Ensuring that our fire departments have the resources and tools they need to do their job is a priority for Congressman Mike McIntyre. As a member of the Homeland Security, Fire Services, and First Responder Congressional Caucus, he has given special attention to the security needs of our communities throughout Eastern North Carolina. Fire departments and first responders are some of the first folks on the scene of an emergency in our communities, and Congressman McIntyre is committed to ensuring that they have the resources necessary to protect our families, churchs, businesses, and communities.

Since the beginning of this year, fire departments across Eastern North Carolina have received over $1.6 million in federal funds to improve their operations.

• Pin Hook VFD has received $8,900 in federal funds and the Piney Grove Volunteer Fire and Rescue has received $4,900 to purchase equipment including radios, pagers, and turn out gear for fire protection
• Bolton Fire Department has received $71,493 in federal funds for operations and safety improvements
• Leland Volunteer Fire and Rescue has received $1,000,000 in federal funds for operations and safety improvements
• Sunset Harbor/Zion Hill VFD has received $61,821 in federal funds for operations and safety improvements.
• Buckhead VFD has received $256,500 in federal funds for vehicle acquisition.
• Acme/Delco/Riegelwood Fire and Rescue has received $103,858 in federal funds for operations and safety improvements.
• Lisbon Volunteer Fire Department has received $416,250 in federal funds for operations and safety improvements.

U.S. Representative Mike McIntyre, senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, announced $458 million in military construction projects in North Carolina.  Last week, the committee approved the 2013 Defense Authorization bill.

Congressman McIntyre stated, “The Defense Authorization Bill for 2013 bill strengthens our national defense, supports North Carolina military bases, and makes key investments in ensuring our servicemen and women have the tools they need to do their job.  Ensuring our national security is a top priority for me, and this bill is a very positive step forward.”

Congressman McIntyre successfully included in the bill an amendment to establish a National Guard Center for Excellence for leadership development which is strongly supported by the North Carolina National Guard.

North Carolina Military Construction Funding includes ($458 Million ):

Fort Bragg– $198.5 million Aerial Gunnery Range, $42 million Infrastructure funding, $30 million Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Complex, $26 million SOF Battalion Operations Facility, $40.5 million SOF Civil Affairs Battalion Complex, $31.4 million SOF Support Addition, $3.9 million SOF Sustainment Brigade Complex, $24.7 million

Camp Lejeune — $149.8 million Base Access and Road, Phase 3, $40.9 million Staff NCO  Academy Facilities, $29 million SOF Marine Battalion Company/Team Facilities, $53.4 million SOF Survival Evasion Resistance Escape Training Facility, $5.5 million Medical Clinic Replacement (TRICARE Management Activity), $21 million

Seymour Johnson – $55.45 million Replace Pipeline, $1.85 million Medical Clinic Replacement (TRICARE Management Activity), $53.6 million

Cherry Point – $45.6 million Armory, $11.6 million Marine Air Support Squadron Compound, $34 million

New River- $8.5 million Personnel Administration Center, $8.5 million

General highlights of the defense bill include:

The Committee passed the bill that would:

• authorize $554 billion for the Defense Department and national security programs and $88 billion for overseas contingency operations, primarily for the war in Afghanistan;
• authorize an across-the-board pay raise of 1.7 percent for military personnel;
• authorize the following amounts: $32.2 billion for the Defense Health Program; $10 million for the Cybersecurity Initiative; $172 million for the Weapons of Mass Destruction Defeat Technology program; $680 million from fiscal 2012 to 2015 for Israel’s Iron Dome missile-defense system.

In addition, the bill would:

• Require the Pentagon to declare when each of their F-35 fighter variants will reach “initial operational capability.”
• Bar the use of funds in the bill for an additional Base Realignment and Closure round.