DHS Shutdown Expected
This week, the Senate was unable to pass legislation to keep the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) open. Funding for DHS expires in the early morning of February 14. Based on the federal government shutdown last fall, the National Fire Academy is expected to be closed, and we expect that there will be a delay in the application periods for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program, the Fire Prevention and Safety grant program, and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program. The IAFC will inform our members of any official notifications from DHS, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); the U.S. Fire Administration, or the NFA.
This shutdown only affects DHS and its components, including FEMA and USFA. The U.S. Departments of Interior, Agriculture, Health and Human Services (including the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services), and Transportation all remain open and fully operational.
House Subcommittee forwards FirstNet Bill to Full Committee
On February 10, the Communications & Technology Subcommittee of the House Energy & Commerce Committee held a markup of the First Responder Network Authority Reauthorization Act of 2026 (H.R. 7386). The bill would extend the federal FirstNet Authority’s operations through September 30, 2037.
This legislation was unanimously adopted via voice vote without amendments and advanced to the full Committee. The full House Energy & Commerce committee must approve it before it goes to the House floor.
The hearing can be viewed 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.