Bill Overview
Title: Fire Grants and Safety Act
Description: This bill reauthorizes through FY2030 the U.S. Fire Administration, the Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program, and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grant Program.
Sponsors: Rep. Golden, Jared F. [D-ME-2]
Target Audience
Population: Firefighters and associated safety personnel
Estimated Size: 1000000
- The bill will impact firefighters across the United States because it involves programs specifically designed to support firefighting operations.
- The U.S. Fire Administration provides leadership and grants for fire prevention, so increasing its duration and funding will directly benefit firefighters and those working in fire safety roles.
- The Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program is a major funding source for fire departments to obtain equipment, training, and support.
- The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Program is aimed at ensuring fire departments have the necessary number of trained personnel.
- The overall population of people impacted includes firefighters, firefighting personnel, and by extension, communities that benefit from improved firefighting services.
Reasoning
- The policy will directly impact the wellbeing of firefighters and personnel in fire safety through improved funding and support, which in turn enhances their ability to perform their duties effectively and safely.
- By focusing on the funding and staffing needs, firefighters can experience less stress and better resources, directly affecting their job satisfaction and personal wellbeing.
- Communities will also benefit from enhanced fire prevention and control capabilities, which contributes to overall public safety.
- Although the primary beneficiaries are firefighters, secondary impacts will be felt by the communities they serve, reducing the risk and severity of fire-related incidents.
Simulated Interviews
Firefighter (Sacramento, CA)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe the increased funding will greatly help our department, especially in acquiring better equipment.
- It would mean a lot to have more trained personnel on call.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Fire Safety Educator (Chicago, IL)
Age: 42 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This will allow us to extend outreach programs and increase awareness in the community.
- More funding means more resources for educating the public.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Volunteer Firefighter (Austin, TX)
Age: 29 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I really hope these grants improve the volunteer training programs.
- This could make a meaningful difference for volunteers like me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
Fire Chief (Detroit, MI)
Age: 51 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- We have been understaffed for too long, this policy might finally let us hire the required number of firefighters.
- It's crucial for both safety and efficiency.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Fire Equipment Technician (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 37 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Efficient equipment is critical, and increased funding should help ensure everything works properly.
- This policy sounds like a step in the right direction.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Paramedic (New York, NY)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Our collaboration with firefighters is crucial and any improvement in their resources is beneficial.
- More secure staffing means better emergency response times.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Retired Firefighter (Boise, ID)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having witnessed budget struggles during my service, I'm optimistic seeing these programs get more support.
- I hope it addresses the critical gaps in firefighting resources.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Firefighter Recruit (Miami, FL)
Age: 24 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As a new recruit, I'm hopeful this policy provides more opportunities for training and specialization.
- This could help shape a more prepared firefighting force.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Volunteer Fire Department Chief (Rural Alabama)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- We rely heavily on these federal grants to maintain our operations in rural areas.
- Increased assistance is crucial for rural community safety.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 2 |
Fire Department Administrator (Dallas, TX)
Age: 39 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 12.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- With increased funding, our budget constraints might finally feel less burdensome.
- Better resource allocation means smoother operations and safety improvements.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $1000000000 (Low: $900000000, High: $1200000000)
Year 2: $1000000000 (Low: $900000000, High: $1200000000)
Year 3: $1000000000 (Low: $900000000, High: $1200000000)
Year 5: $1000000000 (Low: $900000000, High: $1200000000)
Year 10: $1000000000 (Low: $900000000, High: $1200000000)
Year 100: $1000000000 (Low: $900000000, High: $1200000000)
Key Considerations
- Funding levels in previous years for these programs should be assessed for determining continuity and potential enhancements.
- Local and state-level fiscal capacity to sustain fire department operations without federal support must be considered.
- The effectiveness of existing grant program outcomes as a benchmark for continued investment.