On July 9, 2024, President Biden signed into law the Fire Grants and Safety Act (S.870). After two years of advocacy by CFSI and our National Advisory Committee members, the AFG and SAFER grant programs will continue to be able to deliver vital federal support to fire departments across the nation and enable them to address their baseline needs. Specifically, this bill:

• Reauthorizes the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant programs through fiscal year 2028,
• Reauthorizes the U.S. Fire Administration through fiscal year 2028, and
• Extends the sunset date for AFG and SAFER to September 30, 2030.

The path to reauthorization adds new meaning to the quote, “United we stand, divided we fall.” Working together, CFSI, our National Advisory Committee members, leaders of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus and committees of jurisdiction, and other members of Congress built support for the legislation, which is why the measure achieved strong bipartisan support in both chambers.

While the legislative path for a bill to become a law can appear relatively straightforward, it is never smooth and requires constant, sustained, and coordinated effort. In this instance, the fire service remained persistent, staying the course and never relenting until the bill became law. The collaboration between the national organizations and many members of Congress cannot be understated and was essential in moving this bill forward, despite a series of hurdles.

Credit for passage extends to a large group of congressional leaders, including the following:

Congressional Fire Services Caucus Co-Chairs who demonstrate their strong support for the fire and emergency services every day and played vital roles in supporting this legislation:

• Senator Susan Collins* – Lead Republican on the Senate version of the Fire Grants and Safety Act
• Senator Tom Carper* – original cosponsor of the Fire Grants and Safety Act and a negotiator on the bill
• Senator Jon Tester* – original cosponsor of the Fire Grants and Safety Act and Chair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus in the 118th Congress
• Senator Lisa Murkowski* – original cosponsor of the Fire Grants and Safety Act
• Congressman Bill Pascrell* – Lead Democrat on the House version of the Fire Grants and Safety Act
• Congressman Steny Hoyer* – original cosponsor of the Fire Grants and Safety Act
• Congressman Mike Bost* – original cosponsor of the Fire Grants and Safety Act
• Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick* – original cosponsor of the Fire Grants and Safety Act

House and Senate Leadership:

• Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer*
• Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell*
• Speaker of the House Mike Johnson*
• House Majority Leader Steve Scalise*
• House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries

Committee Leadership who were original cosponsors of the bill and ensured that the legislation was able to successfully move through the House and Senate committee processes:

• Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Gary Peters*
• House Committee on Science, Space and Technology Chairman Frank Lucas*
• House Committee on Science, Space and Technology Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren*

Lead sponsor of the House version of the Fire Grants and Safety Act:

• Congressman Tom Kean*

* indicates that the member is part of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus

Additionally, CFSI would like to offer a special thanks to the staff of the above offices who understand the needs and challenges of America’s fire and emergency services and worked hard every day (and many nights) to move this legislation forward.

Finally, CFSI would like to thank those members of Congress who supported and voted for the bill during the committee and floor processes. We appreciate your understanding of the need to support America’s fire and EMS personnel.

Next Steps

CFSI will continue to work to support robust funding for these programs and USFA. Most recently, CFSI worked with Reps. Bill Pascrell, Mike Bost, and Brian Fitzpatrick – House co-chairs of the Fire Caucus – to add $7.5 million to the AFG and SAFER funding lines in the House FY2025 DHS Appropriations Bill. This amendment was accepted and the bill passed the House at the end of June. We will continue to advocate for funding for these programs and USFA as the FY25 process moves forward.

On June 18, by a vote of 88 to 2, the Senate passed the Fire Grants and Safety Act (S.870), a bill to reauthorize the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant programs, as well as the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) through fiscal year (FY) 2028. The legislation also extended the sunset date for AFG and SAFER to September 30, 2030. The bill has been sent to the President to be signed into law. Once signed, these programs will be protected for the next several years, ensuring that the fire and emergency services can continue to access vital federal support.

The final passage of this bill resulted from a coordinated, multi-year advocacy effort by CFSI, members of CFSI’s National Advisory Committee, and our Capitol Hill partners. The path was long and challenging, but working together, fire and emergency services organizations prevailed in reauthorizing the grant programs.

“The core mission of CFSI is consensus building, and for over 24 years, we have worked collaboratively with the other national organizations to preserve and fund these two programs, as well as the United States Fire Administration,” said Bill Webb, CFSI’s Executive Director. “It is our honor to have led this most recent effort to reauthorize AFG, SAFER, and USFA in this challenging political environment.”

The Path to Reauthorization

The effort to reauthorize AFG, SAFER, and USFA began in 2022 during the 117th Congress. The fire and emergency services groups worked with our Hill partners on the text of a reauthorization bill to introduce it and move through the legislative process. Despite attempts to enact a bill in 2022, the legislation stalled, so we regrouped and started the process again at the start of the 118th Congress.  

The 118th Congress has been a challenging Congress for legislating. Still, even with the complicated political terrain, CFSI and our partners remained steadfast in communicating the importance of AFG, SAFER, and USFA to the Hill. 

The path towards passage in the 118th Congress started quickly, with the Senate introducing, marking up, and passing a bill in the spring of 2023. However, this process was not without its complications. CFSI and our fire service partners worked tirelessly with our Senate champions to overcome hurdles and move the measure through the legislative process. 

The bill was transmitted to the House, where the fire groups worked with our House partners to determine the best path forward. Despite tight voting margins, a tense political climate, and challenging legislative timetables and requirements, the fire organizations and our Hill champions never wavered. The House introduced a companion bill, moved it through the committee process, and eventually passed it on May 8, 2024, sending it back to the Senate for final approval.

The vote on June 18 in the Senate chamber marked the culmination of a two-year effort to deliver a reauthorization measure to the White House for the President’s signature. 

Hill Champions

The success of this effort illustrates the importance of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus in uniting members of Congress to work together on fire service issues regardless of political affiliations. Members join the caucus to learn how to best support their local fire and EMS departments. These members are often the first to put their time and energy into advancing fire service legislation, including the Fire Grants and Safety Act. We owe a debt of gratitude to a large group of members who were instrumental in passing this legislation. They include: 

House and Senate Leadership who made the votes on the Fire Grants and Safety Act possible:

• Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer*
• Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell*
• Speaker of the House Mike Johnson*
• House Majority Leader Steve Scalise*
• House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries

Committee Leadership who were original cosponsors of the bill and ensured that the legislation was able to move through the House and Senate committee processes successfully:

• Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Gary Peters* 
• House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology Chairman Frank Lucas* 
• House Committee on Science, Space and Technology Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren* 

Congressional Fire Services Caucus Co-Chairs who demonstrate their strong support for the fire and emergency services every day and played vital roles in supporting this legislation:

• Senator Susan Collins* – Lead Republican on the Senate version of the Fire Grants and Safety Act
• Senator Tom Carper* – original cosponsor of the Fire Grants and Safety Act and a negotiator on the bill
• Senator Jon Tester* – original cosponsor of the Fire Grants and Safety Act and Chair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus in the 118th Congress
• Senator Lisa Murkowski* – original cosponsor of the Fire Grants and Safety Act 
• Congressman Bill Pascrell* – Lead Democrat on the House version of the Fire Grants and Safety Act
• Congressman Steny Hoyer* – original cosponsor of the Fire Grants and Safety Act 
• Congressman Mike Bost* – original cosponsor of the Fire Grants and Safety Act 
• Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick* – original cosponsor of the Fire Grants and Safety Act 

Lead sponsor of the House version of the Fire Grants and Safety Act:

• Congressman Tom Kean*

* indicates that the member is part of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus

Additionally, CFSI would like to offer a special thanks to the staff of the above offices who understand the needs and challenges of America’s fire and emergency services and worked hard every day (and many nights) to move this legislation forward. 

Finally, CFSI would like to thank those members of Congress who supported and voted for the bill during the committee and floor processes. We appreciate your understanding of the need to support America’s fire and EMS personnel.

Next Steps

CFSI looks forward to the Fire Grants and Safety Act being signed into law by the President, ensuring that AFG, SAFER, and USFA will be protected for the next several years.

CFSI will continue to work to support robust funding for these programs and USFA.

Today, the House of Representatives passed S.870, the Fire Grants and Safety Act, by a vote of 393 to 13. S.870 would reauthorize the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG), the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grant Program (SAFER), and the United States Fire Administration (USFA). For the past two years, CFSI and our partner organizations have been working tirelessly on this legislation and today’s vote is a positive step for our nation’s fire and emergency services. We extend our thanks to members of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus who have been instrumental in the progress we have achieved to date.

The Senate must now act quickly on this bill before AFG and SAFER face a statutory sunset on September 30. In April of 2023, it approved an earlier version of S.870 by a vote of 95-2, but it will need to approve the House-amended version before it can be signed into law by the President. Specifically, this bill would reauthorize AFG, SAFER, and USFA through fiscal year Fiscal Year 2028 and extend the sunset date to September 30, 2030.

CFSI will continue to provide updates on imminent Senate action. In the meantime, click here to tell your Senators to pass S.870 and save AFG and SAFER.

The Congressional Fire Services Institute’s (CFSI) Board of Directors and staff extend their sympathies to the family of former Connecticut Senator Joseph Lieberman, who passed away this week at 82.

Elected to the United States Senate in 1988, Senate Lieberman served four terms before retiring in 2012.  He was a co-chair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus in 2011 and 2012.  During the 112th Congress, Senator Lieberman sponsored the Fire Grants Reauthorization Act and the United States Fire Administration Reauthorization Act, demonstrating his commitment to our nation’s first responders.  In addition, he was active in several other initiatives, including post-Katrina FEMA reform and the establishment of the public safety broadband network.  CFSI honored the Senator for his leadership on behalf of our nation’s fire service by presenting to him the 2012 CFSI Legislator of the Year Award.

“Senator Lieberman embodied the bipartisan spirit of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus,” said CFSI Executive Director Bill Webb.  “He understood the needs and challenges of the fire and emergency services and worked closely with CFSI and the other national fire organizations on federal legislation and programs to support our nation’s first responders.  It was an honor to have worked with him.”

Among the many tributes by his former colleagues, Fire Caucus Co-Chair Senator Susan Collins expressed the following statement:

“Senator Joe Lieberman was a dear friend, a wonderful Senator, and a true patriot.  He not only was one of the best legislators I have known, but also one of the best human beings.  We worked so closely together on the Senate Homeland Security Committee, passing numerous bipartisan bills.  I am heartbroken to learn of his passing.”

Without Reauthorization, Vital Fire Service Grant Programs Will Cease to Exist

Washington, D.C. – Today, 39 national fire and emergency services organizations stand united in support of the reauthorization of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG), the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grant Program (SAFER) and the United States Fire Administration (USFA). Without reauthorization, AFG and SAFER will sunset in less than one year, on September 30, 2024. 

The AFG and SAFER grant programs are imperative to addressing the needs of more than one million fire and emergency services personnel. Fire departments respond to more than 36 million calls for service each year. These calls span all hazards from structural fire and wildfire to lithium-ion battery and hazardous materials response, opioid overdoses and other medical emergencies, water rescue, active shooter and hostile events, terrorism, natural disasters, and much more. Even while they protect their communities from an ever-increasing range of hazards, fire departments across the country are struggling to properly train and equip fire and EMS personnel, as well as ensure that departments have proper staffing to meet minimum requirements for response. 

According to the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA’s) 5th Needs Assessment, “Fire service needs are extensive across the board.” Specifically, the report finds that “unmet needs for PPE [personal protective equipment] can be found in departments serving communities of all sizes, including one-third of the large departments…Among the smallest departments, 75 percent have at least some PPC [personal protective clothing] that is 10 years of age or older.” Ten years is the maximum lifespan recommended for PPE. Furthermore, “[more] than half (53 percent) of all fire departments cannot equip everyone with SCBA,” the breathing apparatus used by firefighters to do their jobs safely. The data shows that AFG and SAFER “must grow in order to address the considerable and multifaceted needs that continue to persist in the fire service.” The AFG and SAFER grant programs provide lifelines to fire and EMS departments across the nation that are caught in this battle of increasing costs and an acceleration of new missions. 

USFA also plays a vital role at the national level as the primary representative of the fire and emergency services in the federal government. USFA ensures that the fire service is prepared to respond to all hazards and is the lead federal agency for fire data collection, public fire education, fire research, and fire service training. Every year, USFA provides training and education to both the fire service and the general public across the country. Through the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS), USFA also provides critical data on the state of fire and the fire service in America. USFA is a critical component in ensuring that the fire and emergency services are ready to respond to all hazards and must be reauthorized. 

“When 9-1-1 is called, every community across the country relies on their fire and EMS personnel to respond regardless of the incident type,” said Bill Webb, Executive Director of the Congressional Fire Services Institute. “39 national fire service organizations stand to call on Congress to reauthorize the AFG and SAFER grant programs and the United States Fire Administration.”

“Data from NFPA demonstrates how underprepared our nation’s firefighters are – and how important the federal grant programs are,” said Seth Statler,  Director of Government Affairs for the National Fire Protection Association. “Our most recent Needs Assessment of the U.S. Fire Service found that significant needs exist for departments of all sizes and in every area, including staffing, training and certification, facilities, apparatus, personal protective equipment or PPE; and health and wellness.”

“The AFG and SAFER grant programs are lifelines for fire departments across the country. They provide crucial funding to cover operational costs, allowing us to maintain our readiness and effectiveness in serving our communities…They help us secure equipment, vehicles, and training resources that are essential for our daily operations. They provide funds to hire and retain firefighters, ensuring that we have adequate personnel to respond to emergencies promptly. Without this funding, we would struggle to maintain the level of service our communities rely on. We need to preserve these programs in the future.” said Chief John Butler, President of the International Association of Fire Chiefs.

“AFG and SAFER grants are essential to the survival of many volunteer departments throughout the country. Without these grants many volunteer departments would cease to exist,” said Chief Kevin Quinn of the National Volunteer Fire Council. “These departments often fundraise with boot drives and pancake breakfasts, but even those efforts combined with local tax dollars can’t provide the needed funding.”

“Fire fighters serve in a uniquely dangerous job. We routinely respond to inherently dangerous calls where lives are at risk. When seconds count, the public deserves to know that trained and prepared fire fighters are standing ready,” said Dave Hoagland, President of the Washington DC Firefighters Association, Local 36 of the International Association of Fire Fighters. “The AFG and SAFER programs will close next year unless Congress acts. IAFF members in DC and across the nation are proud to answer our neighbors’ calls. But if we’re not there to answer the call – there is no alternative to 911. Congress’ inability to reauthorize these programs directly jeopardizes the lives of fire fighters and the public as a whole. It’s time for Congress to pass the Fire Grants and Safety Act.”

“This past May, 144 firefighters who died in the line of duty were honored at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Emmitsburg, MD – 79 firefighters who died in 2022 and 65 who died in previous years. As of September 30th, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation is aware of 100 reported firefighter fatalities this year,” said Victor Stagnaro, the CEO of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. “Our nation’s firefighters put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities.  The AFG and SAFER grant programs are vital to ensuring our nation’s fire departments have the staffing, equipment, and resources they need to protect our communities and keep our firefighters safe.”

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The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program provides funds to help fire departments purchase much-needed gear and equipment and train personnel. Through the Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) grants, the AFG program also helps to fund community risk reduction efforts and vital fire service research.

The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grant Program provides funds to help departments recruit and retain personnel to ensure that they can meet minimum staffing requirements needed for emergency response. 

The mission of the U.S. Fire Administration is to support and strengthen fire and emergency medical services (EMS) and stakeholders to prepare for, prevent, mitigate and respond to all hazards.

For more information on AFG, SAFER, and USFA reauthorization efforts, see cfsi.org/support-afg-safer-and-usfa-take-action-now/.