National Fire Academy RESCUE Act

The National Fire Academy RESCUE Act aims to protect local fire departments from financial losses caused by federal government shutdowns. Currently, when the National Fire Academy (NFA) is forced to cancel training courses due to a lapse in federal appropriations, local departments often lose money spent on non-refundable travel, lodging, and staffing costs. This bill would amend the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 to require the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to reimburse these departments for such expenses.

If enacted, the bill would provide a financial safety net for both career and volunteer fire departments, particularly those in rural or underserved areas with limited budgets. By ensuring that local agencies are not held responsible for costs related to federal funding disputes, the legislation seeks to maintain the stability of professional development for first responders. This proposal follows previous efforts to improve notice requirements and oversight for the Academy's training programs.