How many more disasters — natural or manmade — will it take to make Congressional leaders understand that funding for fire and emergency services is a higher priority than building a bridge in Namibia or a road in Ethiopia? I lived overseas for 15 years, so I believe in being a good international neighbor, but I believe more in taking care of our own first and foremost.

Congress has reauthorized the FIRE Grants program through 2016, but “there is a sunset clause that says ‘no more,’” said Hank Clemmensen, chief of the Palatine (Ill.) Fire Department and second vice president of the International Association of Fire Chiefs. He cautioned attendees of a recent Home Day not to wait until the end to campaign for additional funding.

According to the IAFC, law enforcement has 18 levels of funded authorities and agencies: local police departments; county sheriffs; state police; highway patrols; state departments of alcoholic beverage control; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Drug Enforcement Agency; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms and Explosives; Customs and Border Patrol; Secret Service; Federal Protective Service; the U.S. Marshals; Federal Air Marshals; Immigration and Customs Enforcement; U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement; Bureau of Indian Affairs; Bureau of Land Management; and U.S. Park Service.

The American fire service has local agencies and the minimally funded U.S. Fire Administration. Except for California, which has CAL FIRE, local fire departments cover everything from national monuments to the neighbor across the street. There is no consistency among state fire officials — be they fire marshals or emergency managers. Some states, like Arizona, don’t even have a state fire marshal.

How long will it be before state and regional governments realize that a cohesive, statewide emergency response is a priority? Illinois already realized it with its Mutual Aid Box Alarm System, which now has interested partners in Wisconsin, Iowa, Indiana and Michigan. California, Ohio and Florida also have pockets of partnerships.

How long will it take for local municipalities to realize that when the sky is falling, the first phone number called is 911. If it’s not somebody with a gun, who responds to the call? The fire department, of course.

What will it take for citizens to realize that the fire service isn’t a right? Fire departments cost money.

But there are those who understand the dollars and cents of fire-department services: big corporations that want a piece of the EMS pie. Stillwater, Okla., residents went from paying less than $400 for an ambulance call to $1,000 per call. But most don’t worry about it because they think insurance will pay the difference. They may be in for a rude awakening, however. I discovered that my insurance company pays a set amount for ambulance transport. I had to pay the difference when one of the pirate — I mean private — ambulance companies transported me out of district.

What does a modern fire service really offer the community? Where is the fire service headed and what services can it offer? Don’t be surprised if proactive medical care becomes a big part of the fire service’s future.

The role of fire chief today is more complicated because the fire service is more complicated. Yet the answers to the problems facing fire chiefs today may be found with other fire chiefs and within the IAFC.

The IAFC’s upcoming Fire-Rescue International gathers chiefs from across the country, North America and around the world. I encourage you to do what you need to do to attend the conference this year. Bring your questions and problems and seek answers among your peers. It’s an opportunity to know that in your role as fire chief, you are not alone and your problems are not unique.

Seek peace and pursue it.

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