First Responders

November 16, 2009 -- Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) announced the application window for grants provided through the Department of Homeland Security Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Services (SAFER) program is now open.

SAFER grants are aimed at increasing the number of firefighters and enhancing a department’s ability to ensure that their communities have adequate protection from fire and fire related hazards. This year Congress appropriated approximately $210 million for the SAFER program.

“I encourage local companies to apply for funding through this federal grant to help support outreach and recruitment of the next generation of first responders,” said Higgins.    » read more »

Funds Will Be Used to Improve Hazardous Materials Planning and Training

October 19, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Transportation today announced that it is awarding $20.9 million to states, territories and Native American tribes to improve the nation’s response to transportation incidents involving hazardous materials. The grants will help train first responders to react to incidents involving hazardous materials and to meet the safety challenges posed by new chemicals and alternative energy products such as ethanol.    » read more »

October 19, 2009 -- Washington D.C. -- According to information released today by the FBI, 41 law enforcement officers were feloniously killed in the line of duty last year; 68 officers died in accidents while performing their duties; and 58,792 officers were assaulted while on duty. The 2008 edition of Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted released today provides comprehensive tabular data about these incidents and brief narratives describing the fatal attacks.

Felonious Deaths    » read more »

Submits Strengthening and Updating Resources and Equipment Act of 2009

October 16, 2009 -- WASHINGTON - U.S. Rep. Mary Jo Kilroy today introduced legislation that will allow first responders to maintain the capabilities necessary to prepare and protect their communities against acts of terrorism and other emergencies. The Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, Bennie Thompson, joined Kilroy in cosponsoring the Strengthening and Updating Resources and Equipment Act (SURE Act) of 2009.    » read more »

Remarks as prepared for delivery.

DENVER, COLO. ~ Monday, October 5, 2009 -- Thank you, Chief Laine, for that kind introduction.

Chief Whitman, thank you for hosting the IACP in your home city.

And IACP Executive Director Dan Rosenblatt, thank you for your strong leadership of this outstanding organization.

Officers and Members of the Board of Directors, friends, and colleagues. It is my great pleasure to be able to join you today for the first time as Attorney General.    » read more »

October 2, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. -- Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV, Chairman of the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Health Care, successfully fought and succeeded in having his Excise Tax Amendment (F1 modified) included in the Finance Committee health care reform bill.

The amendment is designed to protect coal miners, first responders and other high-risk workers from an excise tax being proposed on high-cost health insurance plans. His amendment will now be part of the final Finance Committee bill, which will merge with the Senate HELP Committee bill to produce a final product for full Senate review.

Statement from Senator Rockefeller:    » read more »

Gov. Nixon signs bill creating new fund to benefit families of emergency personnel killed in the line of duty

June 19, 2009 -- KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Standing inside a Kansas City fire station, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon today signed a bill to benefit the families of Missouri emergency personnel killed in the line of duty. House Bill 580, which establishes the Line of Duty Compensation Act, allows a claim to be filed with the Division of Workers' Compensation on behalf of a law enforcement officer, firefighter, emergency medical technician, air ambulance pilot or air ambulance registered nurse for a benefit of $25,000.    » read more »

May 29, 2009 -- CONCORD - New Hampshire Governor John Lynch today encouraged local communities looking to construct, expand or renovate fire stations to apply for grants funded through the federal stimulus act.

The goal of this funding is to preserve and create jobs, while promoting firefighter safety and improved response capability.

“As the national recession continues to impact the state and local communities and we must work to ensure that even during these difficult economic times we continue to support critical public safety functions,” Gov. Lynch said. “These grants will help communities that are struggling in these difficult economic times and will also create and retain good-paying construction jobs.”    » read more »

Schumer: Firefighters Are True American Heroes And Deserve Recognition and Resources

May 27, 2009 -- U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today proposed legislation to support volunteer firefighters and emergency medical services (EMS) providers in the Southern Tier. Schumer’s legislation would offer a $1,000 tax credit for active members of volunteer firefighting and EMS organizations. The bill is aimed at helping recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters at a time when it is increasingly difficult to find adequate numbers of people who can volunteer their time for the community, leaving many departments thinly staffed.    » read more »

May 11, 2009 -- The FBI today released preliminary statistics indicating that 41 of our nation’s law enforcement officers were feloniously killed in the line of duty in 2008. By region, 20 of the victim officers were killed in the South, nine in the Midwest, nine in the West, and three in the Northeast. The number of officers feloniously killed was 17 fewer than in 2007.    » read more »

May 8, 2009 -- DES MOINES – During a ceremony today at the State Capitol, Iowa Governor Chet Culver signed legislation extending new health benefits to both firefighters and police officers.

“As Governor, I am deeply concerned that our first responders face higher than normal rates of certain diseases, including cancer,” said Governor Culver. “This bill is one important way that we can ensure that we meet the needs of our fire fighters and police officers. They risk their lives, and they are there for us, every day when we need them. I’m proud to sign this legislation on behalf of the men and women who literally keep our streets safe, and who save lives – our police officers and firefighters.”    » read more »

May 6, 2009 -- Colorado Governor Bill Ritter Jr. said today that the Department of Public Safety received a record-high number of nearly 200 applications for $16.4 million in public-safety funding from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, the landmark federal law that is designed to energize the economy, create jobs and invest in communities and infrastructure.

Gov. Ritter said he was heartened to see such tremendous interest from law enforcement agencies around the state for these funds.

"The Recovery Act will help our law enforcement agencies expand their efforts to crack down on drugs and protect our communities, said Gov. Ritter. "These funds will keep police officers on the street and help grow the economy and stabilize neighborhoods."    » read more »

Encourages Fire Chiefs to Apply for Grants Aimed at “Shovel-Ready” Station Construction

May 3, 2009 -- Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that she has written to fire chiefs around the state to inform them of $210 million in competitive federal stimulus grants that will be available for local fire station construction and renovation.

“Connecticut has a long and proud tradition with volunteer and professional firefighting. Resources are traditionally committed to much-needed life-saving equipment with little left over for capital improvements,” Governor Rell said. “These grants can help local departments advance their ‘shovel-ready’ projects while creating construction jobs that will put money back in their local economies.”    » read more »

April 17, 2009 -- DES MOINES – Iowa Governor Chet Culver signed legislation today to help family members of police and fire fighters who die in the line-of-duty receive benefits.

“Every day, police officers and fire fighters across the state put the lives on the line in order to keep each one of us and our families safe,” said Governor Culver. “If they make the ultimate sacrifice for us, the least we can do is make it easier for their families to receive benefits.”    » read more »

March 26, 2009 -- DOVER -- It’s going to be easier for some firefighters and ambulance crews to get through traffic and to the firehouse thanks to a new law signed Thursday by Delaware Governor Jack Markell.

Under the law, firefighters and ambulance crews, specifically designated by their departments as first responders will be able to have so-called “wig-wag” light kits installed on their cars as an aftermarket item. Previously emergency crews could have the light kits, which rapidly cycle a car’s high- and low-beam headlights, but they had to be factory-installed.

This new law will make it easier for firefighters to do their jobs and to keep us safe,” Markell said. “I consider protecting Delawareans' safety one of state government's most fundamental responsibilities."    » read more »