Stephanie Tubbs Jones: “I rise in strong support the Sabo/Hoyer/Weldon/ Tubbs Jones amendment. This amendment restores $41 million dollars to…”

“I rise in strong support the Sabo/Hoyer/Weldon/ Tubbs Jones amendment. This amendment restores $41 million dollars to the Assistance to Firefighter Grant (AFG) Program and funds the Staffing for Adequate Firefighters and Emergency Response (SAFER) program at $70 million, which was zeroed out of the FY07 budget. Adopting this amendment sends a clear message to our first responders that we appreciate the work that they do in serving emergency needs of our communities and nation. The AFG program awards grants directly to state fire departments to enhance their ability to protect the health and safety of the public and firefighting personnel, particularly with respect to fire and fire- related hazards. In the State of Ohio, 251 fire departments received over $27 million during the 2005 fiscal year. The AFG program effectively meets the needs of firefighters around the country. It is especially necessary in the wake of 9/11 and Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, as firefighters are our first line of defense when dealing with national disasters. The SAFER program provides much-needed funding for career and volunteer fire departments across America to hire new firefighters and recruit and retain volunteer firefighters. This program is critical to the thousands of fire stations across the country that are currently operating short of staff. The SAFER program allows fire departments throughout the country to apply for federal grants to hire and pay new firefighters for five years.…”