Sponsors (13)
The bill protects fire departments from budget hits when federal funding lapses cancel critical training by mandating prompt FEMA reimbursement and clearer coverage rules, but it increases federal costs, may strain FEMA administratively, and still leaves some cancellation reasons uncompensated.
Fire departments (career and volunteer firefighters and EMS) will be reimbursed by FEMA for travel, overtime, and related backfill costs when U.S. Fire Administration Academy training is cancelled due to a federal funding lapse, reducing out-of-pocket losses for departments.
Reimbursements must be processed within 90 days, providing timely financial relief so departments can restore staffing and operations quickly after cancellations.
The bill clearly defines covered activities and expenses (including virtual training options and backfill costs), increasing predictability for departments when planning training and budgets.
Some cancellation causes (e.g., instructor illness, facility closure, national emergency) are excluded, which could leave affected fire departments uncompensated for legitimate financial losses.
All taxpayers may ultimately bear additional federal costs to reimburse departments for cancellations caused by appropriation lapses.
Requiring FEMA to process reimbursement claims within 90 days could strain agency staff and resources, potentially diverting attention from other FEMA functions or causing delays elsewhere.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Requires FEMA to reimburse fire departments for travel and backfill expenses when National Fire Academy activities are cancelled due to a lapse in FEMA appropriations.
Requires FEMA to reimburse fire departments for travel and backfill expenses when a National Fire Academy course, conference, or activity is cancelled because of a lapse in FEMA appropriations, unless cancellation occurs for specified "good cause." Reimbursements must be requested within 30 days after the lapse ends and paid within 90 days after the later of the lapse end or FEMA's receipt of an itemized application.
Official title: To amend the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 to direct the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to reimburse certain expenses during a period in which there is a lapse in appropriations for the Federal Emergency Management Agency and for other purposes.
Introduced October 17, 2025 by April McClain Delaney · Last progress October 17, 2025