The tenacity of firefighters and responders paid off Tuesday when President Joe Biden signed a law reauthorizing federal funding.
"Today, I signed the Fire Grants and Safety Act, a bill that'll allow our communities to hire more firefighters and provide first responders with the safety they deserve," Biden said.
Leaders from the various fire service organizations came together to lobby legislators on noth sides of the aisle to pass the measure that extended the FIRE Act and SAFER programs. Without it, the grants would have ended on Sept. 30.
Specifically, according to Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI) officials, the bill Biden signed:
- Reauthorizes the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant programs through fiscal year 2028,
- Reauthorizes the U.S. Fire Administration through fiscal year 2028, and
- Extends the sunset date for AFG and SAFER to September 30, 2030
Biden got the bill after the Senate passed it 88-2 in mid June while the measure passed by a 393-13 vote in the House.
