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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. John Pallone |
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House adopts Pallone resolution calling for federal funding of volunteer fire companies
HARRISBURG, April 8 – The state House has unanimously adopted Rep. John Pallone’s resolution (H.R. 631) urging Congress to not only restore, but increase federal funding for volunteer fire companies.
"Volunteer firefighters risk their health and their safety for the betterment of the communities where they live," Pallone said. "They take time away from their families and their jobs to protect their neighbors, and they ask for little in return.
"Given our commitment to ensuring a secure America, safe from terrorist attacks as well as catastrophes such as fires, it is imperative that our first responders have resources sufficient to carry out their duties," he said. "The proposed federal budget falls short of that commitment."
According to the National Volunteer Fire Council, the federal budget proposed for fiscal year 2008-09 calls for a 6 percent reduction in funding for the U.S. Fire Administration, an agency that provides training as well as research; a $260 million decrease for the FIRE grant program, utilized by volunteer fire companies to purchase equipment; and elimination of the SAFER grant program, a source of funding for the recruitment and training of volunteers.
"Volunteer fire companies save taxpayers approximately $6 billion a year, yet those volunteers are forced to spend considerable time raising funds," Pallone said. "It is time for the federal government to give back to those who give so much to their communities."
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