Fire Fighters Urge End To Bickering on
Homeland Security

International Association of Fire Fighters 

Contact Jeff Zack at 
(202) 824-1506

WASHINGTON, March 11, 2003 - The bickering between the Bush administration and the House Appropriations Committee chairman over who is to blame for the failure to provide adequate Homeland Security funds to first responders is “counterproductive to our efforts to protect the American people from terrorism,” the president of the nation’s fire fighters union said today.

In letters to President Bush, White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card, House Appropriations Committee Chairman C.W. Bill Young, and House Speaker Dennis Hastert, International Association of Fire Fighters President Harold A. Schaitberger said, “It is time to end the blame game, the political posturing, and the petty bickering that have crippled the efforts of the nation’s fire fighters and other first responders to prepare to handle the next terrorist attack on American soil.”

“The Iraq war will be fought on two fronts: one in the Middle East by our armed forces; and the other here at home by fire fighters and other first responders. The federal government has taken the necessary steps to properly train, equip and staff our military forces for action in Iraq, but it has failed to provide the same level of support to our first responders across the nation,” said Schaitberger, whose 260,000 union fire fighters and paramedics protect 80 percent of the U.S. population.

“Three-hundred-forty-three of my members were killed in New York on Sept. 11, 2001 and thousands more of our fire fighters and paramedics responded in the days, weeks and months following the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon,” the Fire Fighters president said. “I want to assure you that the nation’s fire fighters are committed to responding once again to a terrorist attack, but they need specialized training, appropriate equipment and protective clothing, and adequate staffing to maximize their own protection as they put themselves in harm’s way to protect the public.”

“At this point, we don’t care who is to blame for underfunding Homeland Security money for first responders and we don’t think the American people do either,” Schaitberger said in his letters. “All we want is to secure the necessary funding before it is too late. The International Association of Fire Fighters is ready to provide you with any assistance you may need to determine the greatest needs of first responders. I am confident that organizations representing other first responders and the nation’s mayors, cities and governors are also prepared to roll up their sleeves and help.”

“I can’t stress enough the urgency of this matter,” Schaitberger concluded. “Neither the Congress nor the Bush administration can afford to continue this fruitless name calling and political squabbling. The stakes are too high.”

For 15 months, Schaitberger and the IAFF have stressed the urgency of increasing federal Homeland Security funding for first responders. Schaitberger has repeatedly cited his union’s concerns that the money would be earmarked and siphoned off for other purposes before it ever gets to first responders.

The IAFF was reacting to recent comments by President Bush blaming Congress for underfunding first responder programs and a March 6 letter by House Appropriations Committee Chairman Young to White House Chief of Staff Card refuting Bush’s claim.

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Here is the text of the letter to President Bush, White House Chief of Staff Card, House Speaker Hastert, and House Appropriations Committee Chair Young.

March 11, 2003

The Honorable George W. Bush
President of the United States
Washington, DC 20502

Dear President Bush:

The 260,000 members of the International Association of Fire Fighters are disappointed in the current debate and acrimony between the Administration and the Congress regarding Homeland Security resources to the nation’s first responders. We believe it is counterproductive to our efforts to protect the American people from terrorism.

Everyone recognizes that this is an issue of vital importance to our nation and to domestic security. It is time to end the blame game, the political posturing, and the petty bickering that have crippled the efforts of the nation’s fire fighters and other first responders to prepare to handle the next terrorist attack on American soil. We must take meaningful action to ensure that America’s communities, law enforcement officers, and our nation’s fire fighters and EMS providers are protected.

The Iraq war will be fought on two fronts: one in the Middle East by our armed forces, and the other here at home by fire fighters and other first responders. The federal government has taken the necessary steps to properly train, equip and staff our military forces for action in Iraq, but it has failed to provide the same level of support to our first responders across the nation.

Three-hundred-forty-three of my members were killed in New York on September 11, 2001; and thousands more of our fire fighters and paramedics responded in the days, weeks and months following the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. I want to assure you that the nation’s fire fighters are committed to responding once again to a terrorist attack, but they need specialized training, appropriate equipment and protective clothing, and adequate staffing to maximize their own protection as they put themselves in harm’s way to protect the public.

At this point, we don’t care who is to blame for underfunding Homeland Security money for first responders, and we don’t think the American people do either. All we want is to secure the necessary funding before it is too late. I can’t stress enough the urgency of this matter. Neither the Congress nor the Bush Administration can afford to continue this fruitless name calling and political squabbling. The stakes are too high.

To that extent and recognizing that the Administration and both Houses of Congress are governed by one party, we encourage you to act quickly and decisively to ensure that federal resources are properly allocated to buttress homeland security. We are hopeful that both the Administration and Congressional leadership will reach out to all stakeholders and encourage a meaningful dialogue to develop a consensus on funding levels, allocation, and disbursement.

The International Association of Fire Fighters is ready to provide you with any assistance you may need to determine the greatest needs of first responders. I am confident that organizations representing other first responders and the nation’s mayors, cities and governors are also prepared to roll up their sleeves and help.

Sincerely,

Harold A. Schaitberger
General President
International Association of Fire Fighters
Washington, D.C.