Volunteer Firefighters-plank-Tim Murphy

==Murphy Secures Additional Funding for Firefighters==
Washington, June 7, 2006 - To expand our border protection, prepare for natural disasters, and better equip our first responders, the House of Representatives passed the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Appropriations bill last evening. The annual spending bill for DHS included an amendment by Congressman Tim Murphy (PA-18) to help recruit and train volunteer firefighters.
“Fire departments across the country, and here in Southwestern Pennsylvania, are experiencing a crisis in staffing levels,” Congressman Tim Murphy said. “A lack of staff at firehouses poses a direct threat to the safety of our families, our community, and firefighters. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, a shortage of firefighters is a primary contributor to firefighter fatalities. These additional funds will be used to recruit, train, and equip new firefighters.”
Congressman Murphy’s amendment provided an additional total of $115 million for the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response program and the Assistance to Firefighters Program. It brings the total funding for these programs to $657 million. In addition, the bill provided $4.2 billion for port, container, and cargo security and $19.6 billion for border protection and immigration enforcement, including the hiring of more border patrol agents.
“As our nation secures its borders against terrorists, drug dealers, and others illegally entering the country, this bill provides the necessary funding for more border enforcement,” Murphy concluded. “From making sure our federal law agencies have the necessary manpower to providing much needed resources for local first responders, our nation continues to meet the new security challenges we face.” 
==Links==
* Volunteer Firefighters
category:Planks_from_elsewhere