International Association of Fire Chiefs

A Message from the IAFC President - Federal Government Changes

Since taking office, President Trump has executed several Executive Orders as part of his administrations transition into the White House. A number of these Executive Orders have created questions among our members regarding the impact on fire service programs, grants, and federal agencies such as FEMA and the USFA.

Most recently, an Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Memo was issued calling for a temporary pause of agency grant, loan, and other federal financial assistance programs effective on January 28, 2025, at 5 PM. Fortunately, that memo was rescinded. However, this action does not rescind the President's Executive Orders or his direction to the Agency Heads to implement his Executive Orders.

Our IAFC staff have been working with our fire service partner organizations, federal officials, and our IAFC legal counsel to evaluate the Executive Orders to provide me and the IAFC Board of Directors with an overview of the impacts and to develop guidance for our members. However, as additional Executive Orders are issued and others are modified or stayed through court decisions, this has been difficult.

The IAFC is continuing to monitor this very fluid process. We will be implementing a Federal Government Changes resource portal on the front page of the IAFC website on Monday, February 3, 2025. This portal will provide our members with the most current information that we have from the White House and federal agencies, IAFC analysis and guidance, and any other updates or information that we receive. Additionally, as we develop any formal IAFC response or need for legislative action, our IAFC Government Relations staff will reach out directly to our members as we have in the past.

We recognize that the recent flurry of changes at the federal level have left many of our members with many questions and concerns. Rest assured that the IAFC leadership and staff are fully engaged in monitoring and responding to these changes. As soon as we have accurate and reliable information and/or guidance, we will post this information and send out member alerts as needed.

Thank you for your continued service and support of the IAFC!

Sincerely,

Chief Josh Waldo

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