Senators McCain, Tester, Collins & Carper Reintroduce Bill to Reauthorize Fire & Emergency Response Grant Programs

Press Release

U.S. Senators John McCain (R-AZ), Jon Tester (D-MT), Susan Collins (R-ME) and Tom Carper (D-DE) today reintroduced the Fire Grants Reauthorization Act, bipartisan legislation that would reauthorize the highly successful Assistance to Firefighters (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant programs though Fiscal Year 2023. This legislation would ensure that our nation's more than one million fire and emergency services personnel continue to have access to the necessary training, equipment and staffing to respond to a growing number of emergency response missions.

"Firefighters and first responders risk their lives every day to protect our citizens and keep our communities safe," said Senator McCain. "That's why we must give these brave individuals the training, resources and equipment they need to respond to dangerous missions around the country. I'm proud to once again cosponsor this legislation that would ensure America's 30,000 fire departments and first responder services have the best possible preparation and resources, and I hope my colleagues will join this effort to support those who sacrifice so much for us."

"When emergency strikes, firefighters must have the equipment, training, and staff they need to respond quickly and safely," said Senator Tester. "These grants provide local fire departments the opportunity to secure additional resources that will keep families safe and secure in rural communities across Montana. It is critical that Congress reauthorize this important safety initiative for our first responders."

"I have long supported the FIRE and SAFER grant programs, which have been an effective and efficient way to provide firefighters and first responders with the resources they need," said Senator Collins. "The equipment, vehicles, and training funded by these grant programs strengthen our fire services and help protect the more than 1.3 million firefighters and emergency responders. Our bill will reauthorize these critical programs to ensure that these brave men and women continue to receive the support they need."

"Every day, our brave first responders put their lives on the line to protect families, their homes and their most precious belongings. But too many of our emergency service organizations face strained state and local budgets, and are too often forced to make drastic cuts. It's essential that we provide the men and women who are on call when tragedy strikes with the equipment, training and resources necessary to perform their mission safely and effectively," said Senator Carper. "This bill reauthorizes critical grant programs that will allow our first responders to obtain the grants they need to perform at their very best during times of crisis."

The Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI), the Board of the International Association of Fire Chiefs and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) also endorsed the legislation today:

"The Congressional Fire Services Institute commends Senators John McCain, Jon Tester, Susan Collins and Tom Carper for introducing legislation to reauthorize the Assistance to Firefighters and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant programs," said Dr. William Jenaway, president of CFSI. "These Senate Co-Chairs of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus understand the challenges facing our nation's fire service and the tremendous impact of both AFG and SAFER in addressing the needs of our nation's first responders. We thank them for their leadership and look forward to offering our full support to their efforts with this important piece of legislation."

"The IAFC thanks Senators McCain, Tester, Collins, and Carper for introducing this important legislation to reauthorize the AFG and SAFER grant programs," said Chief John Sinclair, president and chairman of the Board of the International Association of Fire Chiefs. "Both of these programs help local fire and EMS departments protect their communities, and provide an important down payment on the national preparedness system."

"I'd like to thank Senators McCain, Tester, Collins and Carper for introducing legislation to reauthorize the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant programs," said National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) Chair Kevin D. Quinn. "AFG and SAFER are lifelines for thousands of volunteer fire departments across the country that severely lack resources. Passage of this bill is absolutely critical to the nation's volunteer emergency services and will be the NVFC's top legislative priority this year."

The primary goal of AFG is to protect communities and firefighters from fire-related hazards by providing eligible fire departments the financial support to train, equip and properly resource America's emergency personnel.

The SAFER program provides funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter organizations to help increase and maintain the number of trained firefighters in local communities.

The first FIRE Act was passed out of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee in 2000 when Senator McCain served as Committee Chairman. He has continued to cosponsor legislation to reauthorize these vital fire grant programs, including legislation in 2013 that maintains the program through 2017.