Tag: <span>BuildStrong</span>

Congress Approves Six-Week Continuing Resolution, Includes Disaster Reforms and Other First Responder Provisions

(February 9, 2018) – The House and Senate have approved a six-week continuing resolution to avoid a potential government shutdown.  The measure, which includes a two-year agreement on spending-caps, is the fifth continuing resolution Congress has approved as both chambers continue to struggle with finalizing a funding package for Fiscal Year 2018.  

In addition to maintaining funding for the operations of the federal government through March 23rd, the continuing resolution includes several legislative provisions of importance to the nation’s fire and emergency services.  H.R. 1892, the Honoring Hometown Heroes Act, is the underlying legislation the continuing resolution was attached to.  The bill amends the U.S. Flag Code, affirming the ability of state governors, as well as the mayor of the District of Columbia, to order the lowering of the United States flag to half-staff in the event of the death of a first responder in the line- of- duty.  The Honoring Hometown Heroes Act was originally introduced in the House by Congressman John Larson (CT-1) and in the Senate by Senator Jon Tester (MT).  

In addition to containing provisions to honor fallen public safety officers, the continuing resolution also makes significant reforms to federal disaster response by allowing the federal cost share for certain disaster assistance to be increased from 75 to 85 percent if states take steps to make themselves more resilient against disasters – including the adoption and enforcement of current building codes.  These reforms are a key component of H.R. 4460, the Disaster Recovery Reform Act, first introduced by Congressman Lou Barletta (PA-11) on November 28, 2017.  

Additionally, the continuing resolution extends the Medicare Ambulance Add-On payments for five years.  These payments provide an additional 2%, 3% or 22.6% payment for transportation of Medicare patients from urban, rural and super-rural jurisdictions.

House Passes Disaster Supplemental, Included Disaster Recovery Reform Provisions

(December 21, 2017) – On December 21st, the House passed H.R. 4667, a disaster relief supplemental spending measure. The bill, which provides additional disaster assistance funding to assist communities recovering from the recent wildfires and Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, also includes important provisions to improve the nation’s disaster preparedness and mitigation efforts.

According to the BuildStrong Coalition, recent hurricanes and wildfires have caused over 260 American deaths and more than $300 billion in projected damages. Research has demonstrated that $1 invested pre-disaster saves $4-8 on post-disaster recovery costs.

H.R. 4667 includes provisions from the Disaster Recovery Reform Act, legislation recently introduced by Congressman Lou Barletta (PA-11). These provisions provide incentives for states to adopt national recognized model building codes and funding for post-disaster code implementation and enforcement.

The Senate is expected to take up the supplemental spending measure after the holiday recess.

CFSI Participates In BuildStrong Coalition Thought Leaders Forum

(June 9, 2017) – On Wednesday, June 7th, the BuildStrong Coalition hosted the National Thoughts Leaders Forum on Disaster Mitigation Resiliency for a Stronger and Safer America.  The forum, featuring members of Congress, fire service leaders, code and standard organizations, and representatives of the construction and insurance industries, examined the impact strong building codes can have in saving lives and taxpayer dollars and explored incentives for strengthening buildings and mitigating damage from natural disasters.   

Congressman Lou Barletta (PA-11), Congressman Lloyd Smucker (PA-16), and Senator Ron Johnson (WI) addressed the forum.  The members of Congress largely focused their comments on the need to reform the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) disaster assistance programs to better protect the public while simultaneously safeguarding taxpayer dollars.

The Forum also featured a Stakeholder Roundtable, which included subject matter experts from a variety of fields, including the fire and emergency services.  Members of the roundtable emphasized the need for federal incentives to encourage state and local governments to adopt model building codes.  Bill Webb, Executive Director of the Congressional Fire Services Institute, participated in the roundtable discussion.  

“Studies, research and real-life events make a compelling case for greater adoption and enforcement of nationally recognized building codes,” said Mr. Webb.  “Providing incentives to encourage more states to adopt these codes, as part of a national mitigation strategy, will reduce the cost of natural disasters for government at the local, state and federal levels and greatly reduce the risk of death and injuries to citizens caught in pathway of these disasters and the first responders who put their lives on the line to save others.”  

CFSI has been a member of the BuildStrong Coalition since 2011 and continues to advocate for the adoption of strong building codes at the federal, state and local levels.