President Joe Biden on July 9 signed into law a bipartisan bill co-authored by U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) that will help support America’s local fire departments.
The Fire Grants and Safety Act, S. 870, reauthorizes through fiscal year 2030 the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) Program, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Program, which are used by local fire departments to address staffing needs, purchase equipment, develop fire training and education programs, and improve emergency medical services.
“Firefighters across Maine and the country courageously and selflessly put their lives on the line to serve their towns and cities,” said Sen. Collins, co-chair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, on Tuesday. “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.”
S. 870, which also contains landmark provisions related to the nation’s investments in nuclear energy, is sponsored by U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI), who said the new law “is a testament to our nation’s commitment to” its firefighters.
“By reauthorizing these critical programs, we are not just funding fire departments, we are investing in communities across America and ensuring our firefighters have the resources they need to return home safely,” he said.
Specifically, the bill reauthorizes SAFER, AFG, and the USFA until 2028; reauthorizes $95 million for USFA, a nearly $20 million increase from current authorized levels; and extends the authorization for the SAFER and AFG programs, according to a summary provided by the lawmakers.
The National Volunteer Fire Council, the Congressional Fire Services Institute, the International Association of Fire Fighters, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, the International Society of Fire Service Instructors, and the National Fire Protection Association endorsed the measure.