SUBCOMMITTEE LOOKS TO REAUTHORIZE U.S. FIRE ADMINISTRATION

Washington, DC - October 2, 2007 – Today, the Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation heard from a panel of expert witnesses who discussed priorities for the upcoming reauthorization of the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA). 

“USFA provides vital assistance in the areas of training, fire education and awareness and grants to a number of local fire departments across the country,” said Ranking Member Phil Gingrey (R-GA).   “USFA’s training, education, and monitoring activities have made a substantial impact over the last 30 years, and firefighter equipment and safety continually improves. USFA has a substantial public safety mission whose magnitude is not often recognized.”

USFA’s National Fire Academy (NFA) offers training to firefighters in conjunction with state and local training programs. At the hearing, panelists representing the fire service community spoke highly of USFA training, and particularly, how increased training programs could benefit local volunteer firefighters.

Representing the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), Chief Gordon Henderson, who is also the former President of the Georgia State Firefighters’ Association, praised the current training efforts at NFA and advocated streamlining and expanding the educational programs to reach even more volunteers.  He said, “The USFA and NFA play a critical role in educating and training fire, rescue and emergency personnel throughout the United States.  As the fire and emergency services have been asked to do more, the USFA has expanded its course offerings.” 

Henderson encouraged the Subcommittee to authorize USFA “at a level that will allow it to continue, improve, and increase the programs offered to the fire service and other emergency services.”

Also testifying at today’s hearing were: Dr. Sivaraj Shyam-Sunder, Director of the Building and Fire Research Laboratory (BRFL) at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST); Chief Steven P. Westermann, President and Chief Fire Officer of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC); Captain Robert Livingston, Captain of the Salem, Oregon Fire Department, and is the representative of the Oregon State Council of Firefighters of the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF);and Dr. John R. Hall, Assistant Vice President, Fire Analysis and Research at the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

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