Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Georgia and, likewise, congratulate him for his leadership on the Transportation Committee, along with his chairman. Mr. Speaker, I rise as a senior member of…
Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Georgia and, likewise, congratulate him for his leadership on the Transportation Committee, along with his chairman.
Mr. Speaker, I rise as a senior member of the Homeland Security Committee, which committee has had special emphasis on protecting and responding to our first responders, and so I am excited about the fact of moving this bill forward. I thank the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and I thank my Homeland Security Committee for moving this forward through an amendment process and now, ultimately, onto the floor of the House.
I rise, Mr. Speaker, enthusiastically, in support of H.R. 58, the First Responder Identification of Emergency Needs in Disaster Situations, or FRIENDS, Act.
I thank my chairman, Mr. McCaul, and Ranking Member Thompson for the valuable assistance and support in bringing this important bill before the House for consideration during the 114th Congress. We are now in the 115th Congress. I appreciate Chairman Shuster and Ranking Member DeFazio for allowing the FRIENDS Act now to come forward, which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure to be considered on today's suspensions.
The FRIENDS Act reflects what America is all about. The FRIENDS Act reflects what we, as Members of Congress, are all about. How many of us stop by fire stations, pat a police officer of many different levels on the back, say ``thank you,'' and recognize that that 911 number is a very special number to many of our constituents.
But more importantly, when natural disasters or manmade disasters such as the horrific and heinous terrorist act of 9/11 occur, who are among the first to come? It is the first responders, and they go to faraway places.
The FRIENDS Act reflects stakeholder input and bipartisan collaboration with the majority.
I thank the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the National Association of State EMS Officials working with me, and The International Emergency Management Society for their valuable assistance and input regarding the FRIENDS Act.
Our two committees, Transportation and Infrastructure and Homeland Security, really respond in a bipartisan way. Our Homeland Security Committee will be facing many mountains of concerns dealing with intelligence issues, dealing with the issues with Russia, dealing with the issues of executive orders, but we do know that we come together to honor our first responders that are our Nation's heroes. They run into burning buildings; they rescue people trapped by dangerous floods and put themselves in harm's way to protect others. Just last week, in San Bernardino, we saw the brave first responders heroically pursue two individuals that fled from the scene of a deadly attack recently over the last year.
To do their jobs, first responders must leave their homes and families while the rest of us cling to ours. Whether it is to deal with the aftermath of a terrorist attack, as I indicated, or the fires, hurricanes, and tornadoes that we have seen across America--devastation of so many of our constituents, loss of life--first responders leave their homes to ensure that others are safe.
Unfortunately, today, first responders are asked to answer the call to action without knowing whether their families will be safe as the work to rescue others proceeds. Our first responders deserve better.
The FRIENDS Act directs the Government Accountability Office to conduct a comprehensive review of policies and programs designed to ensure that first responders are able to do their jobs, and effectively, by assessing, among other things, measures taken to ensure first responder families are safe, first of all, and the availability of personal protective equipment exists so that they can come home to their families.
It was particularly noticed during 9/11. For those of us who were able to go to Ground Zero as they were still continuing the recovery, many of you know they continued to recover for months and months and months, and you saw the kind of exposure those first responders had.
During committee consideration of the FRIENDS Act, my friend from New York (Mr. Higgins) offered an amendment to authorize GAO to evaluate the availability of home med kits for first responders and their families in assessing the preparedness of first responders. I was pleased to support the Higgins amendment, and it adds to this bill.
H.R. 58 also directs GAO to distinguish policies available in high- risk urban areas which may be better resourced, and rural areas where efforts to ensure preparedness for first responders and their families may require creative leveraging of resources.
This provision will ensure that the information included in the report will be applicable and adaptable by various communities across the country as they work to better protect their protectors. Let us remember both the rural community as well as the urban community.
Additionally, the FRIENDS Act directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to review its findings and assess whether the policies identified could be applicable to Federal first responders.
The FRIENDS Act has been endorsed by the International Association of Fire Chiefs and a number of other organizations.
Before I conclude, let me again thank all of my colleagues.
Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a letter from the International Association of Fire Chiefs and, as well, the National Association of State EMS Officials.
International Association
of Fire Chiefs,
Fairfax, VA, January 31, 2017.
Hon. Sheila Jackson Lee,
House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
Dear Representative Jackson Lee: On behalf of the
approximately 12,000 fire and emergency service leaders of
the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), I would
like to thank you for introducing H.R. 58, the First
Responder Identification of Emergency Needs in Disaster
Situations (FRIENDS) Act. The IAFC supports this legislation,
because it will examine an important issue facing the
nation's first responders during a major terrorist attack:
adequate preparedness for the first responders' families.
During terrorist incidents, fire, law enforcement and EMS
officials will be called upon to take heroic actions to
protect the public and provide fire and emergency medical
response. In the case of a large-scale incident or biological
attack, the families of these first responders also will be
at risk. Based on the experience of IAFC members during the
response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and the 2014 response
to potential Ebola incidents in the United States, I know
that the welfare of the first responders' families weighs
heavily on them as they serve the public. It is important
that federal, state, and local officials make plans to
provide for the safety of first responders' families in order
to ensure strong morale among local fire, law enforcement,
and EMS officials during a major terrorist attack.
Thank you for introducing this important legislation. We
look forward to working with you to pass this legislation in
the House of Representatives.
Sincerely,
Fire Chief John D. Sinclair,
President and Chairman of the Board.
Mr. Speaker, it is important to know of the important role that the International Association of Fire Chiefs play in the lives of first responders and their advocacy for their fellow brothers and sisters--and they call them their fellow brothers and sisters. I want to briefly read their words:
Dear Representative Jackson Lee,
On behalf of the approximately 12,000 fire and emergency
service leaders of the International Association of Fire
Chiefs, I would like to thank you for introducing H.R. 58,
the First Responder Identification of Emergency Needs in
Disaster Situations, FRIENDS, Act.
The IAFC supports the legislation because it will examine
an important issue facing the Nation's first responders
during a major terrorist attack, adequate preparedness for
the first responders' families.
It goes on to list terrorist incidents, fire, and law enforcement, and EMS officials will be called upon to take heroic action, and it recounts that their concern is what is happening to their family under these circumstances.
In a letter from the National Association of State EMS Officials which I will insert into the Record, they indicate in their letter:
We are writing to express our support for the Jackson Lee
amendment, which was the bill the Families of Responders
Identification of Emergency Needs in Designated Situations.
This bill would make an important report on the state of
family support planning for the families of first responders.
Ladies and gentlemen, I am grateful to my colleagues for their assistance as we move the FRIENDS Act forward, but I am more grateful to those first responders who unselfishly put themselves forward and in danger to help our constituents and help all of us. To their families, we owe them the responsibility of ensuring that they are safe during the time of their loved ones being on the front lines of saving others.
I ask my colleagues to support the FRIENDS Act, H.R. 58.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 58, the ``First Responder Identification of Emergency Needs in Disaster Situations, or ``Friends' Act'', and yield myself such time as I may consume.
I thank Chairman McCaul and Ranking Member Thompson for the valuable assistance and support in bringing this important bill before the House for consideration during the 114th Congress.
I appreciate and thank Chairman Bill Shuster and Ranking Member Peter A. DeFazio for allowing the FRIENDS Act, which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure to be considered under today's suspensions.
The FRIENDS Act embodies the important and fundamental idea that we have an obligation to ensure that the first responders who protect our loved ones in emergencies have the peace of mind that comes from knowing that their loved ones are safe while they do their duty.
During terrorist incidents, fire, law enforcement, and EMS officials will be called upon to take heroic actions to protect the public and provide fire and emergency medical response.
The FRIENDS Act reflects stakeholder input and bipartisan collaboration with the Majority.
I thank the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the National Association of State EMS Officials, and the International Emergency Management Society for their valuable assistance and support for the FRIENDS Act.
I also thank Kay Goss, the President of the International Emergency Management Society, who provided technical assistance on the work of first responders to prepare for catastrophic events.
I am passionate about the work of those who dedicate themselves to public service.
I hold in high regard the service of firefighters, law enforcement officers, emergency response technicians, nurses, emergency room doctors, and the dozens of other professionals who are the ultimate public servants.
First responders are called to serve and few outside of their ranks can understand why they do the work they do each day--placing their lives in harm's way to save a stranger.
Law enforcement officers, fire fighters, and emergency medical technicians make our lives safer, while often at the same time putting their own lives at risk.
In the case of a large-scale incident or biological attack, the families of these first responders also will be at risk.
Based upon the experience of International Fire Chiefs, which endorsed the FRIENDS Act, the members' experiences during their response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and the 2014 response to potential Ebola incidents in the United States, know that the welfare of their families weighs heavily on first responders as they serve the public.
It is important that federal, state, and local officials make plans to provide for the safety of first responders' families in order to ensure strong morale among local fire, law enforcement, and EMS officials during a major terrorist attack.
H.R. 58 provides Congress an opportunity to let our first responders know that we know they have families and loved ones who they leave behind when they are called to duty, and their families will be protected in the first responder absence.
The GAO study that will be provided as a result of this bill will report on what is being done by local and state governments to address the needs of first responder families when threats like Hurricanes Sandy, Hugo, and Katrina hit communities, or when a terrorist attack like the ones seen in New York and Boston occur.
The report required by the Jackson Lee FRIENDS Act will also provide information on the availability of personal protective equipment for first responders.
The issue of personal protective equipment was an acute problem for front line first responders during the 2014 Ebola crisis.
First responders, including EMTs, emergency room doctors and nurses as well as law enforcement and fire department professionals, were not prepared for the crisis:
1. Nearly 80 percent of first responders report that their hospital had not communicated to them any policy regarding potential admission of patients infected by Ebola;
2. 85 percent said their hospital had not provided education on Ebola that allowed the nurses to interact and ask questions of patients;
3. One-third said their hospital had insufficient supplies of eye protection (face shields or side shields with goggles) and fluid resistant/impermeable gowns; and
4. Nearly 40 percent said their hospital did not have plans to equip isolation rooms with plastic covered mattresses and pillows and discard all linens after use; fewer than 10 percent said they were aware their hospital does have such a plan in place.
The Centers for Disease Control and only a few hospitals around the country with infectious disease units knew the right protocols and had the right protective gear to be used when treating an Ebola patient.
Ebola in the United States was a frightening experience for many, but I think we saw the great work that first responders do each day--our doctors and nurses went to work and treated the sick and did what they always do--they took care of us.
During the 114th Congress the Homeland Security Committee unanimously voted to report the FRIENDS Act favorably to the full House, which passed the measure by an overwhelming margin and in support of local, state and federal first responders.
The Comptroller General's comprehensive review of the range of policies and programs in place at the State level to address the preparedness and protection of first responders will also delineate high risk urban areas and rural communities; and the degree to which selected state policies were developed or executed with funding from the DHS Grant Programs or Urban Area Security Initiative authorized by the Homeland Security Act.
The report's focus will be on the presence of the family of first responders in an area affected by a terrorist attack and the availability of essential personal protective equipment.
This will be the first report that focuses on the family as a critical factor that should be considered in the work of first responders during times of crisis such as a terrorist attack or public emergency like in the massive flooding that occurred in the city of Houston last year and the year before.
The well-being of family members is a factor that one would expect to weigh on a first responder called to respond to a terrorist attack or unprecedented emergency.
The bravery or dedication of first responders is not in question-- they are the people who run into burning buildings to save people whom they may never have met.
They are some of the best among us and we appreciate their dedication and service.
Finally, the FRIENDS Act requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to consider the report's findings and their applicability for federal first responders.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Natalie Matson, of the Committee's majority staff and
Moira Bergin, of the Committee's minority staff, both of whom worked closely with Lillie Coney on my staff on the FRIENDS Act.
I also thank the staff of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for their efforts to bring the bill before the full House for consideration.
I ask all Members to join me in voting to pass H.R. 58, the FRIENDS Act.
