The Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI) has announced that Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota has been appointed as a co-chair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus.
Klobuchar takes on the role following the departures of former co-chairs Senator Tom Carper of Delaware and Senator Jon Tester of Montana.
CFSI Board of Directors President Jim Estepp said: “Senator Klobuchar has led by example, pushing forward on legislative priorities that help states and localities to save lives and protect their citizens.
She has long been a strong supporter of the fire and emergency services and we look forward to working with her as she steps up as a co-chair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus.”
Since joining the U.S. Senate in 2007, Klobuchar has supported legislation addressing fire and life safety concerns.
She has worked on carbon monoxide safety initiatives and was recognized as the 2022 CFSI Legislator of the Year.
She has backed efforts to promote fire sprinkler retrofits and has consistently supported the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) programs.
These federal grants provide funding for fire departments to purchase equipment, improve training, and ensure adequate staffing levels.
Most recently, Klobuchar reintroduced the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act (S.237), which aims to include certain service-related cancers under the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) Program.
The legislation would ensure that firefighters who die or become disabled from specific cancers linked to their service receive benefits under the program.
Klobuchar said: “Our firefighters put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe—from running into burning buildings and wildfires to exposing themselves to carcinogens that can have long-term health consequences years after their service has ended.
“I look forward to working with the entire Fire Services Caucus to ensure our firefighters have the support they deserve, including for hiring and training, purchasing life-saving equipment, and assistance after their service is done.
“That includes passing our bipartisan bill to ensure firefighters who succumb to service-related cancers receive the same treatment as others who die in the line of duty.”
The Congressional Fire Services Caucus is among the largest caucuses in Congress, with members focused on fire and emergency services policy.
It provides lawmakers with information on how federal policies impact local fire departments and emergency response efforts.
A list of current caucus members is available on CFSI’s website.
The institute encourages legislators to join and engage with fire service professionals to shape policies that affect emergency response capabilities nationwide.
The Congressional Fire Services Institute has announced that Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota has been appointed as a co-chair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus.
She replaces former co-chairs Senator Tom Carper of Delaware and Senator Jon Tester of Montana.
Klobuchar has supported legislation related to fire and life safety, including carbon monoxide protection measures and federal grant programs for fire departments.
She was recognized as the 2022 CFSI Legislator of the Year.
She recently reintroduced the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act (S.237), which seeks to ensure that firefighters who die or become disabled due to certain cancers linked to their service are covered under the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program.
The Congressional Fire Services Caucus is one of the largest in Congress, providing lawmakers with information on federal policies affecting fire and emergency services.
The CFSI encourages more members to join and advocate for fire safety initiatives.
