Senator Rosen Helped Advance Bipartisan Legislation Out Of Committee
LAS VEGAS, NV – Today, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) was joined by Las Vegas City Councilwoman Olivia Diaz, Las Vegas Fire and Rescue Chief Fernando Gray, and president of the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 1285 James Suarez, as she called on her Senate colleagues to pass the bipartisan Fire Grants and Safety Act, which would help provide robust funding to local fire departments in Nevada and nationwide to hire more firefighters and purchase lifesaving equipment. In March, Senator Rosen helped advance this legislation out of committee.
“Every time I meet with Nevada’s firefighters, I’m reminded of their heroism and bravery as they routinely run into harm’s way to keep our communities safe,” said Senator Rosen. “This is why I’m calling on my Senate colleagues to pass bipartisan legislation to support our firefighters here in Nevada with the funding they need to purchase lifesaving equipment and hire more personnel. I’ll continue pushing in Washington to see that this bill is swiftly signed into law.”
“Our firefighting community plays a critical role in ensuring the safety of Las Vegas residents,” said Las Vegas City Councilwoman Olivia Diaz. “I’m glad to join Senator Rosen’s push to pass legislation that will authorize needed resources for Nevada firefighters to help them do their jobs safely and continue to keep our city safe.”
“We’re glad to join Senator Rosen today as she calls on Congress to pass critical funding for Nevada’s firefighters,” said Fernando Gray, Las Vegas Fire and Rescue Chief. “The increased funding will allow us to hire more firefighters and address the recent shortage we’ve experienced in the state, as well as give us the equipment to be more effective in our life saving efforts
“Las Vegas Fire and Rescue Station 108 is a prime example of the importance of the Fire Grants and Safety Act. Thanks to this law, our station received federal funding to hire firefighters and get the equipment we needed,” said James Suarez, President of the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 1285. “It’s critical that Congress passes this bipartisan legislation again, which is why we are grateful that Senator Rosen is pushing her colleagues in Congress to pass it now. Nevada firefighters know we have a strong ally in the U.S. Senate who has our backs.”
Senator Rosen continues to take the lead on actions to support firefighters. Last year, she helped deliver an historic pay raise and benefits funding for federal wildland firefighters through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Additionally, she co-sponsored the Wildland Firefighter Fair Pay Act, which advanced out of committee with a Rosen-led amendment and would exempt overtime pay caps for Forest Service and Interior Department wildland firefighters. Last Congress, Senator Rosen also introduced the Helping Emergency Responders Overcome (HERO) Act, which would direct the Department of Health and Human Services to address mental health among firefighters and first responders.
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