Avagene Moore: Welcome to the EIIP Virtual Forum! Today's session is focused on an EIIP Founding Partner, the Congressional Fire Service Institute (CFSI). ... Avagene Moore: Before introducing our speaker, would like to remind you of the order of the day. We will have 20 minutes or so as an overview of the topic with the remainder of the hour spent in Q&A. ... Avagene Moore: I will remind you of how to indicate you have a question or comment at the end of the topic overview. We appreciate your cooperation in keeping our sessions orderly. ... Avagene Moore: Our speaker today is Steve Austin, Fire Service Advisor to the CFSI, and Director of Governmental Relations for the International Association of Arson Investigators. ... Avagene Moore: I will be the moderator today. Steve, we are extremely glad to have you with us today to share information about HR 1168, the FIRE (Firefighter Investment and Response Enhancement) Act of 1999. Avagene Moore: Steve, what is the overall purpose of HR 1168, the FIRE Act? Steve Austin: The Firefighter Investment and Response Enhancement Act (F.I.R.E) provides for the first time, authorization for a federal program of grants to our nations firefighters... Steve Austin: The fire service and some Members of Congress are advocating a new program that would fund our nation's fire departments providing them needed funds for apparatus, training and protective equipment. Avagene Moore: Why is this Bill so important to fire services nationwide? Steve Austin: America's firefighters are the first responders to every conceivable emergency from fires to floods to incidents involving weapons of mass destruction... Steve Austin: Despite the role they play in protecting and enhancing the lives of others, the federal government has never extended the level of support to them as they have done to other groups such as teachers and law enforcement... Steve Austin: There is a tremendous need for support. In all but a very few fire departments in America the demand for services is outpacing budgets... Steve Austin: While actual fires are down, EMS responses are up... Steve Austin: Additionally fire departments are responding to hazardous materials incident and natural disasters. All pose additional threats to firefighters... Steve Austin: Volunteer firefighters in rural America have seen an influx of housing erected at the forest edge with no provision for defensible space... Steve Austin: These fire departments were not organized or funded to protect such exposures... Steve Austin: Often state and local government hasn't recognized this increased hazard... Steve Austin: They will construct highways to the area for ease of commute but haven't necessarily funded the increased need for fire protection... Steve Austin: In our cities, municipal fire department budgets have been cut.... Steve Austin: Fire investigators and inspectors have been laid off... Steve Austin: Arson investigation and building code compliance have suffered... Steve Austin: Firefighters continue to be injured at an alarming rate. Avagene Moore: Under whose authority will the FIRE Act be funded if it passes? Steve Austin: Should Congress pass this bill, after action in the House and Senate and the signature of the President... Steve Austin: Money must be appropriated in the budget... Steve Austin: That money then would be administered by a new office in FEMA. Avagene Moore: How will overall grant administration and grant recipients be handled? Steve Austin: Grant applications might then be submitted by individual fire departments for the purposes outlined in the bill... Steve Austin: It would require quite a number of people dedicated to processing the applications at FEMA... Steve Austin: Just think if every fire department that wanted a grant for a new piece of apparatus submitted a grant, all 32,000 of them! Avagene Moore: What types of things will grant funds be available for? Steve Austin: Money for new hires, training, equipment and fire apparatus are only some of the things that are eligible... Steve Austin: Other authorized spending includes communications equipment, haz-mat monitoring gear, wellness/fitness programs and apparatus, to name a few. Avagene Moore: Is there a matching requirement for the grants? Steve Austin: The Matching requirement from the fire department is 10 percent. Avagene Moore: Are there any limitations on purpose or usage of grant assistance? Steve Austin: Upon meeting the qualifications as outlined in the bill, the grant process is pretty straight forward... Steve Austin: There is a limit of 25% on apparatus purchases.... Steve Austin: That means no more than 25% of the funds in the bill can be used to buy apparatus. Avagene Moore: Are grass roots firefighters and departments aware and supportive of HR 1168? Steve Austin: The author Congressman Bill Pascrell of New Jersey is working hard to educate the fire service about the FIRE Act... Steve Austin: So many fire departments know about it that national organizations receive many calls each day from firefighters asking how they can get the money... Steve Austin: While interest is high, the legislative process sometimes is slow... Steve Austin: Often firefighters are perplexed at what they perceive is a delay on the part of the national fire service organizations in getting the bill moved... Steve Austin: In fact all of the seven major fire service groups in the country have endorsed the legislation and our working together to seek passage... Steve Austin: Having worked fire service issues for a long time in Washington, I can appreciate the frustration... Steve Austin: A few years ago the fire service organizations were roundly criticized for not working together... Steve Austin: Now that we are doing so, some are saying we aren't doing it right... Steve Austin: I can tell you that my colleagues and I in the other groups are committed to this bill... Steve Austin: It is what our members say they want. Avagene Moore: Before we open up the floor to Q&A, Steve, what is the most important message about the FIRE Act that you would like to impress upon our audience today and anyone interested in America's fire fighters? Steve Austin: I want our firefighters and all those in the greater fire service world to know that there are some political realities here... Steve Austin: First this is an authorization measure, not an appropriation. If we can get Congress to authorize the program then we have a second battle to get funding... Steve Austin: Second there is no measure yet in the Senate, it takes the same amount of heavy lifting there as it does in the House of Representatives... Steve Austin: Public policy is mostly driven by the people... Steve Austin: The fire service is a victim of it's own success, fire protection is not a big issue with voters... Steve Austin: We are proud we have the people's trust... Steve Austin: The public is not as happy with the issue of crime nor with education nor with Social Security ... Steve Austin: This explains why Congress spends so much on these programs... Steve Austin: Even when Congress AGREES there is a problem, major fighting takes place on how to fix it... Steve Austin: Just look at the tax debate raging now... Steve Austin: Nevertheless, the national fire service groups have made progress in generating Congressional support for the Fire Act... Steve Austin: We met with the leaders and Committee staff to discuss the merits of the legislation... Steve Austin: We have asked our members to contact their representatives and encourage them to co-sponsor the legislation... Steve Austin: We continue to encourage our members to engage in grass roots efforts to appeal for support from their Members of Congress and their Senators... Steve Austin: Meanwhile we have signed a joint letter to the Speaker encouraging him to have the House Science Committee to hold a hearing on the F.I.R.E. bill... Steve Austin: This is the next step after a bill is introduced and members are sought as co-sponsors... Steve Austin: A hearing will focus attention both pro and con... Steve Austin: We are working to convince leadership to hold a hearing in the fall. Avagene Moore: Thank you, Steve. Very good information on the FIRE Act of '99. Amy, please put up link to the FIRE Act and the process for passing a bill. Folks you can bring that up now or later. Amy Sebring: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c106:H.R.1168: Avagene Moore: Thanks, Amy. If you have a question or comment, please input a question mark (?) to the chat screen to indicate you wish to speak. .... Joseph Donaldson: ? Avagene Moore: Compose your question but hold it until you are recognized by name. We will take questions in order they are sent to the screen. First question of Steve, please. Avagene Moore: Joseph, please. Amy Sebring: ? Kevin Farrell: ? Joseph Donaldson: How long do you think it will be before we see the money? Avagene Moore: (Pardon me. My statement about process for passing a bill should have been in first sentence. Not related to the link.) Steve Austin: That is a good question Joe, If the bill would pass in this session of Congress, we could see $ before 2001. Often legislation of this type takes several Congress' to pass. Avagene Moore: Amy, please. Amy Sebring: Has the Administration taken a position or been involved in supporting the bill? Steve Austin: Not yet. Mr. Pascrell has indicated he has opened discussions with the Administration. Avagene Moore: Kevin, your question. Kevin Farrell: Steve, What is the level of present Federal funding for fire departments, as opposed to the level granted to law enforcement? In addition, will the fire service ever come close to the support that law enforcement has enjoyed for so many years? Avagene Moore: (Please input ? for questions or comments, folks.) Amy Sebring: ? Joseph Donaldson: ? Avagene Moore: ? Steve Austin: Kevin, There is no direct grant program to fire departments as there is for police. While it is hard to say exactly how much federal money flows direct to police departments, recent "Crime Bills" have been in the Billions, at least 20B or more comes to mind... Steve Austin: Members of Congress have supported bullet proof vests for police officers, but not gear for firefighters... Steve Austin: While all that makes for interesting discussion, my comments already indicate why I think that is... Steve Austin: It is the public's concern about crime... Steve Austin: Good public policy is never developed based on what some other group got or how some other problem is being addressed... Steve Austin: We in the fire service have to make the case ourselves. Avagene Moore: Amy, please. Amy Sebring: This bill should be of interest to EM's, since many programs are in Fire Depts, and particularly hazmat, wildfire, EMS, USAR etc. Do you try to get other orgs such as IAEM, NACO, National League of Cities involved in supporting? Steve Austin: We would like all the help we can get... Steve Austin: You will note that the bill requires that money shall be spent for new programs... Steve Austin: A city therefore couldn't fund existing budget items with these funds... Steve Austin: City governments should all support this legislation. Avagene Moore: Joseph, your turn, please. Joseph Donaldson: How long are the grants for? Amy Sebring: ? Steve Austin: My understanding is that they will be a one time deal, but nothing would preclude a department from coming back as long as there is funding. Avagene Moore: If public concern about crime is the big factor in funding law enforcement, what efforts are underway to educate the public to fire service and other emergency needs? Terry Storer: ? Steve Austin: That is an interesting question. The International Association of Fire Fighters, the big fire fighters union had some focus groups run to look at the public's view of the fire service... Steve Austin: They found that the American public liked their fire department.... Steve Austin: They found the public feels safe in their homes.... Steve Austin: (I hope that's not a false sense of security, for as we know, not all homes are fire safe)... Steve Austin: But they also said they were concerned that firefighters get killed or injured... Steve Austin: I would like to see us build on that concern to get grass roots support, it ought to be a health and safety issue. Avagene Moore: Amy, your question, please. Amy Sebring: Is the support you are finding in the House bipartisan in nature? Avagene Moore: ? Steve Austin: So far we have a number of co-sponsors in both parties... Steve Austin: Some of the problems come from members who have taken a pledge not to support new spending... Steve Austin: It makes it difficult for them... Steve Austin: Mr. Pascrell even received criticism in his newspaper at home, this is unfortunate. Avagene Moore: Terry, you are next. Terry Storer: One source we have been in contact with stated that we should not look for any action on the Bill until after the Presidential election. Do you feel that this is too pessimistic or a political reality ? Steve Austin: Things always get tougher to pass near election time, Presidential or otherwise... Kevin Farrell: ? Steve Austin: Each party tries to get an advantage the closer we get to the election... Steve Austin: Several of us think that we should be working with candidates of all the parties to get fire issues in the party platform... Steve Austin: That would be a change wouldn't it! Avagene Moore: Steve, please clarify the dollar amount. I have seen $5 billion and $6 billion over the years 2000-2005. Which is the accurate figure asked for? Amy Sebring: ? Steve Austin: One billion per year from 2000 to 2005 figures out to $6 Billion, to coin an old saying from the late Senator Everett Dircksen, pretty soon we will be talking about REAL MONEY. Avagene Moore: Kevin, please submit your question. Terry Storer: ? Kevin Farrell: Does the FIRE bill only cover fire/rescue response elements (health and safety), or does it extend to assisting 911 Centers as well? Steve Austin: I'm pretty sure in won't unless 911 center is part of the fire department, The idea is to get the money directly to the fire department if at all possible. Avagene Moore: Amy, please. Amy Sebring: Is there a sponsor lined up for the Senate? When might you expect action in that chamber? Steve Austin: No Senator has come forward yet so there is no Senate companion legislation. Sometimes with fire stuff the Senate lets the house do most of the work... Steve Austin: I can't predict with this amount of $$ they would simply let it come to the Senate without a companion bill filed... Steve Austin: That is of course if there is interest in the Senate to pass this kind of a measure. Avagene Moore: Terry, please. We have time for one or two more questions; please submit ? if you have a question for Steve. Terry Storer: What numbers do you have for supporters of the Bill ? The last I heard was 103 and that it was partisan with the Dems. taking the lead. Steve Austin: We are at about 170 or more. That's a good number. Yes we could use some more Republicans, also some leadership and members of the Appropriations Committee. Avagene Moore: Any other questions, real quick? Amy Sebring: ? Joseph Donaldson: ? Avagene Moore: Amy. Amy Sebring: I would just like to comment that his is the single ... Amy Sebring: most frequent inquiry we get, especially for establishing new volunteer depts. Amy Sebring: to cover areas that have no coverage. Avagene Moore: Thanks, Amy. Avagene Moore: We are about out of time for today's CFSI Round Table. Thank you so much Steve and audience. If you wish to talk a few more minutes after we officially adjourn, please hang around -- no rush in leaving the Virtual Forum. ... Avagene Moore: Closing remarks, Steve? Avagene Moore: Steve, do you wish to say anything else? Steve Austin: Thanks for everyone's interest, this is a tough issue, our system of government was designed to make passing legislation tough, when the people get involved then our elected officials will listen, we need grass roots support for the FIRE Bill. Avagene Moore: Thanks, Steve..... Avagene Moore: Amy, will you please give us our upcoming events for tomorrow and next week? Amy Sebring: Thanks Avagene. Tomorrow is the BIG event, our annual birthday party ... Amy Sebring: seating is limited to 50 so come early. This is a time when we reflect on the previous year, and look ahead to the new one ... Amy Sebring: we have some special messages lined up from Dennis Mileti at the Natural Hazards Center, and Kay Goss and Lacy Suiter at FEMA, and one other is in the works. Amy Sebring: Check out the background page, and the birthday cards that are coming in at http://www.emforum.org/vforum/990818.htm Amy Sebring: If you would like to send one, email to asebring@emforum.org . There is still time. Amy Sebring: For the party, dress is casual, and BYOB! Amy Sebring: Also, our pledge drive is going well, we have 29 pledges at the moment, but need more to reach our goal of 100. Amy Sebring: See http://www.emforum.org/eiip/pledge/pledge.asp to make a pledge, and we will ring the bell for you, and publicly thank you tomorrow at our party. Amy Sebring: Next week, our Round Table session on Tuesday will feature Bob Goldhammer and Pat Moore in our regular IAEM session to talk about the Public Private Partnership Committee. Amy Sebring: On Wed., in the Tech Arena, Georgia Emergency Management Agency and their new Special Needs registry program. I have seen the screen shots and it looks pretty good. Amy Sebring: That's it Ava. Avagene Moore: Thanks, Amy. Again, thanks to Steve Austin and to all participants today. Good show! We are officially adjourned.