The U.S. Fire Administration would see an increase in its funding, while the money for federal grants aimed at the fire service would face cuts under President Donald Trump's budget recommendations for fiscal year 2021.
Funding for fire service-related areas was part of Trump's overall $4.8 trillion budget proposal, which he unveiled Monday.
According to the Congressional Fire Services Institute, Trump made the following recommendations:
- U.S. Fire Administration spending would be $49.7 million, an increase from last year's $46.8 million.
- Funding for Assistance to Firefighters and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grants would be reduced to $344.3 million each, down from $355 million each the previous year.
- Spending for Urban Search and Rescue would remain unchanged at $37.832 million.
Other grant areas affecting the fire agencies, including the Urban Areas Security Initiative and the State Homeland Security Grant Program, would see cuts of around 30 percent to 40 percent, according to the International Association of Fire Chiefs. Volunteer and state fire assistance also would be trimmed, the group added.
Trump's requests do not mean they will be approved by Congress, which "typically follows its own priorities when writing the current year’s appropriations bills," the Congressional Fire Services Institute said in a statement. The IAFC said it will urge lawmakers to fund at the U.S. Fire Administration at $50 million and work to prevent other decreases in funding for fire service-related areas.
Go to the White House's website for a complete look at Trump's budget recommendations.
