U.S. Fire Administration

The United States Fire Administration (USFA) provides training and education for emergency services personnel and the public. USFA also performs research and collects data specific to the fire service and fire service activities. The long-term health of USFA and its National Fire Academy are critical to the fire service.

 

USFA was reauthorized by Congress in September of 2008. The NVFC worked closely with the House and Senate sponsors to help develop and ensure final passage of the reauthorization, which runs through 2012 and contains several important provisions, including: an increase in authorized funding for USFA; establishes that activities in wildland fire, emergency medical services, urban search and rescue and hazardous materials are core elements of USFA’s mission; and updates the National Fire Incident Reporting System.

 

USFA received $44.98 million in FY 2009, much lower than the $70 million authorized but more than the $40.9 million the President had requested and a $1.6 million increase from FY 2008. For FY 2010, the President requested $45.59 million for USFA, the funding level adopted in the House and Senate versions of the Homeland Security Appropriations Act. The President has requested $45.93 million for USFA in FY 2011.

 

While we have seen enormous increases in overall homeland security spending in recent years, USFA’s funding level has actually been slightly reduced over the same period, causing the agency to struggle in executing its core mission. The NVFC is pleased to see the recent upward trend in funding for USFA, although we continue to support full funding.