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| Bi-Weekly Update |
February 5, 2008 |
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Administration Releases Fiscal Year 2009 Budget Proposal; Proposes Significant Cuts to First Responder Grants On Monday, February 4th, the White House released its proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2009. The approximately $3.1 trillion budget includes a 7.6 % increase for homeland security spending. Although the proposal increases funding in some areas, it contains significant cuts to first responder grant programs. The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (Fire Act) would be reduced by $260 million from the FY08 enacted level, receiving only 30% of its authorized funding. The budget also proposes to zero-out the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants. The budget proposal also makes significant cuts to the United States Fire Administration.
While the Administration's budget proposal is meant to serve as a guideline for federal spending, Congress will ultimately determine funding levels for these programs. The House and Senate Appropriations Committees will now begin work on crafting Fiscal Year 2009 spending bills. The Fiscal Year 2009 Budget Proposal can be obtained from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). |
DHS Releases National Response Framework
 The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently released the National Response Framework (NRF), a national emergency response plan that extends to all levels of emergency management. Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff and FEMA Administrator David Paulison were joined by CFSI Executive Director Bill Webb and other national fire service leaders at a press conference on January 22 to unveil the National Response Framework.
The NRF takes the place of the National Response Plan as the nation's principal strategy of an all-hazard approach for responding to emergencies and disasters, with an emphasis on short-term recovery. The framework outlines the roles of government at the national, state, and local levels while emphasizing heightened preparedness in every outlet of emergency response.
According to DHS, the NRF is designed to be scalable, flexible and adaptable; always in effect; and articulate clear roles and responsibilities among local, state, and federal officials. "It helps define the roles, responsibilities, and relationships critical to effective emergency planning, preparedness and response to any emergency or disaster," stated Secretary Chertoff. "I want to emphasize that it is not a federal plan, but a national plan that is designed to help emergency managers at all levels deal with everything from the smallest localized disaster to a nationwide catastrophe."
The base document of the NRF was made available for public comment in the fall of 2007. Stakeholders at all levels of government, non-governmental agencies and the private sector issued 5,700 remarks. The recently released version of the NRF is the result of collaborative efforts by the nation's emergency management community. To ensure that the NRF can further develop while being actively implemented, the NRF Resource Center was created. The Resource Center will enable modifications to continually be incorporated into the framework.
FEMA is providing 24 training courses that highlight various aspects of the framework and intends to complete training prior to the start of the hurricane season in June. |
Congressional Outlook for 2008
Members of Congress returned to Washington in mid-January to begin the second session of the 110th Congress. Due to the Presidential election in November, the legislative year is expected to be somewhat abbreviated with lawmakers mainly focusing on the Fiscal Year 2009 spending bills.
Senior members of Congress, including the leadership of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, have expressed their concern regarding the decrease in first responder funds proposed in the President's FY 2009 budget. CFSI will continue to work with other national fire service organizations and our allies in Congress to ensure that these programs remain a strong resource for our nation's firefighters.
In addition to the proposed cuts in federal grant programs, CFSI will be addressing a number of other issues. The Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act (S. 582/H.R. 1742), introduced to both houses of Congress early in 2007, remains in committee in the Senate and the House. CFSI is currently working with several national organizations and our Congressional allies to encourage passage during the second session of this Congress, if not as a stand-alone measure, then as past part of a bigger tax measure.
CFSI is also working on legislation to reauthorize the United States Fire Administration. On December 19, 2007, Congressman Harry Mitchell (AZ-5) introduced legislation reauthorizing the United States Fire Administration (H.R. 4847). The current authorization for USFA expires at the end of Fiscal Year 2008. Congressman Mitchell's legislation extends the authorizing through 2012, giving Congress the authority to appropriate funds for the office and its programs. While the legislation is expected to be non-controversial, because the authorization for USFA is set to expire, it is essential Congress pass the legislation before the end of the year. |
2007 Firefighter Fatalities
The United State Fire Administration (USFA) recently released provisional statistics for firefighter fatalities in 2007. According to the announcement, 115 on-duty firefighters lost their lives in the United States in 2007.
Vehicle accidents and heart attacks claimed 54 lives and accounted for nearly half of all fatalities in 2007. The report indicates that more than 20% of fatalities were vehicle accidents that occurred en route to or from an incident, citing speed and failure to wear seatbelts as major contributing factors. Wildfires were associated with 10 firefighter deaths.
In response to the report, United States Fire Administrator Greg Cade called 2007 "one of the most tragic years for firefighters in recent memory." He reiterated his commitment to reducing the number of firefighter fatalities in 2008. According to USFA, there have been six firefighter fatalities thus far in 2008. |
Hometown Heroes Update
According to recent data released by the Department of Justice (DOJ), approval of claims filed under the Hometown Heroes provisions of the Public Safety Officer's Benefit (PSOB) continues to rise. As of December 26, 2007, DOJ has approved 73 claims, denied 67, and approved four after appeal. Action has not yet been taken on 142 claims. The number of PSOB approvals nearly doubled during a six week period of time in late 2007. Since May, DOJ case approvals have outnumbered denials three to one.
This is a welcome improvement for a program that has been plagued by delays and questionable denials. In October of 2007, reacting to increased criticism from survivors, national fire service organizations and Capitol Hill, the Bureau of Justice Assistance enacting a series of changes meant to streamline the claims process and to bring the decisions in line with Congressional intent. |
| 20th Annual Dinner Reminder
Please be reminded of CFSI's 20th Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner and Seminars on Wednesday, April 2 and Thursday, April 3, 2008. The theme of this year's program is "A Generation of Progress." To mark the 20th year of the event, CFSI is hosting the Showcase of the Fire and Emergency Service's on the National Mall on April 2nd. Sponsored by the International Fire Service Training Association, the Showcase will display the latest in the readiness and response capabilities of our nation's fire and emergency services against the backdrop of our nation's Capitol. The event will feature the Firefighter Combat Challenge, the Home Safety Council Education Pavilion, interactive displays and an array of apparatus and equipment used by our nation's first responders. The seminars will feature members of Congress, administration officials and national fire service officials who will address a number of current federal initiatives.
Join us as we bring the fire service into the nation's spotlight! Tickets for the dinner are available for purchase online. Visit our website, www.cfsi.org, or contact us at (202) 371-1277 or update@cfsi.org for more information on the nation's largest gathering of fire service organizations.
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Dont forget, the best way to show your support for CFSI is by joining the Associates Club
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Congressional Fire Services Institute
900 2nd St. NE, Suite 303
Washington DC 20002
www.cfsi.org
update@cfsi.org
202-371-1277
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