NVFC Chair Testifies Before Congress on Volunteer Fire/EMS Needs

June 23, 2020

On June 12, NVFC Chair Steve Hirsch testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Science, Space, and Technology at a virtual hearing to investigate the role of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant in COVID-19 response.

Hirsch’s testimony emphasized the challenges that volunteer fire, EMS, and rescue organizations and responders face related to keeping personnel safe and funding shortfalls. He also expressed support for supplemental AFG and SAFER funding to help struggling emergency services agencies, while emphasizing the importance of ensuring that smaller, volunteer-staffed agencies receive an equitable share of any additional money provided to the fire service by Congress.

A recording of the full hearing can be viewed on the committee’s web site.