Thanks in large part to the IAFF, America's municipal fire fighters are already the best trained and best equipped in the world. All Americans benefit from that. The number of Americans killed in fires has dropped by one-third since 1988. Thank you very much. With the help of better safety equipment that you have fought for, such as flame-retardant suits, fire fighters have been able to get to the heart of fires quicker and pull more victims to safety.
Fire fighting is still extremely dangerous.
Fire fighters are six times more likely to be injured on the job than the average private sector worker. That's why I have worked very hard with your leaders to better the lives of fire fighters. But we have to do more. The 21st century will be a fascinating time. I envy those of you who are in this audience who are younger than me, most of you, because you'll live to see more of it.