Sheila Jackson Lee: “It is important to know of the important role that the International Association of Fire Chiefs play in the lives of…”

“It is important to know of the important role that the International Association of Fire Chiefs play in the lives of first responders and their advocacy for their fellow brothers and sisters--and they call them their fellow brothers and sisters. I want to briefly read their words: Dear Representative Jackson Lee, On behalf of the approximately 12,000 fire and emergency service leaders of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, I would like to thank you for introducing H.R. 58, the First Responder Identification of Emergency Needs in Disaster Situations, FRIENDS, Act. The IAFC supports the legislation because it will examine an important issue facing the Nation's first responders during a major terrorist attack, adequate preparedness for the first responders' families. It goes on to list terrorist incidents, fire, and law enforcement, and EMS officials will be called upon to take heroic action, and it recounts that their concern is what is happening to their family under these circumstances. In a letter from the National Association of State EMS Officials which I will insert into the Record, they indicate in their letter: We are writing to express our support for the Jackson Lee amendment, which was the bill the Families of Responders Identification of Emergency Needs in Designated Situations. This bill would make an important report on the state of family support planning for the families of first responders.…”