BOSTON – Senator John Kerry today called for an increase in funding for agencies to investigate firefighter deaths.

 
Kerry’s amendment to the Department of Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations Act for FY08 would increase the funding for the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health’s Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program from $2.5 million to $5 million.


“Approximately 100 firefighters die in the line of duty each year. This increase in funding will go a long way towards helping to ensure that all investigations are as comprehensive as they should be. The family and friends of those killed in the line of duty deserve a timely and thorough investigation into why their loved ones died, and current firefighters deserve new and improved efforts to protect their safety while in the line of duty,” said Senator Kerry.

 
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