BILL WEBB
CFSI Executive Director
It seems only fitting that the U.S. Congress gave final approval to the most significant piece of federal fire service legislation during National Fire Prevention Week. In recent weeks, the bill took on different titles which -- to the fire service -- is inconsequential. What is most important is that for the first time ever, Congress has recognized that a need exists to provide major federal support to our 1.2 million first responders.
It has been a long and arduous effort on the part of the American fire service and allied members of Congress -- one that often tested the resolve of the fire organizations to stay the course and work as a single, unified force. We hung together, successfully reaching agreement each time circumstances arose that threatened to undermine the coalition. It was a learning experience for all, including some of the skeptics who questioned the efficacy of the national organizations that worked tirelessly for a successful outcome.
With victory comes credit and there are plenty of individuals and organizations deserving of the lion’s share. By mentioning names, I suppose that I will expose myself to criticism from some who will feel slighted because their names didn’t make the list. However, I will take that chance because it is important that the fire service understand who delivered this bill to our nation’s first responders.
From the House, the list includes Congressman Bill Pascrell, author of the FIRE Act whose inspiration and leadership was infectious to our lobbying efforts; Congressman Curt Weldon, founder of the Fire Caucus who played a pivotal role in negotiating changes needed to secure support from the Republican leadership; and Congressman Steny Hoyer who served as a liaison between the House and Senate, as well as Democrats and Republicans, resolving differences and keeping everyone focused towards a common goal.
From the Senate, the list is a bit longer as the main thrust to advance the measure originated in this chamber. Among the key players, Senator Chris Dodd, sponsor of the FIRE Act, made this legislation his number one priority, incessantly working the issue until the final vote. Senator Mike DeWine, an original co-sponsor, deserves credit for the Senate Commerce Committee conducting a hearing on the measure that resuscitated its chance of passage. And Senator Bill Roth, Chairman of the Fire Caucus, not only involved himself in authorizing a grant program, but also has made the appropriation of the program a top priority.
Perhaps most importantly, we need to thank the ranking members of the Senate Commerce Committee and the Senate and House Armed Services Committee. The work of Congress is byzantine to many involving a myriad of procedures and processes. Before a piece of legislation can become law, Congress must examine it through a series of processes, one of which can jettison the measure. In the case of the FIRE bill, Commerce Committee Chairman John McCain and ranking member Fritz Hollings assented to allowing the Senate Armed Services Committee to include the FIRE Act in the Defense Authorization measure even though the bill was in their committee’s jurisdiction.
Once the measure became a defense issue, Chairman John Warner and ranking member Carl Levin of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Chairman Floyd Spence and Ranking member Ike Skelton of the House Armed Services Committee, suddenly held the fate of the fire service in their hands. In response, they reached out to the fire service leaders seeking answers to questions and information to help them craft a salient piece of legislation. The final dollar figure fell short of our original expectations. But this should be viewed as a mark, a starting point on which we can build, and a validation of the federal government’s role in fire and life safety.
During the past three years, the work of the national fire organizations has been questioned in various publications. Obviously, everybody is entitled to his or her opinions. Hopefully, the passage of this legislation will make believers out of the skeptics who questioned our effectiveness and reaffirm our supporters’ beliefs in our mission. The Congressional Fire Services Institute was one of many organizations, including the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the International Association of Fire Fighters, the International Association of Arson Investigators, the National Fire Protection Association, the International Society of Fire Service Instructors and the National Volunteer Fire Council, that played an important role in this effort. In addition to the legislation, we achieved another victory of working together as one for the benefit of all first responders.
But before we can begin the big celebration or rest on our laurels, we must fight one more battle: the funding of the program. Before the fire service can begin filling out the forms for a grant, Congress must first deposit money into the account. And with only two weeks before adjournment, time is not our ally. For this reason, the fire service must reenergize itself and begin making phone calls to their local representatives. Urge your members to contact the Appropriators to request $100 million in funding for the grant program. Otherwise, you will find yourself trying to draw water from a dry well.
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