ICHIEFS News & Press Releases
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75,000 additional fire fighters needed
The events of Sept. 11, 2001 demonstrated that the fire and emergency services needs the full support of the federal government. The role of the fire and emergency services as America’s first responders demands that they be adequately equipped and trained to effectively meet their responsibilities to serve their communities during the most challenging times.
To that end, the IAFC is meeting with lawmakers and administration officials in Washington, DC to ensure that fire service needs are met. Only in this manner can the citizens that live, work and travel in our cities and communities be effectively and safely served.
"The president has declared war—these are essential needs for the fire service to defend our country. This is not negotiable," said IAFC President John M. Buckman III.
This is an initial list of action items that the federal government can act upon to allow the fire and emergency services the best possible chance of saving lives during catastrophic events:
Fire and Emergency Service Needs
1. Immediate action by NIOSH to complete certification of chem/bio masks. Masks to be purchased by federal government and given to all fire departments in major cities, including all departments within 25-mile radius.
2. Assistance to Firefighter Program
• Appropriate $500 million FY 2002.
• Increase reauthorization for FY 2003-2007 to $5 billion [$1 billion per year for five years].
• Establish federal program to fund hiring 75,000 additional fire fighters.
3. Expand, upgrade USAR program
a. Establish a national collapse rescue program to supplement the current USAR program.
b. Move USAR, within FEMA, from Response and Recovery Directorate to USFA.
c. Appoint a fire service person to head Response and Recovery Directorate.
d. Develop a national Command Overhead Team response program.
4. USFA
a. Fill Administrator position immediately. (R. David Paulison will be nominated.)
b. Retain current COO position.
5. Increase the number of Metropolitan Medical Response System teams and enhance their capabilities to deal with major incidents.
6. Communications
• Radio spectrum interoperability for public safety - DoD to report progress on 138-144 MHz sharing by Oct. 30, 2001.
• Congress to require FCC to conduct a study of communications problems encountered in New York City and Arlington County, Virginia during the Sept. 11 terrorist incidents and make recommendations to resolve the problems by March 30, 2002.
7. By statute, make FEMA the single point-of-contact for terrorism preparedness.
8. Increase funds for counterterrorism program to be directed specifically to the fire and emergency service. Return to two-tiered approach funding top population centers. Require an 80 percent pass-through for all federal funds passing through states for other than largest population centers.
9. Enhance hazardous materials response by passing five-year, $10 million authorization for Operation Respond. Fund Operation Respond at $2 million for FY 2002.
The mission of the IAFC is to provide leadership to career and volunteer chiefs, chief fire officers and managers of emergency service organizations throughout the international community through vision, information, education, services and representation to enhance their professionalism and capabilities.