FIREFIGHTERS

Amendments

National security: provide faster and smarter funding for first responders (H.R. 1544), H3223, H3228, H3229, H3230, H3231, H3234, H3263 [12MY]

Articles and editorials

Deadly Delays—The Decline of Fire Response (series excerpts), E183 [8FE]

Bills and resolutions

Benefits: provide death and disability benefits to certain contracted aerial firefighters who suffer death or disability in the line of duty (see S. 1143), S6021 [26MY] (see H.R. 1232), H1369 [10MR]

Charities: reform liability for certain charitable contributions (see S. 1125), S5921 [25MY]

Congressional Gold Medal: award posthumously to responders to the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center and Pentagon, and to United Airlines Flight 93 passengers, and mint coins recognizing the heroic efforts (see H.R. 1057), H940 [2MR]

Crime: expand protections against the misuse of public safety officer uniforms (see H.R. 3604), H7560 [28JY]

Dept. of Homeland Security: develop and implement the Responsive Emergency Alert and Dissemination of Information Call (READICall) System (see H.R. 2101), H2977 [4MY]

———make grants to first responders (see H.R. 91), H135 [6JA]

———provide guidance and training to State and local governments relative to sensitive homeland security information (see S. 888), S4108 [21AP]

———provide improved and up-to-date communications equipment for the New York City Fire Dept. (see H.R. 1794), H2471 [21AP]

———reimburse State, local, and Indian tribal governments for certain costs relating to the mobilization of Reserves who are first responder personnel of such governments or tribes (see H.R. 154), H135 [6JA]

———tribute to employees, partners at all levels of government, and law enforcement agents and emergency response providers for service in the war against terrorism (see H. Res. 398), H7561 [28JY]

Dept. of HUD: establish pilot programs to assist teachers and public safety officers purchasing homes in their jurisdictions or locally-designated at-risk areas, H7558 [28JY]

———make single family housing owned by the Dept., available for purchase by teachers and public safety officers at a discount (see H.R. 4273), H10144 [9NO]

Disasters: authorize a program for the protection of the health and safety of residents, workers, volunteers, and others in a disaster area (see S. 1741), S10294 [21SE] (see H.R. 3850), H8247 [21SE]

Employment: expand definition of firefighter to include apprentices and trainees, regardless of age or duty limitations (see S. 491), S1930 [2MR] (see H.R. 1456), H1777 [5AP]

———protect volunteer firefighters and emergency medical services personnel responding to national emergencies from termination or demotion in their places of employment (see H.R. 3949), H8642 [29SE]

FCC: expedite and increase assignment of radio spectrum frequencies to public safety agencies (see H.R. 1646), H2101 [14AP]

Federal employees: provide portal-to-portal compensation for Federal wildland firefighters (see H.R. 408), H234 [26JA]

———provide that spouses of Federal public safety officers who are killed in the line of duty may remarry and continue to receive a survivor annuity (see S. 968), S4547 [28AP]

Federal firefighters: establish presumptive disability benefits for certain diseases and disabilities (see S. 1221), S6299 [9JN] (see H.R. 697), H521 [9FE]

FEMA: designate New Jersey Task Force 1 as part of the National Urban Search and Rescue System (see S. 446), S1623 [17FE]

Flag—U.S.: provide Capitol-flown flags to the families of deceased law enforcement officers and firefighters (see H.R. 94), H74 [4JA]

Geary County, KS: convey certain land to Geary County Fire Dept. (see S. 356), S1260 [10FE] (see H.R. 781), H583 [10FE]

Heroism: recognize and honor contributions throughout U.S. history (see H. Res. 188), H1778 [5AP]

Housing: assist teachers and public safety officers in obtaining affordable housing (see H.R. 4278), H10145 [9NO]

Hurricanes: dedicate a percentage of Hurricane Katrina disaster relief funds for mental health services for victims and first responders (see H.R. 3708), H7813 [8SE]

———improve reporting relative to safety of workers in response and recovery activities related to Hurricane Katrina (see S. 1771), S10424 [26SE]

———provide student loan forgiveness to the surviving spouses and parents of the victims who were Hurricane Katrina or Hurricane Rita first responders (see H.R. 4074), H8918 [18OC]

Insurance: make Federal Employees Health Benefits Program available to families of public safety officers killed in the line of duty (H.R. 4424) (see H.R. 4424), H11034 [18NO]

National security: establish a first responder interoperable communications grant program (see S. 1645), S9833 [8SE] (see S. 1762), S10378 [22SE]

———provide faster and smarter funding for first responders (see H.R. 1544), H1893 [12AP]

———provide faster and smarter funding for first responders (H.R. 1544), consideration (see H. Res. 269), H3112 [10MY]

———require homeland security grants for terrorism preparedness and prevention be awarded based on assessment of risk, threat, and vulnerabilities (see S. 308), S1115 [8FE] (see H.R. 1419), H1693 [17MR]

New York, NY: anniversary of Staten Island Fire Dept. (see H. Res. 604), H11654 [14DE]

Public Health Service Act: provide protections for first responders (see S. 1437), S8559 [20JY]

Public safety officers: provide benefits to those who die or become disabled as a result of certain injuries (see H.R. 1147), H1023 [8MR]

———provide collective bargaining rights for State or local government employees (see S. 513), S2004 [3MR] (see H.R. 1249), H1370 [10MR]

Public Service Recognition Week: observance (see S. Res. 108), S3653 [14AP]

Safety: encourage cell phones and other devices to show personal emergency contacts under the acronym ICE (In Case of Emergency) so emergency personnel can contact family and friends (see H. Con. Res. 236), H7742 [7SE]

———establish a permanent grant program to improve public safety communications and the interoperability of emergency communications equipment (see H.R. 1323), H1508 [15MR]

———promote wildland firefighter safety (see S. 906), S4257 [26AP]

———provide grants and other support to State and local officials to improve public safety communications and the interoperability of emergency communications equipment (see S. 1274), S6909 [21JN] (see H.R. 4119), H9043 [20OC]

———reduce fatalities and injuries, make safety a national priority, and support national initiative focusing on firefighter safety (see H. Con. Res. 180), H4655 [16JN]

Taxation: allow deduction for personal safety clothing for volunteer firefighters (see H.R. 346), H195 [25JA]

———exclude benefits from income, employment taxes, and wage withholding property tax rebates, provided to volunteer firefighters and emergency medical responders (see S. 1906), S11744 [21OC] (see H.R. 1405), H1692 [17MR]

———make the additional tax on early distributions from certain pension plans inapplicable for public safety employees (see H.R. 448), H283 [1FE]

———permit tax-free distribution from governmental retirement plans for payment of health and long-term care insurance premiums for public safety officers (see H.R. 2177), H3054 [5MY]

———provide a refundable tax credit to public safety volunteers (see S. 625), S2734 [15MR] (see H.R. 385), H233 [26JA] (see H.R. 934), H793 [17FE]

———provide a tax credit for police officers and professional firefighters and exclude from income certain benefits received by public safety volunteers (see H.R. 2822), H4296 [8JN]

———treatment of health care subsidy payments made to employers on behalf of volunteer firefighters (see H.R. 3012), H4896 [21JN]

Technology: rechannelize certain spectrum bands to promote deployment of commercial broadband technologies to facilitate interoperable communications for public safety (see H.R. 4626), H12167 [17DE]

Telecommunications: develop and implement an emergency backup communications system (see S. 1703), S10037 [14SE]

———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. 1237), S6481 [14JN] (see S. 1268), S6825 [20JN]

———promote and enhance public safety and encourage rapid deployment of IP-enabled voice services for emergency response networks (see S. 1063), S5437 [18MY] (see H.R. 2418), H3554 [18MY]

———strengthen Federal leadership, provide grants, enhance outreach and guidance, and provide other support to State and local officials to enhance emergency communications capabilities (see S. 1725), S10187 [19SE]

Terrorism: establish a realistic, threat-based allocation of grant funds for first responders (see H.R. 228), H136 [6JA]

Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required To Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA PATRIOT) Act: change manner of allocation of first responder grant funds (see H.R. 1093), H982 [3MR]

Virginia Fire Chiefs Association, Inc.: anniversary (see H. Res. 80), H523 [9FE]

Volunteer firefighters: remove civil liability barriers surrounding donating fire equipment to volunteer fire companies (see S. 766), S3481 [12AP] (see H.R. 1088), H981 [3MR]

Descriptions

New York, NY, Fire Dept.-Mount Sinai Hospital Partnership, S11956 [27OC]

World Trade Center Health Registry, S11957 [27OC]

Letters

Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grants Program funding: Robert A. DiPoli, International Association of Fire Chiefs, S8125 [12JY]

Dept. of Homeland Security grants to State and local governments for interoperable communication equipment: several public safety officials' organizations, S14126 [20DE]

Faster and Smarter Funding for First Responders Act: Representative Barton, Committee on Energy and Commerce (House), H3212 [12MY]

———Representative Boehlert, Committee on Science (House), H3212 [12MY]

———Representative Cox, Committee on Homeland Security (House), H3212, H3213 [12MY]

———Representative Don Young, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure (House), H3212 [12MY]

———Representative Sensenbrenner, Committee on the Judiciary (House), H3213 [12MY]

Forest Service firefighting aircraft acquisition relative to wildfire prevention and management: Representative Rohrabacher, H2530 [26AP]

Restore certain funding for New York emergency services and rescue and recovery personnel relative to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks: George E. Pataki, Governor of New York, S11956 [27OC]

———several New York, NY, officials, S11956 [27OC]

U.S. Fire Administration funding: Robert A. DiPoli, International Association of Fire Chiefs, S8281 [14JY]

Lists

Council on Foreign Relations task force on preparedness and first responders members, S8163 [13JY]

Oregon firefighters in the U.S. Fire Administration Fallen Firefighters Memorial Database, E1318 [23JN]

Weather Channel Interactive, Inc., ``Heroes of the Storm'' honorees, S3138 [4AP]

Memorandums

Digital Television Transition Date: Several First Responders Organizations, S12198 [2NO]

Remarks in House

Aberdeen, NJ: anniversary of Ladies Auxiliary Aberdeen Township Hose & Chemical Co. No. 1, E1187 [9JN]

Benefits: provide death and disability benefits to certain contracted aerial firefighters who suffer death or disability in the line of duty (H.R. 1232), E413 [10MR]

Brierty, Peter: National Forestry Hero award recipient, E2142 [20OC]

Brooklyn, NY: dedication of Beacon memorial honoring victims of September 11th attacks, E1254 [17JN]

Coatesville, PA: Westwood Fire Co., Emergency Medical Services recipient of Pennsylvania State Ambulance Service of the Year Award, E1797 [8SE]

Crime: expand protections against the misuse of public safety officer badges and uniforms, H8430 [28SE]

Dallas, TX: tribute to Dallas Fire-Rescue Dept. Memorial Service, E2112 [18OC]

Denton County, TX: anniversary of Denton County Firefighters Memorial Service, E2016 [6OC]

Dept. of Homeland Security: firefighter assistance grant programs funding, H3376-H3379 [17MY], H9107 [26OC]

———funding, H1551 [16MR]

———provide improved and up-to-date communications equipment for the New York City Fire Dept. (H.R. 1794), E729 [21AP]

Dept. of Justice: tribute to Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor recipients, H5806 [14JY]

Disasters: authorize a program for the protection of the health and safety of residents, workers, volunteers, and others in a disaster area (H.R. 3850), E1912 [21SE]

Downington, PA: anniversary of East Brandywine Fire Co., Station 49, E1796 [8SE]

East Deer, PA: tribute to disaster response team responding to train derailment, E309 [1MR]

Edwards, CO: tribute to Freedom Park Memorial, E668 [15AP]

Employment: concerns over staffing issues, E183 [8FE]

Emsworth, PA: anniversary of Emsworth Volunteer Fire Co., E311 [1MR]

Fairfax County, VA: tribute to Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce Valor Award recipients, E267 [17FE]

FCC: expedite and increase assignment of radio spectrum frequencies to public safety agencies (H.R. 1646), E665 [15AP]

First Responder Grants Board: coordinate with State, local, and tribal governments in establishing criteria for prioritizing applications for grants, H3229, H3230 [12MY]

Forest Hill, TX: tribute to Forest Hill Fire-Rescue station, E1374 [28JN]

Forest Service: firefighting aircraft acquisition relative to wildfire prevention and management, H2530 [26AP]

Hampton, PA: anniversary of North Hampton Volunteer Fire Dept., E312 [1MR]

Heroism: recognize and honor contributions throughout U.S. history (H. Res. 188), H1802-H1806 [6AP]

Horn, Ed: Christopher Santora Scholarship Fund Man of the Year Award recipient, E1204 [14JN]

Hurricanes: dedicate a percentage of Hurricane Katrina disaster relief funds for mental health services for victims and first responders (H.R. 3708), H7823 [13SE]

———tribute to first responders participating in relief efforts for States impacted by Hurricane Katrina, H8166, H8168 [21SE]

Intrado Inc.: tribute, E536 [5AP]

Kinnelon, NJ: anniversary of Kinnelon Fire Dept., E140 [2FE]

Murfreesboro, TN: tribute to Murfreesboro Fire Dept., E1223 [14JN]

National Fire Prevention Week: observance, H8739 [7OC]

National security: establish a first responder interoperable communications grant program, H10631 [17NO]

———provide faster and smarter funding for first responders, H6302, H6303 [21JY], H8692 [6OC], H11520 [14DE]

———provide faster and smarter funding for first responders (H.R. 1544), H3211-H3237 [12MY], H5232-H5237 [27JN], E998 [17MY], E1097 [25MY]

———provide faster and smarter funding for first responders (H.R. 1544), amendment process, H3028 [5MY]

———provide faster and smarter funding for first responders (H.R. 1544), consideration (H. Res. 269), H3204-H3211 [12MY]

———require homeland security grants for terrorism preparedness and prevention be awarded based on assessment of risk, threat, and vulnerabilities, H4271 [8JN]

Netcong, NJ: anniversary of Netcong Fire Dept., E1256 [17JN]

New York: workers compensation and worker retraining funding for first responders to terrorist attacks upon the U.S., H5047-H5049 [23JN]

O'Hara Township, PA: anniversary of the Parkview Volunteer Fire Dept., E1774 [7SE]

Ohio: tribute to first responders from 18th District participating in relief efforts for States impacted by Hurricane Katrina, H8166 [21SE]

Prospect, CT: anniversary of Volunteer Fire Dept. of Prospect, E1767 [7SE]

Sacco, George: International Code Council Foundation Silent Defender award recipient, E1227 [14JN]

Sacramento, CA: tribute to Swiftwater Rescue Team and Urban Search and Rescue Team for efforts to provide relief for States impacted by Hurricane Katrina, E2037 [6OC]

Safety: establish a permanent grant program to improve public safety communications and the interoperability of emergency communications equipment, H3193-H3195 [11MY]

———establish a permanent grant program to improve public safety communications and the interoperability of emergency communications equipment (H.R. 1323), H3274 [16MY], H8141-H8146 [20SE]

———provide grants and other support to State and local officials to improve public safety communications and the interoperability of emergency communications equipment (H.R. 4119), E2140 [20OC]

———reduce fatalities and injuries, make safety a national priority, and support national initiative focusing on firefighter safety (H. Con. Res. 180), H4820-H4823, H4860 [21JN], E1318 [23JN]

Sayville, NY: anniversary of Sayville Fire Dept., E1844 [14SE]

Somerville, NJ: anniversary of Somerville Central Hook & Ladder Co., E1646 [27JY]

South Burlington, VT: tribute to South Burlington Fire Dept., for efforts to provide relief for States impacted by Hurricane Katrina, E2252 [3NO]

South Carolina: anniversary of South Lynches Fire Dept., E1986 [29SE]

Taxation: make the additional tax on early distributions from certain pension plans inapplicable for public safety employees, H11770 [15DE]

———provide a tax credit for police officers and professional firefighters and exclude from income certain benefits received by public safety volunteers (H.R. 2822), E1170 [8JN]

Television: move forward the date on which the transition to digital television is to occur, H10628-H10630 [17NO]

Texas: tribute to Dallas/Fort Worth Airport employees for efforts to provide relief for States impacted by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, E2183 [27OC]

Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required To Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA PATRIOT) Act: change manner of allocation of first responder grant funds (H.R. 1093), H973 [3MR]

Vermont: tribute to volunteer firefighters, E1363 [27JN]

Virginia Fire Chiefs Association, Inc.: anniversary (H. Res. 80), H601, H602 [15FE]

Volunteer firefighters: remove civil liability barriers surrounding donating fire equipment to volunteer fire companies, H3234, H3235 [12MY]

West Deer, PA: anniversary of West Deer Volunteer Fire Dept., E1911 [21SE]

Remarks in Senate

Charities: reform liability for certain charitable contributions (S. 1125), S5932 [25MY]

Dept. of Homeland Security: Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program funding, S8124-S8126 [12JY]

———first responder interoperable communications funding, S8157, S8160 [13JY], S8253, S8254 [14JY]

———first responders, seaport security, and Border Patrol funding, S2833-S2835 [16MR], S2923 [17MR]

———provide guidance and training to State and local governments relative to sensitive homeland security information (S. 888), S4132 [21AP]

———SAFER Firefighting Hiring Program funding, S7967 [11JY]

Edwards, CO: tribute to Freedom Park Memorial, S3409 [11AP]

Employment: expand definition of firefighter to include apprentices and trainees, regardless of age or duty limitations (S. 491), S1932 [2MR]

FEMA: designate New Jersey Task Force 1 as part of the National Urban Search and Rescue System (S. 446), S1659 [17FE]

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, S1598 [17FE]

Hurricanes: improve reporting relative to safety of workers in response and recovery activities related to Hurricane Katrina (S. 1771), S10435, S10436, S10460 [26SE], S10520 [27SE]

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: develop and implement a comprehensive program to promote compliance with State and local laws to increase the safe and efficient operation of first responder vehicles, S4377 [27AP]

National security: establish a first responder interoperable communications grant program, S9962-S9965, S9973 [13SE], S10003 [14SE]

———establish a first responder interoperable communications grant program (S. 1645), S9849 [8SE]

———first responders funding, S2678-S2680, S2684, S2693 [15MR], S2953 [17MR], S8128, S8129 [12JY], S8158, S8163-S8169, S8191-S8202 [13JY]

———require homeland security grants for terrorism preparedness and prevention be awarded based on assessment of risk, threat, and vulnerabilities (S. 308), S1117-S1119 [8FE], S1373 [15FE]

New York: restore certain funding for emergency services and rescue and recovery personnel relative to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, S11955-S11957 [27OC]

Public safety officers: provide collective bargaining rights for State or local government employees (S. 513), S2021 [3MR], S2641 [14MR]

Public Service Recognition Week: observance (S. Res. 108), S3689 [14AP], S4446 [28AP]

Safety: promote wildland firefighter safety (S. 906), S4260 [26AP]

———provide grants and other support to State and local officials to improve public safety communications and the interoperability of emergency communications equipment (S. 1274), S6912-S6917 [21JN]

Taxation: exclude benefits from income, employment taxes, and wage withholding property tax rebates, provided to volunteer firefighters and emergency medical responders (S. 1906), S11745 [21OC]

———provide a refundable tax credit to public safety volunteers (S. 625), S2739 [15MR]

Telecommunications: allocate certain excess proceeds from the spectrum auction to deficit reduction, emergency communications interoperability, and assistance to disaster-affected coastal States, S12310 [3NO]

———develop and implement an emergency backup communications system (S. 1703), S10045 [14SE], S10716 [29SE]

———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. 1237), S6486 [14JN]

———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. 1268), S6828 [20JN], S9973 [13SE]

———strengthen Federal leadership, provide grants, enhance outreach and guidance, and provide other support to State and local officials to enhance emergency communications capabilities (S. 1725), S10196 [19SE]

Television: move forward the date on which the transition to digital television is to occur, S12197, S12201, S12202 [2NO], S12308, S12309 [3NO]

Tennessee: first responder personnel readiness funding, S1598 [17FE]

U.S. Fire Administration: funding, S8280 [14JY]

Volunteer firefighters: remove civil liability barriers surrounding donating fire equipment to volunteer fire companies (S. 766), S3488 [12AP]

Weather Channel Interactive, Inc.: tribute to ``Heroes of the Storm'' series and honorees, S3138 [4AP]

Reports

Preparedness and First Responders: Council on Foreign Relations, S8168 [13JY]

Reports filed

Assure Emergency and Interoperable Communications for First Responders Act: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (Senate) (S. 1725), S10722 [29SE]

Consideration of H.R. 1544, Faster and Smarter Funding for First Responders Act: Committee on Rules (House) (H. Res. 269) (H. Rept. 109-77), H3112 [10MY]

Fallen Firefighter Apprentice Act: Committee on the Judiciary (Senate) (S. 491), S6740 [16JN]

Faster and Smarter Funding for First Responders Act: Committee on Homeland Security (House) (H.R. 1544) (H. Rept. 109-65), H2734 [28AP]

IP-Enabled Voice Communications and Public Safety Act: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation (Senate) (S. 1063) (S. Rept. 109-211), S14185 [20DE]

Tables

Dept. of Homeland Security emergency preparedness and recovery budget, H7663 [6SE]

Texts of

H. Con. Res. 180, reduce firefighter fatalities and injuries, make safety a national priority, and support national initiative focusing on firefighter safety, H4820 [21JN]

H. Res. 80, Virginia Fire Chiefs Association, Inc., anniversary, H601 [15FE]

H. Res. 188, recognize and honor contributions throughout U.S. history, H1802 [6AP]

H. Res. 269, consideration of H.R. 1544, Faster and Smarter Funding for First Responders Act, H3204 [12MY]

H.R. 1544, Faster and Smarter Funding for First Responders Act, H3223-H3228 [12MY]

S. 308, Risk-Based Homeland Security Funding Act, S1117 [8FE]

S. 446, designate New Jersey Task Force 1 as part of the National Urban Search and Rescue System, S1659 [17FE]

S. 513, Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act, S2022 [3MR]

S. 888, Homeland Security Information Guidance and Training Act, S4132 [21AP]

S. 1063, IP-Enabled Voice Communications and Public Safety Act, S5440 [18MY]

S. 1268, Spectrum Availability for Emergency-Response and Law-Enforcement To Improve Vital Emergency Services (SAVE LIVES) Act, S6828-S6831 [20JN]

S. 1274, Improve Interoperable Communications for First Responders Act, S6912-S6915 [21JN]

S. 1703, Communications Security Act, S10045 [14SE]

S. 1725, Assure Emergency and Interoperable Communications for First Responders Act, S10196-S10200 [19SE]

S. 1906, exclude benefits, employment taxes, and wage withholding property tax rebates, provided to volunteer firefighters and emergency medical responders from income tax, S11745 [21OC]

S. Res. 108, Public Service Recognition Week, S3689 [14AP], S4446 [28AP]