Homeland Security
First Responders
Ohio’s first responders put their lives on the line to protect the communities they serve, and we must ensure they have the resources they need to fulfill their critical roles.
Because public safety is a national goal and first responders must be prepared to address national as well as local emergencies, it is important for the federal government to invest in our nation’s first responders. That’s why federal grant programs like FIRE and SAFER are so important, and I will continue to fight to ensure that they are fully funded.
Expanding Loan Forgiveness Programs
Investing in first responders is more than just investing in equipment and training. Nearly three quarters of fire fighters have pursued a college education, and in the past 20 years the cost of college has tripled, leaving students in severe debt. The average initial salary for a full-time firefighter is less than $35,000, making it difficult for communities to recruit and retain highly-qualified fire fighters.
Last November, I introduced the Fire Fighter Higher Education Incentive Act, which would expand Federal Perkins Loan cancellation programs for public service employees to include fire fighters. This legislation, which would help fire departments recruit and retain highly educated fire fighters, was enacted as part of the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008. It provides loan forgiveness to all full-time fire fighters employed by a local, State, or Federal fire department.
Increasing Safety Standards
According to the International Association of Fire Fighters, more than 100 fire fighters die in the line of duty each year, while tens of thousands more sustain work-related injuries. While the National Fire Protection Association and other groups have developed industry safety standards, they are unfortunately not adhered to by all fire departments.
After the death of two Colerain Township Fire Fighters earlier this year, I introduced the Fire Fighter Fatality Reduction Act to reduce the number of avoidable deaths among fire fighters. This legislation would not impose any new mandates on fire departments, but would jumpstart collaborative efforts to ensure adequate protections are in place for every firefighter. The bill would require the Department of Homeland Security to determine the rate of compliance with standards for safe operations, staffing, training, and fitness among fire departments. In addition, it would create a task force to explore the rate of adoption of and compliance with safety standards by fire departments, and provide recommendations on how to improve these rates.
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Related Legislation
| S. 602 | A bill to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct a survey to determine the level of compliance with national voluntary consensus standards and any barriers to achieving compliance with such standards, and for other purposes. |
