Barack Obama on Firefighters
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Barack Obama Supports America’s Firefighters
Fighting Federal Budget Cuts to Firefighters
Barack Obama has fought President Bush’s efforts to cut funding for the Assistance for Firefighters
Program (FIRE Act grants), which helps fire departments get critically needed equipment and
training.
Prioritizing Firefighters within the Department of Homeland Security
Obama believes U.S. Fire Administration programs should receive priority attention within DHS.
Hiring More Firefighters
In 2003, Congress passed legislation to put 75,000 new firefighters in communities around the
country, but has since funded only a small fraction of these new hires. Obama also supports
greater funding for the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Firefighters
Act.
Giving Public Safety Officers Collective Bargaining Rights
Obama believes that firefighters deserve the right to bargain collectively. In too many communi-
ties, firefighters, police officers and other public safety officers are unable to bargain over wages
and working conditions, and are denied access to outside mediation. Obama supports the Public
Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act.
Making it Easier for Firefighters to Get the Benefits They Deserve
More than 40 states have laws that make it easier for firefighters to prove their heart disease, lung
disease, or cancer is related to the everyday hazards of their dangerous work. However, federally-
hired firefighters have a very high burden of proof to document specific exposures to hazardous
substances. Obama wants to reform federal workforce laws so that firefighters who got sick on
the job can get the disability pay they deserve.
Tracking First-Responder Health
Firefighters who respond to major disasters are often exposed to hazardous substances and suffer
from health effects later. However, the federal government has not set up a comprehensive health
monitoring system for emergency workers. Obama supported legislation that became law to
track the health of first responders who respond to national emergencies.
