“Local firefighters, the large majority of whom are volunteers, put their lives on the line every day for area residents,” said Rep. Jones.  “Increasingly, fire departments are having trouble making ends meet - with many departments forced to raise money through dinners and other fundraising efforts.” 

“This legislation marks a new -- and well-earned -- commitment from the federal government to our nation’s firefighters,” Jones continued.  “Never before has the federal government taken steps close to this magnitude to aid the fire service.  It is about time that America’s heroes receive the assistance they so desperately need.”

• Headlining the package is an unprecedented $460 million authorization which would create a grant program to send much needed funds directly to local fire departments. Besides the new grant program, the bill also includes authorized funding for the Volunteer Fire Assistance Program, burn research programs, a study of Hepatitis C occurrences in firefighters, and a study of Department of Defense spectrum potentially available for sharing with local fire and EMS agencies.  Additionally, there is language that improves the opportunities for fire departments to obtain excess Department of Defense property.  Finally, a task force is created to identify defense technologies that can be put to civilian use by local emergency response.
• The House of Representatives is also committed to approving a $100 million appropriation for fire departments in one of the upcoming appropriations bills, most likely VA/HUD.  While the authorization mentioned above would still be subject to future appropriations, this $100 million legislation would constitute immediate relief for needy fire departments.  It is a similar package to that passed by the House on the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill in March.
• In addition, legislation has recently been introduced in Congress that would make volunteer firefighters eligible for funding under the AmeriCorps program.  Congressman Curt Weldon (R-PA), the sponsor of the bill, has spoken with Harris Wofford, president of the Corporation for National Service, who has indicated his support for the legislation and his intention to work to include volunteer fire companies in AmeriCorps.