Steny Hoyer: “I am pleased to support S. 1152, bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the important work done by U.S. Fire…”

“I am pleased to support S. 1152, bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the important work done by U.S. Fire Administration R. David Paulison and his dedicated staff in Emmittsburg, MD and Washington, DC. The Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 established the United States Fire Administration and its National Fire Academy to reduce life and economic losses due to fire and related emergencies, through leadership, advocacy, coordination and support. Since that time, through data collection, public education, research ad training efforts, USFA has helped reduce fire deaths by at least half--making our communities and our citizens safer. For the past three years, the Fire Administrator has been tasked with administering the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program, created by Congress to adequately train and equip our career and volunteer firefighters across the country. This $750 million program is vital to our firefighters, too many of whom risk their lives on a daily basis to protect our homes and our families without the modern equipment and advanced training they deserve. The Fire Grant program has succeeded at getting much-needed dollars to fire departments in fair, efficient manner, and USFA has been widely praised for its work in administering the program.”