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OFFICE OF THE MAYOR Gregory B. Lyman CITY HALL 10890 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito, CA 94530 Telephone (510) 215-4305 Fax (510) 215-4319 http://www.el-cerrito.org March 14, 2013 The Honorable George Miller United States House of Representatives District Office 3220 Blume Drive, Ste. 160 Richmond, CA 94806 Dear Congressman Miller: The City of El Cerrito thanks you for your continued support to reauthorize the FIRE and SAFER grant programs. These programs directly support our fire department operations and other departments in the nation. The FIRE and SAFER grant programs, created in 2000 and 2003, respectively, are the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s assistance to the Firefighters Grant Program. The FIRE grant program awards matching grants directly to local fire departments for the purpose of improving department equipment, training and fire prevention programs. The SAFER grant program awards matching grants directly to local fire departments for the hiring of career firefighters or the recruitment and retention of volunteer fire fighters. Both of these programs use a merit based peer-review system where experienced firefighters review and rank applications and awardees are required to provide a local match to, ensuring an accountable use of taxpayer monies. Although both programs have a proven track record of success, improvements are possible. In 2011, the National Protection Association (NFPA) released its “Third Needs Assessment of the U.S. Fire Service” emphasizing the FIRE and SAFER grant programs need more resources to improve emergency response capability. For example, the report states 51 percent of all fire departments cannot equip all firefighters on a shift with self-contained breathing apparatus for use inside burning buildings, compared to 70 percent in 2001. Fire and Emergency Services today face a number of complex response missions, including mass-casualty incidents, catastrophic wildland fires, and major disasters. The FIRE and SAFER grant programs specifically help fire departments perform these missions and serve our communities. Please continue to support this important legislation and reauthorize FIRE and SAFER grant programs. Sincerely, Gregory B. Lyman Mayor, City of El Cerrito Agenda Item No. (5D)