Administration Releases Fiscal Year 2008 Budget Proposal; First Responder Grants Drastically Cut
On Monday, February 5th, the White House released its proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2008. The $2.9 trillion budget includes a 9.5 % increase in non-defense homeland security spending. Although the proposal increases funding in some areas, it would cut first responder grants by $1 billion dollars. The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (Fire Act) would be reduced by nearly $250 million from the FY07 enacted level, receiving only 30% of its authorized funding. The budget also proposes to zero-out the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants.
Once Congress completes work on the remaining Fiscal Year 2007 appropriations, it will begin the process for Fiscal Year 2008 appropriation legislation. The Fiscal Year 2008 Budget Proposal can be obtained from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
Congress to Consider Campus Fire Safety Legislation
On January 19th, Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. (NJ) reintroduced the Campus Fire Safety Right-to-Know Act (H.R. 592). The legislation requires colleges and universities – as well as affiliated sororities and fraternities – to prepare fire safety reports and make them available to the public. Senator Frank Lautenberg (NJ) introduced companion legislation in the Senate on January 22nd.
The legislation also calls on the Secretary of Education to report to Congress on the fire safety of campuses nationwide within two years of the bill’s enactment. Similar legislation was attached to the H.R. 609, the College Access and Opportunity Act, during the 109th Congress. Although the legislation passed the House of Representatives, the Senate failed to act on the legislation before the end of the session.
On January 24th, Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones (OH) introduced H. Res. 95. The resolution calls for designating September “Campus Fire Safety Month” and supports the goals of the month, encouraging “administrators and municipalities across the country to provide educational programs to all students during September and throughout the school year.” It would also urge administrators and municipalities to “evaluate the level of fire safety being provided in both on- and off-campus student housing and take the necessary steps to ensure fire-safe living environments through fire safety education, installation of fire suppression and detection systems and the development and enforcement of applicable codes relating to fire safety.”
WORKING TOGETHER TO PROTECT OUR COMMUNITIES: 19th Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner and Seminars
More than 2,000 state and national homeland security leaders are expected to attend the 19th Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner and Seminars on March 28th and 29th in our nation’s capital. Hosted by the Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI), the annual tribute will draw attention to protecting our nation’s first responders through strong leadership at the local, state and national level.
“Leadership involves individuals and organizations working together to bring about positive changes to protect and prepare our nation’s first responders,” said CFSI Executive Director Bill Webb. “Through cooperation, our organizations can advance policy to protect lives and property, while at the same time ensuring that everyone goes home safe and sound. This is the message that should drive us in our missions and keep us committed to working together.”
Information about the dinner and seminars is available on the CFSI website (www.cfsi.org). The seminar schedule begins the afternoon of March 28th at the Hilton Washington and runs through the following morning and afternoon on Capitol Hill. A number of national fire service leaders and Administration officials are scheduled to take part, discussing a range of issues addressing federal programs and legislation, and safety and education initiatives.
