IAFF Testifies Before House on Improving FIRE Act and SAFER 
July 9, 2009 – The IAFF testified before a House Subcommittee July 8 regarding the need to amend the Assistance to Firefighters (FIRE Act) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant programs to enable more communities to take full advantage of the programs.   Read More...

IAFF Looks Forward to Improved Fire Fighting Standards and Better Safety at U.S. Airports
Washington, DC – International Association of Fire Fighters General President Harold A. Schaitberger today released this statement on passage of H.R. 915 by the U.S. House of Representatives. With passage of the FAA Reauthorization, the Federal Aviation Administration will be required to update current aircraft rescue and fire fighting standards and the safety of the flying public will be vastly improved.  Read More...

IAFF Testifies on Improving Hazardous Materials Safety
May 15, 2009 – The IAFF testified before the U.S. House Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials May 14 as part of the committee’s efforts to update federal laws addressing the transportation of hazardous materials. Elizabeth Harman, director of the IAFF Hazardous Materials/WMD Training Department, discussed the importance of hazardous materials response training and the need to improve hazardous materials identification tools for fire fighters.  Read More...

Funding to Protect Fire Fighter Jobs Moves Forward
May 15, 2009 – Legislation to provide federal financial assistance to enable local fire departments to rehire laid off fire fighters and avoid staffing cuts has moved forward in both the House and Senate.  Read More...

IAFF Urges Lawmakers to Bolster Airport Safety by Improving Fire Fighting Standards
Washington, DC – International Association of Fire Fighters General President Harold A. Schaitberger today released this statement prior to a hearing on Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization held by the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation’s Subcommittee on Aviation Operations, Safety and Security.  Read More...

Obama Calls for Doubling Funding for SAFER 
President Responds to IAFF Priority
May 8, 2009 – In his first formal budget request, President Barack Obama fulfilled a campaign commitment by proposing a huge funding increase for Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants, the IAFF’s signature program. The Obama budget proposed $420 million for SAFER, doubling the funding that the program received last year.  Read More...

Congressional Panel Approves Use of SAFER Grants for Rehire, Retention
May 7, 2009 – The House Appropriations Committee has approved legislation that would enable fire departments to use Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants to rehire laid off fire fighters and avoid reductions in force (RIFs). The language, which was crafted and proposed by the IAFF, would allow the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to waive various requirements on SAFER grants that prevent grants from being used to address cuts in fire department staffing.  Read More...

Tune in to the IAFF Legislative Conference Webcast
March 13, 2009 – A webcast of the 2009 Alfred K. Whitehead Legislative Conference will be available on the IAFF web site beginning Monday, March 16.  Read More...

Funding for Fire Service in Stimulus Bill
Key Provisions Provide Aid to Struggling Communities
February 13, 2009 – Congressional leaders and the Obama administration have agreed on a compromise economic stimulus package that will provide more than $200 billion to states and localities facing budget shortfalls. This critically needed funding will help alleviate the pressure on fire department budgets in communities across the nation. The legislation is expected to pass Congress this week, and be quickly signed into law by President Obama.  Read More...

Napolitano Confirmed as Homeland Security Secretary
January 21, 2009 -- In the hours immediately following Barack Obama’s inauguration as president of the United States, the U.S. Senate voted unanimously to confirm Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. Her confirmation follows hearings by the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs at which Committee members praised her record on public safety and her commitment to working with first responders.  Read More...

IAFF, IAFC, CFSI Support Keeping FEMA in DHS
January 8, 2009 – The IAFF, in conjunction with the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and the Congressional Fire Services Caucus (CFSI), is urging the Obama administration to retain the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as a core component of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).  Read More...

IAFF Legislative Achievements Mark Session’s End
Boost for SAFER Funding Included in Year-End Mad Dash
October 6, 2008 – The final days of any two-year congressional session are always chaotic, but the need to rescue of the nation’s financial markets and the hotly contested November elections combined to make the conclusion of the 110th Congress particularly challenging.  Read More...

Amid Partisan Gridlock, IAFF Scores 11th Hour Legislative Victory
September 25, 2008 – Despite continuing partisan wrangling ahead of the November elections, legislation strengthening the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) is on the verge of becoming law. Both chambers of Congress have voted to pass S. 2606, the United States Fire Administration Reauthorization Act of 2008.  Read More...

IAFF Monitoring IRS Review of Retirement Eligibility Standards
September 25, 2008 – IAFF Governmental Relations staff has been working with members of Congress on both sides of the aisle to ensure that an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) review that began in 2007 of requirements concerning the appropriate age at which public employees may qualify for a service retirement doesn't negatively affect public safety workers.  Read More...

Apply for the 2009 Political Training Academy
September 8, 2008 – The IAFF is now accepting applications online for the 2009 Political Training Academy, scheduled for March 1-6, 2009, in Baltimore, Maryland. Applications for the 2009 Political Training Academy are available online. Read More...

IAFF Expands Student Loan Forgiveness for Fire Fighters
August 28, 2008 – The IAFF has won a major benefit for its members through the enactment of legislation expanding student loan forgiveness benefits for professional fire fighters. H.R. 4137, the Higher Education Opportunity Act, creates a new program allowing fire fighters to receive up to $10,000 in student loan forgiveness and expands Perkins loan cancellation benefits to fire fighters.  Read More...

IAFF Member Promotes Defined Benefit Plans Before Congressional Committee
July 11, 2008 – Will Pryor, a member of Los Angeles County, CA Local 1014 and Chair of Investment at the Los Angeles County Employees Retirement Association, testified July 10 on the importance of defined benefit (DB) pension plans to the retirement security of fire fighters and all Americans in a hearing before the Joint Economic Committee of the U.S. Congress chaired by Senator Bob Casey (D-PA).  Read More...

IAFF Casts Doubt on FCC Plan to Build a Nationwide Communications Network
July 11, 2008 – The IAFF has filed comments with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) questioning their plan to build a nationwide public safety communications network.  The comments cast doubt on the ability of such a network to address the current shortcomings in emergency communications and question whether the network envisioned by the FCC will benefit commercial entities at the expense of public safety.  Read More...

Senate Committee Approves Presumptive Disability Benefits for Federal Fire Fighters
June 26, 2008 – A U.S. Senate Committee voted to approve legislation granting presumptive disability benefits to federal fire fighters who contract heart disease, lung disease, certain cancers and certain infectious diseases.  Read More...

House Committee Restores First Responder Funds
June 11, 2008 – The Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security in the U.S. House of Representatives has unanimously approved legislation to provide additional funding for the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Services (SAFER) and FIRE Act grant programs. As approved, the 2009 Homeland Security Appropriations Act for 2009 includes $230 million for SAFER and $570 million for FIRE Act.  Read More...

SAFER Grant Application Period Open
June 3, 2008 – The IAFF encourages its affiliates and their fire departments to apply for Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Services (SAFER) grants. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) began accepting applications May 27, 2008. The deadline for receipt of applications is 5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on June 27, 2008.  Read More...

Senator Edward Kennedy will Overcome Latest Health Challenge
Washington, DC – International Association of Fire Fighters General President Harold Schaitberger issued this statement today following the announcement that U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor.  Read More...

Collective Bargaining Bill Delayed
May 16, 2008 – After an historic 69-29 cloture vote to bring the Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act (H.R. 980/S.2123) on the floor of the U.S. Senate for debate, presidential politics, partisanship and the Senate's arcane procedural rules combined to temporarily stall progress on the bill that would give every fire fighter the right to collectively bargain.  Read More...

Supermajority of Senators Vote to Consider Cooperation Act
May 13, 2008 – In a remarkable show of bipartisan support for the IAFF and its members, 69 senators voted May 13 to consider H.R. 980, the Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act. The 69-29 vote on the motion to proceed permits the Senate to debate and amend the bill.  Read More...

Senate to Vote on Collective Bargaining Bill
May 12, 2008 – The Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act, the IAFF's national collective bargaining bill (S 2123) is expected to be brought to the floor of the United States Senate for a vote Tuesday morning May 13, 2008.  Read More...

Senate Bill Strips House Provision Requiring FAA to Update Airport Standards
April 30, 2008 – The lax safety culture of the Federal Aviation Administration extends beyond aircraft maintenance to the outdated 20-year-old FAA standards for fire and rescue operations that jeopardize lives in the event of an aircraft incident at an airport, the International Association of Fire Fighters charged today.  Read More...

IAFF Urges House Scrutiny of Public Safety Communications Network
April 15, 2008 – IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger has issued a statement on the House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing on the Federal Communications Commission’s auction to create a communications network for first responders.  Read More...

House Approves IAFF Recommendations to Strengthen U.S. Fire Administration
April 11, 2008 – The U.S. House of Representatives voted 412-0 last week to adopt legislation strengthening the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA). H.R. 4847, the United States Fire Administration Reauthorization Act of 2008, included key IAFF recommendations to expand and improve USFA’s training activities, improve fire fighter safety and better serve the needs of the modern fire service.  Read More...

Bill to Promote Fire Fighter Safety Standards Introduced in House
April 9, 2008 – IAFF priority legislation to enhance fire fighter safety and health has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. On April 2, Representative Ed Perlmutter (D-CO) joined with 17 original cosponsors from both parties to introduce H.R. 5686, the Firefighter Fatality Reduction Act of 2008.  Read More...

Sign Up for the New FIREPAC Recurring Online Contribution Option!

July 3, 2007 -- The IAFF has introduced an online contribution option for members to contribute monthly – and automatically – to one of FIREPAC’s donor clubs. The new auto-draft program, available now, is similar to a dues check-off program.  Read More...

IAFF Wins Second Pollie Award

June 25, 2007 -- The American Association of Political Consultants has recognized the IAFF once again with the prestigious Pollie Award in the “Independent Expenditure/527 Communications” category for direct mail for “Wildfires.” Read More...

President Bush's Proposed Budget Threatens Safety
January 30, 2008 -- IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger issued this statement February 4 on President Bush’s proposed Fiscal Year 2009 budget:  “As the end of the president’s term in office mercifully draws closer, his proposed budget is another example of his words not matching his deeds.  Read More...

A Month Late, Bush Signs Defense Bill
January 30, 2008 -- After his veto delayed the implementation of important fire fighter provisions in the fiscal year 2008 Defense Authorization bill (H.R. 1585), including reforms to the National Security Personnel System (NSPS), President Bush has finally signed into law a new FY 2008 Defense Authorization bill (H.R. 4986) with all of the IAFF’s federal fire fighter provisions intact.  Read More...

Bush Vetoes Defense Bill
January 2, 2008 -- In a surprise development, President Bush last week “pocket vetoed” the FY 2008 Defense Authorization Bill (HR 1585). The president’s refusal to sign the Defense bill will delay implementation of several provisions important to the nation’s federal fire fighters, including the amendments to the National Security Personnel System (NSPS).  Read More...

IAFF Wins Significant Funding for SAFER Grants
December 21, 2007 -- Despite a variety of significant obstacles as Congress approached its annual year-end recess, the IAFF succeeded in winning a unprecedented increase in funding for the SAFER grant program. H.R. 2764, the Consolidated Appropriations Act for 2008, included $190 million for SAFER, an increase of more than 65 percent over the previous year.  Read More...

Defense Bill Scores Big Win for DoD Fire Fighters
December 15, 2007 -- Congress is on the verge of passing landmark legislation containing several important protections for federal fire fighters who protect military installations. The FY ’08 Defense Authorization (HR 1585) reinstates important DoD employee protections, repeals the $400 cap on the DoD uniform allowance, reinvests mutual aid reimbursements back into DoD fire service accounts, and kills a Bush administration proposal to privatize military fire fighting.  Read More...

Anti-Labor Senators Derail Fire Fighter Bargaining Bill
December 14, 2007 -- With the Senate on the verge of passing the IAFF’s national collective bargaining bill, a small group of hard-line anti-labor senators engaged in a series of parliamentary tactics late last night to block the Senate from acting. With no way to overcome the obstacles, the Senate was forced to postpone action on the Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act until after the New Year.  Read More...

Senate Votes to Strengthen Fire Fighter Fatality Investigations
October 25, 2007 -- The U.S. Senate unanimously voted to double funding for the Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program (FFFIPP) within the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). The program, created by the IAFF in conjunction with President Bill Clinton, conducts investigations of fire fighter line-of-duty deaths to formulate recommendations for preventing future deaths and injuries.  Read More...

Breakthrough on Hometown Heroes?
October 9, 2007 -- Department of Justice officials who administer the Public Safety Officer Benefits (PSOB) program have announced that DOJ is overhauling the way it determines eligibility for heart attacks and strokes. Domingo Herraiz, Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance, spoke at a gathering of fire service organizations and promised to make significant changes in the way his agency evaluates PSOB claims under the Hometown Heroes Act.  Read More...

IAFF Testifies Before Congress on Reducing Fire Fighter Deaths
October 4, 2007 -- Captain Bob Livingston, legislative director for the Oregon State Council of Fire Fighters, testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation on ways the United States Fire Administration (USFA) could help reduce fire fighter line-of-duty deaths.  Read More...

Bargaining Bill Introduced in Senate
October 2, 2007 -- The IAFF’s top legislative priority, the Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act, was introduced in the Senate October 1 with bipartisan support. Led by Senators Judd Gregg (R-NH) and Ted Kennedy (D-MA), 10 Republicans and 11 Democrats joined together as original sponsors of the legislation, S.2123.  Read More...

House Moves to Strengthen Airport Fire Fighting
September 21, 2007 – The U.S. House of Representatives voted to approve legislation strengthening current fire safety standards at airports. The FAA Reauthorization Act, H.R. 2881, was passed by a vote of 267-151. As passed, the bill requires the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to bring Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) standards into conformity with existing national consensus standards.  Read More...

DoD Fire Fighters Get Long Overdue Uniform Allowance Hike
September 21, 2007 – The Senate has unanimously approved an amendment to the defense authorization bill offered by Senators Ben Nelson (D-NE) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) effectively doubling to $800 the maximum yearly uniform allowance for Department of Defense (DoD) fire fighters, the first increase in 18 years.  Read More...

Student Loan Forgiveness for Fire Fighters Approved
September 10, 2007 – The U.S. Congress has approved legislation creating a new student loan forgiveness program for full-time professional fire fighters and other public safety employees who have served their communities for at least 10 years. The College Cost Reduction and Access Act, HR 2669, passed the House 292-97 and the Senate 79-12.  Read More...

Federal Presumptive Legislation Introduced in Senate
August 3, 2007 – Legislation granting disability retirement benefits to federal fire fighters who contract certain illnesses on the job has been introduced in the United States Senate.  S. 1924, the Federal Firefighters Fairness Act, was introduced by Senators Tom Carper (D-DE) and John Warner (R-VA). The bill creates a rebuttable presumption that federal fire fighters who become disabled by heart disease, lung disease, certain cancers and certain infectious diseases contracted such illnesses on the job.  Read More...

IAFF Encourages Fire Departments to Apply for SAFER Grants

July 30, 2007 – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced that the application period for the Assistance to Firefighters Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program will begin at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time on July 30, 2007. All applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on August 31, 2007.  Read More...

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.  Read More...

House Passes Collective Bargaining Bill

July 17, 2007 – The U.S. House of Representatives has overwhelmingly passed HR 980, the Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act of 2007, which guarantees collective bargaining rights for every fire fighter in the nation. The measure received widespread, bipartisan support, prompting leaders from both parties to consider the bill under an expedited procedure usually reserved for non-controversial legislation. HR 980, which cleared the House by a margin of 314-97, is the IAFF’s single most important legislative initiative.  Read More...

Sign Up for the New FIREPAC Recurring Online Contribution Option!

July 3, 2007 -- The IAFF has introduced an online contribution option for members to contribute monthly – and automatically – to one of FIREPAC’s donor clubs. The new auto-draft program, available now, is similar to a dues check-off program. Read More...
 

IAFF Wins Pollie Award
June 25, 2007 -- The American Association of Political Consultants has recognized the IAFF once again with the prestigious Pollie Award in the “Independent Expenditure/527 Communications” category for direct mail for “Wildfires.” The winning mailer was part of a four-piece direct mail campaign the IAFF used during the Montana Senate general election in 2006.  Read More...

House Panel Approves IAFF Bargaining Bill
June 20, 2007 – Years of hard work by IAFF members across the country has paid off with the June 20 House Committee vote of 42 to 1 to guarantee collective bargaining rights for every fire fighter in the nation. The vote sends HR 980, the Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act, to the full House of Representatives. Read More...

Bargaining Bill Posed for Action
June 11, 2007 -- Within the next few weeks, the U.S. House of Representatives is expected to cast the first recorded vote in its history on granting fire fighters collective bargaining rights. The Committee on Education and Labor is working toward scheduling Committee action this month, followed by a vote in the full House of Representatives.  Read More...

Bargaining Bill Supported by Majority in House
May 29, 2007 -- IAFF legislation to ensure collective bargaining rights for all fire fighters has won the support of a clear majority in the U.S. House of Representatives -- 229 of the 440 members of the House have signed on as cosponsors. The bill continues to enjoy strong, bipartisan support with 60 Republicans joining 169 Democrats on the bill.  Read More...

Legislative Victories for New York, Gulf Coast Heroes
May 25, 2007 – The IAFF has achieved two major legislative victories with the recent passage of the Iraq War Supplemental Appropriations bill. In addition to providing funding for American troops overseas, the legislation includes $50 million for New York City fire fighters who responded to 9/11 and frees up federal funding for Gulf Coast fire fighters impacted by Hurricane Katrina. The bill also includes a provision increasing the minimum wage to $7.25. Read More...

House Panel Doubles SAFER Funding
May 18, 2007 -- A House Appropriations Subcommittee has approved legislation funding the Department of Homeland Security, doubling funding for the SAFER grant program. The spending bill, sponsored by Subcommittee Chairman David Price (D-NC), also provides increased funding for the FIRE Act grant program and funds a new interoperable communications grant program.  Read More...

House Committee Stands Up For Military Fire Fighters
May 11, 2007 – The House Armed Services Committee, led by Chairman Ike Skelton (D-MO) and Ranking Member Duncan Hunter (R-CA), have unanimously rejected a proposal by the Department of Defense (DoD) to privatize military fire fighting. The Committee also added language to the annual Defense Authorization bill to secure collective bargaining rights for thousands of fire fighters and other DoD civilian employees.  Read More...

IAFF-Backed Provisions Included in Iraq War Supplemental
May 2, 2007 -- President George W. Bush has vetoed the Supplemental Appropriation Bill providing funding for the Iraq War that also includes a number of provisions important to the nation’s fire fighters. Bush rejected the measure because it seeks to end U.S. military involvement in Iraq, but his veto derails several other provisions included in the bill.  Read More...

IAFF Seeks Fair Implementation of Hometown Heroes
April 20, 2007 -- The IAFF, in conjunction with the International Association of Fire Chiefs and other national groups representing the interests of the fire service, have sent a letter to President George Bush requesting that he examine the Public Safety Officers Benefit (PSOB) program to ensure that fallen fire fighters are receiving benefits mandated by the Hometown Heroes Act.  Read More... 

Collective Bargaining Bill Is More Than Halfway to Goal of 218 Cosponsors
April 20, 2007 -- Thanks to the efforts of grassroots IAFF activists, 133 members of the House of Representatives have signed on as cosponsors of HR 980, the Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act. The number puts the IAFF well on the way to achieve its goal of having 218 cosponsors – a majority of the House of Representatives – and virtually ensures passage of the legislation.  Read More...

Application Deadline for FIRE Act Grants Is May 4
March 30, 2007 – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will be accepting applications for the 2007 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program through May 4, 2007. Using new criteria – which should benefit many of the fire departments represented by IAFF locals – DHS will give a higher level of consideration to departments with a high call volume and to departments that protect large populations.  Read More...

Message to Congress: AMT Should Not Tax Fire Fighters
March 23, 2007 – Michael Day, president of Baltimore County, MD Local 1311, testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee March 22 that the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) could hit fire fighters hard with a tax increase next year if Congress fails to protect them from it.  Read More...

IAFF Presidential Forum Catches National Spotlight
The IAFF Presidential Forum -- the first bipartisan event of its kind -- captured international media attention March 14, making headline news as eleven of the top candidates from both parties addressed more than 1,000 IAFF leaders and members. The Presidential Forum began the process of deciding which candidate will earn the IAFF’s support in the 2008 election.  Follow the coverage...

Legislative Conference Attendees Make Great Strides in Congress
March 19, 2007 – Members of Congress have responded overwhelmingly to the more than 900 IAFF members who stormed Capitol Hill March 13 as part of the 2007 Alfred K. Whitehead Legislative Conference. Dozens of members of Congress have signed on to support IAFF legislative priorities over the past week.  Read More...

IAFF Says Federal First Responder Support Is Inadequate
March 9, 2007 – Blaming a lack of commitment by the Bush administration, IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger testified before a U.S. House Homeland Security Subcommittee hearing March 9 on “Preparing for Disasters, Natural or Otherwise” that the United States is not much better prepared to respond than before the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.  Read More...

IAFF Endorses Remaining 9/11 Commission Recommendations
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.  Read More...

Federal Presumptive Legislation Introduced in House
February 20, 2007 – Legislation granting disability retirement benefits to federal fire fighters who contact certain illnesses on the job has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives.  Read More...

Bargaining Bill Introduced in House
February 12, 2007 – The Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation was introduced in the House of Representatives by Representatives Dale Kildee (D-MI) and John Duncan (R-TN). IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger has identified the Cooperation Act, HR 980, as the IAFF’s highest legislative priority.  Read More...

DHS Posts Workshop Schedule for 2007 FIRE Act Grant Applications
January 25, 2007 – Beginning January 25, the Assistance to Firefighters (FIRE Act) FY 2007 workshop schedule is available online. Administered by the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Grants and Training (G&T) in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration, the FIRE Act grant program assists rural, urban and suburban fire departments throughout the United States in funding activities including the purchase of fire fighting equipment, personal protective equipment, training, fire fighting and EMS vehicles and other first responder safety projects.  Read More...

New Congress Highlights Fire Fighter Issues
January 10, 2007 -- The new 110th Congress is off to a quick start, placing fire fighter issues at the forefront of its agenda, including HR.1 – a proposal to fully implement the recommendations of the 9-11 Commission – which the House of Representatives passed overwhelming in a 299-128 vote January 9.  Read More...