April 6, 2017–Four senators have introduced legislation (S 829) to reauthorize the Assistance to Firefighters (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant programs, which are authorized through the end of fiscal year 2017. The legislation was introduced by Sens. John McCain (R., Ariz.), Jon Tester (D., Mont.), Susan Collins (R., Maine), and Tom Carper (D., Del.). “The Assistance to Firefighters (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant programs are immensely successful programs focused on protecting the public and the nation’s fire service,” said Bill Webb, executive director of the Congressional Fire Services Institute. “Given the expanding missions and increased call volumes of fire departments that are necessitating additional equipment, training and staffing, it is absolutely imperative that Congress reauthorize these programs in the First Session of the 115th Congress.”

Courtesy TRDaily