IAFF Endorses Remaining 9/11 Commission Recommendations

Joe Lieberman, chair of the Senate Homeland Security Committee Joe Lieberman (ID-CT), and other U.S. senators, along with IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger, addresses the implementation of the remaining 9/11 Commission recommendations and other first responder needs.

February 28, 2007 – IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger met with members of the 9/11 Commission, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), Chair of the Senate Homeland Security Committee Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) and other U.S. senators February 28 to discuss the implementation of the remaining 9/11 Commission recommendations and other first responder needs.

Reid, who has made it a priority to implement the recommendations, moved to make the 9/11 security bill the U.S. Senate’s next order of business. The U.S. House version passed in January by a vote of 299-128.

“The time is now to act on this important legislation,” says General President Schaitberger. “Our members play a crucial role in terrorism response and Homeland Security, yet so many first responder needs remain unmet.” He applauded Senator Reid for making this issue a priority.

The 9/11 security bill would provide funds for state and local emergency communications systems and improve intelligence sharing between federal, state and local officials. It would also allow airport screeners to form a union, devote $1 billion to upgrade security along Amtrak and freight rail systems and require screening of all cargo carried aboard passenger airliners. Schaitberger applauded the 9/11 Commission and Senator Lieberman’s committee for embracing the need to allocate homeland security funding on risk-based formulas.

Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Joe Lieberman (ID-CT); 9/11 Commissioners Tim Roemer, Jamie Gorelick and Lee Hamilton; American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) President John Gage; AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department (TTD) President Ed Wytkind and several law enforcement experts also attended the meeting.