At a recent conference, Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge offered assurances that the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program will keep its focus on basic needs even though it has moved to the Office for Domestic Preparedness.

“At Homeland Security, we understand that there are basic needs that must be met in firehouses all over our country,” said Ridge. “In helping equip communities and first responders to meet the threat of terrorism, we can't neglect the fundamentals.”

Ridge spoke at the National Volunteer Fire Council Spring Conference in Arlington, Va., May 6. He praised the NVFC for working closely with DHS and introduced the concept of the Fire Corps, which DHS is working to implement as part of the Citizen Corps with the help of the NVFC and other fire service organizations.

“We will offer citizens in every neighborhood across America an opportunity to support their local firehouse,” Ridge explained. “Citizen volunteers can have an impact in a variety of ways. Some may choose to spread the word about fire prevention or educate the community on fire safety or help with routine administrative tasks.

“But all in choosing to serve they will give firefighters more time and resources to pursue their critical, highly skilled responsibilities on the front lines of emergency response where they are needed most.”

Ridge said the volunteer fire service will play an instrumental role in establishing the Fire Corps, which will be “another way in which we can harness the spirit of volunteerism in our nation to empower citizens to make a difference in their communities and ultimately their country — the type of difference that those of you in this room make on a daily basis, the type of difference that generations of firefighters have made in constant, selfless service to others.”

For the complete text of Ridge's comments, visit the NVFC Web site at www.nvfc.org.