Ridge to Address Fire Fighters Monday

Homeland Security an issue at IAFF Legislative Conference

WASHINGTON, DC - Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge will address the men and women who serve as the nation’s frontline domestic defenders against terrorism on Monday at 8:30 a.m. at the Hyatt Regency Hotel on Capitol Hill.

Ridge will appear before more than 800 fire fighter leaders at the 20th annual Legislative Conference of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF). The more than quarter-million members of the IAFF protect 80 percent of the nation’s population.

Other speakers during the Monday morning session include House Minority Leader Richard Gephardt (D-Mo.), IAFF President Harold Schaitberger, and AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Rich Trumka. Appearing at the Monday afternoon session are: Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine); Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.); Rep. Major Owens (D-N.Y.); Rep. Jack Quinn (R-N.Y.); and James Shannon, newly elected president of the National Fire Protection Association.

As the nation wages war on terrorism, the role of fire fighters in homeland defense has become a burning issue. On Tuesday and Wednesday, hundreds of professional fire fighters will fan across Capitol Hill to meet with senators and congressmen on this and other public safety concerns. During Monday’s session, Ridge will bring President Bush’s vision for domestic defense directly to those who protect America’s communities. The Administration plans to budget $3.5 billion for first responders, but questions on whether it will address the most critical issue facing fire departments: severe staffing shortages.

Attendees will also take a moment to honor the 344 IAFF members who died in the collapse of the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. The loss of life was the greatest in the IAFF’s history and made it clear that fire fighters are the inevitable targets of domestic terrorism.

On Tuesday morning, Senator Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) and Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I.) will both appear at a breakfast at the Hyatt Regency, set to begin at 8 a.m. The working media is invited to Monday’s program. For comments or to arrange to attend the conference, contact Jeff Zack at (202) 824-1506.