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House Appropriations Committee Releases Draft FY12 Homeland Security Spending Bill
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On Thursday, May 12th, the House Appropriations Committee released a draft of the FY12 Homeland Security Appropriations bill. The bill provides $40.6 billion in funding for the Department of Homeland Security, a decrease of $1.1 billion (2.6%) from the Fiscal Year 2011 level and $3 billion below the Administration's request. (The Committee's press release on the bill can be viewed here.)
The draft bill makes significant cuts to several programs of importance to the fire and emergency services. The Assistance to Firefighters (FIRE) Grant Program and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Program would be funded at a total of $350 million ($200m for FIRE and $150m for SAFER). The programs were funded at $810 million ($405 million for each) in Fiscal Year 2011.
The United States Fire Administration (USFA) would be cut by more than $3 million. The draft legislation provides only $42.5 million for USFA, down from nearly $45.6 million in Fiscal Year 2011.
Additionally, the draft bill provides $1 billion to be distributed at the discretion of the Secretary between several programs, including:
- State Homeland Security Grant Program
- Urban Area Security Initiative (USAI)
- Metropolitan Medical Response System
- Citizen Corps
- Public Transportation Security Assistance and Railroad Security Assistance
- Over-the-Road Security Assistance
- Port Security Grants
- Driver's License Security Grant Program
- Interoperable Emergency Communications Grant Program
This somewhat unusual provision represents a significant cut to these critical programs. In Fiscal Year 2011, the State Homeland Security Grant Program and UASI were funded at $725 million each.
The House Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee has scheduled a mark-up for Friday, May 12th at 11:00 a.m. in Room HC-5 of the Capitol Building.
"While very disappointing, it is important to note that this is just the first step in the lengthy appropriations process" said Bill Webb, Executive Director of the Congressional Fire Services Institute. "We will continue to work with the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, as well as all of our allies on Capitol Hill, to ensure our nation's fire and emergency services have the resources they need to protect our homeland."
CFSI will continue to provide updates throughout the Fiscal Year 2012 appropriations process.
Source: CFSI
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| Update on Homeland Security Appropriations | |
"On May 24 the House Appropriations Committee passed the FY 2012 Homeland Security Appropriations bill, which would fund the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program (AFG) at a level of $200 million (a dramatic cut of $205 million from its FY 2011 level of $405 million). The SAFER program was funded at $150 million (a cut of $255 million over current year funding of $405 million). Other state and local government homeland security grant programs were cut by at least 50% and combined into a Secretary's discretionary fund. Amendments to add funds back to firefighter grant programs as well as first responder programs, offered by Ranking Subcommittee member David Price (D-NC) failed. The bill now will move to the House floor for consideration."
Source: FAMA/FEMSA GAC
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Fire Sprinkler Legislation Introduced in the House
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Congressman Aaron Shock (IL-8) introduced the Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act (HR 1792) on May 5, 2011 with Congressman James Langevin (RI-02) serving as an original co-sponsor. The legislation was referred to the House Ways and Means Committee.
The original measure was introduced in 2004 following the tragic nightclub fire in West Warwick, RI that claimed the lives of 100 victims. Since then, the legislation has been reintroduced in subsequent Congresses with various changes made to address concerns raised by members of Congress regarding cost estimates.
Under the legislation introduced by Rep. Shock, automatic sprinklers could be treated as Section 179 property under the tax code. Section 179 allows small and medium sized businesses to write-off the full cost of equipment purchases, up to $125,000, in a single year. While automatic fire sprinklers are not currently classified as a Section 179 property, passage of the legislation would allow property owners to retrofit a large majority of high fire-risk properties, such as certain off-campus housing, night clubs, nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
The legislation would also create a financial incentive for high-rise building owners to install sprinkler systems by reducing the depreciation schedule to 15 years. Currently the depreciation schedule is 39 years for commercial properties and 27.5 years for residential properties. This reduction will also put sprinkler improvements more in line with the current tax code that allows 15-year depreciation for leasehold improvements.
Source: CFSI
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Tell Congress: No Tax Increase on Volunteer Emergency Responders
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At the end of 2010, an exemption from income taxation on incentives that many local communities provide to their volunteer firefighters and EMTs as a reward for their service expired. As a result, thousands of volunteer emergency responders across the country will have to pay higher taxes this year without Congressional action.
Fortunately, Senators Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Susan Collins (R-ME) have introduced the Volunteer Responder Incentive Protection Reauthorization Act (S. 933), which would extend a law that was enacted in 2007 with the support of the NVFC and took effect in 2008 exempting all property tax benefits and up to $360 per year of other types of benefits that volunteers receive as a reward for their service. S. 933 would increase from $360 to $600 the amount of "other benefits" exempt from income taxation per year.
Contact your Senators today and tell them to co-sponsor S. 933 rather than raising taxes on volunteer emergency responders!
Read More>>
Source: NVFC
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Lessons Learned From Arson-Related Fires
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The U.S. Fire Administration recommends that administrators and managers build coalitions to prevent arson. Find out how you can help keep your community be safe.
Read More>>
Source: Disaster Resource Guide
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The United States Fire Administration (USFA) has received notice of the following firefighter fatalities:
| | The United States Fire Administration (USFA) has received notice of the following firefighter fatality:
Name: Chip Imker
Rank: Firefighter
Age: 35
Gender: Male
Status: Volunteer
Years of Service: 1
Date of Incident: 05/23/2011
Time of Incident: 2130hrs
Date of Death: 05/23/2011
Fire Department: Cambridge Fire Department
Address: 300 3rd AVE NE, Cambridge, MN 55008
Fire Department Chief: Sean Okerland
Incident Description: Initial reports indicate that Firefighter Imker passed away from injuries he sustained after falling six to eight feet onto a concrete surface at the fire hall during rope rescue training. Investigation into the incident continues by local and state authorities.
Incident Location: 300 3rd AVE NE, Cambridge, MN 55008
Funeral Arrangements: Pending
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: A Chip Imker Firefighter Memorial Fund has been established and donations can be sent to Minnco Credit Union, 235 1st Avenue West, Cambridge, MN 55008. Checks should be made payable to Kristin Hill.
Tribute is being paid to Firefighter Chip Imker at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/
Name: Thomas "Todd" Lange
Rank: Firefighter
Age: 60
Gender: Male
Status: Career
Years of Service: 32
Date of Incident: 02/05/1978
Time of Incident: Pending
Date of Death: 05/20/2011
Fire Department: Pittsfield Fire Department
Address: 74 Columbus AVE, Pittsfield, MA 01201
Fire Department Chief: Robert Czerwinski
Incident Description: Firefighter Lange passed away from complications resulting from Hepatitis that he contracted through a documented exposure to an infected patient on an EMS incident more than 20 years ago.
Incident Location: 617 Hancock RD, Pittsfield, MA
Funeral Arrangements: 05/23/2011
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: In honor of Firefighter Thomas "Todd" Lange, Pittsfield Permanent Fireman's Benefit Association, c/o Pittsfield Fire Department, 74 Columbus AVE, Pittsfield, MA 01201.
Tribute is being paid to Firefighter Thomas "Todd" Lange at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/
Source: FEMA
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