October 16, 2000

Windsor Locks — Senator Chris Dodd, D-Conn., today joined firefighters from around Connecticut to announce that legislation to help local fire departments purchase new equipment, create and participate in education and training programs, and hire additional personnel has passed Congress. The "Firefighter Investment and Response Enhancement (FIRE) Act," which Dodd authored together with Senator Mike DeWine, R-Ohio, will provide direct grants to local fire departments and fire prevention organizations. The legislation now moves to the White House for the President's signature.

"Firefighters don't lack courage, but unfortunately they often lack the tools to do their job," said Dodd. "Thankfully, this measure supports state and local fire departments by providing critically important resources. I commend Congress for its bipartisan vote."

The FIRE Act authorizes approximately $460 million over two years in grants to the nation's local fire departments. Grants will be awarded to local departments, the people best able to identify local needs, to hire new personnel, initiate education and training programs, and purchase new equipment. Paid, volunteer, and "combination" departments will all be eligible for the grants.

Every year nearly 100 firefighters die in the line of duty and more than 650 children die in fires because they could not be rescued in time. Upgraded equipment and increased personnel will not only protect firefighters' lives, but will also help firefighters with their most important task, saving lives. One million firefighters are called to active duty every day, yet federal spending on fire prevention and training efforts totaled about $32 million in 1999, compared with about $11 billion in federal spending for law enforcement initiatives.

The need for the FIRE Act was dramatically demonstrated this year, as severe wild fires stretched federal fire resources to the limit. By mid-summer, more than 20,000 civilian firefighters been called into action. With the fires showing little sign of abatement, Army troops, Marines and National Guardsmen were recruited to help. In addition, firefighters from Canada and Mexico and from as far away as Australia and New Zealand were called upon for assistance. This year alone, more than 78,000 wild fires have so far burned more than 6.8 million acres.