Legislation and Funding
As part of the FireRescue1 Legislation & Funding topic, we highlight articles that will affect the bottom line of fire department budgets and operations.
Stay current on NIOSH program layoffs, the status of the National Fire Academy and changes to FEMA
SAFER and FP&S grant programs will fund new hires, fire prevention campaigns and firefighter health research for FY 2024
From feedback analysis to data improvements, here’s how agencies can regroup and reapply with better results
Areas of focus included preparing for wildfire and WUI events, managing lithium battery fires, and new approaches to firefighter health and wellness
The Los Angeles City Council’s committee voted to cut 42 Emergency Incident Technician positions from the fire department, a move opposed by interim Fire Chief Ronnie Villanueva
Virginia Beach’s new budget includes pay increases, boosts for public safety salaries, and funding for new firefighters and fire apparatus to ease staffing shortages and burnout
The option to request investigations had been removed from the site following NIOSH layoffs that have since been revoked
FEMA’s planned shift of disaster recovery duties comes as the Trump administration pushes to downsize federal operations, 17 days ahead of a hurricane season expected to bring above-average storm activity
Amid a whiplash of staffing changes, several NIOSH employees received a notice labeled “Recession of Previous Notice of Reduction in Force”
LAFD officials warn that cutting Emergency Incident Technician positions would endanger lives, stressing that the specialized firefighters do far more than drive chiefs
Prepare the next generation of fire service leaders for the challenges of fire department budgets and growth planning
FEMA’s new acting chief, a former Marine, warned staff not to resist upcoming changes and signaled a shift of more responsibility to states during a blunt first meeting
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem told lawmakers her office is working to restore funding to the National Fire Academy, after classes were halted due to Trump Administration cuts
Beyond the widely publicized cuts to FEMA, the budget would eliminate two programs that help communities fund apparatus and stations
The bill would cover tuition for firefighters, paramedics and other first responders after six years of service and their dependents after 10 years
As wildfire risk grows, experts warn that America isn’t investing enough in the teams who can help prevent them
The new Federal Wildland Fire Service would consolidate USDA and DOI fire programs into one command under the Interior Department
Federal lawmakers are calling the move to fire 16 staff members a betrayal of those who risked their lives in the aftermath of 9/11
After more than a decade without one, the Godfrey Fire Protection District received a new fire truck that arrived fully built
The Stevensville Town Council approved a payment to grant writers for an AFG application that would fund 127 new radios for Ravalli County fire departments
Millions in funding are now available to support prevention, treatment and recovery programs
Rhode Island’s congressional delegation joined Warwick fire officials to celebrate a $1 million federal grant that funded 72 new self-contained breathing apparatus units
Dr. John Howard has yet to be reinstated as head of the WTC Health Program, as many staff remain without jobs—“a shell game,” says FDNY Chief Medical Officer Dr. David Prezant
Cuts by the Department of Health and Human Services sidelined 185 workers in Morgantown and idled 10,000 scientists nationwide
Mount Pleasant, N.C. was set to receive $4 million for storm protection and revitalization before FEMA scrapped the BRIC program, leaving critical projects in limbo nationwide.
IAFF President Ed Kelly says talks with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have heightened attention on saving some firefighter health and safety programs
The bipartisan FEMA Review Council, now co-chaired by Kristi Noem and Pete Hegseth, will lead efforts in reforming and streamlining the nation’s emergency response system
The Los Angeles Fire Department’s Bureau of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion faces major cutbacks as Mayor Karen Bass proposes folding it into another division amid political pressure and budget cuts
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