NVFC Legislative Victories in the 106th Congress

FIRE Bill

The NVFC worked with the other fire service organizations to gain passage of the first legislation recognizing the federal role in funding for local fire and emergency services. The FIRE Bill, as passed as part of the Defense Authorization Bill, authorizes more than $470 million over two years for various fire related programs. The NVFC is now working to obtain an appropriation of funds to get the program started sometime next year.

The measure authorizes $400 million over two years in direct grants to fire departments. Volunteer, combination and paid fire departments could use the grants for training, equipment, apparatus, recruitment and retention, personnel, fire prevention and other purposes. The legislation also authorizes additional funding for the Volunteer Fire Assistance Program, a study on Hepatitis C, grants for burn research and treatment, a study on spectrum sharing between the fire service and the Department of Defense, the sale or donation of excess defense property to assist firefighting agencies, and a needs assessment study of America's fire service.

Volunteer Fire Assistance

The NVFC took the lead role in advocating an increase in funding for this crucial program that gives 50/50 matching grants to departments that protect populations fewer than 10,000 people. Funding went from $2 million in FY 1999 to $3.25 million in FY 2000. In FY 2001, the program will receive a total of $13.28 million ($5 million in regular appropriations and $8.28 million in emergency appropriations). The Defense Authorization Bill also includes a $20 million authorization for FY 2002, which the NVFC will advocate.

Good Samaritan Volunteer Firefighter Assistance Act (Helping Hands Legislation)

The NVFC succeeded in having legislation introduced in both the House and Senate to remove liability of donors of equipment to volunteer fire departments.

Safe Harbor for Ambulance Restocking

In response to legislation introduced by Rep. Bob Ney (OH), which the NVFC fully supported and advocated, the Office of the Inspector General of the Health Care Financing Administration (Medicare) created rules to permit ambulance restocking which would not violate anti-kickback statutes.

Expansion of PSOB Education Benefit

Legislation was signed by the President to expand the number of families of firefighters and police killed or permanently injured in line of duty that receive the PSOB education benefit. It moved the eligible date from 1992 back to 1978.

Public Safety Medal of Valor

President Clinton issued an Executive Order establishing a Presidential Medal of Valor for firefighters and law enforcement officers. The order came in response to legislation in both the House and Senate that the NVFC strongly advocated.

Cardiac Arrest Survival Act

The President has ordered the Department of Health and Human Services and the General Service Administration to write guidelines for putting defibrillators in all federal buildings. He also announced that the Federal Aviation Administration would soon require airlines to carry defibrillators on all flights.

EPA Rule on Access to Off-Site Consequence Analysis (Worst Case Scenarios)

The NVFC testified before Congress on the risk of terrorist and criminal activity associated with the Internet posting of information concerning the potential off-site consequences of accidental releases from industrial facilities. In response, the EPA and the DOJ created regulations, which took into consideration both the benefits of allowing public access to this sensitive information and the criminal risks of posting this information on the Internet.

Roadside Emergency Safety Act

The NVFC fully supported this bill, which directs the Secretary of Transportation to take actions to improve the safety of persons at roadside emergencies. The bill's language was included in FY 2000 Transportation Appropriations Bill.

Fee Schedule for Payment of Ambulance Services

The NVFC represented the volunteer fire and emergency services in a negotiated rulemaking process that replaced the current retrospective reasonable cost reimbursement system for providers and the reasonable charge system for suppliers of ambulance services. The final rule will assure that all ambulance service for Medicare patients will be paid equally whether the company is for-profit or volunteer.