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National Security First Responders
First responders in our communities put
themselves at tremendous risk to protect us. Police, firefighters
and emergency medical services personnel stand ready to respond
in a crisis no matter what, and they deserve a federal government
that stands ready to support them in return. In January 2003,
I introduced S. 45, the First
Responders Support Act, to give first responders a strong
voice in the new Homeland Security Department. It is critical
that the lines of communication are open between the new department
and first responders. That is precisely what my bill aims
to do, by establishing a federal liaison between the Homeland
Security Department and first responders in each state.
My legislation would have also ensured effective use of taxpayer
dollars. The First Responders Support Act would have established
a new advisory committee of first responders that would help
the Department identify first responder needs and evaluate
the adequacy and timelines of resources for local first responders.
I have also cosponsored a series of bills, including the Homeland
Security Grant Enhancement Act, S.1245, during the 108th
Congress, that would help simplify the emergency responders
grant application process in the Department of Homeland Security.
This important bipartisan legislation would create a "one-stop
shop" for grant funding and assistance and eliminate
many of the duplicative requirements. It would also give local
officials more flexibility so that they can use federal homeland
security dollars to more effectively meet local needs. In
addition, the bill would help ensure that federal dollars
get down to the local level in a timely fashion. I continue
to work to provide adequate funding for critical law enforcement
programs on the national, state and local level.
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