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President Obama Releases FY 2012 Budget Proposal

February 15, 2011

IAFC On Scene: February 15, 2011

On February 14, President Obama released his fiscal year 2012 budget proposal, which would fund the federal government from October 1, 2011, through September 30, 2012. The federal government currently is funded through a continuing resolution, and Congress must pass legislation to fund the federal government for FY 2011 before March 4.

The proposed budget would include funding to allocate the D Block to public safety and begin construction of a public-safety broadband network. It would also reduce funding for the FIRE Grant Program and USFA and would eliminate the Rural Fire Assistance program.

The budget would also maintain funding for the SAFER Grant Program and increase funding for the Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) and State Homeland Security Grant Programs.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security (In Millions)

The president’s budget request is the first step in the federal budget process. Congress must next consider a budget resolution to set the overall funding priorities and then pass separate appropriations bills to actually fund the federal government in FY 2012. This process will take place over the balance of this year.

The IAFC and other major fire service organizations have asked Congress to appropriate $405 million each for the FIRE and SAFER grants in FY 2011. The IAFC also will work with our allies in Congress to protect funding for important fire service programs, like the U.S. Fire Administration and the FIRE and SAFER Grant Programs.

Ken LaSala is the IAFC’s director of government relations and policy.