The nation's fire service has lost one of its biggest champions -- U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr.
Pascrell, the co-chair of the Congressional Fire Service Caucus, died Wednesday. He was 87.
He created the FIRE Act that provides federal grants to fire and rescue companies for equipment, stations and staffing
Most recently, he penned a bi-partisan measure that saved the program and provided additional funding for the U.S. Fire Administration.
In mid June, after the passage by both chambers, Pascrell, D-NJ, wrote: “When I came to Congress, fire departments across America were literally holding bake sales to pay for their gear. The Assistance to Firefighter Grants were the first program ever to send federal dollars directly to fire departments. Since their creation, the AFG and SAFER programs have provided over $14 billion to fire departments and first responders from coast-to-coast. They have saved countless lives. This critical legislation will ensure our government continues to give our local firefighters the help they need to protect us. I await its signing by President Biden. God bless our fire heroes.”
The Paterson Fire Department, Pascrell's hometown company, posted a message on its Facebook page about his death: "...Congressman Pascrell was a champion for the fire service, public safety and to the City ot Paterson. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his friends and family. The Paterson Fire Department promises to continue his efforts in giving the best fire protection to the great people of Paterson. May he rest in peace."
During his tenure on Capitol Hill, Pascrell lobbied for legislation that would help responders do their jobs more efficiently and safely.
“Congressman Pascrell was a legislator you always wanted on your side,” said CFSI Executive Director Bill Webb. “He would not take no for an answer, but would instead fight a battle with every ounce of determination. His perseverance was a key factor in establishing the grant programs and sustaining them over the past 20 years.”
In 2014, he was named a co-chair of the Congressional Fire Service Caucus. In recognition of his contributions to the fire and emergency services, CFSI presented the congressman its Legislator of the Year Award in 2001, 2005, and 2016.
The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation board also remarked on his contributions.
"A tireless advocate for first responder health and safety, Congressman Pascrell sponsored legislation creating the National Firefighter Registry for Cancer and fought to expand the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) program to cover occupational cancers. He fought to keep the public safe by supporting incentives for the retrofit of automatic fire sprinklers in commercial and high-rise residential buildings...His contributions to this great nation will be felt for decades and he will truly be missed."
