FIREFIGHTERS

Amendments

Economy: provide for teacher and first responder employment stabilization (S. 1723), S6830, S6832 [20OC]

Bills and resolutions

Dept. of HUD: expand Officer Next Door and Teacher Next Door initiatives to include firefighters and rescue personnel (see H.R. 2986), H6341 [21SE] (see H.R. 3649), H8880 [13DE]

Dept. of Labor: establish a Works Progress Administration to fund job creation projects, train unemployed workers, and provide community funding to hire firefighters and police officers (see S. 1517), S5386 [7SE]

Disasters: pray for victims of tornadoes, floods, and drought in Southern, Midwestern, and Southwestern States, fair weather conditions, and firefighters battling wildfires (see H. Res. 254), H3109 [5MY]

Economy: provide for teacher and first responder employment stabilization (see S. 1723), S6600 [17OC]

Employment: provide funds to States, local government, and community-based organizations to save and create local jobs through retention, restoration, or expansion of services needed by local communities (see H.R. 2828), H5928 [26AU]

FCC: provide for creation of a public safety broadband network, ensure a more efficient and innovative allocation of the electromagnetic spectrum, and permit the FCC to conduct incentive auctions (see H.R. 3509), H7927 [29NO]

———provide public safety providers additional spectrum to support national, interoperable wireless broadband network and authorize incentive auctions to fund such a network (see S. 28), S122 [25JA]

Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act: amend grant programs (see H.R. 2269), H4455 [22JN]

Federal firefighters: establish presumptive disability benefits for certain diseases and disabilities (see H.R. 1066), H1796 [14MR]

———provide for more accurate computation of retirement benefits (see H.R. 1068), H1796 [14MR]

———provide that hours worked by Federal firefighters under a qualified trade-of-time arrangement shall be excluded for overtime pay (see S. 531), S1502 [9MR] (see H.R. 987), H1665 [9MR]

FEMA: authorize a fire station construction grant program (see H.R. 716), H922 [15FE]

———establish a grant program for first responder agencies that experience an extraordinary financial burden resulting from the deployment of employees (see S. 568), S1600 [14MR] (see H.R. 3260), H7068 [25OC]

———improve provision of assistance to fire departments (see S. 550), S1547 [10MR]

Flag—U.S.: provide Capitol-flown flags to the families of deceased firefighters, law enforcement officers, emergency medical technicians, and other rescue workers (see H.R. 926), H1574 [3MR]

———provide for the flying of the flag at half-staff in the event of the death of a first responder in the line of duty (see H.R. 1330), H2266 [1AP]

Heroism: tribute to efforts to contain numerous wildfires that have affected thousands of people throughout the U.S. (see S. Res. 229), S4450 [7JY]

Housing: assist teachers and public safety officers in obtaining affordable housing (see H.R. 379), H395 [20JA]

Judge, Mychal: award Congressional Gold Medal posthumously (see H.R. 1027), H1724 [10MR] (see H.R. 2503), H4945 [12JY] (see H.R. 2580), H5149 [18JY]

Law enforcement officers: include fire police officers in the list of officers who are eligible for public safety officers' death benefits (see S. 1315), S4292 [30JN] (see H.R. 2034), H3755 [26MY]

Library of Congress: carry out a project to collect video and audio recordings of personal histories and testimonials of emergency and other workers who responded to September 11, terrorist attacks (see H.R. 1455), H2569 [8AP]

National 9-1-1 Education Month: designate (see S. Res. 118), S1977 [30MR]

Public safety officers: authorize Federal payment to first responders for costs associated with providing emergency services at international borders (see H.R. 717), H922 [15FE]

———extend public safety officers' death benefits to fire police officers (see H.R. 1348), H2291 [4AP]

———include nonprofit and volunteer firefighters, ground and air ambulance crew members, and first responders for certain benefits (see S. 385), S870 [17FE] (see H.R. 1668), H2933 [2MY]

———provide immunity from civil liability to first responders engaged in lawful efforts to prevent acts of terrorism (see H.R. 504), H509 [26JA]

Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program: improve (see S. 1696), S6461 [12OC]

Public Service Recognition Week: observance (see S. Res. 128), S2087 [4AP]

Taxation: allow a refundable credit for volunteer members of volunteer firefighting and emergency medical service organizations (see S. 932), S2839 [10MY] (see H.R. 2488), H4850 [11JY]

———clarify treatment of emergency service volunteers as independent contractors (see H.R. 2630), H5398 [22JY]

———extend and increase exclusion for benefits provided to volunteer firefighters and emergency medical responders (see S. 933), S2839 [10MY] (see H.R. 2353), H4573 [24JN]

———modify exception from penalty for early withdrawals from government retirement plans for qualified public safety employees (see S. 1432), S4960 [27JY]

———provide recruitment and retention incentives for volunteer emergency service workers (see S. 1911), S7829 [18NO] (see H.R. 376), H395 [20JA]

Telecommunications: adopt technology allowing 9-1-1 call centers to receive and respond to emergency text messages (see H.R. 3654), H8880 [13DE]

———make more spectrum available to, facilitate development of a wireless broadband network for, and provide standards for spectrum needs of public safety agencies (see S. 1040), S3171 [19MY] (see H.R. 607), H679 [10FE] (see H.R. 2976), H6271 [20SE]

———modify the 9-1-1, E9-1-1, and Next Generation 9-1-1 program (see H.R. 2629), H5398 [22JY]

———require carriers to provide call location information to law enforcement during emergencies (see H.R. 847), H1454 [1MR]

———strengthen public safety by establishing a national wireless communications network for emergency responders (see S. 911), S2777 [9MY] (see H.R. 2482), H4850 [11JY]

U.S. Fire Administration: provide assistance to firefighting task forces (see H.R. 2894), H6097 [12SE]

Women: establish grant program to encourage fire stations to establish or update restroom, shower, and changing stations for women firefighters (see H.R. 3753), H10014 [20DE]

Cloture motions

Economy: provide for teacher and first responder employment stabilization (S. 1723), motion to proceed, S6753 [19OC], S6840 [20OC]

Letters

FAA regulations on air medical transport safety: Jack Parow, International Association of Fire Chiefs, H2175 [31MR]

FEMA State and local first responder grant programs funding: B. Glen Whitley and Larry E. Naake, National Association of Counties, H3837 [1JN]

Volunteer Emergency Services Recruitment and Retention Act: Stephen Nichols, Maine Fire Chiefs' Association, S7834 [18NO]

Motions

Economy: provide for teacher and first responder employment stabilization (S. 1723), S6753 [19OC]

Remarks in House

Afghanistan: reduce military assistance and non-defense spending and use funds for domestic first responders and to encourage job creation, H3147 [10MY]

Aspen, CO: tribute to Aspen Volunteer Fire Dept., E467 [11MR]

Bahr, William: Firefighter of the Year award recipient by several New York local, regional, and State firefighting organizations, E1194 [24JN]

Baltimore, MD: anniversary of Louis R. Harper, et al. v. Mayor and City of Baltimore, et al., addressing discriminatory practices in Baltimore City Fire Dept., hiring and promotion policies, E2184 [6DE]

Birmingham, MI: tribute to Birmingham Fire Dept., E1594 [12SE]

Brooklawn, NJ: anniversary of Brooklawn Volunteer Fire Co., E1158 [22JN]

Brown City, MI: tribute to Brown City Fire Dept., for memorial to firefighters killed during terrorist attacks, E1562 [8SE]

Chester County, PA: anniversary of Ridge Fire Co., E1653 [19SE]

Cohocton, NY: anniversary of Cohocton Volunteer Fire Dept., E1384 [21JY], E1391 [22JY], E1399 [25JY]

Cold Spring, MN: anniversary of Cold Spring Fire Dept., E1849 [13OC]

Denville, NJ: anniversary of Denville Fire Dept., Ladies Auxiliary, E1865 [13OC]

———anniversary of Denville Volunteer Fire Dept., E1915 [24OC]

Dept. of Homeland Security: Interoperable Emergency Communications Grant Program funding, H3863 [1JN]

Dunn Loring, VA: tribute to Dunn Loring Volunteer Fire Dept., award recipients, E680 [8AP]

Economy: provide for first responder employment stabilization, H7022 [25OC]

———provide for teacher and first responder employment stabilization, H7021 [25OC]

Employment: tribute to public service employees, H7272 [3NO]

Fairfield, NJ: anniversary of Fairfield Volunteer Fire Co., E1696 [22SE]

Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act: amend grant programs (H.R. 2269), E1156 [22JN]

Federal firefighters: provide that hours worked by Federal firefighters under a qualified trade-of-time arrangement shall be excluded for overtime pay (H.R. 987), E442 [9MR]

FEMA: Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Response (SAFER) grants funding, H3838-H3841, H3843-H3881 [1JN], E1019 [2JN]

———Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program and State and local programs emergency funding, H3879 [1JN]

———authority to waive layoff clause relative to Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grants Program eligibility, H3927 [2JN]

———authorize a fire station construction grant program (H.R. 716), E314 [18FE]

———Firefighter Assistance Grants program funding, H910, H911 [15FE], E248 [16FE], E282 [18FE]

———State and local first responder grant programs funding, H3832, H3835-H3837 [1JN], E1023 [2JN]

———State and local first responder grant programs funding through reduction in Afghanistan Security Forces funding, H3816, H3864 [1JN]

———waive provisions prohibiting the rehiring of laid-off firefighters and certain budgetary and staffing requirements for local fire departments under the Firefighter Assistance Grants program, H1095, H1096 [17FE]

Fire Prevention Week: observance, E1856 [13OC], E1878 [14OC]

Huntingdon Valley, PA: anniversary of Huntingdon Valley Fire Co., E970 [27MY]

Lemont, IL: anniversary of Lemont Fire Dept., H6488 [3OC]

Lena, Brian: Firefighter of the Year award recipient by several New York local, regional, and State firefighting organizations, E1194 [24JN]

Leno, David: Illinois Fire Services Association Medal of Valor award recipient, E873 [12MY]

Lionville, PA: anniversary of Lionville Fire Co., E659 [7AP]

Long Branch, NJ: anniversary of Phil Daly Hose Co. #2, E789 [3MY]

Magnolia, TX: tribute to firefighters who battled wildfires, E1934 [26OC]

Middletown, NJ: anniversary of Navesink Hook and Ladder Co. 1, E1156 [22JN]

Minneapolis, MN: express condolences to tornado victims and commend efforts of first responders, H3816 [1JN]

New Castle, DE: tribute to Holloway Terrace Fire Co., H2615 [13AP]

Patchogue, NY: anniversary of Van Guard Hose Co., No. 1, E875 [12MY]

Public safety officers: authorize Federal payment to first responders for costs associated with providing emergency services at international borders (H.R. 717), E314 [18FE]

Shirley, NY: tribute to first responders for response to gas leak, E77 [19JA]

Specken, Dale: Minnesota Fire Officer of the Year award recipient, H746 [14FE]

Spring City, PA: anniversary of Ridge Fire Co., E672 [8AP]

Telecommunications: strengthen public safety by establishing a national wireless communications network for emergency responders (H.R. 2482), E1283 [11JY]

———strengthen public safety by establishing a national wireless communications network for emergency responders (S. 911), H8809 [13DE]

———use voluntary incentive auctions to improve the use of public airwaves and establish an interoperable broadband public safety network, H8806, H8808 [13DE]

Terrorism: anniversary of terrorist attacks, H6794 [12OC]

Trappe, PA: anniversary of Trappe Fire Co., E1924 [25OC]

War: recognize impact of financial costs on U.S. economy and refocus efforts on addressing domestic priorities, H3051, H3052 [4MY]

West Bloomfield, MI: tribute to West Bloomfield Fire Dept., E1593 [12SE]

Wildfires: provide Federal assistance to areas ravaged in Texas, H3065, H3095 [5MY], H3230 [12MY]

York Beach, ME: tribute to visit from National 9/11 Flag, E1292 [12JY]

Remarks in Senate

AmeriCorps: tribute to Delaware Emergency Services Corps, S2409 [13AP]

Economy: provide for teacher and first responder employment stabilization (S. 1723), S6621 [17OC], S6623-S6628, S6642 [18OC], S6701, S6702 [19OC]

———provide for teacher and first responder employment stabilization (S. 1723), motion to proceed, S6753 [19OC], S6815-S6817, S6830-S6832, S6839 [20OC]

———provide for teacher and first responder employment stabilization (S. 1723), unanimous-consent agreement, S6839 [20OC]

———require a certain percentage of competitive grant funding for first responder employment stabilization goes to rural communities, S6830 [20OC]

FCC: provide public safety providers additional spectrum to support national, interoperable wireless broadband network and authorize incentive auctions to fund such a network (S. 28), S146 [25JA], S1528 [10MR]

FEMA: Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Response (SAFER) grants funding, S8723 [16DE]

———improve provision of assistance to fire departments (S. 550), S1551-S1555 [10MR]

Heroism: tribute to efforts to contain numerous wildfires that have affected thousands of people throughout the U.S. (S. Res. 229), S4458 [7JY]

Hockessin, DE: anniversary of Hockessin Fire Co., and Ladies Auxiliary, S6183 [5OC]

National 9-1-1 Education Month: designate (S. Res. 118), S2000 [30MR]

Ohio: referendum on legislation prohibiting collective bargaining by public employees, S8723 [16DE]

Public safety officers: include nonprofit and volunteer firefighters, ground and air ambulance crew members, and first responders for certain benefits (S. 385), S884 [17FE], S2617 [3MY]

Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program: improve (S. 1696), S6466 [12OC]

Public Service Recognition Week: observance (S. Res. 128), S2091 [4AP], S2553 [14AP]

Reno, NV: commend first responders at the scene of airshow accident, S5707 [19SE]

———tribute to firefighters who battled wildfires, S7813 [18NO]

States: establish a Federal loan program for States to provide for teacher and first responder employment stabilization, S6832 [20OC]

Taxation: provide recruitment and retention incentives for volunteer emergency service workers (S. 1911), S7834 [18NO]

Telecommunications: make more spectrum available to, facilitate development of a wireless broadband network for, and provide standards for spectrum needs of public safety agencies (S. 1040), S3182, S3183 [19MY]

———strengthen public safety by establishing a national wireless communications network for emergency responders (S. 911), S5444 [8SE]

Wildfires: provide Federal assistance to areas ravaged in New Mexico, S4440 [7JY]

Woonsocket, RI: express condolences for loss of Woonsocket Rubber Co., Alice Mills building due to a fire and commend response efforts, S3636 [9JN]

Reports filed

FEMA Improvement of Provision of Assistance to Fire Departments: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (Senate) (S. 550) (S. Rept. 112-28), S4221 [29JN]

Public Service Recognition Week: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (Senate) (S. Res. 128), S2505 [14AP]

Texts of

S. 28, Public Safety Spectrum and Wireless Innovation Act, S146-S149 [25JA]

S. 385, Emergency Medical Service Providers Protection Act, S885 [17FE]

S. 550, improve provision of FEMA assistance to fire departments, S1551-S1555 [10MR]

S. 1696, Public Safety Officers' Benefits Improvements Act, S6467-S6469 [12OC]

S. Res. 118, National 9-1-1 Education Month, S1995, S2000 [30MR]

S. Res. 128, Public Service Recognition Week, S2091 [4AP], S2553 [14AP]

S. Res. 229, tribute to efforts to contain numerous wildfires that have affected thousands of people throughout the U.S., S4455, S4458 [7JY]