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Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Passes AFG/SAFER Reauthorization Bill

Published Date: 05.24.2011

Amendment to Eliminate the Grants in 2016 Adopted

On May 18, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) favorably reported S. 550, the Fire Grants Reauthorization Act of 2011, which was introduced on March 10 by Senator Joe Lieberman (I-CT) along with original co-sponsors Scott Brown (R-MA), Thomas Carper (D-DE), and Susan Collins (R-ME). The bill would reauthorize the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant programs through 2016. The NVFC joined with other major fire service organizations earlier this year, sending a letter expressing support for S. 550 while raising concerns over certain provisions in the bill.

Before the Committee voted on S. 550 it adopted two amendments offered by Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK). The first amendment would initiate a study on duplicative grants to ensure that there is no overlap between the various programs administered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The second amendment eliminates DHS’ authority to make AFG and SAFER awards after October 1, 2016. This would mean that unless Congress reauthorizes the programs or waives the “sunset” provision, they would cease to exist after that date. The NVFC along with other national fire service organizations opposed the second Coburn amendment.

“I’d like to thank the Committee for developing S. 550 and reporting it favorably so that it can be considered by the full Senate,” said National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) Chairman Philip C. Stittleburg. “At the same time, I am disappointed that even as the Committee acted to reauthorize AFG and SAFER through 2016 that they chose to eliminate the programs after the authorization expires. AFG and SAFER are by far the most significant sources of federal assistance available to the fire and emergency services and play a critical role in ensuring that all departments meet a baseline level of readiness.”

Click here to view the full text of S. 550.

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