On Jan. 28, President Bush will deliver his last State of the Union address to the nation. The address is a political ritual for both parties: the President will expound on the achievements of his Administration while painting a rosy outlook for the coming year under his budget proposal, while the opposition party will convey a bleak outlook under the Administration's agenda. The event never scores well in the Neilson ratings, but it will capture a huge viewing audience in Washington, as special interests will listen carefully for any mention of funding for their particular programs.
According to a number of sources on both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue, the President will submit a 2009 budget that will attempt to eliminate both the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER). Although the President has never proposed funding for SAFER, this marks the first time since the Fiscal Year 2003 budget proposal that the FIRE Act was zero funded. Is this the death knell of both programs? Not necessarily, but it does mean that the fire service has it work to do to preserve both programs.
First established in 2001, the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (FIRE Act) has been a very successful program providing needed assistance to address the unmet needs of local fire and emergency services department. Congress has appropriated over $4 billion for the program, a testament to its support on Capitol Hill. Yet despite the support, the Administration has never fully embraced the concept of the program.
Rather than sending funds directly to local fire departments, the Administration prefers instead to send money through the states aimed specifically at combating terrorism. And even the states will not benefit from the budget proposal as the Administration is expected to propose cuts in the State Homeland Security Grant and Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) grant programs. Given a deficit spiraling out of control due primarily to the war in Iraq, the Administration apparently is preparing an austere budget that will please few people in Washington.
With the elections less than a year away, this will be a contentious year in Washington. Recognizing increased voter discontent, neither party will want to be labeled "soft" on homeland security issues. In fact, rather than waiting for the budget to be released, a number of members from both sides of the political aisle have already issued statements castigating proposed cutbacks in homeland security grant programs, including the FIRE Act and SAFER. And with each passing day leading up to the elections, both parties will continue to turn-up the rhetoric and criticize the other - and the administration - for falling short on homeland security issues.
The FIRE Act and SAFER are two important priorities for the fire organizations. Working together, the national fire organizations will work with our allies on Capitol Hill to prevent any reduction in funding for either program. In addition, each organization will lobby for its own legislative priorities. The websites of the Congressional Fire Service Insitute (CFSI), International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), International Association of Fire Chief (IAFC), National Volunteer Fire Countil (NVFC) and other organizations contain comprehensive lists of their respective priorities.
In addition to the FIRE Act and SAFER, CFSI will focus our efforts on the passage of the Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act, full compliance with the Hometown Heroes Act, and the reauthorization of the United States Fire Administration.
It is important that the fire service monitor these websites to chart the progress of these legislative initiatives. Firefighters need to understand that they can make a huge difference in advancing legislation. Whenever I speak about the legislative process, I always like to remind the audience what the late-Speaker of the House Thomas "Tip" O'Neill said: "Politics is local." These are the words of an individual who was re-elected to Congress 16 times by his constituents, so he definitely understood to whom he was most obligated.
Another adage in Washington is, "The President proposes and Congress disposes." The budget the President will submit at the end of January is merely a blueprint outlining his spending priorities for fiscal year 2009, not that of the Congress. At the end of the day, the President has the final say on spending measures with his veto authority. Yet the likelihood of the President vetoing the Homeland Security Appropriations bill because of funding contained in the measure for FIRE and SAFER is highly unlikely. For this reason, our efforts must be directed towards members of Congress.
There are 535 members serving in Congress - 435 in the House and 100 in the Senate. The fire service can continue to be a force in Washington by working outside of Washington at the local level. Tip O'Neill was a partisan political figure, but I can assure you that every member of Congress - from both sides of the political aisle - recognizes the meaning of those words - at least those members who want to remain in office.
Let's make 2008 a safe and successful year for the fire and emergency services by working together to educate Congress. As part of the education, we need to show how the $4 billion in federal funding has made a positive difference in protecting our local communities. This is where you can make a difference in our nation's capital.
Stay safe.
To see what legislation is currently going through Washington D.C., visit the Congressional Fire Service Institute's Current Legislation Page. Find out how to contact your local member of Congress and view a sample letter. To learn more about the legislative process, click here. CFSI will host the 20th Annual National Fire & Emergency Services Dinner, held April 2-3, 2008, in Washington D.C. Click here to register for the conference.Bill Webb has served as Executive Director of the Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI) since 1995. Established in 1989, CFSI is a nonprofit, nonpartisan policy institute designed to enhance Congressional awareness about the concerns and needs of the fire and emergency services. CFSI hosts an annual networking dinner which will be held April 2-3, 2008. In his capacity, Bill works closely with members of Congress and fire service leaders on developing federal legislation to improve the readiness of our nation's fire and emergency services.
Previously, he served in the first Bush Administration as Director of Advance at the U.S. Departments of Education and Labor, traveling across the country and abroad organizing events for the Secretaries.
To learn more about CFSI visit www.www.cfsi.org
