Last Chance to Apply for AFG/SAFER/FP&S Application Period – Due June 22
The application period for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG); Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response (SAFER); and Fire Prevention & Safety (FP&S) grants ends at 5 PM (Eastern) on June 22. Fire departments can apply for these grants through the FEMA GO platform.
The Notices of Funding Opportunity, application checklists, and other related documents have been released:
CMS Publishes Rule Potentially Capping GEMT Reimbursements
On May 22, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published a proposed rule on Medicaid Program; Medicaid Managed Care State Directed Payments and Medicaid Fee-for-Service Targeted Medicaid Practitioner Payments in the Federal Register. This rule was proposed in response to the Medicaid reforms from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBA; P.L. 119-21). Specifically, it caps most Medicaid add-on payments at the Medicare reimbursement rate. Many EMS leaders are concerned that this rule will cap Medicaid payments under Ground Emergency Medical Transportation (GEMT) programs.
The IAFC Government Relations & Policy Department published a blog post breaking down the potential impact of the proposed rule. The public comment portal for the rule is open until July 21. IAFC members are encouraged to comment on the potential impact of the proposed rule. Members may use the IAFC Action Center to send prewritten comments to the public comment portal.
Senate Expected to Pass Housing Reform Bill with Single Stairway Provisions
On Monday, June 22, the Senate is expected to vote on passage on the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act (H.R.6644). Included in the bill is a provision that directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to create national guidelines for single-stair apartment buildings up to 6 stories. The section does direct the Secretary to consider fire safety considerations and egress impacts when developing these guidelines. Additionally, the section allows the Secretary to award grants for seven years to entities that are studying single stair buildings. These grants can also include those studying the safety of single-stair buildings.
The bill will go back to the House for a final vote.
Nomination Hearing for Mr. Cameron Hamilton to be the FEMA Administrator
On June 17, the U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) held the nomination hearing for Mr. Cameron Hamilton to be the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). In his written statement, Mr. Hamilton highlighted his service with SEAL Team 8; the State Department; and the Department of Homeland Security, where he served as the Director of Emergency Medical Services. Mr. Hamilton also said that, “Ultimately, our country needs a Federal Emergency Management Agency that is agile, responsive, and accountable to the American people.”
If confirmed as FEMA Administrator, Mr. Cameron promised to “return to our roots where disaster response is locally executed, state led and federally supported.” He also promised to build state and local capacity to empower jurisdictions to lead and manage disasters. In addition, he promised to promote resilience through the use of “coordinated programs, guidance, and resources” and “cut red tape within the agency.”
The Senate HSGAC has yet to vote on his nomination.