The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee recently advanced legislation introduced by U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) to enhance the strength and efficacy of FEMA disaster assistance response.
The National Urban Search and Rescue Response System Act, S. 2971, would codify protections ensuring that citizens can’t be fired from their jobs for joining search and rescue teams during national emergencies.
“Today’s vote puts us one step closer to helping search and rescue teams get the resources they need to best perform their mission of helping communities threatened by national emergencies,” Portman, a member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, said.
The legislation would also enhance the National Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) Response System by clarifying existing compensation and liability protections for workers, allowing for benefits elections, and extending reemployment rights to system members who deploy as federal volunteers.
“This bill would ensure that the federal government better supports groups — such as the Ohio Task Force 1 Urban Search and Rescue Team — as they deploy to danger zones across our country, and require FEMA to develop a plan to ensure they have the equipment they need to respond quickly in times of a state or national emergency,” Portman said.
The FEMA administrator would be directed to develop a comprehensive plan that follows Government Accountability Office recommendations for the replacement and financing of equipment.
U.S. Sens. Ron Johnson (R-WI), chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and Tom Carper (D-DE), ranking member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, joined Portman in introducing the bill.