On February 2, President Obama released his fiscal year 2016 budget. The $4.066 trillion request must now be considered by Congress.
Here is how the budget request affects fire and emergency service programs:
Homeland Security Funding
In Millions ($)
| Program |
FY 2014 |
FY 2015
(President’s
Request) |
FY 2015
(H.R. 240)
Passed House |
FY 2016
(President’s
Request) |
| USFA |
44.00 |
41.40 |
44.000 |
41.582 |
| FIRE |
340.00 |
335.00 |
340.000 |
335.000 |
| SAFER |
340.00 |
335.00 |
340.000 |
335.000 |
| SHSGP |
466.30 |
* |
467.000 |
* |
| UASI |
600.00 |
* |
600.000 |
* |
| DHS Office of Health Affairs |
126.76 |
125.80 |
129.358 |
124.069 |
| Urban Search and Rescue |
35.18 |
27.50 |
35.180 |
27.513 |
The FY 2015 and FY 2016 budget requests proposed consolidating FEMA’s homeland-security preparedness grants into the National Preparedness Grant program.
The IAFC opposes this consolidation, because it would put control of the grants into the states’ hands without adequate local-government input.
In addition, the FY 2016 budget also recommends language authorizing the extension of the waivers to the requirements for the SAFER Grant program for another year.
Wildland Fire Suppression Funding
In Millions ($)
| Program |
FY 2014 |
FY 2015
(President’s
Request) |
PL 113-235 |
FY 2016
(President’s
Request) |
| DOI Wildland Fire |
740.98 |
793.96 |
804.77 |
805.50 |
| DOI FLAME |
92.00 |
92.00 |
92.00 |
0.00 |
| USDA Wildland Fire |
2,162.00 |
2,265.00 |
2,333.00 |
2,354.00 |
| USDA FLAME |
315.00 |
315.00 |
303.06 |
0.00 |
| Volunteer Fire Assistance |
13.03 |
13.00 |
13.00 |
13.00 |
| State Fire Assistance |
78.00 |
78.00 |
78.00 |
78.01 |
The USDA Wildland Fire Management Account contains a request for $65 million for the acquisition of next-generation aircraft. The FY 2016 budget request also proposes funding 70% of the 10-year average wildland fire suppression costs within the discretionary cap. The remaining 30% would be funded through a budget cap adjustment to the Disaster Relief Fund.
The budget request also proposes eliminating the FLAME Account in order to fully fund wildland-fire operations within the discretionary budget cap and budget-cap adjustments.
Hazardous Materials Response Funding
In Millions ($)
| Program |
FY 2014 |
FY 2015
(President’s
Request) |
PL 113-235 |
FY 2016
(President’s
Request) |
| PHMSA Operational |
21.6 |
22.2 |
22.2 |
21.0 |
| Hazmat Safety |
45.0 |
46.0 |
52.0 |
64.0 |
| Pipeline Safety |
119.0 |
158.0 |
146.0 |
156.0 |
Hazmat Emergency
Preparedness
Grant Program |
28.0 |
28.0 |
28.0 |
28.0 |
The IAFC will support statutory changes to the Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness Grant program to allow for web-based training for hazmat response in addition to in-person training.
The IAFC will fight to protect funding for vital programs, such as the U.S. Fire Administration and the FIRE and SAFER Grant programs.
We urge you to attend the 27th Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner on April 16 and to use that opportunity to meet with your elected senators and representatives to educate them about the importance of these programs.
Ken LaSala is the IAFC's director of government relations and policy.