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.
Baraboo will receive USDA funding to build a main 39,000-square-foot fire and EMS facility and a smaller satellite station to improve emergency response coverage
With ambulances and fire trucks breaking down and outdated vehicles straining city services, new legislation would require an annual fleet report to assess the scope of the problem and guide future investments
Pennsylvania’s emergency director urged FEMA to reconsider policy changes that could raise aid thresholds and cost shares, risking future disaster relief for the state
Officials hope the project will attract more people to public safety careers and encourage them to stay in Bergen County and Hackensack, County Executive Jim Tedesco said
The Office of Management and Budget withdrew its spending freeze just two days after issuing the order
Public safety leaders need to evaluate the impact of executive orders and policy pronouncements on their departments and communities
Here is an action plan for assessing the impact of the Trump administration’s temporary freeze on federally funded grants and a federal judge blocking that order
Administration officials said the decision to halt loans and grants was necessary to ensure that spending complies with President Donald Trump’s recent executive orders
“FEMA has been a very big disappointment,” Trump said to reporters before leaving to visit hurricane and fire-damaged states
As President Donald Trump prepares to visit the wildfire-ravaged state, he’s focusing on the state’s water policies, threatening to withhold disaster aid unless changes are made
Highlighting the agency’s work, from the NERIS launch to international engagement
Similar to a hiring freeze Trump put in place eight years ago, officials worry the order will impact the federal government’s ability to hire seasonal wildland firefighters
Fire chiefs speak out about the controversial law that ties state funding to a transit, housing requirement for municipalities
The Board of Forestry and Fire Protection said it’s still in “the pre-rulemaking phase” while it finds money to alleviate the potential costs under the new requirements
A looming $2 trillion budget reduction means we will need to preserve funding streams where we can
The new plan, led by the Plaistow Fire Department, mirrors the former ALS service with additional benefits, including cost savings and enhanced training
Recruitment, the opioid epidemic, climate change and mental health challenges are just as significant for firefighters now as they were in the heat of the campaign
“By reducing the stigma surrounding suicide and expanding support for at-risk veterans and first responders, New York is leading the way,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said
Chief Kristin Crowley reportedly told staff she expected to be fired at her meeting with Mayor Karen Bass
A force of for-hire professionals is on the firelines for insurance companies and wealthy property owners
While Mayor Karen Bass’ budget called for a 2.7% reduction, she was also working on separate provisions that would grow the department by 7%
With Los Angeles fire departments stretched to their “maximum limits,” it’s time to once again ask how we got here
Fire Chief Kristin Crowley wrote in a Dec. 4 memo that “the reduction has severely limited the department’s capacity to respond to large-scale emergencies”
Know the newest fire- and EMS-related laws
The new law eliminates provisions that reduced benefits for retired police officers, firefighters, teachers and other public servants, offering retroactive and future payment increases
Five townships will be joining the South Madison Fire Protection Territory
Scottsdale officials approved 5% increases in a seven-step program
Former Londonderry Fire Chief Bo Butler chose to give up his job in October 2024 instead of reducing firefighter staffing to save money
The former president was instrumental in the creation of FEMA, pushing for heightened emergency response capabilities
Millions of first responders and other public employees would soon see a boost in their monthly payments after Congress repealed decades-old reductions
82% of U.S. fire departments are all or mostly volunteer and, often, their funding depends on people stepping up to help
The bill would repeal two policies that reduce or restrict Social Security benefits for retired first responders and other public employees
The Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-Ion Batteries Act is expected to be passed by Congress in the coming days
MOST POPULAR
- 9/11 first responders: Forged by fire and smoke
- President Trump appoints new members to FEMA Review Council
- Social Security Fairness Act awaits president’s signature
- ‘Restore classes immediately’: Fire service leaders urge action after NFA training cancellations
- ‘Don’t let USFA go back in the shadows’: Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell’s message to fire service leaders