REP ANDREWS SECURES FUNDING FOR FIREFIGHTER PROGRAMS

As Co-Chair of the House Fire Caucus, I helped secure an additional $111 million above the President’s budget request for programs that assist local firefighters.  The President had proposed cutting the SAFER and Fire Grant Programs by 55% from FY 2006.  The additional funding I have worked to restore will increase the budget for these programs above last year’s levels.

These programs are vital to the safety of our homes and communities.  The SAFER Program provides much-needed funding for career and volunteer fire departments to hire new firefighters, and recruit and retain volunteer firefighters.  The Fire Grant Program provides federal funds for training and equipment to fire stations throughout the country.  These two programs ensure that fire departments across the country, including those in South Jersey, have adequate numbers of firefighters that are properly trained and equipped to deal with any disaster.

One of the lessons of 9/11 is that firefighters do not only deal with fires.  They are first responders, and bravely answer the call of duty in any disaster.  I will continue to fight for our nation’s firefighters until they obtain the federal support they deserve. 

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