SENATORS AND FIRST RESPONDERS DISCUSS HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONSWashington, DC--Senators Joe Lieberman and Frank R. Lautenberg joined Dennis L. Rubin, DC Fire & EMS Chief, New Jersey firefighter, Robert Allen, and other first responders to discuss legislation that will help protect our homeland and keep Americans safe. The Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act will help protect Americans from terrorist attacks; prepare for and respond to natural disasters; secure our borders; and support state and local first responders with the tools that they need. "There is no cheap way to protect our homeland security," Lieberman said. "It takes money. But it is money well invested in the protection of the American people. Our first responders and preventers deserve the best training, equipment, and staffing that we can provide them. So I am pleased that the Department of Homeland Security spending bill for fiscal year 2010 represents a 7 percent increase over last year for a total of almost $43 billion, including almost $4 billion for states and first responders."  Said Lautenberg: "When there's an emergency, it's our first responders and public safety professionals who put their lives on the line to save the lives of others. This bill provides those brave men and women with the tools and resources they need. By improving our ability to respond to natural disasters and terrorist attacks, and helping first responders hire personnel and buy new equipment, we're making our communities safer.""All disasters are local events," Rubin said. "Emergencies such as these rely upon fire and EMS, which are truly America's First Responders and defenders of our homeland.  Federal funding is desperately needed to assist local jurisdictions in their struggles to prepare and respond to these unexpected events."# # #