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.
FEMA workers who joined a 180-signature letter warning that staff and budget cuts imperil disaster response have been put on indefinite paid leave
Without protective equipment, wildland firefighters will continue to pay the price with their health
The “Katrina Declaration and Petition to Congress” calls out reductions to CERT, the National Fire Academy and hazard grants as weakening national disaster readiness
Tim Burns, a 32-year veteran, died months after a state bill was passed compensating firefighters who contract work-related cancer
The 2017 U.S. government federal spending plan also sustains USFA funding and increases allocation for Urban Area Security Initiative and the USAR system
The legislation would give departments the ability to charge, but not mandate a fee
The restriction would remove the presumption if a firefighter failed to use, or improperly used, protective equipment
The bill decreases plan benefits and lowers future investment yield targets
The bill decreases plan benefits and lowers future investment yield targets
Governor Nathan Deal called the bill “a great solution to the situation”
Firefighters will have to pay more into the system while accepting benefits reductions
Opponents noted that the responders aren’t trained to handle firearms in high-stress environments
Houston is facing about $8 billion in unfunded pension liabilities
Unions representing paid firefighters argued that all firefighters, regardless of status, should be certified
The program, which could address the shortage of volunteer firefighters and rescue personnel, would likely cost $2 million
The state measure would guarantee access to a behavioral health counselor trained to deal with issues facing responders
The funds will be used to purchase wildland gear, equipment and all-terrain and utility vehicles
Sustainment of a project beyond the period of grant funding is a sign of a wise investment for a project funder
Officials said they would be allowed to carry in restricted areas only
Maryland law makes it illegal to provide medical care to an animal without a veterinary license
The system is set to become insolvent within 10 years unless lawmakers agree to major changes
The polycarbonate panels allow for views into abandoned buildings; crews say the panels are difficult to break through during a fire
House Bill 982 would allow firefighters and EMTs with handgun licenses to carry a gun
The grant programs are currently authorized through the end of the current fiscal year
Lawmakers said “presumptive” was too subjective and broad; one of the lawmakers who opposed the bill is a former firefighter and fire chief
The court found that the state’s evidence against Mansur Shakirov fell short of proving beyond a reasonable doubt that he caused the death of Chris Brown
The initial 1979 order stemmed from a complaint against the departments’ hiring practices, citing discrimination against minorities and women
While not specifically seeking to eliminate or reduce grant funding, the president’s budget is not specific enough to rule out either
Seven firefighter and police officer widows have been waiting for at least a year for their share of benefits under the Line of Duty Compensation Act
Mike Rawlings plans to testify about his opposition to the long-in-the-works bill
The bill would allow a firefighter or paramedic who has a concealed weapon permit to get certified as a “school first responder”
Capt. Jon Sprague was fired for sending emails related to a religious group he led to colleagues using the department’s email system
The ruling said the state doesn’t have a legal duty to protect property from naturally caused wildfires
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