IAFF-endorsed Fire Grants and Safety Act passes Senate

Legislation to reauthorize AFG/SAFER grant funding now heads to the President’s desk after long fight on Capitol Hill.

June 18 • 2024

A bill to reauthorize millions in grants for recruitment, retention, and new equipment cleared a major hurdle Tuesday when Senators overwhelmingly voted to support America’s fire fighters.  

The United States Senate passed the Fire Grants and Safety Act (S. 870), by a bipartisan 88-2 vote. The bill now goes to President Joe Biden, who is expected to sign the critical funding reauthorization into law. 

“Lives in every state have been saved by AFG and SAFER grants, including the lives of fire fighters,” said General President Edward Kelly. “Communities large and small rely on these grants to hire and retain fire fighters and to ensure they have the equipment and training to do the job as safely as possible.

“The IAFF’s Government Affairs team worked tirelessly, in a very challenging political climate, to get this crucial bill to the finish line.”

Assistance for Firefighters (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants have sent more than $15 billion to fire departments nationwide. Through nearly $700 million in annual funding, local and state departments rely on these grants to hire and retain fire fighters, buy modern equipment, and provide training to keep members safe.

Lives in every state have been saved by AFG and SAFER grants, including the lives of fire fighters. Communities large and small rely on these grants to hire and retain fire fighters and to ensure they have the equipment and training to do the job as safely as possible.

general president edward A. kelly

In Fiscal Year 2022, IAFF-affiliated departments received 70 SAFER grants and more than $286 million, and 400 AFG grants sent over $100 million to IAFF-affiliated departments. 

The Fire Grants and Safety Act also reauthorizes the United States Fire Administration (USFA).

Just last month, the House of Representatives passed S. 870 by a vote of 393-13. The IAFF, other fire service organizations, and dozens of members of Congress endorsed the bill. S. 870 would extend some of the grant funding through Fiscal Year 2028, with other portions extended through Fiscal Year 2030.  

The passage of S. 870 is the result of continuous lobbying from the IAFF to educate and engage with lawmakers about the need for adequate staffing and equipment in America’s fire stations.

“Over the years, these programs have been reauthorized by Republican and Democratic congresses committed to protecting our communities and our fire fighters,” said Kelly. “The IAFF is grateful to Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Susan Collins (R-ME) and Reps. Bill Pascrell (D-NJ) and Thomas Kean (R-NJ) for their leadership in getting the Fire Grants and Safety Act passed. We look forward to President Biden, who has always championed the fire service, signing this act into law.”

To learn more about the IAFF’s work to reauthorize AFG/SAFER grants – and to see other ways our Union is fighting for its members on Capitol Hill and across the nation – click here.