Fairfax, Va., Feb. 13, 2009... This afternoon, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the conference report to H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. This conference report reconciles the differences between the versions of H.R. 1 that had previously passed the House and Senate.
Here are some details on provisions that will benefit America's fire service:
- $210 million for fire station construction, with no grant exceeding $15 million
- The 10-20-50-70 local match for SAFER grants awarded in Fiscal Years 2009 and 2010 have been waived
- $15 million to the U.S. Department of Interior's Bureau of Land Management's "Wildland Fire Management" account for hazardous fuels reduction
- $500 million for the U.S. Forest Service's "Wildland Fire Management" account, of which $250 million is for hazardous fuels reduction, forest health protection, rehabilitation and hazard mitigation activities on federal lands; and $250 million is for state and private forestry activities including hazardous fuels reduction, forest health and ecosystem improvement activities on state and private lands.
- 18.2 percent (approximately $9 billion) of the $53.6 billion State Fiscal Stabilization Fund is designated for state governors to fund public safety and other government services, including elementary and secondary education, and public institutions of higher education
The bill is expected to pass the U.S. Senate, and to be signed into law by President Obama.
The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) is the voice of fire and emergency service leaders around the world. Established in 1873, the IAFC is a powerful network of more than 12,000 chief fire and emergency service officers who are the world's leading experts in firefighting, emergency medical services, terrorism response, hazardous materials, natural disasters, search and rescue, and fire prevention and education.
