Courtesy of
International Association of Fire Fighters
Following a meeting between IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger and Director of Homeland Security Tom Ridge, the Bush Administration has agreed to seek an additional $3.5 billion for training and equipment for the nation’s fire responders. The funding, which is expected to be formally announced in Bush’s State of Union address on Tuesday, will be in addition to the FIRE Act program which was increased to $360 million last year.
Schaitberger and Ridge discussed the need for additional spending on fire protection at meeting in the West Wing of the White House in December. Ridge indicated his support for the spending plan, and promised to convey Schaitberger’s comments to President Bush.
This plan is a significant step forward for the fire service, Schaitberger said. For the first time, the federal government is clearly acknowledging the vital role fire fighters play in defense of our nation.
Ridge, who was named to a newly created position following the September 11 attacks, echoed Schaitberger’s comments in a speech to the nation’s mayors. These men and women risk their lives everyday. They did so before September 11, and they’ve done so everyday since. They work around the clock to protect their communities, one home, one block, one neighborhood at a time. And for them, the potential of a new challenge, a new battle, is with them every, single day.
Despite the significant investment of federal funds, the IAFF has called for further spending in the one crucial area omitted from the Bush proposal.
Equipment and training are desperately needed, but they won’t help without additional staffing, Schaitberger explained. He called on Congress to enact a major new initiative to fund 75,000 new fire fighter positions around the nation.
Noting that two-thirds of all fire departments are understaffed, Schaitberger added, Americans are only as safe as the nearest fire fighter. Without addressing this critical shortage, all the training and equipment in the world won’t make much difference.
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