House Votes to Restore Grant Funds
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Funding for SAFER and AFG was restored by the House of Representatives on Wednesday by an overwhelming margin.
The amendment restores funds to AFG by $200M and SAFER, $150M, according to David Finger, director of government relations for the National Volunteer Fire Council. The grants are available to eligible fire departments and non-affiliated emergency medical services agencies. Grant information is available at www.fema.gov/firegrants/.
Each program is now ear-marked to receive $335M.
"This is the first step," Finger said. "We’re pleased with the vote. But, there is no bill yet in the Senate."
The amendment to the FY 2012 Homeland Security Appropriations Act that passed 333-87 was introduced by U.S. Reps. Steven C. LaTourette (R-OH) and Bill Pascrell (D-NJ).
On May 18, the Fire Grants Reauthorization Act of 2011 was approved by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.
It is the first step in the process as it makes its way through Congress.
The same committee passed a similar measure during the last session.
The bill that will authorize funding for SAFER, Fire Prevention and Safety and AFG has not been introduced in the House.
The legislation was introduced by Senators Susan Collins, R-Maine; Joe Lieberman, D-Conn.; Tom Carper, D-Del.; and Scott Brown, R-Mass.
Collins, Lieberman, and Carper are co-chairs of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus.
