Rep. Pascrell Supports Fire Service Program Reauthorization
"As an original author of the law that created the fire grant programs, the House taking action to reauthorize these important programs today is a positive step. However, there was no good reason for the House waited to act until the programs were two weeks away from expiration. And unlike the
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"In that same vein, the sunset provision creates a situation where states and localities and tens of thousands of fire departments across our nation are left wondering about the future of the federal funding they rely on to keep their communities safe. This sunset is unnecessary and this bill should have eliminated it."
Background on AFG, FP&S, and SAFER Grant programs
In March of 1999,
In
Full Statement from
As an original author of these critical grant programs, I understand their importance to the firefighting community. It is often local firefighters who are the first on the scene before help from elsewhere can arrive. Our first responders provide immediate assistance to those in need; and these grants enable local firefighters across our nation to receive the training and equipment necessary to fulfill this important mission.
The proper training and equipment provided to local firefighters by the AFG and SAFER grant programs and Fire Prevention and Safety programs can often mean the difference between life and death.
It is unfortunate,
I even introduced H.R.3881, a House version of the
The bill before us today makes meaningful and technical changes to the administration of these grant programs. One important change this bill makes, that I know is significant to my home state of
However, unlike the
This sunset causes needless anxiety, which many have been feeling this year as the House is only now reauthorizing these programs just two weeks before they're set to expire. This is a situation where states and localities and tens of thousands of fire departments across our nation are left wondering about the future of critical funding they rely on to keep their communities safe. This sunset is unnecessary and we should eliminate it.
It is not an understatement to say that the funding provided by these programs has saved countless lives. The federal resources these grants have provided fire departments with the equipment, training and staffing needed to swiftly respond to over 30 million calls annually. These programs also have improved firefighters' response capabilities and prevented numerous fires through safety programs targeted toward high-risk populations.
Finally, I would like to thank my colleagues Congressman
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