The U.S. Senate recently approved bipartisan legislation co-authored by U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) that aims to increase support for America’s local fire departments. The bill is headed to the president to be signed into law.
“I am pleased that Congress has passed… our bipartisan legislation to extend these programs that support fire departments and firefighters as they work to protect lives and property,” Sen. Collins said on June 25.
The Senate on June 18 voted 88-2 to pass the Fire Grants and Safety Act, S. 870, which Sen. Collins and U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) introduced on March 16, 2023, to reauthorize through fiscal year 2030 the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) Program, and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Program until 2028.
The programs, which were set to expire this year, are used by local fire departments to address staffing needs, purchase equipment, develop fire training and education programs, and improve emergency medical services, according to a bill summary provided by Sen. Collins’ staff.
“Firefighters across Maine and the country courageously and selflessly put their lives on the line to serve their towns and cities,” she said. “In 2003, I helped create FEMA’s firefighter grant programs, which provide funding for staffing, equipment, and training to help firefighters to do their important jobs as effectively and safely as possible.”
Specifically, S. 870 will reauthorize $95 million for USFA and extend the authorization for the SAFER and AFG programs, among other provisions.
“By passing this legislation, Congress has helped ensure these brave heroes have the necessary resources to keep themselves safe in the line of duty,” Sen. Peters said. “My bipartisan bill will ensure fire departments continue to receive federal resources to purchase lifesaving equipment and hold essential trainings for years to come.”
The bill has garnered support from numerous entities, including the National Volunteer Fire Council, the Congressional Fire Services Institute, the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, the International Society of Fire Service Instructors, and the National Fire Protection Association, among others.