Ranking Member Lipinski’s Opening Statement for Fire Administration and Fire Grants Reauthorization Hearing
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Ranking Member Lipinski's Opening Statement for
(
Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Research and Technology, Rep.
Thank you Chairwoman Comstock. The authorizations for the
In the early 1970s, fires claimed 12,000 Americans lives per year and caused
Thanks in large part to the efforts of those institutions, the nation is making progress in lowering fire fatalities. Today's rate of just over 3,000 civilian fire deaths per year is significantly lower than in the 1970s, but it is still one of the highest in the industrialized world. Unfortunately, it will be difficult to reduce fire fatalities and property loss without adequate funding of the
Career, volunteer, and combination fire departments all face challenges in meeting their day-to-day needs. Local fire departments are the boots on the ground for fire prevention and protection, but when state budgets do not allow for adequate funding to hire firefighters and ensure proper training and access to life-saving protective gear and equipment, there is a Federal role in providing funding and technical assistance. The Fire Grants Reauthorization Act of 2012 made significant changes to the fire grant programs to address some of these funding and technical obstacles. Changes included the distribution of AFG fire grant funding among the various types of fire departments, reducing the cost share requirement for smaller departments, and waiving the matching requirements for less affluent communities.
Whether in a booming local economy or a struggling one, many of today's fire departments do more than fight fire - they respond to medical calls, hazardous materials calls, and calls about other hazardous situations, such as an active shooter. It is critical that the more than one million firefighters across the nation have access to proper training to protect the public and themselves while doing a very tough job.
I look forward to hearing our panel discuss the effects of these changes and others to the fire service community, and what the Committee should consider as we look at reauthorizing these programs. Thank you for taking the time to appear before us today.
Thank you Chairwoman, I yield back.
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