Tester Bill to boost firefighting capacity passes Senate
Senator leads bipartisan bill to reauthorize Assistance to Firefighter, SAFER Grants
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News from the office of Senator Tester
U.S. SENATE — As part of his continued effort to support emergency services in Montana and keep communities safe, U.S. Senator Jon Tester recently passed his bipartisan Fire Grants and Safety Act to reauthorize the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) Program, and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Program – both of which provide resources for fire service agencies to improve staffing and purchase equipment.
“Montana’s firefighters are often the first line of defense when disaster strikes, and I’ll always do everything in my power to ensure they have the necessary resources to keep our communities safe,” said Tester. “Firefighters have dangerous jobs, and it’s critical they have the equipment and personnel needed to safely handle emergencies. I’m proud to get this much needed bipartisan bill across the finish line in the Senate, and I’ll keep taking the lead from our firefighters and first responders when it comes to keeping Montana safe.”
Tester’s bipartisan bill will reauthorize the AFG and SAFER Programs, as well as increase funding for the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) through 2030. AFG and SAFER are the main sources of federal funding for firefighters and help departments purchase equipment and increase staffing – and both programs are set to expire in 2024. USFA provides important data, training, education, and more for fire and EMS personnel, and Tester’s bill will increase the authorized funding level for USFA from $76.5 million to $95 million through FY30.
Fire chiefs in Montana praised Tester’s bill, which passed the Senate by a vote of 95-2.
