WASHINGTON, DC – In an effort to help Rhode Island fire departments purchase vital equipment and fire trucks, and incentivize recruitment, hiring, and retention of firefighters, the U.S. Senate today passed the Fire Grants and Safety Act.  The measure now goes to President Joe Biden’s desk to be signed into law.

This legislation, supported by U.S. Senator Jack Reed, will extend federal programs that help support local fire departments around Rhode Island and across the country. The bill reauthorizes through 2028 the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program, the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program, and the United States Fire Administration (USFA). The programs were set to expire this year and are used by local fire departments to address staffing needs, purchase equipment, develop fire training and education programs, and improve emergency medical services.

“Rhode Island’s fire departments play an essential role in supporting our communities, enhancing public safety, and saving lives.  Federal AFG and SAFER grants help them do their jobs more effectively and improve public safety. I am pleased that Congress was able to come together on a bipartisan basis to pass this bill and help local fire departments continue to meet their equipment, training, and staffing needs,” said Senator Reed, a senior member of the Appropriations Committee.

Congress appropriated $648 million for the AFG and SAFER programs in the fiscal year 2024 appropriations law.

AFG grants help firefighters and other first responders obtain critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training and other resources necessary for protecting the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards.

SAFER grants are used to help hire frontline firefighters and assist local fire departments comply with staffing, response, and operational standards established by the National Fire Protection Association.

Over the last two years, Rhode Island fire departments and other first responders across the state were awarded $27.8 million in federal funding through AFG and SAFER grant funding.  Local fire departments that recently received federal funding under these programs include Cranston; Cumberland; East Greenwich; Narragansett; Newport; Pawtucket; Portsmouth; Smithfield; West Warwick; Woonsocket; and more.

Senator Reed leads annual fire grant workshops for fire departments across the state to help them compete for these federal funds.  Visiting fire stations across the state, Senator Reed has seen firsthand how these federal funds are put to good use by local fire departments.

The bill reauthorizes $95 million for USFA – a nearly $20 million increase from current authorized levels, and extends the authorization for the SAFER and AFG programs through fiscal year 2028.