AFG and SAFER Reauthorization Amendment to Defense Bill

Senator Lieberman (CT), Chair of the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee, plans to offer an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (S. 3254) that includes the reauthorization of the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) and the SAFER programs. He will be joined by Senators Collins (ME), Carper (DE), and Brown (MA). Collins is the ranking member of the Homeland Security Committee.

Please contact your Senators immediately and ask them to support the Lieberman-Collins Amendment to reauthorize AFG and SAFER as a part of the Defense Authorization bill currently being debated on the Senate floor.

Attached for your review is a letter of support that FAMA and FEMSA have signed along with the fire service organizations including CFSI, IAFC, IAFF and others. Local government organizations such as the National Association of Counties and the U.S. Conference of Mayors have also signed. Please use this letter for background and talking points.
This is a bi-partisan amendment and includes language that has been agreed to by both House and Senate Committees of jurisdiction. The amendment language is also attached for your review.

It is also possible that Senator Lieberman will include in his amendment (or a second amendment) language to reauthorize the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA). FAMA and FEMSA also support this effort.
 

If you have any questions, please contact GAC Co-chairs John Granby jgranby@lionprotects.com Lee Morris lmorris@oshkoshcorp.com or GAC Senior Advisor Dave Gatton dgatton@dinitiatives.com