Firefighter Grant Funding and Setting the Record Straight
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette (R-Bainbridge Township) today
released the following information regarding the status of funding
for Assistance to Firefighter Grants (AFG), which provide equipment
and training to departments, and SAFER grant funding, a hiring
program for firefighters.
On June 1, LaTourette offered an amendment on the House
floor to restore $320 million for the two fire grant programs,
nearly doubling the amount contained in an earlier version of the
spending bill. The additional funds are paid for by
transferring funds from some administrative accounts at Homeland
Security. That same day, the House overwhelmingly passed
LaTourette amendment by 333-87 vote. The following day, the
House passed the spending bill with the LaTourette funding, and
sent it to the Senate for consideration.
The LaTourette amendment added $320 million to $350 million
originally slated for the two popular grant programs, bringing
total funding to $670 million. The $670 million is identical
to the Administration's funding request. The president of the
International Association of Fire Fighters praised the LaTourette
amendment in a June 8 letter to the Congressman, saying that the
"$335 million provided for each program will help save thousands of
fire fighter jobs and fund the purchase of life-saving equipment
and training."
LaTourette said the Senate now must consider the Homeland
Security spending bill. He said it's shameful that Sens.
Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) have held similar
press events telling reporters that House cut funds, when
$320 million was restored in the House by the amendment he offered
with Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-NJ).
"Yes, we pushed the funding up to to $670M with a huge vote.
Apparently, the Senator has been busy with other matters and missed
the news. President Obama asked for this level, the
firefighters signed off on this level. Only people in the
'other body' running in 2012 seem confused," LaTourette said.
The LaTourette amendment was supported by the "Big Five"
firefighting organizations, who all supported the $320 million
funding increase. The organizations that signed off on the
funding level in the LaTourette amendment are: International
Association of Fire Fighters, International Association of Fire
Chiefs, National Volunteer Fire Council, National Fire Protection
Association and the Congressional Fire Services
Institute.
The LaTourette amendment provides $335 million for both the AFG
and SAFER grant programs, while Administration wanted just $250
million for AFG grant funds. In addition, LaTourette is an
original co-sponsor of a bill that reauthorizes FIRE and SAFER
grant programs at $1B and $1.194B, respectively, in fiscal years
2012 to 2016.
The IAFF, based in Washington, DC, represents nearly 300,000
full-time professional fire fighters and paramedics who protect 85
percent of the nation's population. More than 3,100
affiliates and their members protect communities in every state in
the United States and in Canada.
Here is the text of the June 8 letter to LaTourette from Harold
A. Schaitberger, the General President of the International
Association of Firefighters (IAFF).
Dear Steve,
Please accept my heartfelt thanks for your amendment to increase
funding for the FIRE and SAFER grant programs in the House's
Homeland Security Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2012. The $335
million provided for each program will help save thousands of fire
fighter jobs and fund the purchase of life-saving equipment and
training.
America's fire fighters are fortunate to have such a great
friend in the Congress.
Your longstanding commitment and tireless efforts on behalf of
our nation's first responders are always noted and greatly
appreciated.