FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, November 30, 2012
CONTACT: Ian Koski at 202-224-4216

Senator Coons votes to help local fire departments

Amendment, which passed with bipartisan support, would help fire departments improve their emergency response and preparation

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) on Friday applauded passage of an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to improve the capabilities of fire departments to prepare for and respond to emergencies. The amendment, which Senator Coons co-sponsored, would reauthorize the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant programs as well as the United States Fire Administration (USFA) for five years.

The amendment passed by a unanimous consent on Thursday and will become a part of the final NDAA to be voted on by the Senate next week.

“When danger strikes, our firefighters are first on the scene to protect our neighbors and assess the situation,” Senator Coons said. “Every day the brave men and women in our fire departments put their lives on the line to keep our communities safe and the least we can do to thank them for their work is to provide them with the resources and training they need to properly carry out their dangerous missions. Our nation relies on our local fire fighters to be first responders to national emergencies, including natural disasters and acts of terrorism, and we owe them the support that they need to fill this role.”

The amendment, authored by Senator Joseph Lieberman (I-Conn.), would take steps to ensure that firefights not only have the equipment, personnel and resources they need but also allow FEMA to waive requirements for departments in communities that are facing economic difficulties. 

AFG and SAFER Grants are merit-based grants that have never been earmarked. The amendment also includes provisions to prevent earmarks from being attached to the reauthorized programs.

###