WASHINGTON, D.C. – The House of Representatives Wednesday passed the Fire Grants and Safety Act, 393 to 13.
A bipartisan, bicameral bill introduced by Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) and co-led by Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. (NJ-09), the co-chairman of the House Fire Services Caucus, this bill will support and advance firefighter and first responder services across the nation.
This bill incorporates language from H.R. 4090, the Fire Grants and Safety Act, a bill Congressman Kean championed through the House Science, Space and Technology Committee.
The Fire Grant and Safety Act will provide a five-year reauthorization for the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), the Assistance to Firefighter Grants (AFG) Program, and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grant (SAFER) Program.
The bill’s original cosponsors include House Science Committee Chairman Frank Lucas (OK-03), Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (CA-19), Research and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Mike Collins (GA-10), Research and Technology Subcommittee Ranking Member Haley Stevens (MI-11), Rep. Jared Golden (ME-02), and Congressional Fire Services Caucus Co-Chairs Rep. Steny Hoyer (MD-05), Rep. Michael Bost (IL-12), and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01).
“All across the country, firefighters and EMS personnel work through danger and uncertainty every day to protect their neighbors. As a former volunteer firefighter, I know the hardships and sacrifices firefighters and EMTs make daily to quickly respond to emergencies,” Kean said. “I thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for the overwhelming bipartisan support. We are one step closer to ensuring that our firefighters have the proper training and equipment to continue protecting our communities. This bill will reauthorize federal grants and programs for local fire departments which will help protect families in New Jersey and nationwide.”
“When I came to Congress, fire departments across America were literally holding bake sales to pay for their gear,” Pascrell said. “The Assistance to Firefighter Grants were the first program to send federal dollars directly to fire departments. Since their creation, the AFG and SAFER programs have provided over $14 billion to fire departments and first responders from coast-to-coast. They have saved countless lives. This critical legislation will ensure our government continues to give firefighters the help they need to protect us. God bless them.”
Congressman Kean serves on the House Science, Space and Technology Committee.
