The Fire Grants Reauthorization Act of 2011 was approved by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on Wednesday.
It is the first step in the process as it makes its way through Congress.
The same committee passed a similar measure during the last session.
The bill that will authorize funding for SAFER, Fire Prevention and Safety and Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) has not been introduced in the House.
The legislation was introduced by Senators Susan Collins, R-Maine; Joe Lieberman, D-Conn.; Tom Carper, D-Del.; and Scott Brown, R-Mass.
Collins, Lieberman, and Carper are co-chairs of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus.
