Busy Week on Capitol Hill for Fire Fighter Issues

July 30, 2007 – With its annual August recess fast approaching, Congress has been hard at work on a number of legislative initiatives championed by the IAFF and of great benefit to America’s fire fighters.

In the last week, Congress passed legislation further implementing the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission, the Senate approved its Homeland Security funding bill for 2008, the House voted to increase spending on E-911 initiatives, and the House passed legislation aimed at ending the delays facing families who have applied for Hometown Heroes benefits from the Department of Justice.

“The flurry of activity on IAFF priorities further demonstrates this Congress’ commitment to our nation’s fire fighters,” says IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger. “Successes such as these reflect the respect and influence the IAFF and its members have in Washington, DC.”

Legislation implementing the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission will greatly enhance federal assistance to the nation’s fire fighters. Reforms include targeting federal funding to urban areas protected by professional fire departments, allowing localities to use federal funds to backfill positions for fire fighters assigned to training, and paying overtime for fire fighters who work extra shifts during an elevated threat. Additionally, to prevent federal funding from “getting stuck in the pipeline” or siphoned off for other uses, the legislation requires that states receiving federal grants pass on at least 80 percent of all funding to local entities – such as fire departments – within 60 days.

Significantly, the bill also establishes a new grant program dedicated to improving first responder communications.
The Homeland Security Appropriation bill approved by the Senate increases funding for the SAFER and FIRE Act grant programs, and includes hundreds of millions of dollars for other first responder grant programs. The bill also includes money for the emergency communications grant established in the 9/11 bill.

The 89-4 vote to adopt the spending bill was especially significant because President Bush has vowed to veto the measure. The fact that the bill passed by a veto-proof margin was a clear signal from Republican senators that they are willing to defy the White House on the key issue of funding the nation’s homeland security needs.

Before passing the bill, the Senate adopted a series of amendments, including two backed by the IAFF. Senators Christopher Dodd (D-CT) and Susan Collins (R-ME) offered a bipartisan amendment to increase funds for SAFER by $5 million, bringing total funding for SAFER in the Senate bill to $145 million -- $30 million above what was provided in 2006. The second amendment, offered by Senators Joseph Lieberman (ID-CT) and Susan Collins provided $100 million for a new grant program to improve first responder communications.

Lastly, the House of Representatives approved two IAFF-backed amendments to the spending bill funding the Departments of Commerce and Justice. An amendment offered by Representatives Bob Etheridge (D-NC) and Dave Reichert (R-WA) doubled funding for the Public Safety Officers Benefit Program in order to clear the backlog of requests for benefits under the Hometown Heroes Act. The amendment passed by a vote of 421-2, with Representatives Jim Moran (D-VA) and Jeff Flake (R-AZ) voting against the amendment.

A second amendment offered by Representative John Shimkus (R-IL) added $5 million to implement the Enhanced 911 system, known as E-911, which enables 911 emergency call centers to identify the location of callers using cell phones and other wireless devices.

The series of wins on IAFF issues followed on the heels of the historic 314-97 vote in the House on the Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act.

“These successes would not have been possible without the active involvement of IAFF local leaders around the country,” says IAFF Legislative Director Barry Kasinitz. “Based on what we’ve seen in the past few months, the 110th Congress will likely be the most productive session of Congress ever for the nation’s frontline domestic defenders.”