Fire Grants and Safety Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, this week, the Senate will consider legislation to protect and support firefighters across the country: the Fire Grants and Safety Act.

Every day, our Nation's bravest run headfirst toward danger to extinguish fires and defend our communities. And they do it without a moment's hesitation--no matter the risks they face. We saw that last week, when a 2-day chemical fire raged at a plastics recycling plant in Richmond, IN, forcing thousands of people to evacuate. Firefighters worked around the clock, while inhaling toxic plumes, to battle the flames and protect families. This was just weeks after firefighters in East Palestine, OH, responded to a similar crisis, when a train carrying toxic chemicals derailed and exploded into a raging ball of fire.

But it is not only huge, headline-making fires that expose firefighters to dangerous pollutants; it is nearly every household fire, as well. The No. 1 line-of-duty cause of death for firefighters is occupational cancer from toxic exposure. And yet fire departments still lack critical equipment--like self-contained breathing apparatuses--that protect firefighters from toxic gases. Even when departments do have this gear on-hand, it can be dangerously outdated. In many cases, this equipment is nearing--or past--its expiration date, oftentimes by 10 years or more.

Before the recess, the Senate voted 96-0 to advance the Fire Grants and Safety Act, which would help fire departments obtain updated, lifesaving equipment. It would reauthorize two grant programs through 2030: the AFG Program and the SAFER Program.

Whether career, volunteer, or combination fire departments, AFG helps ensure that they have the resources they need to train and equip personnel. And SAFER helps with hiring and staffing to ensure 24/7 community protection. In the history of these programs, AFG has provided $8.1 billion to fire departments, and SAFER has provided $5.2 billion. We need to pass this bill before these programs expire on September 30, so our fire departments have the resources and personnel they need to keep our communities safe.

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