VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN was a founding member of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus as a U.S. Senator from Delaware and became chairman in 1996. He co-sponsored the original FIRE Act in 2001 and co-sponsored legislation creating the Public Safety Office Medal of Valor, the nation’s highest award for firefighters and other public safety officers who act with extraordinary valor. Biden also is president emeritus of the Delaware Volunteer Firemen’s Association.