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.
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
Winston-Salem officials say cutting sick and vacation days could help fund more competitive salaries
Republicans and Democrats sounded the alarm over Kennedy’s plan to gut NIOSH, warning it could cripple the 9/11 health program that thousands of first responders and survivors rely on
The Laramie County Fire Authority is asking for $250,000 in emergency grant funding, warning that without it, local taxpayers could bear the cost of high-interest loans
Facing rising wildfire risk and funding challenges, Santa Clara County will merge its two fire districts this summer
Vital firefighter-focused programs are coming to a screeching halt as a result of the recent NIOSH layoffs, undoing thousands of hours of work by dedicated researchers
The Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program and the WTC Health Program are also casualties in this latest government program reduction in force
Senator Tim Sheehy, a former firefighting pilot and founder of an aerial firefighting company, is pushing for the Forest Service to end its own aircraft inspections, calling them redundant to FAA checks
Thousands of first responders and survivors rely on the WTC Health Program to get treatment related to injuries and illnesses caused by the toxins at Ground Zero
NIOSH faces layoffs of staff working on firefighter safety initiatives like the National Firefighter Registry for Cancer and line-of-duty death investigations
There is really no substitute for face-to-face interaction and connections made during NFA programs, events and social outings
Firefighters, police officers and teachers will see higher Social Security payments starting in April after the repeal of WEP and GPO under the new Social Security Fairness Act
Mayor Frank Davis described the NFA as a backbone of the community, noting that a prolonged shutdown “could have a devastating effect for our little town”
Known as the “American fire service war college,” the National Fire Academy offers advanced fire training to thousands of students each year in a variety of formats
Sterling Firefighter Garrett Ramos’ death highlighted the need for a live-burn training facility that Sterling and Rock Falls firefighters could use
Lawmakers are urging FEMA to reinstate in-person training for first responders after the agency abruptly canceled courses at the National Fire Academy and Emergency Management Institute
With fires now just 4% of incidents, San Jose has shifted toward fees for EMS through Prop 26, which enabled cost recovery for medical care and transport
Built with a voter-approved bond, East Pierce Fire’s new Bonney Lake fire station unites administrative staff and firefighters under one roof
The bill offers first-time homebuyer assistance with $0 down and no monthly mortgage insurance for qualified law enforcement officers, firefighters and EMS providers
Lower Merion Township offers a 100% real estate tax credit to active volunteer firefighters and ambulance personnel who live and own property in the township
After battling cancer and enduring costly treatments, Westport Firefighter Paul Spennato advocates for early detection to protect his fellow firefighters
Trump’s spending bill keeps firefighter pay raises but cuts thousands of federal jobs, raising wildfire concerns
The $1 million custom rig includes dedicated space for command and research functions
With significant change afoot at the national level, perhaps now is the time to reposition the fire service to better recognize – and elevate – our role in government
“The closure of the National Fire Academy is ridiculous,” says Chief Caughey, urging fire service leaders to take action
Lawmakers propose lowering the retirement age for firefighters, citing high job stress and the need to retain public safety employees amid competitive pensions in neighboring states
Milford Fire Chief Anthony Fabrizi spoke in support of legislation that seeks to regain some of what is spent training new firefighters if they leave the department
Fire service leaders must focus on data, not emotion, when make their case for funding, staffing and more
Chief Marc Bashoor told Wolf Blitzer that the training pause will lead to a “degradation in our services”
A new bill could significantly raise wages for incarcerated firefighters, addressing long-standing concerns over low pay while ensuring fair compensation for those risking their lives
Representatives debate FEMA’s role and its impact on communities hit by disaster
The organizations are mobilizing fire service personnel and advocates to contact their elected officials and push for reopening the National Fire Academy
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