SUPPORT FOR FIRE GRANTS PROGRAM
WHEREAS,
since 2000, the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (the Fire Grant
Program) has assisted urban, and suburban, and rural fire departments across
the country in the areas of operations and firefighter safety, fire prevention,
and firefighting vehicle acquisition; and
WHEREAS,
in the last 12 months alone, the Fire Grant Program has awarded over $695
million to over 8,600 fire departments; and
WHEREAS,
a fire department in the U.S. responds to a fire every 19 seconds; and
WHEREAS,
fire departments in the U.S. are in need of updated equipment, training and
vehicles, as evidenced by the fact that: one-third of firefighters per shift do
not have a self-contained breathing apparatus, approximately 57,000 per shift
lack personal protective equipment, only 13 percent of fire departments are
capable of responding to a hazmat incident which involves other emergency
rescue personnel, and half of all fire engines are over 15 years old; and
WHEREAS,
HR 4107, the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Reauthorization Act of 2004
increases the cap for awards to medium to large cities while maintaining the
commitment of the program to serve smaller jurisdictions; and
WHEREAS,
the Fire Grant Program has maintained a high standard of efficiency and
performance in the distribution of Federal funds; and
WHEREAS,
the fire grant program administered by DHS directly funds cities, thereby
efficiently expediting the movement of federal dollars to local jurisdictions
while providing flexibility to meet the equipment and training needs of their
departments,
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that The United States Conference of Mayors
supports full funding for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program within
DHS, supports HR 4107 to reauthorize the program, and strongly encourages
Congress to ensure that the program is managed and administered by the U.S.
Fire Administration.
©2004 U.S. Conference of Mayors 