FEMA Extends FY 2024 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Acceptance Deadline to January 31
Citing “present circumstances, including recent court rulings,” FEMA extended the deadline for accepting the FY 2024 Assistance to Firefighters Grants and the FY 2025 Non-Disaster Grant awards to “January 31, 2026, or the deadline specified in your grant award—whichever is later.”
U.S. Department of Interior Announces U.S. Wildland Fire Service
The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) announced the creation of the U.S. Wildland Fire Service (USWFS). The new agency would consolidate the wildland firefighting capabilities from various DOI agencies, including the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, Office of Aviation Services, and the Office of Wildland Fire. The DOI plans for the new USWFS to “streamline decision-making, improve operational efficiency, and enhance the [DOI]’s ability to respond quickly and effectively to wildfire threats.” Fire Chief Brian Fennessy has been appointed as the Director of the new USWFS.
Senate Passes Legislation to Fund Federal Wildland Fire Programs for FY 2026
On January 15, the Senate passed the FY 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science, Energy and Water Development, and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act (H.R. 6938). The bill includes $1.147 billion for the Department of the Interior’s (DOI) Wildland Fire Management account and $2.426 billion for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Wildland Fire Management account. It also includes $76 million for the State Fire Capacity (State Fire Assistance) program and $21 million for the Volunteer Fire Capacity (Volunteer Fire Assistance) program. The funding for the State and Volunteer Fire Capacity programs is the same as it was in FY 2025. The House previously passed the bill last week and now goes to President Trump for signature.
House Energy and Commerce Committee Advances Communications Legislation
On Thursday, the House Energy and Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Communications and Technology considered major public safety communications legislation. The Next Generation 9-1-1 Act (H.R. 6505) provides a framework for the federal government to upgrade the nation's emergency communications system. This legislation would update and reauthorize federal support for a nationwide transition and provide a pathway to making this happen once funding becomes available. The IAFC supports the bill as a member of the Public Safety Next Generation 9-1-1 Coalition.
The subcommittee also considered the Public Safety Communications Act (H.R. 1519). This bill would create a new Associate Administrator for Public Safety Communications within the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) . This new Associate Administrator would oversee distributing the federal Next Generation 9-1-1 federal grants, but also would manage, supervise, and audit the federal First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet). The IAFC has concerns about how this legislation could affect the current independent status and day-to-day operations of FirstNet, and we look forward to working with Congress to address these concerns.
White House Pulls, then Reinstates SAMHSA Funding
On January 14, the White House abruptly pulled all funding for grants administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), including the SIREN grant program for rural EMS providers. The IAFC engaged with our government partners as the White House reversed the move, reinstating funding for the grant programs. SIREN award recipients should have received notice of reinstatement. The Government Relations & Policy Department continues to monitor SAMHSA grant programs to ensure departments are being paid for their grants.