Congressman Bill Pascrell, who authored the original legislation that created the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, passed away earlier today at age 87.
A co-chair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus and a staunch supporter of our nation’s fire and emergency services, Congressman Pascrell introduced legislation in 1999 to authorize a federal grant program for our nation’s fire service. Known as the Firefighter Investment and Response Enhance (FIRE) Act, the measure was signed into law in 2000. Three years later, Congress expanded the program by creating the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant program. Since the initial legislation became law, the two programs have awarded over $15 billion in direct grants to fire departments across the nation.
In addition to the grant programs, Pascrell was a tireless leader in fighting to support fire sprinklers in commercial and residential buildings, creating the National Firefighter Registry for cancer, and expanding the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) program to cover occupational cancers, among others. His passion and legislative prowess will be missed.
“Congressman Pascrell was a legislator you always wanted on your side,” said CFSI Executive Director Bill Webb. “He would not take no for an answer, but would instead fight a battle with every ounce of determination. His perseverance was a key factor in establishing the grant programs and sustaining them over the past 20 years.”
Pascrell was elected to Congress in 1996, representing the 8th congressional district of New Jersey. In 2012, he switched to the 9th congressional district as a result of redistricting where he served until his death. In 2014, he was named a co-chair of the Congressional Fire Service Caucus. In recognition of his contributions to the fire and emergency services, CFSI presented the congressman its Legislator of the Year Award in 2001, 2005, and 2016.
CFSI extends its sympathies to the Pascrell family and the congressman’s staff on the loss of our dear friend and champion of our nation’s fire and emergency services.
