Main Story: President Bush Says Cut FIRE Act, Project Impact

(WASHINGTON, DC) - The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) is condemning a provision of President George W. Bush's FY 2002 budget proposal that would eliminate funding for an innovative fire service program passed with bipartisan support just last year.

The FIRE Act provides $100 million annually for grants given directly to local fire departments and is based upon similar programs for law enforcement, programs that Bush has rushed to praise.

"This action by the Bush administration reflects a lack of understanding about the serious problems facing the nation's fire service," commented IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger immediately after the budged blueprint was released.

"It is particularly insulting that one day after he highlighted the administration's support for additional funding for law enforcement, the President is taking an action that cuts at the heart of the fire service, even before one single penny of this year's appropriation is distributed to local fire departments."

The language used to eliminate this important initiative was particularly harsh. Included in the Federal Emergency Management Agency's subsection, it reads in whole:

"Fire Grant Program: An additional $100 million in savings are achieved by the non-renewal of a new fire grant program, which was authorized for only two years and which does not represent an appropriate responsibility of the Federal Government."

This sterile language ignores the facts that fire loss remains at its highest level in history and that many fire departments do not have the resources or the staffing to adequately protect the public. It also comes as fire fighters race to the aid of thousands of Americans impacted by an earthquake in the Pacific Northwest.

"Every fire fighter in America should be deeply concerned by the Bush administration decision to eliminate this much needed funding to our domestic emergency responders and fire departments across this nation."

The IAFF is already reaching out to its many Republican and Democratic supporters in the House and Senate to gain their help in pushing for the 2002 FIRE Act appropriation. The IAFF represents 240,000 professional fire fighters and paramedics. IAFF members protect more than 80 percent of the lives and property in the United States. Contact George Burke for comment at (888) 347-7593.

Related

• ICHIEFS Look For Strategy on FIRE Act Cut
  
• President Bush Says Cut FIRE Act, Project Impact
  
• Steve Austin Commentary: Stay with the Pre-Plan!
  
• Put Pen to Paper to Save the FIRE Act!
  

Related Links:

• Firehouse.com's Funding Section
  
• The Bush Plan: Blueprint For New Beginnings
  
• National Volunteer Fire Council
  
• International Association of Fire Fighters