Davis Applauds Fire and Emergency Response Legislation June 04, 2003

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Rep. Lincoln Davis today heard testimony from a distinguished panel of witnesses during a House Science Committee hearing on H.R. 1118, the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Act of 2003.

"The roles that fire departments and emergency response teams play in a community is undeniably important to the livelihood and comfort of those they are serving," Davis said during the hearing. "Our volunteer and full-time fire departments are to be commended for the dedication and commitment they exhibit."

The legislation authorizes $7.6 billion over seven years for the U.S. Fire Administration, a directorate within FEMA, to award grants to State and local governments to pay the salaries and benefits for three years for each new firefighter. In exchange, the grantee would have to retain the new hires for at least one year following the termination of the grant, and they would have to put up a non-federal funding match of 25 percent.

"I have been working with many local fire departments in my district to help secure grants for staffing purposes. These personnel shortfalls endanger the safety of firefighters and hinder the ability to effectively protect the public."

The International Association of Fire Chiefs has estimated that two-thirds of the Nation's 26,000 fire departments do not meet the recommended minimum staffing called for in the National Fire Protection Associations standards.