WASHINGTON, DC - On June 18, the U.S House of Representatives passed their FY 2005 House Homeland Security Appropriations Bill (H.R. 4567). The bill provides a total of $31.9 billion in FY 2005 spending for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), a $1.6 billion (5.3 percent) overall increase from last year.
The issue of most interest to the fire service is the reduction of Assistance to Firefighters Grant program funding, down from nearly $750 million last year to $600 million for FY 2005. This is of great concern to the NVFC and we will be looking to increase the funding as the bill goes to Conference with the Senate version.
In addition, included in the report language on the bill, the Appropriations Committee stated that they were concerned by the Administration's proposal that would shift the grant focus from all-hazards to placing priority on terrorism, and the proposed deletion of several eligible activities, specifically, wellness and fitness programs, emergency medical services, fire prevention programs, public education programs, and modifications of facilities for health and safety of personnel. The Committee reemphasized that the Firefighter Assistance Grants must continue to be administered in a manner identical to recent years, including a peer review process of applications, granting funds directly to local fire departments, and the inclusion of the United States Fire Administration during grant administration.
Finally, an amendment by Representatives Curt Weldon (R-PA) and Steny Hoyer (D-MD) was passed to provide $50 million to fund the SAFER program which provides funding to hire additional firefighters and recruit and retain volunteer firefighters. Although not substantial funding, the appropriation would allow the program to get off the ground and have the regulations created.
The Bill includes the following amounts for fiscal year 2005 for the State and Local Programs:
Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program - $600 Million
SAFER - $50 Million
State Formula-Based Grants - $1.25 Billion
Urban Area Security Initiative - $1 Billion
Emergency Management Performance Grants - $170 Million
Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Grants - $500 Million
National Domestic Preparedness Consortium - $130 Million
Competitive Training Grants - $50 Million
Rural Domestic Preparedness Consortium - $5 Million
Citizen Corps - $20 Million
Metropolitan Medical Response System - $50 Million
Port Security Grants - $125 Million
Technology Transfer - $50 Million
National Exercise Program - $52 Million
Senate
The Senate version of the Homeland Security Appropriations Bill (S. 2537) passed out of the Senate Appropriations Committee on June 17. The Senate bill funds the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program at $700 million for FY 2005, $100 million more than the House but still a cut over FY 2004 levels. The SAFER program has received no funding to date in the Senate Bill.
The Bill includes a total of $3.75 Billion for first responder grants and assistance in FY 2005, including:
Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program - $700 Million
State Formula-Based Grants - $940 Million
Urban Area Security Initiative - $875 Million
Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Grants - $400 Million
Port Security Grants - $150 Million
Rail and transit security grants - $150 Million
National Domestic Preparedness Consortium - $135 Million
Competitive training grants - $55 Million
Emergency management performance grants - $180 Million
The legislation may go to the Senate floor before the July 4 recess.
