Most Federal Agencies Funded; DHS Only Funded Through February 13
On February 3, Congress passed legislation (P.L. 119-75), which President Trump signed, to fund most of the federal agencies, including programs like the National Firefighter Registry for Cancer, the Federal Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation & Prevention Program, and the Pipeline & Hazardous Materials Safety Administration until September 30. The bill also extends the ambulance add-on payments for the transport of Medicare patients until January 1, 2028.
Unfortunately, funding for the U.S. Fire Administration, National Fire Academy, and Assistance to Firefighters and SAFER grant programs was only extended until February 13, due to controversies over Immigration & Customs Enforcement’s activities in Minneapolis. The IAFC will continue to work to secure long-term funding for fire service programs at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
House Subcommittee Holds Hearing on FirstNet Authority
On February 4, the Communications & Technology Subcommittee of the House Energy & Commerce Committee held a hearing on “Evaluating FirstNet: Performance, Accountability, and Reauthorization.”
The witnesses were:
- Sheriff Michael Adkinson, Acting Board Chair, First Responder Network Authority, and Sheriff, Walton County, Florida
- Scott Agnew, President of FirstNet and Public Safety Mobility, AT&T
- Michael Dame, Associate Administrator, Office of Public Safety Communications
- National Telecommunications and Information Administration
The hearing can be watched on the committee's website. The IAFC is in negotiations with the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation to pass legislation to preserve the federal FirstNet Authority.