By Bill Carey
EMS1
WASHINGTON — President Biden signed the Fire Grants and Safety Act (S.870) into law, ensuring that the nation’s fire and emergency services can continue to access vital federal support.
Following two years of advocacy by CFSI and our National Advisory Committee members, the AFG and SAFER grant programs will continue to help fire departments nationwide, the Congressional Fire Services Institute stated.
The bill will support fire and EMS first responders by reauthorizing the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant programs through fiscal year 2028; reauthorizing the U.S. Fire Administration through fiscal year 2028, and extending the sunset date for AFG and SAFER to September 30, 2030.
The fire service’s persistence and collaboration with national organizations and many members of Congress were crucial in overcoming numerous hurdles to make the bill a law.
CFSI states it will keep advocating for strong funding for these programs and USFA. Recently, CFSI worked with representatives Bill Pascrell, Mike Bost and Brian Fitzpatrick, House Fire Caucus co-chairs, to secure an additional $7.5 million for AFG and SAFER in the House FY2025 DHS Appropriations Bill. The amendment was accepted, and the bill passed the House in June.
