Sen.Tom Carper selected co-chairman of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus

Senator Tom Carper of Delaware was named Co-Chairman of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, filling the position formerly held by Vice President Joe Biden.  Elected to the Senate in 2000, Senator Carper serves on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, Environment and Public Works, and Finance Committees.
 An original member of the Congressional Fire Service Caucus, Senator Carper joined the Caucus in 1989 when he was serving in the U.S. House of Representatives.  In 1992, he left Congress and was sworn-in as the Governor of Delaware where he served for eight years. 

Throughout his political career, Senator Carper has been actively engaged in fire service issues both in Washington, DC and in Delaware.  His understanding of the fire service and of the fire services' legislative priorities is based on his close working relationship with the Delaware fire service - most notably the Delaware Volunteer Fireman's Association - and the national fire organizations.

"The Delaware fire service takes great pride in Senator Carper and thanks the Fire Caucus leadership for presenting this opportunity for the Senator to serve as a Fire Caucus co-chairman," said Steve Austin, former president of the Delaware Volunteer Fireman's Association and Vice Chairman of the CFSI National Advisory Committee.  "He will do an outstanding job working with his co-chairs to educate their colleagues on the needs and challenges of our nation's firefighters."

Similar praises were expressed by Bill Webb, CFSI Executive Director.  "The Congressional Fire Services Caucus has a strong tradition of selecting knowledgeable members of Congress to serve in leadership capacities," said Webb.  "The selection of Senator Carper will certainly continue this trend."

The Congressional Fire Services Caucus leadership is composed of eight members - four each from the Senate and House.  Maintaining the bipartisan spirit of the Caucus, leadership is also split evenly between party lines with four Democrats and four Republicans.  The co-chairs include Senator John McCain (AZ), Senator Chris Dodd (CT), Senator Susan Collins (ME), Senator Carper (DE), Congressman Steny Hoyer (MD-5), Congressman Rob Andrews (NJ-1), Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson (MO-8) and Congressman Peter King (NY-3).

The Fire Caucus remains the largest caucus in Congress with approximately 300 members.  The purpose of becoming a member is to learn more about our nation's fire and emergency services.  A list of current members is located on the CFSI website (www.cfsi.org).  If your member is not on the list, please have him/her contact CFSI and learn the value in becoming a member.