Assistance to Firefighters Program (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
Revised June 25, 2008 |
| Report Number |
RS21302 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
Lennard G. Kruger, Resources, Science and Industry Division |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
| Older Revisions |
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Premium Revised Feb. 7, 2008 (6 pages, $24.95)
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Premium Revised Oct. 11, 2007 (6 pages, $24.95)
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Premium Revised March 15, 2007 (6 pages, $24.95)
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Summary:
The Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program, also known as the FIRE Act grant program, was established by Title XVII of the FY2001 National Defense Authorization Act (P.L. 106-398). The program provides federal grants directly to local fire departments and unaffiliated Emergency Medical Services (EMS) organizations to help address a variety of equipment, training, and other firefighter-related and EMS needs. A related program is the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Firefighters (SAFER) program, which provides grants for hiring, recruiting, and retaining firefighters. The Administration is proposing $300 million for fire grants in FY2008, a 45% cut from the FY2007 level. No funding is proposed for SAFER grants. The total request for Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) is 55% below the FY2007 level for fire and SAFER grants combined. On June 15, 2007, the House passed the FY2008 Department of Homeland Security appropriations (H.R. 2638), providing $570 million for fire grants and $235 million for SAFER. On July 26, 2007, the Senate passed H.R. 2638, providing FY2008 levels of $560 million for fire grants and $145 million for SAFER. This report will be updated as events warrant.
