Firehouse.Com News
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D-MD) today, Wednesday, offered an amendment to the Homeland Security Appropriations bill that would increase federal funding available to our nation's fire departments for protective gear, communications equipment, and fire trucks. Senator Mikulski's amendment would have increased the Department of Homeland Security's Fire Grant Program by $150 million to fund it at its authorized level of $900 million.
The amendment was voted down 48 to49.
The U.S. Senate rejected an amendment to the Homeland Security Appropriations bill Tuesday that would have provided an additional $729.5 million for the fire service.
The amendment, which was introduced by Senator Robert Byrd (D-WV), was defeated 50-43 Tuesday evening and included a provision also raising the funding by $150 million
Senator Mikulski is on the appropriations subcommittee that funds the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. She fights each year to increase funding for the grant program, which is funded at $750 million this year - up from $360 million in 2002.
The following is Senator Mikulski's speech, delivered on the floor of the Senate today, upon introduction of her amendment.
"I rise to offer an amendment to support our first responders and protect our protectors so they can protect us.
"My amendment would provide an additional $150 million for firefighter equipment and training. This would mean protective gear for 150,000 firefighters, 500 new fire trucks, 300 new rescue vehicles, or 25,000 new breathing masks.
"This isn't just about protective gear and fire trucks. It=s about saving lives. It=s about providing double value so our firefighters are prepared, whether it=s a terrorist attack or a tornado.
"Firefighters are often the first on the scene. It was the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Fire and Rescue Squad that rushed to the Pentagon on September 11th. It was the La Plata Fire Department that was the first to respond to the deadly tornado last year. It was the Baltimore Fire Department that rushed into the smoldering tunnel fire that cut off train traffic on the East Coast. They didn't know if they were facing toxic chemicals or a terrorist attack.
"Why is my amendment necessary?
"The Council on Foreign Relations recently issued a bipartisan, independent report, led by former Senator Rudman. Their findings are chilling. The report found that '...the United Sates remains dangerously ill-prepared to handle a catastrophic attack on American soil. Fire departments across the country have only enough radios to equip half the firefighters on a shift and breathing apparatuses for only one third. Only ten percent of fire departments in the United States have the personnel and equipment to respond to a building collapse.'
"In Maryland, at least $52 million is needed to provide protective equipment for every firefighter in my state. Yet my state is facing a budget deficit of over one billion dollars. Services are being cut. How can we ask our state and local governments to take on more? Every time our nation goes to code orange, our cities go to red ink. Since September 11th, Baltimore has spent over $16 million dollars on homeland security, including $1.3 million for extra personnel and equipment costs for firefighters. In Baltimore, the recent heightened alerts have cost city taxpayers $750,000.
"Maryland cannot bear this burden alone. Congress must do more to secure the homeland and provide hometown security.
"There are over a million firefighters in the United States, of which 750,000 are volunteers. First responders are the true heroes. They save lives, save homes, and save communities. Every day when they report for duty, they don=t know what they will face. They may enter a house to save children trapped on the second floor. They might put out the flames at a factory that contains toxic chemicals. They=re first on the scene at any disaster.
"Firefighters are our protectors. Many are volunteers who work three shifts: one at their regular jobs, one with their families, and one at the fire station. The volunteers work on their own time. They shouldn't have to do it on your own dime. - more -
"For thirty years, since I was first on the City Council, I've fought to give our firefighters the tools they need to save lives and save communities. I know fire equipment is very expensive. A new fire engine costs $300,000. A new rescue vehicle costs $500,000. Breathing apparatus equipment for one firefighter costs $6,000. A suit of protective gear costs over $1,000 and wears out quickly.
"Last year, there were 19,500 applications for fire grants but there was only enough money to fund 5,500 grants. Firefighters cannot rely on bingo and fish fries to cover the bill for hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of vehicles and equipment. The nation can not merely express its gratitude through words alone - we must express our gratitude thought deeds, too. "For years the funding for fire grants was spartan and skimpy. It took a tragedy of September 11th to provide greater support for our first responders. I'm proud that, as Chairman of the VA-HUD Subcommittee, I fought to increase funding for the grant program from $100 million to $750 million last year. Yet firefighters still go without lifesaving equipment and training.
"The Rudman report warns of another tragedy that=s ready to happen. The Rudman report concludes that '...if the nation does not take immediate steps to better identify and address the urgent needs of emergency responders, the next terrorist incident could have an even more devastating impact than the September 11th attacks.'
"I urge my colleagues to take the next step and support my amendment."
