U.S. Sens. Chris Dodd and Susan Collins and U.S. Reps. Peter King and Jo Ann Emerson have been selected as co-chairpersons of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, filling four vacancies in leadership following the 2006 Congressional elections. They will join caucus leaders Sens. John McCain and Joe Biden and Reps. Steny Hoyer and Rob Andrews in leading the discussion about the challenges facing first responders during the 110th Congress.     

"The most important element in the selection of these four new leaders is their reputation for working in a bipartisan spirit on first responder issues," said CFSI Executive Director Bill Webb. "Moreover, each of them have a history of working with the fire organizations in Washington and have always been willing to listen to our concerns."

The four new caucus leaders will bring to the caucus leadership a broad range of expertise and leadership on homeland security issues, according to a CFSC statement.

• Elected to Congress in 1981, Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) was selected as a co-recipient of the Congressional Fire Services Institute's 2001 Legislator of the Year for his work on the FIRE Act. He continues his efforts in the Senate, advocating for increased funding for the program, while also calling for increased support for the SAFER program. He has also been very supportive of programs conducted by both CFSI and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation on Capitol Hill.
• Sen.Susan Collins (R-Maine), elected to the Senate in 1996, is the ranking member of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Collins has worked closely with the national fire service organizations on a range of legislative issues addressing the reorganization of the Department of Homeland Security and first responder grant programs.
• Like Collins, Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.) is the ranking member of the House Committee on Homeland Security. As former chairman of the committee during the 109th session, King developed a strong working relationship with the fire service organizations. 
• Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (R-Mo.) entered Congress in 1997, winning the seat once occupied by her late husband, Rep. Bill Emerson, the 1995 CFSI Legislator of the Year.  A member of the House Committee on Appropriations and former chair of the House Rural Caucus, Emerson brings an understanding of homeland security issues, particularly as it relates to rural communities. 

The CFSC is a bipartisan caucus dedicated to increasing awareness on Capitol Hill about the challenges and needs of our nation's firefighters and rescue personnel. The caucus has played a major role in enacting legislation benefiting our nation's first responders, including the FIRE Act, SAFER and legislation reallocating broadcast spectrum for public safety use.