On June 27, the U.S. House Appropriations Committee reported its Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Department of Homeland Security appropriations bill.
The bill would fund the following federal fire service programs (In Millions ($))
| Program |
FY 2020
(Enacted> |
FY 2021;
(Enacted> |
FY 2022
(Enacted> |
FY 2023
President's Request |
FY 2023
(Enacted> |
FY 2024
President's Request |
FY 2024
(H.R. 4367) |
| AFG |
455 |
460 |
360 |
370 |
360 |
370 |
360 |
| SAFER |
355 |
560 |
360 |
370 |
360 |
370 |
360 |
| USFA |
46.844 |
49.296 |
53.212 |
60 |
60 |
72.8 |
72.8 |
| UASI |
665 |
705 |
740 |
711.184 |
615 |
711.184 |
615 |
| SHSGP |
560 |
610 |
645 |
616.186 |
520 |
601.186 |
530 |
| US&R |
37.832 |
37.832 |
37.832 |
37.832 |
37.832 |
40.832 |
The bill includes $10 million for the new cloud-based National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS) and an additional $2.5 million to modernize the information technology system at the National Fire Academy.
The bill also would increase funding for the Urban Search and Rescue system by $3 million. The Appropriations Committee asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to review the operational and funding requirements to support the USAR system, and to include sufficient funds in its FY 2025 budget request to support additional training and to maintain or enhance equipment needed for these teams. The committee also encouraged the Office of Response and Recovery to support geospatial urban search and rescue training, planning, and response, including ongoing collaboration with appropriate nonprofit entities, and to continue to explore innovative technology solutions to support disaster response activities.
The FEMA Administrator also would have the authority to waive some of the requirements to the AFG and SAFER grant programs, such as the local cost-share and maintenance of expenditures requirements.
The full House of Representatives has yet to consider the bill. In addition, the Senate has yet to release its companion bill. The IAFC will continue to work to increase funding for federal fire programs in the next fiscal year.
Ken LaSala is the IAFC’s Director of Government Relations & Policy.