S 550 ISRSCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Calendar No. 89CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

112th CONGRESSCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

1st SessionCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

S. 550CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

[Report No. 112-28]CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To improve the provision of assistance to fire departments, and for other purposes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

March 10, 2011CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Mr. LIEBERMAN (for himself, Ms. COLLINS, Mr. CARPER, and Mr. BROWN of Massachusetts, Mr. MCCAIN, and Mr. SANDERS) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental AffairsCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

June 29, 2011CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Reported by Mr. LIEBERMAN, with an amendmentCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic]CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

---

A BILLCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To improve the provision of assistance to fire departments, and for other purposes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ‘Fire Grants Reauthorization Act of 2011’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 2. AMENDMENTS TO DEFINITIONS.

(a) In General- Section 4 of the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 2203) is amended-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) in paragraph (3), by inserting ‘, except as otherwise provided,’ after ‘means’; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) in paragraph (4), by striking ‘Director’ means’ and all that follows through ‘Agency;’ and inserting ‘Administrator of FEMA’ means the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency;’; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) in paragraph (5)-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) by inserting ‘Indian tribe,’ after ‘county,’; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by striking ‘and ‘firecontrol’ and inserting ‘and ‘fire control’; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) by redesignating paragraphs (6) through (9) as paragraphs (7) through (10), respectively; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) by inserting after paragraph (5), the following: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(6) ‘Indian tribe’ has the meaning given that term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b) and ‘tribal’ means of or pertaining to an Indian tribe;’; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) by redesignating paragraphs (9) and (10), as redesignated by paragraph (4), as paragraphs (10) and (11); CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) by inserting after paragraph (8), as redesignated by paragraph (4), the following: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(9) ‘Secretary’ means, except as otherwise provided, the Secretary of Homeland Security;’; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(8) by amending paragraph (10), as redesignated by paragraph (6), to read as follows: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(10) ‘State’ has the meaning given the term in section 2 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 101).’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Conforming Amendments- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) ADMINISTRATOR OF FEMA- The Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 2201 et seq.) is amended by striking ‘Director’ each place it appears and inserting ‘Administrator of FEMA’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) ADMINISTRATOR OF FEMA’S AWARD- Section 15 of such Act (15 U.S.C. 2214) is amended by striking ‘Director’s Award’ each place it appears and inserting ‘Administrator’s Award’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 3. ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTER GRANTS.

Section 33 of the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 2229) is amended to read as follows: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

‘SEC. 33. FIREFIGHTER ASSISTANCE.

‘(a) Definitions- In this section: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) AVAILABLE GRANT FUNDS- The term ‘available grant funds’, with respect to a fiscal year, means those funds appropriated pursuant to the authorization of appropriations in subsection (p)(1) for such fiscal year less any funds used for administrative costs pursuant to subsection (p)(2) in such fiscal year. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) CAREER FIRE DEPARTMENT- The term ‘career fire department’ means a fire department that has an all-paid force of firefighting personnel other than paid-on-call firefighters. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) COMBINATION FIRE DEPARTMENT- The term ‘combination fire department’ means a fire department that has-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) paid firefighting personnel; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) volunteer firefighting personnel. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) FIREFIGHTING PERSONNEL- The term ‘firefighting personnel’ means individuals, including volunteers, who are firefighters, officers of fire departments, or emergency medical service personnel of fire departments. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(5) NONAFFILIATED EMS ORGANIZATION- The term ‘nonaffiliated EMS organization’ means a public or private nonprofit emergency medical services organization that is not affiliated with a hospital and does not serve a geographic area in which the Administrator of FEMA finds that emergency medical services are adequately provided by a fire department. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(6) PAID-ON-CALL- The term ‘paid-on-call’ with respect to firefighting personnel means firefighting personnel who are paid a stipend for each event to which they respond. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(7) VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT- The term ‘volunteer fire department’ means a fire department that has an all-volunteer force of firefighting personnel. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(b) Assistance Program- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) AUTHORITY- In accordance with this section, the Administrator of FEMA may, in consultation with the Administrator of the United States Fire Administration, award-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) assistance to firefighters grants under subsection (c); and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) fire prevention and safety grants and other assistance under subsection (d). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANCE- The Administrator of FEMA shall-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) establish specific criteria for the selection of grant recipients under this section; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) provide assistance with application preparation to applicants for such grants. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(c) Assistance to Firefighters Grants- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- The Administrator of FEMA may, in consultation with the chief executives of the States in which the recipients are located, award grants on a competitive basis directly to-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) fire departments, for the purpose of protecting the health and safety of the public and firefighting personnel throughout the United States against fire, fire-related, and other hazards; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) nonaffiliated EMS organizations to support the provision of emergency medical services; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) State fire training academies for the purposes described in subparagraphs (G), (H), and (I) of paragraph (3). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) MAXIMUM GRANT AMOUNTS- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) POPULATION- The Administrator of FEMA may not award a grant under this subsection in excess of amounts as follows: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) In the case of a recipient that serves a jurisdiction with 100,000 people or fewer, the amount of the grant awarded to such recipient shall not exceed $1,000,000 in any fiscal year. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) In the case of a recipient that serves a jurisdiction with more than 100,000 people but not more than 500,000 people, the amount of the grant awarded to such recipient shall not exceed $2,000,000 in any fiscal year. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iii) In the case of a recipient that serves a jurisdiction with more than 500,000 but not more than 1,000,000 people, the amount of the grant awarded to such recipient shall not exceed $3,000,000 in any fiscal year. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iv) In the case of a recipient that serves a jurisdiction with more than 1,000,000 people but not more than 2,500,000 people, the amount of the grant awarded to such recipient shall not exceed $6,000,000 for any fiscal year. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(v) In the case of a recipient that serves a jurisdiction with more than 2,500,000 people, the amount of the grant awarded to such recipient shall not exceed $9,000,000 in any fiscal year. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) STATE FIRE TRAINING ACADEMIES- The Administrator of FEMA may not award a grant under this subsection to a State fire training academy in an amount that exceeds $1,000,000 in any fiscal year. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) AGGREGATE- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) IN GENERAL- Notwithstanding subparagraphs (A) and (B) and except as provided under clause (ii), the Administrator of FEMA may not award a grant under this subsection in a fiscal year in an amount that exceeds the amount that is one percent of the available grant funds in such fiscal year. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) EXCEPTION- The Administrator of FEMA may waive the limitation in clause (i) with respect to a grant recipient if the Administrator of FEMA determines that such recipient has an extraordinary need for a grant in an amount that exceeds the limit under clause (i). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) USE OF GRANT FUNDS- Each entity receiving a grant under this subsection shall use the grant for one or more of the following purposes: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) To train firefighting personnel in-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) firefighting; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) emergency medical services and other emergency response (including response to natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters); CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iii) arson prevention and detection; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iv) maritime firefighting; or CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(v) the handling of hazardous materials. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) To train firefighting personnel to provide any of the training described under subparagraph (A). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) To fund the creation of rapid intervention teams to protect firefighting personnel at the scenes of fires and other emergencies. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) To certify-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) fire inspectors; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) building inspectors-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(I) whose responsibilities include fire safety inspections; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(II) who are employed by or serving as volunteers with a fire department. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(E) To establish wellness and fitness programs for firefighting personnel to ensure that the firefighting personnel are able to carry out their duties as firefighters. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(F) To fund emergency medical services provided by fire departments and nonaffiliated EMS organizations. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(G) To acquire additional firefighting vehicles, including fire trucks and other apparatus. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(H) To acquire additional firefighting equipment, including equipment for-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) fighting fires with foam in remote areas without access to water; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) communications, monitoring, and response to a natural disaster, act of terrorism, or other man-made disaster, including the use of a weapon of mass destruction. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(I) To acquire personal protective equipment, including personal protective equipment-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) prescribed for firefighting personnel by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the Department of Labor; or CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) for responding to a natural disaster or act of terrorism or other man-made disaster, including the use of a weapon of mass destruction. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(J) To modify fire stations, fire training facilities, and other facilities to protect the health and safety of firefighting personnel. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(K) To educate the public about arson prevention and detection. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(L) To provide incentives for the recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighting personnel for volunteer firefighting departments and other firefighting departments that utilize volunteers. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(M) To support such other activities, consistent with the purposes of this subsection, as the Administrator of FEMA determines appropriate. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(d) Fire Prevention and Safety Grants- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- For the purpose of assisting fire prevention programs and supporting firefighter health and safety research and development, the Administrator of FEMA may, on a competitive basis-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) award grants to fire departments; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) award grants to, or enter into contracts or cooperative agreements with, national, State, local, tribal, or nonprofit organizations that are not fire departments and that are recognized for their experience and expertise with respect to fire prevention or fire safety programs and activities and firefighter research and development programs, for the purpose of carrying out-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) fire prevention programs; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) research to improve firefighter health and life safety; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) award grants to, or enter into contracts with, regionally accredited institutions of higher education and national fire service organizations or national fire safety organizations to support joint programs focused on reducing firefighter fatalities and non-fatal injuries, including programs for establishing fire safety research centers as the Administrator of FEMA determines appropriate. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) MAXIMUM GRANT AMOUNT- A grant awarded under this subsection may not exceed $1,500,000 for a fiscal year. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) USE OF GRANT FUNDS- Each entity receiving a grant under this subsection shall use the grant for one or more of the following purposes: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) To enforce fire codes and promote compliance with fire safety standards. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) To fund fire prevention programs. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) To fund wildland fire prevention programs, including education, awareness, and mitigation programs that protect lives, property, and natural resources from fire in the wildland-urban interface. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) In the case of a grant awarded under paragraph (1)(C), to fund the establishment or operation of-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) a fire safety research center; or CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) a program at such a center. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(E) To support such other activities, consistent with the purposes of this subsection, as the Administrator of FEMA determines appropriate. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(e) Applications for Grants- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- An entity seeking a grant under this section shall submit to the Administrator of FEMA an application therefor in such form and in such manner as the Administrator of FEMA determines appropriate. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) ELEMENTS- Each application submitted under paragraph (1) shall include the following: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) A description of the financial need of the applicant for the grant. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) An analysis of the costs and benefits, with respect to public safety, of the use for which a grant is requested. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) An agreement to provide information to the national fire incident reporting system for the period covered by the grant. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) A list of other sources of funding received by the applicant-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) for the same purpose for which the application for a grant under this section was submitted; or CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) from the Federal Government for other fire-related purposes. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(E) Such other information as the Administrator of FEMA determines appropriate. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) JOINT OR REGIONAL APPLICATIONS- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) IN GENERAL- Two or more entities may submit an application under paragraph (1) for a grant under this section to fund a joint program or initiative, including acquisition of shared equipment or vehicles. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) NONEXCLUSIVITY- Applications under this paragraph may be submitted instead of or in addition to any other application submitted under paragraph (1). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) GUIDANCE- The Administrator of FEMA shall-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) publish guidance on applying for and administering grants awarded for joint programs and initiatives described in subparagraph (A); and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) encourage applicants to apply for grants for joint programs and initiatives described in subparagraph (A) as the Administrator of FEMA determines appropriate to achieve greater cost effectiveness and regional efficiency. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(f) Peer Review of Grant Applications- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- The Administrator of FEMA shall, after consultation with national fire service and emergency medical services organizations, appoint fire service personnel and personnel from nonaffiliated EMS organizations to conduct peer reviews of applications received under subsection (e)(1). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) ASSIGNMENT OF REVIEWS- In administering the peer review process under paragraph (1), the Administrator of FEMA shall ensure that-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) applications submitted by career fire departments are reviewed primarily by personnel from career fire departments; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) applications submitted by volunteer fire departments are reviewed primarily by personnel from volunteer fire departments; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) applications submitted by combination fire departments and fire departments using paid-on-call firefighting personnel are reviewed primarily by personnel from such fire departments; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) applications for grants to fund emergency medical services pursuant to subsection (c)(3)(F) are reviewed primarily by emergency medical services personnel, including-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) emergency medical service personnel affiliated with fire departments; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) personnel from nonaffiliated EMS organizations. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS FOR FIRE PREVENTION AND SAFETY GRANTS SUBMITTED BY NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE NOT FIRE DEPARTMENTS- In conducting a review of an application submitted under subsection (e)(1) by a nonprofit organization described in subsection (d)(1)(B), a peer reviewer may not recommend the applicant for a grant under subsection (d) unless such applicant is recognized for its experience and expertise with respect to-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) fire prevention or safety programs and activities; or CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) firefighter research and development programs. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) APPLICABILITY OF FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ACT- The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to activities carried out pursuant to this subsection. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(g) Prioritization and Allocation of Grant Awards- In awarding grants under this section, the Administrator of FEMA shall-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) consider the findings and recommendations of the peer reviews carried out under subsection (f); CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) consider the degree to which an award will reduce deaths, injuries, and property damage by reducing the risks associated with fire-related and other hazards; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) consider the extent of the need of an applicant for a grant under this section and the need to protect the United States as a whole; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) consider the number of calls requesting or requiring a fire fighting or emergency medical response received by an applicant; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(5) ensure that of the available grant funds-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) not less than 25 percent are awarded to career fire departments; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) not less than 25 percent are awarded to volunteer fire departments; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) not less than 25 percent are awarded to combination fire departments and fire departments using paid-on-call firefighting personnel. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(h) Additional Requirements and Limitations- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) FUNDING FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES- Not less than 3.5 percent of the available grant funds for a fiscal year shall be awarded under this section for purposes described in subsection (c)(3)(F). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) GRANT AWARDS TO NONAFFILIATED EMS ORGANIZATIONS- Not more than 2 percent of the available grant funds for a fiscal year shall be awarded under this section to nonaffiliated EMS organizations. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) FUNDING FOR FIRE PREVENTION AND SAFETY GRANTS- For each fiscal year, not less than 10 percent of the aggregate of grant amounts under this section in that fiscal year shall be awarded under subsection (d). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) STATE FIRE TRAINING ACADEMIES- Not more than 3 percent of the available grant funds for a fiscal year shall be awarded under subsection (c)(1)(C). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(5) AMOUNTS FOR PURCHASING FIREFIGHTING VEHICLES- Not more than 25 percent of the available grant funds for a fiscal year may be used to assist grant recipients to purchase vehicles pursuant to subsection (c)(3)(G). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) Further Considerations- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTERS GRANTS TO FIRE DEPARTMENTS- In considering applications for grants under subsection (c)(1)(A), the Administrator of FEMA shall consider the extent to which the grant would enhance the daily operations of the applicant and the impact of such a grant on the protection of lives and property. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) APPLICATIONS FROM NONAFFILIATED EMS ORGANIZATIONS- In the case of an application submitted under subsection (e)(1) by a nonaffiliated EMS organization, the Administrator of FEMA shall consider the extent to which other sources of Federal funding are available to the applicant to provide the assistance requested in such application. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) AWARDING FIRE PREVENTION AND SAFETY GRANTS TO CERTAIN ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE NOT FIRE DEPARTMENTS- In the case of applicants for grants under this section who are described in subsection (d)(1)(B), the Administrator of FEMA shall give priority to applicants who focus on-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) prevention of injuries to high risk groups from fire; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) research programs that demonstrate a potential to improve firefighter safety. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) AVOIDING DUPLICATION- The Administrator of FEMA shall review lists submitted by applicants pursuant to subsection (e)(2)(D) and take such actions as the Administrator of FEMA considers necessary to prevent unnecessary duplication of grant awards. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(j) Matching and Maintenance of Expenditure Requirements- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) MATCHING REQUIREMENT FOR ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTERS GRANTS- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) IN GENERAL- Except as provided in subparagraph (B), an applicant seeking a grant to carry out an activity under subsection (c) shall agree to make available non-Federal funds to carry out such activity in an amount equal to not less than 15 percent of the grant awarded to such applicant under such subsection. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) EXCEPTION FOR ENTITIES SERVING SMALL COMMUNITIES- In the case that an applicant seeking a grant to carry out an activity under subsection (c) serves a jurisdiction of-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) more than 20,000 residents but not more than 50,000 residents, the applicant shall agree to make available non-Federal funds in an amount equal to not less than 10 percent of the grant award to such applicant under such subsection; or CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) 20,000 residents or fewer, the applicant shall agree to make available non-Federal funds in an amount equal to not less than 5 percent of the grant awarded to such applicant under such subsection. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) MATCHING REQUIREMENT FOR FIRE PREVENTION AND SAFETY GRANTS- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) IN GENERAL- An applicant seeking a grant to carry out an activity under subsection (d) shall agree to make available non-Federal funds to carry out such activity in an amount equal to not less than 5 percent of the grant awarded to such applicant under such subsection. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) MEANS OF MATCHING- An applicant for a grant under subsection (d) may meet the matching requirement under subparagraph (A) through direct funding, funding of complementary activities, or the provision of staff, facilities, services, material, or equipment. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) MAINTENANCE OF EXPENDITURES- An applicant seeking a grant under subsection (c) or (d) shall agree to maintain during the term of the grant the applicant’s aggregate expenditures relating to the uses described in subsections (c)(3) and (d)(3) at not less than 80 percent of the average amount of such expenditures in the 2 fiscal years preceding the fiscal year in which the grant amounts are received. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) WAIVER- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) IN GENERAL- Except as provided in subparagraph (C)(ii), the Administrator of FEMA may waive or reduce the requirements of paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) in cases of demonstrated economic hardship. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) GUIDELINES- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) IN GENERAL- The Administrator of FEMA shall establish and publish guidelines for determining what constitutes economic hardship for purposes of this paragraph. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) CONSIDERATIONS- In developing guidelines under clause (i), the Administrator of FEMA shall consider, with respect to relevant communities, the following: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(I) Changes in rates of unemployment from previous years. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(II) Whether the rates of unemployment of the relevant communities are currently and have consistently exceeded the annual national average rates of unemployment. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(III) Changes in percentages of individuals eligible to receive food stamps from previous years. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(IV) Such other factors as the Administrator of FEMA considers appropriate. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) CERTAIN APPLICANTS FOR FIRE PREVENTION AND SAFETY GRANTS- The authority under subparagraph (A) shall not apply with respect to a nonprofit organization that-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) is described in subsection (d)(1)(B); and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) is not a fire department or emergency medical services organization. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(k) Grant Guidelines- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) GUIDELINES- For each fiscal year, prior to awarding any grants under this section, the Administrator of FEMA shall publish in the Federal Register-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) guidelines that describe-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) the process for applying for grants under this section; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) the criteria that will be used for selecting grant recipients; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) an explanation of any differences between such guidelines and the recommendations obtained under paragraph (2). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) ANNUAL MEETING TO OBTAIN RECOMMENDATIONS- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) IN GENERAL- For each fiscal year, the Administrator of FEMA shall convene a meeting of qualified members of national fire service organizations and qualified members of emergency medical service organizations to obtain recommendations regarding the following: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) Criteria for the awarding of grants under this section. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) Administrative changes to the assistance program established under subsection (b). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) QUALIFIED MEMBERS- For purposes of this paragraph, a qualified member of an organization is a member who-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) is recognized for expertise in firefighting or emergency medical services; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) is not an employee of the Federal Government; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iii) in the case of a member of an emergency medical service organization, is a member of an organization that represents-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(I) providers of emergency medical services that are affiliated with fire departments; or CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(II) nonaffiliated EMS providers. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) APPLICABILITY OF FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ACT- The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to activities carried out pursuant to this subsection. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(l) Accounting Determination- Notwithstanding any other provision of law, for purposes of this section, equipment costs shall include all costs attributable to any design, purchase of components, assembly, manufacture, and transportation of equipment not otherwise commercially available. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(m) Eligible Grantee on Behalf of Alaska Native Villages- The Alaska Village Initiatives, a non-profit organization incorporated in the State of Alaska, shall be eligible to apply for and receive a grant or other assistance under this section on behalf of Alaska Native villages. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(n) Training Standards- If an applicant for a grant under this section is applying for such grant to purchase training that does not meet or exceed any applicable national voluntary consensus standards developed under section 647 of the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 (6 U.S.C. 747), the applicant shall submit to the Administrator of FEMA an explanation of the reasons that the training proposed to be purchased will serve the needs of the applicant better than training that meets or exceeds such standards. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(o) Ensuring Effective Use of Grants- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) AUDITS- The Administrator of FEMA may audit a recipient of a grant awarded under this section to ensure that-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) the grant amounts are expended for the intended purposes; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) the grant recipient complies with the requirements of subsection (j). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) IN GENERAL- The Administrator of FEMA shall develop and implement a performance assessment system, including quantifiable performance metrics, to evaluate the extent to which grants awarded under this section are furthering the purposes of this section, including protecting the health and safety of the public and firefighting personnel against fire and fire-related hazards. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) CONSULTATION- The Administrator of FEMA shall consult with fire service representatives and with the Comptroller General of the United States in developing the assessment system required by subparagraph (A). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) ANNUAL REPORTS TO ADMINISTRATOR OF FEMA- The recipient of a grant awarded under this section shall submit to the Administrator of FEMA an annual report describing how the recipient used the grant amounts. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) ANNUAL REPORTS TO CONGRESS- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) IN GENERAL- Not later than September 30, 2012, and each year thereafter through 2016, the Administrator of FEMA shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Science and Technology of the House of Representatives a report that provides-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) information on the performance assessment system developed under paragraph (2); and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) using the performance metrics developed under such paragraph, an evaluation of the effectiveness of the grants awarded under this section. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION- The report due under subparagraph (A) on September 30, 2015, shall also include recommendations for legislative changes to improve grants under this section, including recommendations as to whether the provisions described in section 5(a) of the Fire Grants Reauthorization Act of 2011 should be extended to apply on and after the date described in such section. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(p) Authorization of Appropriations- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) $950,000,000 for fiscal year 2012; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) for each of fiscal years 2013 through 2016, an amount equal to the amount authorized for the previous fiscal year increased by the percentage by which-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) the Consumer Price Index (all items, United States city average) for the previous fiscal year, exceeds CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) the Consumer Price Index for the fiscal year preceding the fiscal year described in clause (i). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES- Of the amounts appropriated pursuant to paragraph (1) for a fiscal year, the Administrator of FEMA may use not more than 5 percent of such amounts for salaries and expenses and other administrative costs incurred by the Administrator of FEMA in the course of awarding grants and providing assistance under this section. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED SPENDING- Consistent with the requirements in subsections (c)(1) and (d)(1) that grants under those subsections be awarded on a competitive basis, none of the funds appropriated pursuant to this subsection may be used for any congressionally directed spending item (as such term is defined in paragraph 5(a) of rule XLIV of the Standing Rules of the Senate). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(q) Sunset of Authorities- The authority to award assistance and grants under this section shall expire on October 1, 2016.’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 4. STAFFING FOR ADEQUATE FIRE AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE.

(a) Improvements to Hiring Grants- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) TERM OF GRANTS- Subsection (a)(1)(B) of section 34 of the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 2229a) is amended by striking ‘4 years’ and inserting ‘3 years’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) LIMITATION ON PORTION OF COSTS OF HIRING FIREFIGHTERS- Subsection (a)(1)(E) of such section 34 is amended by striking ‘not exceed--’ and all that follows through the period and inserting ‘not exceed 75 percent in any fiscal year.’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Clarification Regarding Eligible Entities for Recruitment and Retention Grants- The second sentence of subsection (a)(2) of such section 34 is amended by striking ‘organizations on a local or statewide basis’ and inserting ‘national, State, local, or tribal organizations’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Maximum Amount for Hiring Firefighter- Paragraph (4) of subsection (c) of such section 34 is amended to read as follows: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) The amount of funding provided under this section to a recipient fire department for hiring a firefighter in any fiscal year may not exceed 75 percent of the usual annual cost of a first-year firefighter in that department at the time the grant application was submitted.’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Waivers- Such section 34 is further amended-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) by redesignating subsections (d) through (i) as subsection (e) through (j), respectively; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by inserting after subsection (c) the following: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(d) Waivers- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- In a case of demonstrated economic hardship, the Administrator of FEMA may-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) waive the requirements of subsection (a)(1)(B)(ii) or subsection (c)(1); or CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) waive or reduce the requirements in subsection (a)(1)(E) or subsection (c)(2). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) GUIDELINES- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) IN GENERAL- The Administrator of FEMA shall establish and publish guidelines for determining what constitutes economic hardship for purposes of paragraph (1). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) CONSIDERATIONS- In developing guidelines under subparagraph (A), the Administrator of FEMA shall consider, with respect to relevant communities, the following: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) Changes in rates of unemployment from previous years. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) Whether the rates of unemployment of the relevant communities are currently and have consistently exceeded the annual national average rates of unemployment. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iii) Changes in percentages of individuals eligible to receive food stamps from previous years. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iv) Such other factors as the Administrator of FEMA considers appropriate.’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Improvements to Performance Evaluation Requirements- Subsection (e) of such section 34, as redesignated by subsection (d)(1) of this section, is amended by inserting before the first sentence the following: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- The Administrator of FEMA shall establish a performance assessment system, including quantifiable performance metrics, to evaluate the extent to which grants awarded under this section are furthering the purposes of this section. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) SUBMISSION OF INFORMATION- ’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(f) Report- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- Subsection (f) of such section 34, as redesignated by subsection (d)(1) of this section, is amended by striking ‘The authority’ and all that follows through ‘Congress concerning’ and inserting the following: ‘Not later than September 30, 2015, the Administrator of FEMA shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Science and Technology of the House of Representatives a report on’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) CONFORMING AMENDMENT- The heading for such subsection (f) is amended by striking ‘Sunset and Reports’ and inserting ‘Report’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(g) Additional Definitions- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- Subsection (i) of such section 34, as redesignated by subsection (d)(1) of this section, is amended-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) in the matter before paragraph (1), by striking ‘In this section, the term--’ and inserting ‘In this section:’; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) in paragraph (1)-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) by inserting ‘The term’ before ‘firefighter’ has’; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) by striking ‘; and’ and inserting a period; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) by striking paragraph (2); and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) by inserting at the end the following: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) The terms ‘career fire department’, ‘combination fire department’, and ‘volunteer fire department’ have the meaning given such terms in section 33(a).’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) CONFORMING AMENDMENT- Subsection (a)(1)(A) of such section 34 is amended by striking ‘career, volunteer, and combination fire departments’ and inserting ‘career fire departments, combination fire departments, and volunteer fire departments’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(h) Authorization of Appropriations- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- Subsection (j) of such section 34, as redesignated by subsection (d)(1) of this section, is amended-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) in paragraph (6), by striking ‘and’ at the end; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) in paragraph (7), by striking the period at the end and inserting ‘; and’; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) by adding at the end the following: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(8) $950,000,000 for fiscal year 2012; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(9) for each of fiscal years 2013 through 2016, an amount equal to the amount authorized for the previous fiscal year increased by the percentage by which-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) the Consumer Price Index (all items, United States city average) for the previous fiscal year, exceeds CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) the Consumer Price Index for the fiscal year preceding the fiscal year described in subparagraph (A).’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES- Such subsection (j) is further amended-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) in paragraph (9), as added by paragraph (1) of this subsection, by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and (B) as clauses (i) and (ii), respectively, and moving the left margin of such clauses, as so redesignated, 2 ems to the right; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (9) as subparagraphs (A) through (I), respectively, and moving the left margin of such subparagraphs, as so redesignated, 2 ems to the right; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) by striking ‘There are’ and inserting the following: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- There are’; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) by adding at the end the following: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES- Of the amounts appropriated pursuant to paragraph (1) for a fiscal year, the Administrator of FEMA may use not more than 5 percent of such amounts to cover salaries and expenses and other administrative costs incurred by the Administrator of FEMA to make grants and provide assistance under this section.’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED SPENDING- Such subsection (j) is further amended by adding at the end the following: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED SPENDING- Consistent with the requirement in subsection (a) that grants under this section be awarded on a competitive basis, none of the funds appropriated pursuant to this subsection may be used for any congressionally direct spending item (as defined in paragraph 5(a) of Rule XLIV of the Standing Rules of the Senate).’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) Technical Amendment- Such section 34 is amended-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) in subsection (a), in paragraphs (1)(A) and (2), by striking ‘Administrator shall’ and inserting ‘Administrator of FEMA shall, in consultation with the Administrator,’; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by striking ‘Administrator’ each place it appears, other than in subsection (a)(1)(A) and (a)(2), and inserting ‘Administrator of FEMA’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(j) Clerical Amendment- Section 34 of such Act (15 U.S.C. 2229a) is amended by striking ‘expansion of pre-september 11, 2001, fire grant program’ and inserting the following: ‘staffing for adequate fire and emergency response’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





SEC. 5. SUNSET AND PRIOR PROVISIONS.(a) Sunset(k) Sunset of Authority to Award Hiring Grants- Section 3 and subsections (a), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), and (h) of section 4, and the amendments made by such section and subsections shall not apply on or after October 1, 2016.(b) Application of Prior Law- On and after October 1, 2016, sections 33 and 34 of the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 2229 and 2229a) are amended to read as such sections read on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act, except that the amendments made by subsections (b), (i), and (j) of section 4 shall continue to apply to such section 34a) is further amended by adding at the end the following: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(k) Sunset of Authorities- The authority to award grants and provide technical assistance under this section shall expire on October 1, 2016.’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 65. REPORT.

Not later than September 30, 2015, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Science and Technology of the House of Representatives a report on the effect of the amendments made by this Act. Such report shall include the following: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) An assessment of the effect of the amendments made by sections 3 and 4 on the effectiveness, relative allocation, accountability, and administration of the grants awarded under sections 33 and 34 of the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 2229 and 2229a) after the date of the enactment of this Act. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) An evaluation of the extent to which the amendments made by sections 3 and 4 have enabled recipients of grants awarded under such sections 33 and 34 after the date of the enactment of this Act to mitigate fire and fire-related and other hazards more effectively. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 6. REPORT ON DUPLICATION OF GRANT PROGRAMS.

(a) In General- Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security shall submit to Congress a report on the grant programs administered by the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Contents- The report required by subsection (a) shall include the following: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) Whether and to what degree the grant programs described in subsection (a) provide duplicative or overlapping assistance. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) The cost of each grant program described in subsection (a). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) The recommendations of the Inspector General for consolidation and elimination of grant programs described in subsection (a) to reduce duplication of assistance. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Calendar No. 89CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

112th CONGRESSCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

1st SessionCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

S. 550CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

[Report No. 112-28]CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

A BILLCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To improve the provision of assistance to fire departments, and for other purposes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

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June 29, 2011CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Reported with an amendmentCommentsClose CommentsPermalink