FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:   October 28, 2003
FURTHER INFORMATION:     Bobby Watson – 202-365-1983 (cell)

Fire Fighters’ President Calls For Public Officials to Heed Homeland Security Lessons of California Wildfires

IAFF President Harold Schaitberger urges elected leaders to increase staffing and resources of stretched fire service

WASHINGTON, DC – Below is a statement from International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) President Harold Schaitberger on the California wildfires that affected so many thousands of fire fighters and area residents in recent days. Mr. Schaitberger will visit camp sites and review damaged lands on Wednesday.

As we watch as Southern California battles an array of threats that menace its communities, on behalf of the 260,000 men and women of the International Association of Fire Fighters, I ask that our public officials heed the homeland security lessons that are so plainly learned from this tragedy, which has already taken 15 lives and well over a thousand homes.

This event, like so many others have in recent years, from Midwestern floods to Southeastern hurricanes to 9/11, clearly illustrates our nation’s vulnerabilities to large scale disasters. When we cut resources to the bone for everyday operations of first responders, we are not ready when a major emergency happens. When the worst happens, where can we find the staffing and other assistance necessary to provide the desperately needed help?

As we are currently witnessing together, the results of budget cuts and fiscal belt-tightening at the expense of our fire fighters only lead to more devastation and loss. That is why I am glad to see that that the State of California is now directing all possible resources to fighting the wildfires and assisting our fire fighters – to keep them as safe and effective as possible in their battle against this menace.

The federal government’s efforts to send $2 billion in aid might be reassuring to some, but the fact is that money is needed right now – if not long ago – in the form of reinforcements on the ground for my fire fighters, not an IOU check down the line. My fire fighters are fighting with one hand tied behind their back in California, and in cities and towns all across America, and I can tell you that to a person they would give anything to have the help yesterday, so their brothers and sisters could be adequately protected from the extreme dangers they face today.

As we learned the hard way from our experience at Ground Zero in New York City, exposure to the particles and fumes from fire can be very hazardous to one’s health. Wildland fire can be much worse than urban fires in terms of particulate density and other factors. I am calling on the federal government to monitor these fire fighters closely in the hard weeks, months and years to come. As in the case at Ground Zero, we hope the federal government will take similar action to do just that.

I would like to offer my sincerest gratitude and support to those thousands of brave men and women who have put themselves on the front line and risked their lives to protect their fellow Californians this past week. While we watch as these fires scorch a land mass equivalent to the state of Rhode Island, scattered from San Diego to Simi Valley, I am so proud to say I represent the men and women of the fire service in California, including the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and the numerous local governments involved in this great fight to protect our communities. I look forward to meeting many of them in the coming days.

The IAFF would also like to extend our sympathies to those who have lost their homes, and especially their loved ones, to these blazes, the worst such disaster in over a decade. It is beyond the pale to think that much of this destruction was apparently deliberately caused – whether by simple carelessness or the felony of arson.

As we recently saw in Memphis, Tennessee last June, arson is a serious crime and ultimately puts lives at risk. In that city it led to the loss of two brave fire fighters and loving fathers. I sincerely wish for the safe return of all the fire fighters and rescuers involved in this effort.

May God bless all affected by the terrible tragedy and may they stay safe while this danger passes.

EDITOR’S NOTE: IAFF President Harold Schaitberger will be touring California base camps and areas of devastation on Wednesday, October 29th. For more information on his travel itinerary contact Session("ComContactName") at Session("ComContactPhone").

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The International Association of Fire Fighters, headquartered in Washington, DC, represents more than 260,000 full-time professional fire fighters and paramedics who protect 80 percent of the nation’s population.