Fire Politics: Times on the Hill

July 1, 2017
Shane Ray underscores the the importance of taking powerful messages about fire sprinklers to Congress.

It was great to see many friends in Washington, DC, for the Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI) Fire Service Symposium and Dinner. It was a very productive day for the National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA), as we held our Legislative Day in conjunction with CFSI and took our issues to the Hill.

Fire sprinkler legislation

We were there to promote the Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act (FSIA), which was introduced following the Station Nightclub fire in West Warwick, RI, in 2003. The intent of the legislation is to provide a tax incentive to install fire sprinkler systems in existing buildings, especially nightclubs, high rises and off-campus housing.

Under the current tax code of the IRS, a business would depreciate the expense of the fire sprinkler system, like the plumbing, over 39½ years. The FSIA would have originally allowed for depreciation of the fire sprinkler system over 5 years, but with compromises, it is currently requesting depreciation over 15 years. The current Congress is very likely to tackle tax reform, which is the mechanism that has been missing to give an incentive for improving fire and life safety.

Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI) came by a luncheon to encourage advocates, fire officers and industry representatives to keep sharing their message. Sharing real stories on the impact of fires as well as data on the fire sprinkler industry is bringing the problem and solution to the forefront.

Fire sprinkler industry representatives who represent a predominately American-made product and jobs, coupled with fire officials from the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and fire survivors from Common Voices, the Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors, and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF), made for an impressive presentation to congressional staffers. What a powerful message to take to Congress.

It is safe to say that was an eye-opening event for many, and I hope each of you take advantage of this opportunity in the future.

You are the expert

The key to impact is YOU. The fire chiefs who are present and have reached out prior to arrival in Washington almost always get an audience with the Congresspersons themselves. This was proof as Chief Randy Parr from Tomball, TX, had a meeting with Congressman Kevin Brady, who is chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, about the FSIA. Not only is it important to meet with key committee members in DC, it is also important to participate in their events back in the home district. When was the last time you went to a congressional event in your district? Probably too long for most.

Make our issues positive and offer assistance. Don’t just go into these offices with demands; go with offers of assistance. The key staff personnel who will be researching and working on the fire service issues will look to local professionals for assistance in pulling together information. Not only are there committees in Congress, there are also groups in the bureaucracy that need information as well. For example, each bill has a “score” that is prepared by the Joint Tax Committee, and as bills are created, this comes from Legislative Council, which has federal employees who are estimating costs and providing information about the impact of the bill. Key members of Congress can have an impact on this if they are aware and the staff person handling the matter is willing to reach out. 

You are the expert on fire protection at the community, state and federal level. Your voice should be heard. Make sure these statements are true by being involved in your associations at all levels and by ensuring that you have a message that is based on an informed opinion to the issues at hand. 

As fire chiefs, fire marshals, firefighters and association representatives, we should be engaged in the transfer of political information nearly daily. I truly believe that our elected officials are interested in fire service and fire protection issues; I just believe that our approach isn’t always the best. 

Many decisions are based off relationships. While many want to attack our opponents and “bean counters,” we should be reaching out to partner with all the stakeholders involved in the issue so that the elected officials have all the information to make the best and most informed decision. Yes, I know this is a dream world, but as the late, great Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “I have a dream.”

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