On July 8, testimony on S.2411, the reauthorization bill for the FIRE Act in the Senate was taken by Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee chaired by Senator John McCain. The written testimony on several areas of impact submitted, provided the positions of those closely involved with the fire service or government entities administering the FIRE Act,. Not all addressed each specific area but the following outlines their line of direction.
Those speaking included:
C. Suzanne Mencer Director, Office of State and Local Government Coordination and Preparedness (OSLGCP) (DHS).
David Paulison, U.S. fire administrator (USFA),
Chief Ernest Mitchell, President (IAFC).
James Monihan, Legislative Committee Chairman (NVFC).
James M. Shannon, President and CEO (NFPA).
Billy Shields, (IAFF),
Moving the mission of the FIRE Act toward terrorism preparedness
Shannon NFPA: While it is not specifically a terrorism program, the FIRE Grant program provides the foundation on which terrorism preparedness must be built. These basic levels of preparedness, which we know so many departments lack, must be adequately met.
Monihan NVFC: However, we cannot lose sight of the 21 million calls the fire service responds to annually involving structural fire suppression, emergency medical response, hazardous materials incidents, clandestine drug labs, search and rescue, wildland fire protection and natural disasters. The federal government must not forgo its commitment to the basic needs of America's fire service in the name of Homeland Security.
Mitchell IAFC: While ODP has committed to running this program in substantially the same manner as the USFA, we are concerned about the strong emphasis on terrorism response. Acts of terrorism are just some of the many hazards to which America's fire service responds. Congress has made it clear that the FIRE Act is intended to build the basic tools of firefighting in order to enhance our all-hazards response
