Pascrell questions administration's commitment to firefighters,
decisions to cut successful programs like the FIRE grant

U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ, 8th), a member of the House Select Committee on Homeland Security, today joined his colleagues on the Homeland Security Committee to listen to testimony from Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge on the administration's plans for the Homeland Security Department as indicated in the FY 2005 budget.  Pascrell offered the following comments:

 "One can get a distinct sense of the Administration's priorities within the eight pages of testimony Secretary Ridge provided.  So I think it speaks volumes that within those eight pages-or 3,204 words-only two paragraphs focus on first responders.   

 "Every year it's the same thing: the Administration proposes big cuts to the successful FIRE Grant program.  This time a cut of one-third-from $750 million down to $500 million.  In fact, in this budget, all grants to our first responders suffer an $800 million decrease from amounts appropriated by Congress last year.  Has the threat lowered?  Is this why they have dramatically reduced the federal help to our men and women on the frontlines?

 "Everyone who has any level of contact with the firefighter community knows that there are basic, critical needs out there. We knew that before 9/11. I ask the administration, in preparing this budget, did you actually consult with any real-life firefighters?

 "A leading cause of firefighter death occurs from firefighters getting lost inside burning buildings and other crews not being able to find and rescue them.  Why would the budget eliminate funding for programs to train rapid intervention teams to improve their capability to rescue firefighters who are trapped or lost at fires?

"The leading cause of firefighter death in America is a heart attack that occurs either at the scene of emergencies or soon after returning from emergency scenes, yet the proposed budget eliminates funding for programs to enhance the level of cardiac fitness among firefighters?

"The recent review of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program by the Department of Homeland Security's Inspector General suggests a greater emphasis should be placed on fire prevention and education.  American fire departments value prevention efforts as part of a multi-faceted system for keeping people in communities safe.  Why would the President's proposed 2005 budget eliminate funding for such a critical component of this nation's fire and life safety infrastructure?

 "Again, I ask, did any one who had a hand in this writing budget, actually ever speak to a real-life firefighter?"

###