On May 16th, President Biden signed The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 (H.R. 3935) into law. In addition to reauthorizing both the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) through September 2028, there are several provisions in the law that are likely to impact the fire service:
Firefighter Carriage for Wildfire Suppression Efforts
Within 18 months of passage, the FAA Administrator must issue a rule allowing for the carriage of firefighters on firefighting aircraft during wildfire suppression operations. This provision will allow fire departments to use the same mission to transport firefighters and engage in fire suppression operations.
Progress Reports in the National Transition Plan Related to a Fluorine-Free Firefighting Foam
Within six months of passage (and every six months afterwards), the FAA, in consultation with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Defense, must submit to Congress a report detailing the status of the national move towards fluorine-free firefighting foam.
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Resources for Airports
Within 90 days of passage, the FAA, in consultation with the EPA, must create a PFAS replacement program which will be appropriated up to $350 million to reimburse airports for the purchasing of approved fluorine-free firefighting agent, as well as the disposal of previously used foams. Reimbursement is also available for aircraft rescue and firefighting equipment that the FAA determines to be necessarily replaced.
Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Use in Wildfire Response
Within 18 months of passage, the FAA Administrator, in coordination with United States Forest Service and others, must develop a plan concerning UASs in wildfire response efforts. The plan will include recommendations on how to best: (1) identify areas of public land with high potential for wildfires in which UAS operations may be conducted, (2) develop a process to facilitate the safe and efficient operation of UASs in responding to wildfires, and (3) improve the coordination between federal agencies and public safety entities when it comes to using UASs in wildfire response.
Public Safety Use of Tethered UASs
Public safety organizations’ use of tethered UASs is accommodated through language and technical edits that expand the definition of “Public” under the 2018 FAA Reauthorization Act (P.L. 115-254), so that tethered drones may be operated by any public safety organization without obtaining a Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA) under the FAA’s Small UAS Rule (Part 107). These provisions also allow for actively tethered UASs to be flown in zero-grid spaces, providing first responders with the tools they need to efficiently utilize UAS even around airports.
The International Association of Fire Chiefs wants to thank Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), Representative Sam Graves (R-MO), and Representative Rick Larsen (D-WA) for their hard work and dedication in improving the safety and capacity of our nation’s first responders. The Association will continue working to strengthen our membership’s ability to conduct life-saving operations in the safest and most effective ways.