WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman David Wu today was instrumental in the passage of legislation that reauthorized the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), the primary federal organization serving the needs of firefighters and promoting fire safety for citizens.  Oregon was one of the first states to begin reporting fire data to USFA and also is one of the highest users of USFA training programs.

As chairman of the House Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation, Congressman Wu held a hearing on the needs of the USFA in October.  Hearing witnesses identified the following top priorities for USFA, all of which have been addressed in the reauthorizing legislation:  better data collection of fire incidents, an expanded training and education curriculum, and the continued funding of critical research efforts.

USFA was formed by Congress in 1974 in response to a report that found there were over 12,000 deaths annually due to fire in this country and over 300,000 fire injuries each year.  Since then, the hard work of the USFA and others has led to that number dropping dramatically.

“We are now a much safer nation, thanks to improved awareness of fire safety practices, increased use of smoke detectors and sprinklers, and other fire safety measures promoted by USFA,” said Congressman Wu. 

“Still, approximately 3,000 people die each year in fires and 10,000 more are injured,” he continued.  “We also still see too many firefighters die in the line of duty, protecting our families and homes.  We have a lot more work to do, especially since the president’s budget request for fiscal year 2009 cuts USFA’s budget by more than five percent.”

USFA provides broad support for local fire departments, including offering training and career development to thousands of mid-level firefighters, fire chiefs, and other emergency management officials.  Firefighters are now learning to respond to new issues, such as fires in the wildland-urban interface, terrorist events, and harmful materials incidents.  The funding provided to USFA will help them train and prepare for these situations.  

“Firefighters who have received training from the USFA are better prepared to save the lives of Oregonians and their loved ones,” Wu said.  “Our first responders must have the necessary training and resources to respond effectively to a wide range of emergencies.  The USFA is an essential component of their success protecting homes and lives.”

USFA also develops fire education and awareness curriculum materials to be used in training citizens across the country.  It aims these messages at groups of individuals who suffer the highest fire casualties, such as the young and the elderly.

“Firefighters risk their lives every day, so they can protect ours,” said Wu.  “Passing this legislation allowed us to not only show, but tangibly demonstrate, our deep appreciation for the work of firefighters in our communities.”