Senators rush to extend federal support for local fire departments as program expiration nears

The Senate took the first step to extend federal programs supporting local fire departments nationwide this week, voting to advance the Fire Grants and Safety Act out of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

Now the bill heads to the full Senate. There, the remainder of the Senate will face the same question: if they wish to reauthorize the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program, the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program and the United States Fire Administration (USFA). All three are set to expire despite local fire departments’ reliance on them to tackle staffing needs, equipment purchases, and training.

“Fire stations rely on federal grant programs for the resources and tools they need to protect Michiganders and people across the nation,” U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI), one of the bill’s authors, said. Peters is also the chair of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. “Congress must pass this bipartisan legislation to extend these programs that ensure brave and courageous firefighters can safely protect communities from fires and other emergencies.”

As proposed, the bill would reauthorize all three programs through 2030. Fire departments tap these programs for assistance in recruiting and retaining personnel, purchasing up-to-date equipment and vehicles, and helping fund safety training and technical rescue training. Health screenings are also covered, and the bill specifically pushes for improvements to emergency medical services.

In addition to Peters, the bill was co-authored by U.S. Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME), Tom Carper (D-DE), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK). Carper and Murkowski are also co-chairs of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus.

“I helped create FEMA’s firefighter grant programs in 2003 as part of a bipartisan effort to ensure that firefighters have adequate staffing, equipment, and training to do their important jobs as effectively and safely as possible,” Collins said. “By reauthorizing these programs, we can continue to deliver this critical assistance to fire departments and support firefighters as they work to protect lives and property.”

The bill would authorize nearly $20 million in increases for the USFA, totaling a $95 million budget. Current authorized levels of funding would be maintained for the SAFER and AFG programs.

So far, the Fire Grants and Safety Act has been backed by groups including the International Association of Fire Chiefs, National Volunteer Fire Council, Congressional Fire Services Institute, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, International Society of Fire Service Instructors, International Association of Fire Fighters and National Fire Protection Association.