04.20.04

Cantwell Backs Bill to Provide Firefighting Equipment for Rural Communities

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) is supporting local firefighters by backing a bill that will increase rural communities' access to expensive firefighting equipment that many fire departments cannot afford at full cost. The fire departments receive the equipment through a federal government program that loans equipment to a variety of agencies, including state foresters, who distribute the equipment to local fire departments.

"Our community heroes put their lives on the line and, when they do, they should have the equipment they need," Cantwell said. "This bill would provide local firefighters access to the equipment they need to fight these fires safely and swiftly."

Rural communities used to have better access to equipment not needed by the federal government, but a rule change in March of 2002 changed that. The change gave agencies affiliated with the Department of Defense first grabs at the equipment distributed through the program-ahead of state foresters. This has led to a significant decrease in equipment available for local firefighters.

Cantwell is backing legislation -- The Rural Fire Department Equipment Priority Act (S. 641) -- that raises state foresters' priority level for receipt of the equipment, ensuring that local fire departments receive a larger share of equipment. The Federal Excess Personal Property (FEPP) program has been loaning out excess government equipment for over half a century, since Congress authorized it in 1949.

State Rep. Geoff Simpson (D- Covington ), a professional firefighter with the Kent Fire Department, supports Cantwell's efforts.

Simpson said, "Lack of good equipment for forest fire suppression activities results in bigger, more dangerous fires and all too often contributes to firefighter fatalities. As a firefighter, I appreciate all the work Sen. Cantwell has done to improve firefighter safety, and this bill is a big step in the right direction."

A volunteer with the Clallam County Fire District #3, Kevin Van De Wege knows first-hand the importance of the equipment loaned through the FEPP program.

"We received a truck from the Navy and are going to turn it into a water tender," Van De Wege said. "Local taxpayers will see that truck come to us at a reduced or free cost and it will also help them lower their insurance rates because the fire department will be able to bring more water to their homes in case of a fire. This is just one of many examples of the good that federal equipment brings to local fire departments."

Fire Chief Dave LaFave of Cowlitz 2 Fire and Rescue stressed the need for improved access for local fire departments to the excess equipment.

Said LaFave, "Certainly in Southwest Washington and specifically in Cowlitz County, with the current economic conditions, we would hope to have opportunities to utilize viable equipment and apparatus at the local level. Access to this equipment is critical and minimized obstacles to acquisition would assist in improved utilization of these types of programs."

Former Fire District 10 Commissioner Jeff Griffin of Sammamish, who is also the former chairman of the Eastside Fire and Rescue Board of Directors, applauded Cantwell's efforts to save a program that's as fiscally responsible as it is important for local communities.

Griffin said, "Senator Cantwell continues to show leadership in public safety issues by her co-sponsorship of the Rural Fire Department Equipment Priority Act. This valuable program has saved the taxpayers of East King County hundreds of thousands of dollars by providing essential vehicles and equipment to local fire departments. Eastside Fire and Rescue received its vital Mobile Communications Truck and Semi-Tractor, as well as many emergency light plants and fire station generators from this program. These expensive items, and many others, allowed the local fire department to concentrate more resources on training and purchasing other needed tools. This program makes sense-it's just good government."

Cantwell added, "We need to make sure the families of firefighters are confident that their loved ones are using the best available equipment. We need to ensure their safety before they fight for ours, and this legislation would help achieve that goal."

Cantwell has long been an active supporter of Washington state's firefighters. Last October the Senate passed Cantwell's amendment to the Healthy Forests Restoration Act (HR 1904) that called for firefighter safety training for contract firefighters and increased congressional oversight of firefighter safety. Unfortunately, this amendment was stripped from the final bill during the conference committee.