$750 Million Approved for FIRE Act Grant Program in FY 2003

WASHINGTON, DC -- On February 22, 2003, President Bush signed the $397 billion FY 2003 Omnibus appropriations bill that will fund every area of the U.S. government except the Pentagon and finally wrap up the stalled 2003 federal budget process more than four months after the fiscal year began on October 1. Included in the bill was $750 million for the Assistance to Firefighters (FIRE Act) Grant Program.

 

"The NVFC commends the Appropriators who clearly saw the role this program plays in providing basic equipment and training to America's fire service," said NVFC Chairman Philip C. Stittleburg. "The large increase in funding will not only help to prepare firefighters for daily emergency incidents, but it will help them become better prepared to deal with large-scale disasters, including terrorist attacks."

 

Of the $360 million appropriated for the grant program in 2002, FEMA received 19,500 requests for funding totaling $2.2 billion. Funds were awarded in a total of four categories including Fire Operations and Fire Safety, Fire Prevention, Emergency Medical Services, and Fire Fighting Vehicles.

 

The fire service must now quickly shift its sights to FY 2004 budget process which is already underway. President Bush released the Administration's FY 2004 budget on February 3, which overall included over $3.5 billion to ensure that first responders are properly trained and equipped. Of these funds, $500 million is specifically earmarked for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program. Although the $500 million is well short of the $900 million that is authorized, this is a victory for the fire service due to the fact that the program has never been in the President's budget.

 

However, the Administration has proposed to move the FIRE Grant program out of FEMA/USFA and into the Office of Domestic Preparedness (ODP), formerly part of the Department of Justice now in the Border and Transportation Security directorate of the Department of Homeland Security. The NVFC is very concerned about this proposed shift and is working to ensure that the program remains successful and has strong fire service input at all levels. In addition, the NVFC and the other fire service groups in Washington will continue to work with Congress to increase funding to the $900 million level.

 

The application period for the 2003 Assistance to Firefighter grant program is tentatively scheduled to begin March 3rd and run through April 4th. USFA is also currently holding grant workshops around the country to explain the program to fire service personnel. To view the schedule of workshops, go to: http://www.usfa.fema.gov/dhtml/inside-usfa/03wrkshps.cfm