WASHINGTON, D.C. – With the sunset deadline fast approaching for fire service grant programs, lobbying to push Congressional legislators for approval has been ramped up.
If Congress fails to pass legislation to reauthorize the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG) and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grant Program (SAFER), the programs will die on Sept. 30.
Adequate funding for the U.S. Fire Administration also is part of the measure.
The urgency was promoted during a virtual meeting Tuesday hosted by the Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI).
"These programs improve response capabilities across all emergency response areas—from fires to medical aid and hazardous materials response. AFG and SAFER are a lifeline to departments of all types—career, combination, and volunteer..." according to a letter signed by more than three dozen fire service organizations.
"As our nation’s fire and emergency service continues to face an ever-growing number of calls for service and all-hazards responses, Congress cannot allow the two largest forms of federal support to disappear. Without these programs, our communities will be ill-prepared to respond to acts of terrorism, natural disasters, and “routine” emergencies like house fires and medical emergencies," they wrote.
But, the letter is not enough, explained Michaela Campbell, director of government affairs at CFSI.
As Congressional staff document correspondence about legislation, she said it’s imperative that fire and rescue personnel as well as departments write letters or e-mails.
To make things easier for those who may not know where to start, CFSI has provided templates as well as contact information. Talking points also are included.
Campbell urged members of the National Advisory Council to immediately reach out to pull out all the stops to inform legislators about how essential the programs are especially to struggling departments.
Advocates are pushing for the funding programs to be included in the FY ’24 spending package currently being debated.
Sean Carroll, governmental affairs chief at the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, reiterated the importance of maintaining the pressure as the number of working days on Capitol Hill is waning.
“This is urgent,” he said, urging people to keep the pressure on save the programs. He added that it can't wait for the annual CFSI event in April.
The funds go directly to departments and other qualified organizations. The applications are peer-reviewed.
In a recent needs assessment conducted by the National Fire Protection Association, authors wrote: “Fire service needs exist for departments of all sizes and in every area, including staffing, training and certification, facilities, apparatus, personal protective equipment (PPE); and health and wellness.”
