Congressman Cole Supports Amendment to Help Provide Equipment to Fire Fighters

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tom Cole voted today for an amendment offered by Representative Michael Castle that encourages equipment donations to local fire departments. This amendment was included in the Faster and Smarter Funding for First Responders Act (H.R. 1544) that passed in the House today. Congressman Cole supported the amendment during the debate in Rules Committee on which amendments would be heard on the floor.

"This amendment will help better equip local, volunteer fire departments by encouraging charitable donations from the private sector. A local business or organization should be able to donate equipment without worrying about future liability in the case of an accident," Congressman Cole said. "Equipment donations are very important for fire departments in smaller communities who do not have the funds to purchase new and up-to-date equipment."

For example, as reported earlier this month, Chesapeake Energy Cooperation donated sport utility vehicles and threequarter-ton trucks to fire departments in Oklahoma who were relying on trucks that were over 40 years old. If this amendment were signed into law Chesapeake would be able to continue this type of giving without the burden of liability if something out of their control happened to the vehicle after the donation.

Under current law, the threat of civil liability has caused some organizations to destroy fire fighting equipment, rather than donating it to volunteer, rural and other financially-strapped fire departments. The Castle amendment encourages donations by raising the liability standard for donors of fire fighting equipment from negligence to gross negligence.

The Faster and Smarter Funding for First Responders Act of 2005 provides priority assistance to first responders facing the greatest risk and streamlines terrorism preparedness grants. The plan also requires the establishment of specific, flexible, and measurable goals for first responders and encourages states and localities to pool resources for regional benefit, all while following the valued recommendations of the 9/11 Commission.

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