Everyone knows that you would never run into a burning building or put yourself in harm's way without a good backup team. After 9-11 we remember all the promises made by the politicians about getting the funding we need for new equipment, solving interoperability, and homeland security. Well we decided to take a look at how the reality of increased funding matches up with the rhetoric, and see if our elected officials are backing up first responders who are on the front lines.
We are pleased to report that today we are releasing a new study of Federal funding for first responders. The report, America's First Responders and the Federal Budget: A study of Rhetoric versus Reality details an alarming and growing $100 billion gap in federal support of first responders.
Following the terrorist attacks of September 11th, the United States government and people from all sectors of society praised the dedication and sacrifice of the nation's first responders. With these accolades came a promise of increased funding, better equipment, and expanded training to better prepare first responders for potential future disasters and improve America's first line of defense. Policymakers from both parties stated emphatically that first responders would get whatever they needed, that no cost was too great. However as the report makes clear, the complicated federal budget process and a surprising lack of commitment by elected officials have resulted in this less-than-adequate funding and a continuation of obstacles that hinder first responders. In our review of current federal funding for first responders, the overall trend of federal support was declining not increasing.
This alarming situation must be corrected, and we need your help. In Washington it is often the squeaky wheel that gets the grease, so it's time for us to make some noise. Please send a letter today to your federal officials to let them know that First Responders need to come first.
Gene Stilp
Volunteer Firefighter
First Response Coalition
