Van Hollen, Cardin Call on DHS to Overturn FEMA Decision to Rescind Grant for Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad

Press Release

Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (both D-MD) today called on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Michael Chertoff to overturn a decision by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to rescind a grant made to the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad (B-CCRS) under the Fiscal Year (FY) 2006 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Program. The purpose of the grant was to provide funding for the Rescue Squad's recruitment efforts.

June 25, 2008

The Honorable Michael Chertoff
Secretary
United States Department of Homeland Security
Washington, DC 20528-0001

Dear Secretary Chertoff:

We are writing on behalf of the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad (B-CCRS) regarding the SAFER grant that it was awarded by FEMA in 2007. By letter dated September 19, 2007, FEMA rescinded this grant on the grounds that B-CCRS is not an independent fire department. B-CCRS appealed this decision, providing a letter of support dated October 25, 2007 from Chief Thomas Carr of the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service. Despite the evidence that B-CCRS indeed qualifies as a fire department under FEMA's own guidelines, FEMA denied the request for reconsideration.

We are aware that FEMA regulations define a fire department as "(i) an agency or organization that has a formally recognized arrangement with a State, territory, local, or tribal authority […] (ii) to provide fire suppression on a first due basis (iii) to a fixed geographical area." In its April 9, 2008 letter denying reconsideration, FEMA avers that B-CCRS fails to meet these requirements because it does not provide "fire suppression on a first due basis." However, FEMA has failed to acknowledge the evidence demonstrating that B-CCRS does in fact meet all three qualifications. For this reason, we strongly urge you to reinstate the SAFER grant awarded to B-CCRS.

B-CCRS is a fully-sanctioned fire department recognized by Montgomery County and the State of Maryland. Moreover, as Chief Carr notes, B-CCRS provides "primary fire/rescue command service in a specific geographic area." Its specific areas of responsibility for firefighting and suppression include portions of Bethesda, Chevy Chase, and Cabin John, as well as the National Institutes of Health and the National Naval Medical Center. B-CCRS is responsible for over 94,000 households and responds to over 10,000 calls each year.

FEMA contends that while B-CCRS "can be considered to be an integral part of the overall Montgomery County, Maryland, fire suppression system" and has a "first due response area for supplying rescue services at a fire," it does not provide fire suppression because it cannot act independently of the Montgomery County Fire Department (MCFD). This is incorrect.

B-CCRS is equipped with paramedics, ambulances, and trained and certified firefighters and rescuers. Its fire and rescue personnel perform direct firefighting responsibilities as well as fire and rescue command duties at the scene of fires and other emergency incidents. It also provides support for other duties, including fire extinguishing and property damage mitigation. Chief Carr has noted that B-CCRS firefighters are "an important component of Montgomery County's fire suppression operation." He also noted that B-CCRS personnel are "trained and certified firefighters under Maryland and Montgomery County standards, don full protective gear and SCBAs, and perform interior structural firefighting duties, including interior search and rescue, ventilation, utility control, and related responsibilities." (emphasis added). In addition, in his April 17, 2008 letter of support to FEMA, the President of the Maryland State Firemen's Association states that B-CCRS is a "full service department" that provides essential "fire, rescue, and emergency medical services." Clearly, B-CCRS provides "fire suppression" services independently of MCFD.

Because B-CCRS meets all three requirements for classification as a fire department under the SAFER guidelines, we request that you review its appeal and restore its grant so that B-CCRS can continue its life-saving work. At a time when our country faces threats from terrorism and natural disasters, it makes little sense to withdraw crucial support from first responders working in close proximity to our nation's capital.

We would appreciate your prompt response.

Sincerely,

CHRIS VAN HOLLEN BENJAMIN L. CARDIN
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES U.S. SENATE

cc: Hon. R. David Paulison

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