By Thomas W. Aurnhammer
On a recent trip back to the National Fire Academy, I heard disturbing news that our United States Fire Administration (USFA) had taken a substantial financial hit this fiscal year, and it looks like the worst may be yet to come. The USFA logo features four stars that represent key components of the USFA’s mission. Just in case you’ve forgotten, let’s take a look at them again:
- Public Education. Develops and deliver fire prevention and safety education programs in partnership with other Federal agencies, the fire and emergency response community, as well as the media and other safety interest groups.
- Training. Promote the professional development of the fire and the emergency response communities and its allied professionals. The mission is to supplement and support State and local fire service training programs, the National Fire Academy (NFA), and the Emergency Management Institute (EMI), and develop and deliver educational and training courses having a national focus.
- Technology. Work with public and private groups to promote and improve fire prevention and life safety through research, testing, and evaluation. The people that work on this program work in all of the program areas. They generate and distribute research and special studies on fire detection, suppression and notification systems, and fire and emergency responder health and safety.
- Data. Assist state and local entities in collecting, analyzing and disseminating data on the occurrence, the control and the consequences of all types of fires. The National Fire Data Center describes the Nation’s fire problem; proposes possible solutions and national priorities; monitors resulting programs; and provides information to the public and fire organizations.
Apparently recent budget cuts have shot three of the four stars out of the sky, and left a gaping hole in the fourth. It looks like all of the program areas, with the exception of training, have come to a grinding halt. While training may have survived, course development appears to be a victim as well.
Those who understand federal budgets and how our tax money gets appropriated painted a picture of doom and gloom for me when the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) absorbed the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and USFA. Being an eternal optimist, I thought flawed perceptions and paranoia might be to blame. Unfortunately, they were right and I was flat wrong.
When I attended this year’s Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI) Fire and Emergency Services Dinner I heard a lot of chatter about the federal government’s commitment to assist the fire service. A lot of it revolved around grant programs bolstering the capabilities of first responders by putting cash in fire departments’ hands for equipment and fire safety programs, as well as improving domestic preparedness capabilities.
But I’m starting to lose that optimistic outlook. I’m thinking that since local fire departments are now receiving federal funds, it might be some budget officials’ opinions that America’s fire problem should be addressed at the local level. I hope I am wrong.
I’m not sure I even begin to understand how the USFA fits into the quagmire of DHS and the Office of Domestic Preparedness (ODP). I am not sure that DHS and ODP do either. I am all for homeland security and eliminating the threat of terrorism on American soil. I also realize that since September 11th, 2001 we now live in a very different society. I have been told that we are fighting a “different kind of war” that calls for new federal priorities and initiatives. I do not argue with those statements. But the fire in Mrs. Smith’s kitchen extending into the kids’ bedrooms isn’t going to stop just because fire is no longer a priority of our federal government.
I look back on all of the work that was done with the White Paper, the Blue Ribbon Panel Report, the effort initiated with the USFA Action Plan, as well as all the other documents generated to get our federal fire programs running like well oiled machines. I wonder what is to become of them.
Do we need these federal fire programs? According to information I found on the USFA’s Web site, the answer is yes. America’s fire losses today represent a dramatic improvement from more than 20 years ago. In 1971, this Nation lost more than 12,000 citizens and 250 firefighters to fire. Acting to halt these tragic losses, Congress passed P.L. 93-498, the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act, in 1974. It established the USFA and the NFA. Since that time, through data collection, public education, and research and training efforts, the USFA has helped reduce fire deaths by at least one half. It was a good idea 20 years ago, and it is still a good idea today.
Do we as the American fire service care? I know I do. I care enough to pick up my pen (or keyboard) and let my congressman know how important the work of the USFA is. If you care, you might be inclined let your elected officials know what you think as well.
Thomas W. Aurnhammer recently retired as the Fire Chief for the City of Farmington, NM and is currently serving as the Deputy Chief for the Los Pinos Fire Protection District in Ignacio, CO. A 28-year fire service veteran, Tom is a member of the adjunct facility at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, MD, and was named Instructor of the Year by the Colorado Fire Fighter’s Academy in 2001. He holds an associate degree in fire protection from San Juan College and is a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program. The author of several trade journal articles, Tom has taught management and fire investigation classes for a variety of groups on the local, state and national levels. He is a licensed emergency medical technician, a certified fire investigator, and serves on the Board of Directors for the National Fire Academy Alumni Association.
