March editorial: Money Matters

On February 1, 2010, the White House released its Fiscal Year 2011 budget proposal. The approximately $3.8 trillion budget includes $45.6 billion for homeland security spending; however, it contains drastic cuts to firefighter grant programs. The budget includes $305 million for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program. While the amount represents an increase from the $170 million contained in last year’s budget proposal, the new figure falls woefully short of the $390 million appropriated by Congress for the current fiscal year. The grant program, which received approximately $3 billion in requests in the Fiscal Year 2009, provides funding for critical equipment, training, and apparatus directly to local fire departments. It also provides grants for fire prevention and safety programs, and firefighter health and safety research.

Moreover, the administration also proposes $305 million for the SAFER grant program, a steep decrease from the $410 million appropriated for the Fiscal Year 2010. The SAFER program is critical because it provides grants for hiring firefighters to help departments combat staffing shortages. More importantly, the grants also help volunteer fire departments to assist with recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters.

The federal administration seems to have deep pockets when it comes to bailing out banks and automobile companies. However, it should remember that the fire and emergency services represent a line of defense against terrorism and natural disasters that is priceless.

While the administration’s budget proposal is meant to serve as a guideline for federal spending, it is important to note that Congress will ultimately determine funding levels for these programs. The House and Senate Appropriations Committees will now begin to work on finalizing the Fiscal Year 2011 spending bills. As the appropriations process moves forward, it is up to such lobbying efforts as the Congressional Fire Services Institute, which holds its annual dinner and seminars on April 28-29 in Washington, D.C., to continue its efforts at influencing Congress on behalf of our nation’s firefighters and emergency responders. In addition, each and every one of us needs to let our elected representatives know how we feel about the cuts in the Assistance to Firefighters and SAFER grants programs. Write or email your Congressional representative without delay. Let them know how we feel about this important legislation..