WASHINGTON – Senators Chuck Grassley and Tom Harkin, joined by the rest of the Iowa delegation, today wrote Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff urging him to make Iowa first responders affected by recent flooding a priority for existing federal grant funding. The letter specifically asks for priority consideration for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Fighters Program (SAFER).
“First responders acted bravely and heroically to several recent natural disasters that have left Iowa devastated. Their tireless and sometimes thankless work during these difficult times has been invaluable,” Grassley said. “Making sure first responders have the proper equipment, facilities and staff will help make them just as effective in the road to recovery as they were in the response.”
“We are grateful to our first responders who put their communities before themselves, especially during this time of historic crisis,” said Harkin. “It is vital to help these dedicated service members recover their facilities and advance their departments so they can continue responding to emergencies.”
The AFG program distributes funds to local fire departments to improve the effectiveness of firefighting operations, firefighter health and safety programs, and to establish or expand fire prevention programs. Funds under the SAFER program are intended to support the hiring of firefighters and the recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters.
Below is a copy of the letter to the Secretary Chertoff.
June 20, 2008
Via Electronic Transmission
Original via USPS Mail
The Honorable Michael Chertoff
Secretary of Homeland Security
Department of Homeland Security
3801 Nebraska Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 25028
Dear Secretary Chertoff:
As members of the Congressional delegation representing the state of Iowa, we request your assistance in ensuring that resources are available for fire departments across Iowa that were impacted by the catastrophic flooding. As floods continue to affect communities and begin to recede in others that were hard hit, it is clear that Iowa’s first responders have played an important role in helping to save lives and communities during this trying time. However, as the flood waters recede, the true extent of the damage and devastation is now becoming apparent and has revealed extensive damage to full-time and volunteer fire departments across Iowa.
Earlier this week, reports began to come in that many of our fire departments are damaged or destroyed. CBS News reported that the fire department in Columbus Junction, Iowa, was under 10 feet of water. Other reports have noted that a Cedar Rapids Fire Department station was also underwater. These examples will undoubtedly not be the last we hear of fire departments in need. Given the frontline role fire departments and emergency medical services (EMS) play in protecting and serving our communities, this extensive damage will have serious consequences for our citizens for years down the road.
Accordingly, we request that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), by and through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), provide priority consideration under the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Firefighters (SAFER) programs to any community fire department and EMS from Iowa. FEMA awards grants to local fire departments and EMS through the AFG program and the SAFER program. These grants programs provide vital resources for hiring staff, for training, and for purchasing equipment such as fire trucks, radios, and other gear. For FY2008, Congress appropriated $560 million for AFG and $190 million for SAFER grants.
While the deadline for applications for the AFG program passed in April of this year, the deadline for SAFER applications is fast approaching on June 27, 2008. Given the unprecedented nature of the flooding and the widespread damage, it may be some time before the extent of the damage to first responders is fully cataloged. Therefore, we also request that FEMA give special consideration to Iowa applications that are delayed or require amendment past the filing deadlines due to flooding under both the AFG and SAFER grant programs.
First responders, such as fire departments and EMS, are a vital lifeline for all Americans. In times of need, such as this historical flooding, first responders heed the call and charge head-on into difficult and uncertain conditions. We owe it to these brave individuals to ensure that they have whatever equipment and resources they need to get the job done under these treacherous circumstances. If we fail to ensure our first responders have what they need, we risk being unprepared for future disasters and day to day problems.
We thank you for your priority consideration to this request and appreciate any assistance that can be provided to fire departments and EMS from communities across the state of Iowa.
Sincerely,
Charles E. Grassley Tom Harkin
United States Senator United States Senator
Bruce Braley Dave Loebsack
United States Representative United States Representative
Leonard Boswell Tom Latham
United States Representative United States Representative
Steve King
United States Representative
