By Bill Carey
FireRescue1/EMS1
WASHINGTON — The Senate passed the Fire Grants and Safety Act (S.870) by a vote of 88 to 2, on June 18. This bill reauthorizes the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant programs and the United States Fire Administration (USFA0 through FY 2028.
The legislation extended the AFG and SAFER programs’ sunset date to September 30, 2030. The bill is now awaiting the President’s signature. Once signed, these programs will be protected, ensuring continued federal support for fire and emergency services, the Congressional Fire Services Institute stated.
“The core mission of CFSI is consensus building, and for over 24 years, we have worked collaboratively with the other national organizations to preserve and fund these two programs, as well as the United States Fire Administration,” CFSI Executive Director Bill Webb said. “It is our honor to have led this most recent effort to reauthorize AFG, SAFER, and USFA in this challenging political environment.”
The Senate vote marks the culmination of a two-year effort to deliver a reauthorization measure to the White House for the President’s signature.
