Hearing Of The Senate Committee On Homeland Security And Governmental Affairs - Nomination Of Kelvin J. Cochran To Be Administrator, U.S. Fire Administration, Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Department Of Homeland Security

Statement

Nomination Of Kelvin J. Cochran To Be Administrator, U.S. Fire Administration, Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Department Of Homeland Security

The agency that Chief Cochran has been nominated to lead - the U.S. Fire Administration - plays a crucial role in securing our nation. Every day across our nation, firefighters risk their lives and their personal well-being to protect others. Their job as first-responders is to be skilled, selfless and urgent. In recent years, we have collectively witnessed their acts of bravery and sacrifice.

On 9/11, America's firefighters fearlessly responded to aid and rescue victims. On that day alone, 343 firefighters in New York City lost their lives. In the aftermaths of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, America's firefighters tirelessly answered the call.

And in local communities right now, firefighters are responding to all manner of emergencies - some of them life-threatening events that severely test the men and women who serve.

Whether they are career or volunteer, America's nearly 1.2 million firefighters exemplify professionalism, dedication, and heroism.
Since 1974, the USFA has been the primary Federal agency for firefighters. Its mission is to serve as an advocate and to help reduce loss of life and diminish the economic impact of fires and related emergencies. This Committee has worked diligently to support USFA issues and the needs of the nation's fire services.

In 2006, as part of our landmark FEMA reform law, we elevated the Fire Administrator to the position of Assistant Secretary, recognizing the USFA's vital role in the nation's preparedness and emergency response system.
In 2008, we reauthorized the USFA to help the fire services better meet their wide-ranging mission. We updated the curriculum of the National Fire Academy, expanded the range of firefighter training programs, promoted the adoption of national voluntary consensus standards for firefighter health and safety, and established a fire service position at DHS's National Operations Center.

Still, challenges remain. Among the most pressing is the ongoing difficulty that first-responders have in communicating with each other in real time, on demand, during a crisis.

We have made progress in the area of interoperable emergency communications. Senator Lieberman and I have passed legislation to increase funding, accelerate the development of technology standards, and emphasize solutions to non-technological barriers, such as the absence of governing agreements and standard operating procedures. But more work must be done, and I look forward to exploring this issue with Chief Cochran.
I also am interested in the Chief's perspective on the Department's first-responder grant programs. The Chairman and I have consistently fought for funding increases to provide critical resources to our nation's fire departments. This includes the FIRE Act grant program, which is set to expire at the end of the fiscal year and must be renewed. This program has enabled thousands of departments to respond quickly and safely to emergencies and disasters of all sizes and causes.

As a co-sponsor of the original FIRE Act, I supported its clear, unwavering mission to support small, largely rural departments with additional funding. Without that assistance, these departments simply could not afford new lifesaving equipment, vehicles, or training. These small rural departments can be found in states all over the country, including the State of Maine, which is known for its rich tradition of volunteer firefighters. In fact, the most recent Fire Administration statistics show that more than 96 percent of Maine's fire departments are volunteer or mostly volunteer.

Chief Cochran's impressive career spans several decades, from a rank-and-file post in Shreveport, Louisiana, to Chief in Atlanta. He also has attained positions of national leadership in the International Association of Fire Chiefs and the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association. And I am pleased to see his endorsement by the International Association of Fire Fighters.

Source