Bipartisan legislation would invest $718 million in construction, restoration grants for America’s fire departments
Tags: Public Safety
U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09), co-chair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, hailed the inclusion of $718 million in funding for Fire Station Construction Grants in today’s budget reconciliation proposal put forth by the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. In June, Rep. Pascrell introduced the Fire Station Construction Grants Act (H.R. 3728) to authorize fire station construction grants administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency for modifying, upgrading, and building fire and EMS department facilities.
“I am overjoyed that our Fire Station Construction Grants Act has been included in the Science, Space, and Technology Committee’s budget reconciliation proposal. Time and time again our firefighters have earned the moniker ‘America’s Bravest.’ We can and must do more to invest in their safety and on-the-job preparedness. Passage of our legislation would be a huge boon for America’s fire services,” said Rep. Pascrell. “Our first responders must have modern, up-to-date infrastructure in order to continue their lifesaving work. I want to thank my friend Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson for working to include our bill in her committee’s reconciliation proposal. As we continue to craft this landmark bill for America’s future, it is imperative that we invest in the safety of those who protect us day in and day out. This is tremendous news for our first responders.”
Reps. Pascrell, Fitzpatrick, and Bost (R-IL-12) introduced the Fire Station Construction Grants Act on June 4, 2021. A copy of the bill can be viewed here. A one-pager on the bill can be viewed here. The legislation has been endorsed by the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI).
Rep. Pascrell is a lifelong supporter of America’s fire services. His Firefighter Investment and Response Enhancement (FIRE) Act provides hundreds of thousands in federal support for New Jersey firefighters each year. He recently celebrated the 20th anniversary of his Assistance to Firefighters Grant program, which has provided $9.25 billion to fire departments nationwide, including $198,500,000 in grants to New Jersey fire departments and $21,835,514 in grants to fire departments in New Jersey’s Ninth Congressional District. Rep. Pascrell helped pass the CARES Act in March 2020, which provided $100 million in funding for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program to help fire departments purchase personal protective equipment and supplies. In 2010, Rep. Pascrell helped secure a $4.5 million American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Fire Station Construction grant, which funded a brand new fire headquarters for the city.
Original source can be found here.
