FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 9, 2020
Kuster Addresses NH Association of Fire Chiefs
(Concord, NH) – On Thursday, Congresswoman Annie Kuster addressed the New Hampshire Association of Fire Chiefs to discuss her work in Congress supporting first responders. Kuster has been an advocate for the Granite State's firefighters, EMS, and other first responders to ensure they are prioritized in access to personal protective equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 crisis. Kuster has fought for increased funding through the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant and American Fighterfigher Grant (AFG) programs throughout her career, bringing millions of dollars to New Hampshire. Kuster supported the CARES Act which provided additional funding for the AFG program and more than $100,000 in funding for fire departments around the state to purchase PPE. As a member of the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee, Kuster is working to ensure that once a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine is approved, it will be distributed equitably and frontline workers including firefighters and health care professionals will be prioritized.
"I want to thank the New Hampshire Association of Fire Chiefs for everything they do, day in and day out to keep our communities safe," said Annie Kuster. "Across our state and our country, firefighters run towards danger so that others make their way towards safety. We need to ensure that firefighters, EMS, and law enforcement have the personal protective equipment they need to keep themselves and their families safe. I'm proud to have supported legislation in Congress to prioritize our first responders, but it's not enough. That's why I continue to call on Leader McConnell and President Trump to come back to the negotiating table so we can pass the HEROES Act, which would provide an additional $500 million in federal funding to help fire departments purchase PPE, and provide state and local governments with financial assistance so they can keep professional firefighters on the job. I look forward to continuing this important work and standing up for those who fight for us."
Congresswoman Kuster has a long track record of supporting New Hampshire's firefighters, EMS, and other first responders:
Introduced the Opportunities for Heroes Act to give fire fighters and their families $25,000 in student loan debt relief or education credits as a thank you for their service during the pandemic.
Co-sponsored Medical Supply Transparency and Delivery Act to use the Defense Production Act to produce PPE that essential workers—including firefighters—needed at the start of the pandemic.
Voted for the HEROES Act which would make sure local governments have the funding they need to keep firefighters on the job.
Introduced the Nicholas and Zachary Burt Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act which would help install CO alarms in low-income and senior housing and provide resources for states to conduct public awareness campaigns about the dangers of CO poisoning. This bill passed the House in 2019.
Co-sponsored the SOFFA Act to help keep firefighters safe by raising the flammability standards for upholstered furniture.
Co-sponsored Helping Emergency Responders Overcome (HERO) Act, Rep. Bera (D-CA), which directs HHS to develop resources for mental health professionals to better understand the culture of first responder and firefighters to identify evidence-based therapies for mental health issues commonly experienced in these fields.
Called on the Appropriations Committee to increase funding for Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant and American Fighterfigher Grant (AFG) programs throughout her career. This has helped bring millions of dollars to New Hampshire firefighters.
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