The Congressional Fire Services Institute recently presented U.S. Senator Susan Collins with a leadership award for her role as a co-chair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus.
“Most of us can’t begin to imagine the courage and dedication it takes to enter a burning building or approach a blazing truck or railroad car that may be about to explode. But we can appreciate how important career or volunteer firefighters are to every community in America,” said Senator Collins. “Firefighters not only serve their own towns and offer mutual assistance among towns, but as highly trained first responders, they are a key component in state and federal preparedness plans for responding to natural disasters and terrorist attacks. Because I hold their missions and their dedication in such high regard, I am proud to serve as a co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Fire Services Caucus.”
Senator Collins is an original cosponsor of the Improving America’s Security Act of 2007. Among other provisions, that new law establishes a new grant program for improving communications operability and interoperability at local, regional, state and federal levels. It authorizes $400 million per year for FY 2009 through FY 2012 to help confront all hazards.
In June, the Senate unanimously passed Senator Collins’ legislation to memorialize fallen firefighters by lowering the US flag to half-staff on the day of the National Fallen Firefighter Memorial Service in Emmitsburg, Maryland. In addition, Senator Collins strongly supported the creation of the FIRE Act Grant program. These grants are awarded to fire departments across the United States to increase the effectiveness of firefighting operations, firefighter health and safety programs, emergency medical service programs, and Fire Prevention and Safety programs, and to purchase new fire equipment.