The grants could be used for hiring, training, equipping and educating firefighters in 32,000 American fire departments. The program would provide an unprecedented level of federal support for fire departments, but it would put federal spending for the fire service on a par with the federal support to law enforcement and educators. The bill has more than 261 cosponsors in the house, more than enough to make it law if it goes to the floor for a vote. The area is directly in front of the House side of the U.S. Capital. The House subcommittee hearing is set to begin at 2 p.m. in Room 2167 of the Rayburn House Office Building.
Many insiders are hopeful.
It doesn't appear that that bill will even get to the Senate floor, but the House's response to the amendment was a positive sign that political support exists for increasing spending in this critical area. A number of individuals deserve credit for getting us to this point, particularly Congressman Bill Pascrell and Chairwoman Tillie Fowler for agreeing to hold a hearing. It's now up to the fire service to present its case to Congress and to explain why the federal government must do more for our first responders. Unfortunately, C-Span has not scheduled live coverage of the hearing.