

———Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Firefighters Program funding, S9167-S9171, S9183 [14SE]

District of Columbia: improve the administration of pension benefit payments to teachers, police officers, and firefighters (H.R. 4657), S12027 [8DE]

Employment: expand definition of firefighter to include apprentices and trainees, regardless of age or duty limitations (S. 2695), S8481, S8490 [20JY], S8574 [21JY]

FEMA: mental health counseling services for emergency services personnel ailments resulting from terrorist attacks, S9201 [14SE]

Fire prevention: wildfire prevention and management, S7743 [7JY]

———wildfire prevention and management funding, S146, S147 [22JA]

Forest Service: hazardous fuels reduction activities funding, S2430 [9MR], S5039 [7MY], S8649 [22JY]

Government: commend public servants for their dedication and continued service, S4991 [6MY]

———commend public servants for their dedication and continued service (S. Res. 336), S4379 [26AP], S4764 [3MY]

Haywood County Emergency Operations Appreciation Day: observance, S11483 [18NO]

Health: provide compensation for injuries resulting from smallpox countermeasures, provide protection against chemical or radiological agents, increase distribution of vaccines, and improve vaccine injury compensation (S. 15), S5726 [18MY], S5744-S5767 [19MY]

Mullen, Jim: Bowling Green, KY, Firefighter of the Year award recipient, S6345 [2JN]

National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the U.S.: implement national preparedness recommendations, S9905, S9906 [29SE]

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health: long-term health monitoring of firefighters in disaster areas (S. 2660), S8231 [15JY]

National security: war on terrorism and homeland security funding, S7792-S7800 [8JY], S8619 [22JY]

Pontius, Arthur J.: Congressional Fire Services Caucus Certificate of Award recipient, S1275 [12FE]

Public Service Recognition Week: observance, S4826 [4MY], S5042 [7MY]

Safety: promote wildland firefighter safety (S. 2410), S5229-S5231 [11MY]

———provide financial assistance to improve the health and safety of firefighters, promote use of life saving technologies, and achieve greater equity for departments serving large jurisdictions, S6978, S6982-S6984 [17JN]

———provide financial assistance to improve the health and safety of firefighters, promote use of life saving technologies, and achieve greater equity for departments serving large jurisdictions (S. 2411), S5232-S5236 [11MY], S5366 [12MY]

Telecommunications: ensure availability of certain spectrum for public safety entities by establishing a certain date by which the transition to digital television shall be completed (S. 2820), S9445-S9447 [21SE]

Terrorism: enhance the ability of first responders to respond to incidents of terrorism, S2767 [12MR]

Volunteer firefighters: remove civil liability barriers surrounding donating fire equipment to volunteer fire companies (H.R. 1787), S9864 [28SE], S9986 [29SE], S10474 [6OC]

———remove civil liability barriers surrounding donating fire equipment to volunteer fire companies (S. 2793), S9132 [13SE]

West Warwick, RI: anniversary of nightclub fire, S1267 [12FE]

Reports filed

Emergency Preparedness and Response Act: Committee on Environment and Public Works (Senate) (S. 930) (S. Rept. 108-227), S1586 [25FE]

Faster and Smarter Funding for First Responders Act: Committee on Energy and Commerce (House) (H.R. 3266) (H. Rept. 108-460), H3962 [14JN]

———Committee on Homeland Security (House, Select) (H.R. 3266) (H. Rept. 108-460), H2151 [2AP]

———Committee on the Judiciary (House) (H.R. 3266) (H. Rept. 108-460), H4646 [21JN]

———Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure (House) (H.R. 3266) (H. Rept. 108-460), H4646 [21JN]

Good Samaritan Volunteer Firefighter Assistance Act: Committee on the Judiciary (House) (H.R. 1787) (H. Rept. 108-680), H7137 [14SE]

Spectrum Availability for Emergency-Response and Law-Enforcement To Improve Vital Emergency Services (SAVE LIVES) Act: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation (Senate) (S. 2820), S11639 [19NO]

———Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation (Senate) (S. 2820) (S. Rept. 108-428), S11897 [7DE]

Statements

Cigarette Fire Safety Act: Philip C. Stittleburg, National Volunteer Fire Council, E892 [18MY]

Texts of

H. Res. 612, tribute to firefighters, police, and others who responded to fire that started in an under-construction apartment building in Richmond, VA, H3548 [1JN]

H.R. 1787, Good Samaritan Volunteer Firefighter Assistance Act, H7090 [14SE]

H.R. 4657, District of Columbia Retirement Protection Improvement Act, H7705 [28SE]

S. 15, Project BioShield Act, S5744-S5760 [19MY], H5721-H5729 [14JY]

S. 2355, Fair Pay for Military Firefighters Act, S4496 [28AP]

S. 2459, Community Security Act, S5958-S5961 [20MY]

S. 3005, Rural and Part-Time Firefighter Training Fairness Act, S11500 [18NO]

S. Res. 312, tribute to victims of Baltimore, MD, water taxi accident and the bravery of initial responders, S2403, S2448 [9MR]

S. Res. 336, commend public servants for their dedication and continued service, S4054 [8AP], S4380 [26AP]

S. Res. 464, reimburse State and local governments for certain costs relating to the mobilization of Armed Forces Reserves who are first responder personnel of such governments, S11222, S11310 [11OC]