Summary

Requires FEMA to reimburse fire departments for travel and staffing (backfill) costs when they planned to attend specified National Fire Academy courses, conferences, or activities that are cancelled during, or as a result of, a lapse in FEMA appropriations, unless the cancellation was for defined "good cause." Affected departments must submit an itemized claim within 30 days after the lapse ends, and FEMA must pay eligible claims within 90 days after the later of the lapse ending or FEMA's receipt of the claim.

• FEMA must reimburse fire departments for travel and backfill costs when specified National Fire Academy activities are cancelled because of a lapse in FEMA appropriations.
• Covered activities include in-person instruction, virtual instruction, and on-campus conferences at the National Fire Academy.
• Eligible expenses are limited to travel and backfill (overtime or staffing adjustments to cover absent personnel).
• Reimbursement is not required if cancellation occurs for "good cause" such as non‑appropriations‑unrelated closures, instructor illness/unavailability, or a national emergency.
• Fire departments must submit an itemized application within 30 days after the lapse ends to seek reimbursement.
• FEMA must pay eligible claims within 90 days after the later of the lapse ending or FEMA receiving the claim.
• The change amends existing federal fire training law and creates an administrative reimbursement process but does not appropriate funds.
• The law narrows eligibility by defining covered activities and expenses and by listing specific exceptions to reimbursement.