2008 Proposed Budget

[WestonFire22]

Just saw that the presidents 2008 budget has been released. Took a quick peek to see what the proposed funding level for AFG was for 2008 and it has dropped from $662 million($642 for grants, $20 for admin) for 2007 to $300 million($287 for grants, $13 for admin). Now, I would assume that this will get raised some, I don't remember what the proposal vs actual was last year, but it looks like the grants may get a lot more competitive.

Other items, CEDAP is gone, pretty much all grant programs under DHS->Emergency Management have been reduced from previous levels.

2007 -> 2.7 Billion to 2008 -> 1.9 Billion

AFG is a seperate line, so including AFG it would be"

2007 -> 3.4 Billion to 2008 -> 2.2 Billion

Bruce

[WestonFire22]

One other thing I just saw, and this may not mean anything, but here is the description for the program in the budget, it does not mention apparatus, and specifically mentions protecting in case of terrorist attack:

These grants provide direct assistance for local fire department
investments to better safeguard the lives of firefighting
personnel and members of the public in the event of a terrorist
attack. The $300 million request for 2008 is focused
on grants for training, equipment, and personal protective
gear. The competitive, peer-review grant process will give priority
to applications that enhance capabilities needed for terrorism
response and other major incidents.

[dwl-mfri]

From the office of Senator Barbara Mikulski, one of the leading proponents for the fire service and the AFG:


MIKULSKI: PRESIDENT BUSH’S BUDGET LEAVES MARYLAND’S HOMELAND SECURITY ASSETS BEHIND

Inadequate funding for Port, Rail and Transit Security; severe cuts to America’s firefighters

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In response to cutbacks in President Bush’s proposed 2008 budget, Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.), a member of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, today criticized the lack of essential funding for Maryland’s homeland security priorities. Senator Mikulski cited a lack of funding for Maryland’s ports, rails and transit systems, and severe cuts to America’s firefighters.

“This year’s budget fails to acknowledge the role that the National Capital Region, and Maryland, plays in protecting our nation from future attacks,” said Senator Mikulski. “The President talks about homeland security, but where is the funding so that we can do our part?”

Despite signing into law the Security and Accountability for Every Port Act of 2006, which authorized port security grants at $400 million annually for five years to provide vital tools for our national security, military capability and economy, President Bush only requested $210 million – providing no additional funding. The budget also provided no increase for rail and transit security grants, funded at $175 million.

“The President’s request is spartan and skimpy. How can he talk about homeland security when he has short-changed our ports, rails and transit systems?” said Senator Mikulski. “Ports are now a high-threat target for terrorism. We need to make sure the Port of Baltimore and all ports across America are safe, secure and growing. Our economy depends on moving goods via our ports and rail.”

Approximately 11 million containers come into the United States each year, including 19,000 containers daily. The Port of Baltimore, which is the 14th largest port for foreign cargo, currently has to compete with 16 other ports for a share of a tiny $40.2 million pot. The Port of Baltimore, which just celebrated its 300th anniversary, is an economic engine for Maryland and America, supporting more than 42,000 maritime-related jobs in Maryland and almost 20,000 direct jobs.

The President’s budget cuts federal support for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFGP) nearly in half, requesting only $287 million – a $245.7 million cut from last year. In addition, the President’s budget eliminates funding for firefighter staffing (SAFER) grants for the second year in a row, despite funding them at $105.8 million in fiscal year 2006.

Senator Mikulski has long been a champion of federal fire grants, and fights every year for an increase. This competitive grant opportunity for local fire departments funds activities such as purchasing firefighting equipment, personal protection equipment, training, firefighting vehicles, and firefighter/first responder safety projects.

“The President’s budget continues to leave our first responders behind. The federal government has a responsibility to protect our protectors, providing them with the tools they need to do their job safer and smarter,” said Senator Mikulski. “Helping our firefighters is not a political issue, it is a safety issue. If you are willing to put your life on the line every day, you should never feel short-changed by your government. I will continue to fight this year for a federal investment in the safety of our first responders.”

Since 2001, Maryland fire departments and fire service organizations have received nearly $43.7 million through the AFGP.

# # #

[theonlychief]

They keep pumping money into law enforcement. I have yet to see a patrol car show up on scene donned with scba and turn out gear and pull a 2 1/2 to fight a fire from an explosion or whatever. I have yet to see a patrol car show after they shoot a criminal and haul there sorry *** to the hospital. not slamming law enfrocement but. Unfortunately it is going to take another unforunate terrorist act and thousands of innocent civillians and rescue personel to lose there lives to wake them( the govermant) up again.

[ktb9780]

Let's see where Nancy Pelosi's previous statements now fall! Seems awful funny to me that they change the rules of AFG to allow multiple vehicles, going back for seconds etc. and then pull the funding back even further!

[k3twpfire]

This is why the fire service needs to get more in tune with the political world.

[BC79er_OLDDELETE]

This is why the fire service needs to get more in tune with the political world.

That would be a candidate for the understatement of the year. They like to cut our funding thinking that we won't do anything about it. Luckily this is the White House's proposed budget, last year was $294 mil for AFG, $0 for SAFER. Congress put it back to the passed funding level 100-0 in the Senate, 391-3 in the House. We did lose Weldon & Dewine as two major supporters, but we need to make sure that the others don't lose interest. We have a lot of supporters, time to support them back.

[WestonFire22]

Who are the major supporters in the house and senate now? For letter writing purposes, if we want to tell our great congressman, "Hey, go talk to XYZ, they will help you understand". I am sure Chuck Hagel will just run right over to their office, heh.

Bruce

[BC79er_OLDDELETE]

Schumer, Andrews, Pascrell. Biden & McCain are also co-chairs of CFSI, but probably going to be a little busy with the run for the White House. The support is still there, but CFSI is obviously without it's founder. Enough other people in Congress feel passionate enough about us to keep it going, but there's going (this year's proposed budget) and then there's where it needs to be ($1 bil). I'm hoping to spend a good bit of time right before and right after the application period telling success stories, talking the program up with staffers, and maybe even ending up in DC for some meetings. Obviously my passion is funding America's Emergency Services, I left a regular job to make this my living. I don't like failure, so I will be doing what I can to highlight the problems. But obviously one person can't do it all, it needs to start in your area and work its way up. By ourselves we won't get far, but if we all row the boat in the same direction we will get there.

[BC79er_OLDDELETE]

Forgot the important piece: www.cfsi.org. See if your reps are listed, and if not get on them about it.

[BC79er_OLDDELETE]

From DianeC, the forum gremlins won't let her post:

House Majority Leader Hoyer's on the Fire Caucus co-chair list, too.



I would also hit both sides of the Senate and House Homeland Security Committees as that's where this portion of the budget sits.



Also, if you win a grant, invite the Congressman/Senator to a check presentation or to see what you got with the money (esp. those of you that still do the engine/truck "wetdowns"). They love good press! If you ask early enough, they may just come! Or do what was done in Weldon’s district last spring – invite all the winners of previous grants to a “breakfast” (this was nothing fancy – tables set up with coffee, juice, bagels, donuts, etc.) hosted by one of the winning departments, and invite some local pol’s to speak, too. We had the departments bring samples of items that they had won (and this included apparatus staged outside).

[Greenacres2]

We've got our Congressman's grants coordinator attending Kurt's seminar (though she may only be able to do the first day) as a registrant. The Congressman is invited as well, though we're not sure if he will be in the district.

Point is--it's an opportunity for them to get a look at the inside of what we are doing, and that is a great selling tool for funding.

earl

[Not2L84U2]

From DianeC, the forum gremlins won't let her post:

House Majority Leader Hoyer's on the Fire Caucus co-chair list, too.



I would also hit both sides of the Senate and House Homeland Security Committees as that's where this portion of the budget sits.



Also, if you win a grant, invite the Congressman/Senator to a check presentation or to see what you got with the money (esp. those of you that still do the engine/truck "wetdowns"). They love good press! If you ask early enough, they may just come! Or do what was done in Weldon’s district last spring – invite all the winners of previous grants to a “breakfast” (this was nothing fancy – tables set up with coffee, juice, bagels, donuts, etc.) hosted by one of the winning departments, and invite some local pol’s to speak, too. We had the departments bring samples of items that they had won (and this included apparatus staged outside).

These are all great ideas....I can feel the wheels spinning already.

What's a "wetdown" though?

[Limeforever]

I know departments that use to do wet downs when you were replacing an older piece of apparatus with a new piece, they would use the booster tank water out of the older truck and spray the new truck down with it as they backed it into the station. Then the chief realized that the water coming out of the tank was so rusty that it was staining the new truck. Thank god for poly tanks.

[Limeforever]

Ecellent idea about inviting the congressman to a dinner or check ceremony. I need to run that one by the chiefs.