To The Editor:

On June 2, the U.S. House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to adopt an amendment to the FY 2012 Homeland Security Appropriations Act restoring $320 million for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program.

The amendment, which the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) supported and sent a Capwiz Action Alert to our members about earlier in the day, was offered by Congressmen LaTourette (R-OH) and Pascrell (D-NJ) and increases funding for AFG and SAFER from $200 million and $150 million, respectively, to $335 million each. The amendment was approved by a vote of 333-87.

Kevin Shea

Lehigh Acres

Shea is a member of the board of commissioners of the Lehigh Acres Fire and Rescue District. – Ed.