Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. press release, May 2, 2000

MEWS FROM Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Second Congressional District of Maryland 1 407 York Road, Suite 304 Lutherville, Maryland 21093 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 2, 2000 3 1 5 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 CONTACT: Jill Homan 202/225-3061 Fire Services Organization Honors Congressman Ehrlich WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI) will honor Congressman Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. for his leadership on issues concerning America’s fire fighters. During the May 3rd ceremony in Washington, D.C., the CFSI will present Congressman Ehrlich with the Legislator of the Year award, an honor bestowed upon one member of Congress each year. Congressman Ehrlich stated, “As a state representative and now Congressman, I have been privileged to promote issues of importance to America’s fire fighters. I value the service of the men and women whose contributions save and protect lives each day. I am very pleased the CFSI has chosen to honor me. This award will serve as a reminder of my work and recognition of my successful legislative efforts.” Congressional Fire Services Institute Executive Director Bill Webb stated, “Congressman Ehrlich has done a tremendous service to fire departments across America by sponsoring H.R.1693 and convincing the Congress and Administration to support it." Congressman Ehrlich last year introduced H.R. 1693 which was signed into law. The legislation clarifies the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) definition of a fire protection employee. Today’s firefighter responds to a variety of emergency calls from medical to hazardous materials emergencies. These job duties are not exempted by the FLSA, which excuses fire protection employees from the traditional forty-hour work week. As a result, counties across the nation could pay a tremendous amount of overtime when today’s firefighters respond to such typical calls which in total may exceed the forty-hour work week. Congressman Ehrlich explained, “This law keeps pace with the evolving emergency demands on today’s firefighters. They perform better and prefer a non-traditional schedule rather than the