October 2, 2006 – The U.S. Congress has overwhelmingly approved the creation of medical monitoring programs for first responders following federally declared disasters. Ensuring that fire fighters and other responders have access to physical and mental health screenings after major disasters has been one of the IAFF’s top legislative priorities in the 109th Congress.

“The establishment of future medical monitoring programs is a tremendous victory for our members,” said IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger. “Although responders to major disasters never know what dangers await them, they can now rest assured that proper monitoring programs will help allow for the early detection and treatment of any potential illness.”

The medical monitoring legislation was included in the final version of H.R. 4954, the Security and Accountability for Every Port (SAFE Port) Act. In September 2006, Senators George Voinovich (R-OH) and Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) successfully offered their medical monitoring legislation as an amendment to H.R. 4954.

The bill had earlier passed the U.S. House of Representatives in May without the medical monitoring provision, and it was necessary to resolve the difference in a House-Senate conference committee. Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS) offered a non-binding “motion to instruct” on the House floor that encouraged House negotiators to accept the Voinovich-Clinton amendment in conference. The motion passed 281-140.

Despite strong votes in both the House and Senate, the conference negotiations proved difficult, as several powerful Members of Congress raised objections to the Voinovich / Clinton amendment and threatened to strip it from the final measure. Inclusion of the medical monitoring provisions was made possible only after intensive lobbying efforts by the IAFF and its members.

“Throughout negotiations on the bill, the IAFF never stopped fighting for these vital provisions,” said Schaitberger. “Our success is a testament to the strength of our cause and to our strength as a union.”

In addition to Voinovich, Clinton, and Thompson, Representatives Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and Christopher Shays (R-CT) also played leading roles in the effort to establish medical monitoring programs.

Having passed both the House and the Senate, the SAFE Port Act is now headed to the White House for enactment. The President is expected to sign the measure into law.