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**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Liz Lubow**

**July 23, 2003 Amy Hagovsky**

**202-228-1122**

**[http://mikulski.senate.gov]{.underline}**

**[Number range CHAPTER]{.mark}MIKULSKI OFFERS AMENDMENT TO INCREASE
FUNDING FOR**

**NATIONAL FIRE GRANT PROGRAM**

**WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Senator Barbara A. Mikulski** (D-MD) today offered
an amendment to the Homeland Security Appropriations bill that would
have increased federal funding available to our nation's fire
departments for protective gear, communications equipment, and fire
trucks. Senator Mikulski's amendment would have increased the Department
of Homeland Security's Fire Grant Program by \$150 million to fund it at
its authorized level of \$900 million. Senator Mikulski's amendment
failed by a vote of 48-49.

In 2003, the U.S. Fire Administration received almost 20,000
applications totaling \$2.5 billion in funding requests for local fire
departments. According to the National Fire Protection Association, an
estimated 57,000 firefighters lack personal protective gear, one-third
of firefighters per shift do not have self-contained breathing
equipment, and half of all fire engines are at least 15 years old.

Number range CHAPTERThe Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to
Firefighters Grant Program is a competitive grant program open to fire
departments nationwide. Fire departments can apply for money for
training, firefighting equipment, protective gear, fire prevention
programs, and firefighting vehicles.

Senator Mikulski is on the appropriations subcommittee that funds the
Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. She fights each year to
increase funding for the grant program, which is funded at \$750 million
this year -- up from \$360 million in 2002.

Number range CHAPTERIn February 2003, Senator Mikulski sent a letter to
each Maryland Fire Department to make sure they were aware of the
availability of federal funds to help them pay for equipment and
training. On March 30^th^, in conjunction with the Maryland Fire and
Rescue Institute and the Maryland State Firemen's Association, Senator
Mikulski organized a state-wide workshop on the Assistance to
Firefighters Fire Act Grant Program. At the workshop, representatives
from fire departments from across Maryland learned how to write
effective grant proposals.

**- more -**

*The following is Senator Mikulski's speech, delivered on the floor of
the Senate today, upon introduction of her amendment.*

"I rise to offer an amendment to support our first responders and
protect our protectors so they can protect us.

"My amendment would provide an additional \$150 million for firefighter
equipment and training. This would mean protective gear for 150,000
firefighters, 500 new fire trucks, 300 new rescue vehicles, or 25,000
new breathing masks.

"This isn't just about protective gear and fire trucks. It=s about
saving lives. It=s about providing double value so our firefighters are
prepared, whether it=s a terrorist attack or a tornado.

"Firefighters are often the first on the scene. It was the
Bethesda-Chevy Chase Fire and Rescue Squad that rushed to the Pentagon
on September 11^th^. It was the La Plata Fire Department that was the
first to respond to the deadly tornado last year. It was the Baltimore
Fire Department that rushed into the smoldering tunnel fire that cut off
train traffic on the East Coast. They didn't know if they were facing
toxic chemicals or a terrorist attack.

"Why is my amendment necessary?

"The Council on Foreign Relations recently issued a bipartisan,
independent report, led by former Senator Rudman. Their findings are
chilling. The report found that '...the United Sates remains dangerously
ill-prepared to handle a catastrophic attack on American soil. Fire
departments across the country have only enough radios to equip half the
firefighters on a shift and breathing apparatuses for only one third.
Only ten percent of fire departments in the United States have the
personnel and equipment to respond to a building collapse.'

"In Maryland, at least \$52 million is needed to provide protective
equipment for every firefighter in my state. Yet my state is facing a
budget deficit of over one billion dollars. Services are being cut. How
can we ask our state and local governments to take on more? Every time
our nation goes to code orange, our cities go to red ink. Since
September 11^th^, Baltimore has spent over \$16 million dollars on
homeland security, including \$1.3 million for extra personnel and
equipment costs for firefighters. In Baltimore, the recent heightened
alerts have cost city taxpayers \$750,000.

"Maryland cannot bear this burden alone. Congress must do more to secure
the homeland and provide hometown security.

"There are over a million firefighters in the United States, of which
750,000 are volunteers. First responders are the true heroes. They save
lives, save homes, and save communities. Every day when they report for
duty, they don=t know what they will face. They may enter a house to
save children trapped on the second floor. They might put out the flames
at a factory that contains toxic chemicals. They=re first on the scene
at any disaster.

"Firefighters are our protectors. Many are volunteers who work three
shifts: one at their regular jobs, one with their families, and one at
the fire station. The volunteers work on their own time. They shouldn't
have to do it on your own dime.

**- more -**

"For thirty years, since I was first on the City Council, I've fought to
give our firefighters the tools they need to save lives and save
communities. I know fire equipment is very expensive. A new fire engine
costs \$300,000. A new rescue vehicle costs \$500,000. Breathing
apparatus equipment for one firefighter costs \$6,000. A suit of
protective gear costs over \$1,000 and wears out quickly.

"Last year, there were 19,500 applications for fire grants but there was
only enough money to fund 5,500 grants. Firefighters cannot rely on
bingo and fish fries to cover the bill for hundreds of thousands of
dollars worth of vehicles and equipment. The nation can not merely
express its gratitude through words alone -- we must express our
gratitude thought deeds, too.

"For years the funding for fire grants was spartan and skimpy. It took a
tragedy of September 11^th^ to provide greater support for our first
responders. I'm proud that, as Chairman of the VA-HUD Subcommittee, I
fought to increase funding for the grant program from \$100 million to
\$750 million last year. Yet firefighters still go without lifesaving
equipment and training.

"The Rudman report warns of another tragedy that=s ready to happen. The
Rudman report concludes that '...if the nation does not take immediate
steps to better identify and address the urgent needs of emergency
responders, the next terrorist incident could have an even more
devastating impact than the September 11th attacks.'

"I urge my colleagues to take the next step and support my amendment."

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