United States Fire Administration Reauthorization Act of 2008
Floor Speech
UNITED STATES FIRE ADMINISTRATION REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2008 -- (House of Representatives - September 22, 2008)
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Mr. GINGREY. Mr. Speaker, I risk in strong support of S. 2606, the United States Fire Administration Reauthorization Act of 2008.
This legislation reauthorizes the United States Fire Administration (USFA) for fiscal years 2009 through 2012 for the agency's activities in training, fire education and awareness, data collection, research, and standards development and promotion. S. 2606 provides $291 million in federal funds over this 5-year period, which is consistent with previously authorized levels and allows only for a modest growth in funding, capped at 3 percent in any of the fiscal years covered by this bill.
The mission of USFA is to limit economic and life loss ``due to fire and related emergencies, through leadership, advocacy, coordination and support.'' This organization provides vital assistance in the areas of training, fire education and awareness, and awards grants to a number of local fire departments across the country. Since its inception in 1974, USFA has trained over 1 million firefighters through local delivery courses as well as through the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland. USFA has provided support critical to reducing deaths and injuries in the U.S. from fire by 25 percent between 1996 and 2006.
S. 2606 is the Senate companion bill to H.R. 4847, which the House passed on April 3rd of this year by a vote of 412-0. The Senate bill includes the same authorization amounts and makes minor modifications to the House-passed version that only further improve the legislation. I am proud to say that this legislation has been crafted in both a bipartisan and bicameral way--with community stakeholders--to ensure that it meets the needs of our firefighting community. I commend my colleagues on the Science Committee in particular Chairman GORDON, Ranking Member Hall and Mr. Mitchell of Arizona, who is the lead sponsor of the House-passed bill--for their diligence in bringing this important legislation to the House floor today.
Mr. Speaker, S. 2606 authorizes USFA to continue its current operations and expand training and research in a fiscally responsible manner. The bill will provide firefighter training to over 80,000 firefighters per year and facilitate the delivery of education and training programs to firefighters through local training efforts. S. 2606 also aids research into techniques, systems, and equipment to improve fire prevention and control in sparsely developed communities that have been particularly hard hit by fire in the past few years. This legislation also specifically addresses the issue of fighting fires in an urban-wildland interface--like the wildfires we saw last year in Southern California--by implementing methods to better respond and prepare for fires that move from wildlands to suburban and urban areas.
As a physician, I am particularly pleased that S. 2606 includes language I offered in the Science Committee to improve emergency medical care by facilitating USFA's coordination with other groups as well as its ability to disseminate information on best-practices for EMS operations and management.
Firefighters are called upon to extract victims from car crashes, building fires or collapses, and all other emergencies. It is critical that patients receive consistent care under medical direction. While I do not expect USFA to pursue studies into the medical care EMS patients should receive, I believe that this language in S. 2606 will give the Administrator the authority and flexibility to conduct studies into training, system design, and on-scene patient management. This will allow the Administrator to work with appropriate federal agencies and existing medical services in these local communities.
Mr. Speaker, it has been a great honor to work with the men and women of our Nation's fire services--including the Congressional Fire Services Institute, the International Association of Fire Fighters, the International Association of Fire Chiefs, and the National Volunteer Fire Council--on this important legislation. The United States Fire Administration is a vital link to these first responders and this agency has made substantial contributions to improving fire services throughout the country. S. 2606 will ensure that USFA remains vibrant and productive in the years to come.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their support and thoughtful contributions to this bill. I urge passage of S. 2606 that will enable the USFA to continue its record of achievement as well as prepare firefighters for the challenges they will face in the future.
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