IAFC NEWS ALERT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: IAFC Government Relations Department
703/273-0911
Congress Passes DHS Funding Bill
Fairfax, Va., October 13, 2004...Over the Columbus Day weekend, Congress passed the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) appropriations bill for fiscal year 2005. This bill funds several important fire service grant programs, most notably the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (FIRE Act) and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Program (SAFER). Congress provided $650 million in funding for the FIRE Act. This is a decrease of $100 million from the appropriation of $750 million that Congress approved in each of the last two years. In addition, Congress funded SAFER at $65 million. SAFER was authorized last year and this is the first time it has received an appropriation.
The cut to FIRE Act funding was expected in light of the overall federal budget and the increasing deficit. In February, at the start of the annual appropriations process, the president initially proposed funding the FIRE Act at $500 million and did not request any funding for SAFER.
In making this appropriation, the committee included strong language directing DHS to retain the program’s overall focus on “all-hazards” preparation and to reinstate eligibility for several program categories that the department had proposed deleting, including wellness and fitness programs, emergency medical services, fire prevention programs, public education programs, and modifications of facilities for health and safety of personnel. They also directed the department to continue the current practice of funding applications according to local priorities and those established by the United States Fire Administration (USFA) and they directed DHS to continue to include the USFA in grant administration.
The IAFC has been concerned about the administration of the FIRE Act since DHS moved the program from the USFA under the jurisdiction of the Office for Domestic Preparedness (ODP). The IAFC has worked closely with Congress to ensure that the clear intent of the program—funding to improve the “all-hazards” mission of local fire departments—is not lost within ODP’s focus on local terrorism response preparedness. The recent reauthorization of the FIRE Act, which moves jurisdiction for the program back to the Emergency Response and Preparedness Division of DHS (formerly FEMA), along with the language included in this appropriation, expressly shows Congress’ determination to maintain the FIRE Act’s focus on “all-hazards” response.
Federal Funding to the Local Fire Service
FY 2001: FIRE Act, $100 million; SAFER, $0
FY 2002: FIRE Act, $360 million; SAFER, $0
FY 2003: FIRE Act, $750 million; SAFER, $0
FY 2004: FIRE Act, $750 million; SAFER, $0
FY 2005: FIRE Act, $650 million; SAFER, $65*
*Fiscal year 2005 is the first year SAFER is eligible for funding.
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