President Bush today signed the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (S. 2845) into law. The International Association of Fire Chiefs applauds Congress and the administration on this groundbreaking and highly important piece of homeland security legislation.

The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 includes a number of measures that are important to America’s fire service. The IAFC has developed a document for its members that details these measures and provides an analysis of how they will impact the fire service. Download the IAFC’s analysis of the emergency preparedness and response provisions of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act at www.iafc.org/government/index.asp#homeland.

“From the public safety perspective, this bill addresses some of the most important 9-11 Commission recommendations, most notably the need for a national incident command system and interoperable communications,” said IAFC President Chief Bob DiPoli. “This legislation sets the stage for a very productive 109th Congress. The nation’s fire chiefs look forward to working with Congress and the administration on these critical homeland security issues.”

In brief, the Act:

• Expresses the sense of the Congress that all emergency response agencies should adopt and follow the NIMS.  The bill also says that the regular use of, and training in, NIMS should be a condition for receiving federal grant funding.
• Includes considerable reforms and provisions to achieve interoperable communications (multi-year grants, codifying the Office for Interoperability and Compatibility, assistance in urban and other high risk areas, state wide planning) and a commitment to make additional spectrum for public safety a priority next year.
• Expresses the sense of the Congress that DHS promote the adoption of voluntary national preparedness standards for the private sector.
• Requires that DHS report on its progress regarding protecting the nation’s critical infrastructure.
• Expresses the sense of the Congress on the need to restructure the homeland security grant funding process.
• Requires that the federal government study alert notification systems for the public.
• Requires that FEMA establish a mutual aid program for all hazards.