strongCongresswoman Lois Frankel (FL-22) today brought attention to the consequences that a U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown would have on Broward County emergency personnel and public safety. The Broward County Fire Rescue relies on DHS grants to hire new firefighters and maintain safety equipment and operations. The disbursement of this funding would be disrupted if DHS does not remain open.

Broward County Fire Rescue has received several DHS grants, including $3.6 million for fire rescue staff and $220,000 for equipment and operations. Disbursement of these funds would be cut off by a shutdown, affecting nearly forty critical firefighter positions. Additionally, a DHS shutdown would impact security personnel at South Florida airports and seaports.

On Monday, Frankel called on Congress to pass legislation funding the Department of Homeland Security without the unnecessary controversial provision repealing the President's Executive Orders that prioritize deporting felons over families and give opportunities to undocumented immigrants who came to America as children. The Senate is expected to pass and send a standalone DHS funding bill to the House tomorrow.

“Firefighters are on the front lines in our neighborhoods every day, keeping us safe,” said Frankel. "The House should join the Senate in making our nation’s security a priority and pass a clean funding measure.”

If Congress does not pass legislation to extend DHS funding before it runs out on Feb. 27, law enforcement officials, border patrol agents, disaster response officials, counterterrorism experts, and other Homeland Security personnel that help keep our nation safe would either be furloughed or required to work without pay.

DHS employs over 12,000 individuals in Florida out of 230,000 employees nationwide. All of them would be affected if there was a shutdown.

Breakdown of DHS employees in Florida:

• 6,049 with TSA
• 3,422 with Customs and Border Protection
• 1,307 with Immigration and Customs Enforcement
• 754 with FEMA
• 678 with Citizenship and Immigration Services
• 275 with the Coast Guard

Other local consequences:

• Local fire departments could lose staff and equipment funded by DHS grants: Broward County Fire Rescue ($220,000 for operations and equipment and $3.6 million for staffing); West Palm Beach Fire Rescue ($1.4 million); and Delray Beach Fire Rescue ($646,000).
• Federal funding for state law enforcement could lapse, stalling new initiatives and preventing new equipment purchases.