Ruppersberger Talks With First Responders About Consequences of Proposed Funding Cuts

Edgemere, MD - The North Point Edgemere Volunteer Fire Company needs to replace an outdated fire engine and upgrade its breathing equipment but that may NOT happen because of proposed cuts to federal first responder grants. The Department of Homeland Security proposes cutting $1.5 billion from over a dozen popular grant programs.

Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) met with volunteer firefighters and EMTs at the North Point Edgemere Volunteer Fire Company on Monday, February 23rd, 2004, and talked with them about his effort to stop this move in Congress.

"We live in an era of uncertain threat levels and local resources are already stretched incredibly thin. We have identified areas where we need to increase our homeland security efforts. This is not the time to be cutting funding for our firefighters, EMTs, and police officers who work hard to try and keep our communities and families safe," said Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD).

Last fall, Congressman Ruppersberger's staff conducted a comprehensive survey of first responders in Maryland's 2nd Congressional District and found that:

• 76% of the first responders and government agencies that participated in the survey have received NO FEDERAL FUNDING for homeland security needs.

• 67% of the agencies that responded put the need for BETTER COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY as one of their top three priorities.

But DHS wants to completely cut out a grant program that will help first responders improve their communication systems.

"I will work hard with my colleagues in Congress to restore this funding and I urge the President of the United States to do the same," said Congressman Ruppersberger.