Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI) - Experts & Thought Leaders

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) joins with other national fire service organizations to strongly oppose proposed cuts to the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants. The Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants programs provide critical funding to help fire departments secure needed equipment, training, and staffing to adequately protect their communities. Opposition to proposed cuts to AFG and SAFER grants On July 27, the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee voted to report legislation to cut these vital programs On July 27, the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee voted to report legislation to cut these vital programs. The FY 2024 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill would cut these programs to US$ 338 million each, a US$ 22 million reduction from FY 2023. The House of Representatives version of the bill would maintain funding for these programs at US$ 360 million each in FY 2024. AFG and SAFER grants offer a lifeline to fire and EMS The AFG and SAFER grants provide a lifeline to fire and EMS departments across the nation, as they face challenges, such as expanding missions, increased costs, and staffing shortages. The NVFC, International Association of Fire Chiefs, International Association of Fire Fighters, Congressional Fire Services Institute, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, and National Fire Protection Association have released a joint statement calling upon Congress to restore this critical funding. National fire service organizations call for action The national fire service organizations call for action by letting the Senators and House Representatives know of the importance to protect the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants. Use the National Volunteer Fire Council’s Action Center to easily send a message to the legislators now.

Homeland Security Secretary, Alejandro N. Mayorkas and U.S. Fire Administrator, Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell delivered remarks during the 42nd National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) Memorial Weekend on May 7, 2023, in Emmitsburg, Maryland, USA. The Homeland Security Secretary and the U.S. Fire Administrator paid tribute to the 79 firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2022 and 65 firefighters who died in previous years.  Paying tribute to fallen firefighters The emergencies to which a fire fighter responds are varied as a life can be" “The emergencies to which a fire fighter responds are varied as a life can be. One thing is constant throughout it all: the qualities of courage, devotion to duty, service and sacrifice that define the character of a fire fighter,” the U.S. Homeland Security Secretary, Alejandro N. Mayorkas stated during his remarks. Secretary Mayorkas adds, “Rare is the individual who runs toward danger and rarer still, is the individual who does so only to help others. That is the fire fighter. That is the 144 fallen heroes we honor this weekend, the heroes who gave their lives to save others.” Fires are a rising threat to homeland security Homeland Security Secretary, Alejandro N. Mayorkas also stated that fires are increasingly a threat to homeland security, and firefighters need the personnel, tools, training and resources to be prepared to face these challenges. Secretary Mayorkas said, “Our Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) and Assistance to Firefighter Grants programs provide funds directly to fire departments to hire, maintain, equip and train frontline personnel.” SAFER and Assistance to Firefighter Grants programs This year we will award US$ 684 million through these two grant programs" Alejandro N. Mayorkas adds, “This year we will award US$ 684 million through these two grant programs, helping fire departments like the College Park Volunteer Fire Department here in Maryland, which is using grant funding to grow its program to attract and retain firefighters.” U.S. Fire Administrator - Dr. Moore-Merrell remarked on the bravery and service of firefighters and paramedics, and encouraged all those who had lost loved ones in the line of duty to never forget their impact. Firefighter and paramedics are a special breed “Firefighter and paramedics are a special breed - you know that. Many times, I have asked them, ‘Why do you do this? Why did you become a firefighter?’ Their response far and above is ‘To serve others,’” remarked Administrator Moore-Merrell, adding “Today, I encourage you to remember the good in your firefighter. Remember the laughs, a meal that you had with them, perhaps a gift they gave you.” Dr. Moore-Merrell continues, “Remember the influence and impact they had on your life, whether you were family, a close friend, or even an acquaintance. Remember how they made you feel when they spoke or laughed. Remember their service and the hope they gave to others.” The Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend The Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend is partly supported by a grant from the Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance and in partnership with the U.S. Fire Administration, a component of the Department of Homeland Security. Alejandro N. Mayorkas met and led a discussion with the fire service leaders on the U.S. Fire Strategy Before delivering his remarks, Homeland Security Secretary, Alejandro N. Mayorkas met and led a discussion with the fire service leaders on the U.S. Fire Strategy and its goals, including preparing firefighters for climate driven changes, establishing a cancer strategy, investing in a national recruitment and retention program, providing behavioral wellness resources, implementing and enforcing codes and standards and elevating the fire service to a national level of visibility. Fire service leaders present for the meeting Fire service leaders in the meeting included: Ron Siarnicki; NFFF Executive Director, Troy Markel; NFFF Board Chair, Bill Webb; NFFF Board Vice-Chair and CFSI Executive Director, Donna Black; President, International Association of Fire Chiefs, John Butler; Vice-President, International Association of Fire Chiefs, Pat Morrison; International Association of Fire Fighters, Kevin Quinn; Vice-Chair, National Volunteer Fire Council, Jim Pauley; President & Chief Executive Officer (CEO), National Fire Protection Association, Victor Stagnaro; NFFF Managing Director. After the meeting, U.S. Fire Administrator - Dr. Moore-Merrell accompanied Secretary Mayorkas to the September 11th memorial on campus through the brick Walk of Honor and to the National Fallen Firefighters Monument. Nationwide effort to honor USA's fallen firefighters The U.S. Congress created the federation to lead a nationwide effort to honor America's fallen firefighters. The mission is to honor America's fallen fire heroes, support their families, colleagues and organizations and reduce preventable firefighter death and injury.

The Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI) is announcing an official Call for Proposals for the 2021 National Fire and Emergency Services Symposium. The Symposium is scheduled for April 28th and 29th in conjunction with the 32nd Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner. Seminar proposals must meet the following criteria to be considered: Topic: Seminars should focus on topics related to federal government policies and programs, or other topics that are national in scope, meaning they affect the broader fire and emergency services industry all across the country. Seminars intended solely to promote for-profit programs and activities that specifically benefit an organization will not be considered. Presenters: Presentations may be made by an individual presenter or a panel. If submitting a panel, please provide a complete list of panelists and the moderator. Organizational Affiliations: Where applicable, proposed presenters, panelists, and moderators should represent a diversity of national organizations and fire service disciplines. Length: Seminars are limited to 50 minutes in length. Due Date: Proposals must be submitted to CFSI no later than November 20, 2020. Proposals can be submitted here. Proposed seminar guidelines Applicants must agree to work with CFSI to finalize participants and promote the seminars series Proposals must include the following information: Seminar title. Description of seminar. Please explain the objectives of the presentation and list at least three takeaways that attendees will have at the conclusion of the presentation (minimum 200-word narrative). Alignment with CFSI mission. Please provide a statement explaining how the proposed seminar aligns with CFSI’s mission to serve as a bridge between the fire and emergency services and the federal government, and/or advance the readiness and response capabilities of all first responders. Presenter information. Please provide the names of presenters or panelists and moderators with biographical information (minimum 200 words per biography). Description of organization. For any presenter representing or affiliated with an organization, please provide a description of the organization, its mission, etc. as well as a link to the organization website (minimum 200 word description for each organization). Media contact. Please provide contact information (including name, phone number, and email address) for a person who will work with CFSI to promote the seminar and the 2021 National Fire and Emergency Services Symposium and Dinner via social media, distribution to relevant followers, etc. Primary point of contact. Please provide a primary point of contact for the submission, including name, phone number, and email address. All proposals will be reviewed by CFSI’s staff and the Programmatic Subcommittee of CFSI’s National Advisory Committee. Incomplete proposals will not be considered. Applicants must agree to work with CFSI to finalize participants, produce relevant materials, and promote the seminars series. CFSI reserves the right to make changes to panelists and seminar content.

Two grant programs designed to address staffing, equipment, training, and health and safety needs of firefighters are scheduled to ‘sunset’ in 2024 unless Congress reauthorizes the grant programs, and funding for the programs will run out unless Congress endows them for another year. Legislation to extend the programs has already passed the U.S. Senate. The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program provides funding to hire additional personnel to maintain safe staffing levels in fire departments. The Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program pays for equipment, training and other fire department needs. Together, they ensure the readiness of 30,000 fire departments across the U.S. to respond to more than 30 million emergency calls annually. Introducing bipartisan legislation U.S. Senator Gary Peters, Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, introduced bipartisan legislation to reauthorize SAFER and AFG programs, and to provide funding for the United States Fire Administration (USFA). Other authors of the bipartisan legislation are Republican Senators Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska; and Democratic Senator Tom Carper of Delaware in addition to Democrat Peters. The bill was approved by the Senate Homeland Security Committee and then moved to the full Senate Current authorization of funding for all three programs expires in 2023. The bill was approved by the Senate Homeland Security Committee and then moved to the full Senate for consideration. The Senate approved the bill on April 20. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer earlier pledged to pass the Fire Grants and Safety Act of 2023 in the Senate to save the programs. In addition to reauthorizing the programs for another year, the bill extends the sunset from 2024 to 2030. Federal grant programs The bill also extends through 2030 the underlying formula for the authorizations of appropriations for the grant programs; those amounts are calculated by adjusting the amount authorized for 2013 ($750 million) each year to account for inflation. In November 2022, Michigan Congressman Dan Kildee announced legislation in the House to renew the two federal grant programs critical to local departments. The Fire Grant and Safety Act would extend the grants until 2030. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is responsible for the implementation and administration of the grant programs through the Grant Programs Directorate. Modern pumper truck Outfitting one firefighter with protective gear and breathing apparatus can cost $12,000 “These federal grant programs have delivered millions of dollars to departments and municipalities to [provide] the equipment and staffing levels [needed] to respond to fires and countless other emergency calls as safely and efficiently as possible,” said Sam Fresina, President of the New York State Professional Firefighters Association. Fire departments often face budget shortfalls and high costs that prevent them from investing in modern equipment to combat emergencies and keep firefighters safe. For example, a modern pumper truck can cost more than $750,000. Outfitting one firefighter with protective gear and breathing apparatus can cost $12,000. Providing recruitment incentives “Volunteer and combination fire and EMS departments struggle to get the funding they need to keep the lights on, fuel the ambulance, and purchase turnout gear,” said National Volunteer Fire Council Chair Steve Hirsch. “The AFG and SAFER programs are critical to these departments because they allow them to purchase needed equipment and provide recruitment incentives to volunteers to serve their community.” Other organizations supporting reauthorization of the grant programs and extension of the ‘sunset’ include the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), the Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI), the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, the International Society of Fire Service Instructors, the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).