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House Homeland Security Subcommittee Increases Fire Grants and Safer Programs

OPENING STATEMENT OF CHAIRMAN DAVID PRICE
Subcommittee Markup: FY 2009 Homeland Security Appropriations Act

USFA Seeks Deputy United States Fire Administrator

National Fire Incident Reporting System Self-Study Now Available

CEDAP Grant Period Now Open

Focus on Retention and Recruitment: Connecticut Passes Law Allowing Career Firefighters to Volunteer

House Homeland Security Subcommittee Increases Fire Grants and Safer Programs

On Wednesday, June 11th, the House Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee marked up its Fiscal Year 2009 appropriations bill that included a $10 million increase in funding for the Assistance to Fire Grants program and a $40 million increase for the SAFER program. The increases would result in proposed funding totals in FY 2009 of $570 million for the Fire Grants program and $230 million for the SAFER.

With its proposed funding increases, the Subcommittee, chaired by Rep. David Price (D-NC), continues its tradition of strong bi-partisan support for the fire and emergency response service and industry. Over the past several years, the subcommittee has defied repeated attempts by the Administration to cut the fire grants program by 50 percent and to zero-out the SAFER program. The bill will now move to the full Appropriations Committee, chaired by Rep. David Obey (D-WI).

In an era of federal deficits, the subcommittee’s action represents a significant early victory for advocates of the fire and emergency response service. The members of FAMA and FEMSA have written many letters to their congressional delegations on the importance of these programs, and the results are clear.

This is just the first step of a relatively long and arduous legislative process, but a preliminary thank you to everyone for their hard work is in order. In the meantime, please keep those letters of support to your delegation coming. The FAMA/FEMSA GAC will keep you fully informed of additional developments as they occur.

Congratulations

Source: Dave Gatton, Development Initiatives, Inc.

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OPENING STATEMENT OF CHAIRMAN DAVID PRICE
Subcommittee Markup: FY 2009 Homeland Security Appropriations Act

News from Congressman David Price (NC-04) Chairman,House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Media Contact: Paul Cox, 202-225-1784

FOR RELEASE UPON DELIVERY

I am pleased today to hold this Subcommittee mark-up of the 2009 Homeland Security Appropriations bill. The Subcommittee has held an extensive series of 15 hearings so far this year, featuring testimony from Department officials, watchdog agencies, and outside experts. We focused on every component and nearly every office in the Department, and we offered both encouragement and criticism where warranted. The mark that I am asking all Subcommittee members to approve today is well informed by what we learned in those hearings and offers the resources and direction the Department needs for the coming fiscal year. We also worked hard to include items in the bill and report that address concerns raised by Subcommittee members.

I want to thank the distinguished Ranking Member for his advice and help in making this a better bill. He and his staff worked cooperatively with us during the bill writing process, and provided many constructive suggestions and additions. And, while we may not agree on every item in the bill, I think we agree on most of what the bill entails.

Overall, the discretionary total in the bill for the Department of Homeland Security is $39.9 billion. This is $2.2 billion, or almost 6 percent above the comparable fiscal year 2008 amount (including border funding with an emergency designation) and $2.3 billion above the Administration’s requested funding level. The total does not include the $2.18 billion advance appropriation for fiscal year 2009 that was provided in the fiscal year 2004 Homeland Security Appropriations Act. Although this funding was appropriated to DHS, it is for Project BioShield, which is primarily managed by HHS.

Read More (PDF)

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
APPROPRIATIONS SUMMARY - FY2009 BUDGET CHART (PDF)

Source: Dustin Joyce, Development Initiatives, Inc.

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USFA Seeks Deputy United States Fire Administrator

The U.S. Fire Administration has a vacancy for the position of Deputy Fire Administrator. The position is currently advertised on USAJobs and will be posted until July 3. This position is critically important for the fire service. Learn more about the position and apply.

Source: NVFC

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National Fire Incident Reporting System Self-Study Now Available

EMMITSBURG, MD. – The U.S. Fire Administration and the National Fire Academy announce the availability of the new National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) 5.0 Self Study (Q494) online course. Serving as an introduction to NFIRS 5.0, this self-study course provides an overview of the data collection system, its modules, and data conversion issues.

"We are pleased to make this important course available online to all USA fire departments," said U.S. Fire Administrator Greg Cade. "Accurate and complete NFIRS data is critical for use at the local, state, and federal levels and this course is the starting place for building the core competencies key to creating quality data and making available the quality information needed by the American fire service."

NFIRS is the comprehensive method for detailed tracking of fire, emergency, and related incident responses. The information recorded in NFIRS can be used by emergency services organizations to track current workloads, develop response metrics and statistics, and help with current asset management. More information and access to this course is available on NFA Online. Additional NFIRS-related training can be found on the USFA Web site.

More than a dozen courses are available through NFA Online in the following curriculum areas: Emergency Medical Services, Emergency Response to Terrorism, Fire Prevention, Incident Management, Management Science, and Public Education.

Source: FEMA

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CEDAP Grant Period Now Open

The application period for the Commercial Equipment Direct Assistance Program (CEDAP) is open until June 30. The CEDAP is an important component of the Department of Homeland Security’s preparedness efforts. The program aids smaller jurisdictions and eligible urban areas by directly transferring specialized commercial equipment, equipment training, and equipment technical assistance to enhance regional response capabilities. FY 2008 funding is valued at $16 million. Read full article.

Source: NVFC

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Focus on Retention and Recruitment: Connecticut Passes Law Allowing Career Firefighters to Volunteer

The State of Connecticut has enacted legislation that codifies the right of career firefighters to volunteer during off-duty hours. The bill, An Act Concerning Volunteer Service By Paid Emergency Personnel Or Paid Firefighters (H.B. 5646), received final legislative approval on May 7, became a Public Act on May 19, and was formally signed during a ceremony June 9 in Newington, CT. Read full article.

Source: NVFC

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