Fire service urged to contact legislators on Antiterrorism Act training funding amendment
The Comprehensive Antiterrorism Act of 1995 (HR 2703, S 735), designed to combat domestic and international terrorism and containing an IAFC-proposed amendment to appropriate $5 million for terrorism preparedness for the fire and emergency services, has been pulled from the House floor. The amendment was sponsored by William McCollum (R-FL).
House Judiciary Chairman Henry Hyde (R-IL) said about 100 Republicans were still opposed to or undecided about the bill due to civil liberty issues, according to an IAFC report. Some in Congress say the gun rights lobby, which objects to the terrorism bill, is to blame for the stalemate and wants the 1994 ban on certain assault-style guns (part of the crime bill) repealed. Some legislators are said to be stalling the bill unless they are guaranteed the opportunity to repeal the gun ban. (Editor`s note: The House has since voted to repeal the ban.)
Doug Brown, IAFC`s director of government relations, reported at press time that the civil-liberties and gun-ban issues had been gutted from the bill and that it was going to conference between the House and Senate, where it is hoped the two bills will be merged. The Senate version does not include the fire service training funding amendment. Latest conjecture, Brown says, is that Congress will act on the measure soon after the spring recess (April 1-12).
The IAFC is working with Congress to keep the fire service training amendment alive. Members are urged to contact their congressional members, particularly those on the House and Senate judiciary committees. For additional information, contact Brown at (703) 273-0911.
NVFC offers training grants
The National Volunteer Fire Council Foundation is offering grants ranging from $1,000 to $2,500 to county, local, and regional fire schools. The programs must include training that can be held in a hands-on or classroom format and must benefit the volunteer fire service. State-funded fire schools are exempt from the grants.
For application criteria, contact the NVFC national office at (202) 887-5700.
