Ignorance isn't bliss — nor an excuse — if you're one of the fire departments or industry-related companies that doesn't know the names of your state or congressional representatives, let alone been in contact with them.

The FIRE Grants and other funds are a result of a lot of hard work educating congressional leaders on the needs of the fire and emergency services. With the recent decrease in FIRE Grant funding this year, we need everyone to talk to their political leaders.

And it couldn't be any easier.

A couple of years ago, the Fire Emergency Manufacturers & Services Association and the Fire Apparatus Manufacturers' Association joined forces to create a Government Affairs Committee. The GAC was developed to encourage members to visit their congressional leaders in Washington, D.C. The GAC streamlined the process with how-to kits and sponsored receptions for congressional staffers. Every year on "Hill Day," FEMSA and FAMA members educate congressional leaders — and their staffers — on the importance of the FIRE Grants and other issues related to emergency services.

This year, the GAC has organized a "Home Day" to encourage FEMSA and FAMA members to invite their congressional leaders and staffers to visit their companies in their home states. During the week of April 17, Home Day events will offer congressional leaders a tour of emergency services manufacturing facilities and an opportunity to talk to the employees to learn more about the emergency service products in their home state. As part of this effort, both FEMSA and FAMA are encouraging local fire departments to join in these efforts to make legislators aware of the issues and concerns facing the emergency responders.

Have these political efforts made a difference? As I mentioned in last week's column, this is the first Congressional Fire Services Institute Dinner where I saw congressional leaders seeking out the tables of their constituents.

If you don't have an emergency services manufacturer or service provider in your locale to team up with, invite your local senator and representative, or even their staffers, to your department. Staffers are key resources for congressional leaders because a politico is only as good as his or her staff.

To ensure everyone is providing the same statistics and key points, FEMSA offers businesses the 2006 Top Three Legislative Priorities as part of the GAC Home Day Kit, available at www.femsa.org. The International Association of Fire Chiefs offers a Legislative Hot Sheet, available at their Web site.

Although the week of April 17 was selected because of the congressional recess, you may want to select another date for Home Day events. Whatever you decide to do, industry-related business and fire departments working together will make a difference.