Advocating for Fire, EMS Issues Continues while Congress is in Recess
While members of Congress are on summer recess, the lobbying effort to promote important issues facing fire and EMS departments continues.
Funding for vital programs is critical, the Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firefighters Association learned at its annual conference.
Last month, the Senate Appropriations Committee passed the Fiscal year (FY) 2026 Labor/HHS and Education appropriations bill out of committee by a vote of 26-3. The bill contains numerous provisions on firefighter safety and EMS care.
The committee voted to boost the funding for The National Firefighter Registry for Cancer from $5.5 million to $6.5 million. The House committee, however, has not released its figure.
Shuttered for a while earlier this year by the Trump administration, the program is back online, but there have been technical issues.
The Firefighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program was kept at the same funding level -- $3.5 million while the National Personal Protective Technology Lab also was maintained at $21.8 million.
The final allotment is still unknown.
The committee approved a $2 million increase to the SIREN grant program that addresses mental health issues faced by responders.
Ryan Woodward, NVFC chief of legislative and regulatory affairs, told the group there’s also a push for Congress to fund SAFER and AFG programs at $750 million each.
It’s important, he said, that people educate lawmakers about the importance of financially-strapped fire, rescue and EMS departments to receive funds to purchase equipment and hire staffing.
In recent years, while the needs have increased, the programs have taken a hit.
Woodward said he’s keeping tabs on the progress of lawmakers re-introducing the Fire Station Act that would help fund projects that are backlogged due to budget issues.
The previous measure that called for eligible departments to receive a $1 million grant to build or renovate stations so they are compliant with codes. Many, he said, are over 40 years old.
IAFC Government Relations and Policy Director Ken LaSala said there many uncertains in the nation’s capital as there are studies regarding the futures of various programs as well as wildland firefighting.
There’s a move afoot to move the wildland operation from the U.S. Forest Service to the Department of Interior.
The future of the ATF and its responsibilities also are up in the air.
Steve Austin, CVVFA past president, said ATF agents have provided invaluable assistance over the years.
“It would be a loss,” he said.
Another measure that LaSala said he’s monitoring involves AM radios in vehicles.
“The IAFC supports legislation that would require every newly manufactured vehicle to include an AM radio. Some electric vehicle manufacturers have claimed that AM radios cause unnecessary interference. However, this is unproven. First responders rely upon AM radio to disseminate important critical alert information. AM radio’s ability to alert the public is essential in rural areas or at times when other means of communication have failed.”