The House of Representatives Monday night passed the United States Fire Administration, AFG, and SAFER Program Reauthorization Act (H.R. 4661) under suspension of the rules of the House, which usually is reserved for non-controversial legislation.



The bill would:

Authorize $76.49 million in funding for the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) through Fiscal Year (FY) 2023.

Authorize approximately $750 million each for the Assistance for Firefighters Grant (AFG; also known as the “FIRE grant”) program and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant programs through FY 2023.

Move the “sunset date” for the AFG and SAFER grant programs to September 30, 2024.

Clarify that SAFER grant funds can be used to change the status of part-time firefighters to full-time positions.

Develop online training programs, through USFA, to help fire departments better manage AFG and SAFER grants.

Develop a framework and take measures at the Federal Emergency Management Agency to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse of AFG and SAFER grant programs.

The IAFC thanks Representatives Barbara Comstock (R-VA), Pete King (R-NY), Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ), Dave Reichert (R-WA) and Steny Hoyer (D-MD) for their leadership in passing H.R. 4661.

We also thank all IAFC members who contacted their representatives urging reauthorization of the FIRE/SAFER grant programs.

The IAFC is working to encourage the Senate to pass the legislation this week.