It's tough to write about September 11, or about the tributes to the fallen that happen every year at this time. Pretty much all you can do is listen and agree. These are the people who have put their lives on the line, day after day, year after year, and it's important to remember those who paid the ultimate price.

But it's not just the words that are important, it's the actions that back them up, and Senator Kerry has made fire fighter safety a priority, not just on the anniversary of 9/11, but throughout the year.

April 8, 2008 Washington, DC – Senator John Kerry today sent a letter to the Department of Justice (DOJ) urging the Department to immediately implement recommendations that came as a direct result of an investigation Kerry requested last year.

In March of 2007, Kerry requested an investigation into DOJ’s administration of federal death benefits for the families of 34 eligible firefighters, police officers and other public safety officers who died in the line of duty.

The Inspector General (IG) found that not only did it take 33 months to implement a benefits program for surviving family members but that several additional delays occurred when the program was eventually realized. In addition, some of the claims were found to be denied due to an overly narrow interpretation of the Hometown Heroes Act with respect to what constitutes “non-routine stressful or strenuous physical activity.”

“It’s unacceptable that families who have lost loved ones in the line of duty should be caught in a sea of red tape. Because of bureaucratic backlogs, some of these families have been waiting for more than four years to receive benefits that they are entitled to receive under the law,” said Senator Kerry. “Firefighters, police officers and other public safety officers too often give their lives so others can live. The very least we can do for them is make sure their loved ones receive the benefits they deserve in a timely manner.”

Aug 15, 2008 BOSTON - Senators John Kerry and Edward Kennedy, and Congressman Richard Neal today announced that the Uxbridge Fire Department would receive $209,000 in federal funding under the Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grant program. The grant will allow the Department to acquire new fire trucks.

"Last year's devastating mill fire reminded all of us of the bravery and heroism of the men and women of the Uxbridge Fire Department. This funding will help the department to build up its emergency response capabilities. We all salute these courageous men and women for their dedication and their service," said Senator John Kerry.

August 6, 2007 WPI Precision Personnel Locator Project grant is renewed In 2000, Kerry successfully included an amendment in the Fire Administration Authorization Act of 2000 which authorized a $1 million fire research project at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in honor of the Worcester firefighters. This legislation was signed into law by President Clinton in November 2000.

The grant was again renewed, allowing the WPI to continue this important research and development.

April 17, 2008 BOSTON- Senator John Kerry announced today that he and Sen. Sherrod Brown are introducing legislation to promote adoption of the highest safety standards for all of the nation's fire departments, including hundreds of departments right here in Massachusetts.

Top standards address a wide range of issues including protective equipment, safe fireground staffing, training, fitness and incident command. Because these standards are voluntary, in an age of local budget cuts they’re often ignored. As a result many departments are using outdated equipment and practices. The Firefighter Fatality Reduction Act will work to promote industry wide standards to help reduce avoidable firefighter deaths.

"An 'avoidable death' is an unacceptable death," said Senator John Kerry. "Helping fire departments comply with industry-wide standards is the bare minimum we can do to protect firefighters. We’re trying to tackle these growing problems head on and provide fire departments across Massachusetts with the knowledge and resources to keep every single firefighter as safe as possible."
"The fight to reduce avoidable firefighters' injuries and fatalities is one of the most critical issues facing the fire service today. The 'Firefighter Fatality Reduction Act' will help us accomplish this goal by ensuring that communities throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and across the nation have the tools and resources to keep firefighters safe," said Bob McCarthy, President of the Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts. "I am again proud to join with John Kerry in the fight to reduce firefighters' unnecessary fatalities and truly thank him for his continuing dedication, commitment and leadership in sponsoring and enacting federal legislation on behalf of firefighters in the U.S. Senate."

Actions like these are the reason firefighters supported Sen. Kerry in 2004, and continue to support him in his Senate run in 2008, and they're part of the reason we need to send him back to the Senate with your vote this coming Tuesday and in November.

October 19, 2007 BOSTON – Senator John Kerry today called for an increase in funding for agencies to investigate firefighter deaths. Kerry’s amendment to the Department of Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations Act for FY08 would increase the funding for the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health’s Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program from $2.5 million to $5 million. “Approximately 100 firefighters die in the line of duty each year. This increase in funding will go a long way towards helping to ensure that all investigations are as comprehensive as they should be. The family and friends of those killed in the line of duty deserve a timely and thorough investigation into why their loved ones died, and current firefighters deserve new and improved efforts to protect their safety while in the line of duty,” said Senator Kerry.

Jul 10, 2008 U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern, U.S. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy and U.S. Sen. John Kerry today announced that the Marlborough Fire Department has been awarded $118,537 in Operations and Safety funding under the 2008 Assistance to Firefighter Grant program.

"Marlborough's firefighters put their lives on the line everyday and it's critical they have the resources they need to do their jobs safely and effectively," Sen. Kerry said. "This funding will allow Chief Adams to upgrade the Marlborough Fire Department's equipment, enhancing the department's ability to respond to emergency situations in the community and improving the safety of both residents and firefighters."

June 12, 2008 BOSTON – Senator John Kerry today sent a letter to the head of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), urging her to answer for smoke detectors that have continuously proven to be unsafe. Kerry’s letter is a follow up on a letter sent by Deputy Chief Joseph Fleming of the Boston Fire Department, who raised the issue with the CPSC earlier this year.

In his letter, dated March 12, 2008, Chief Fleming drew attention to safety issues surrounding ionization smoke detectors and asked the CPSC to investigate. The CPSC, which had expressed concerns about the detectors as early as 1995, has failed to investigate or to even respond to Chief Fleming’s concerns.
“This should be a no-brainer. If smoke detectors are proven to be ineffective, why are they still being used? Chief Fleming rightly raised this question earlier this year. I strongly urge the CPSC to immediately provide answers to his concerns as well as to consider the potential loss of life when Americans are using inadequate and unsafe smoke detectors,” said Senator Kerry.

On the seventh anniversary of September 11, it's important to remember the sacrifice of the fire fighters and other first responders who answer the call to service. But it's also critical to remember them throughout the year, not just with words, but with the financial and legislative support they need to keep them, and the rest of us, safe.

Senator Kerry has asked for your vote on Tuesday, Massachusetts. He's given you plenty of reasons to give it to him. Time to send him back to the Senate to keep fighting for all of us.