Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NY), Chair of the House Appropriations Committee, has released the House version of the agreement to fund the federal government for the rest of Fiscal Year 2017, which ends September 30, 2017.

In a victory for the Fire Service, the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) and SAFER (hiring) grant programs will be funded at $345 million each ($690 total) for FY 2017. Emergency Management Performance Grants will be funded at $350 million; State and local Homeland Security grant programs at $1.3 billion; the U.S. Fire Administration at $44 million; and the Urban Search and Rescue System (USAR) at $38.28 million.

The House bill will be voted on today; then will be considered in the Senate. The numbers for the fire service are not expected to change.

Congratulations to FAMA and FEMSA members for helping to achieve level funding for these programs in this tight budget environment. And, of course, we thank CFSI for their leadership.

Now our efforts will turn to the FY 2018 process; the GAC will keep you closely informed of developments. The President’s more detailed FY 2018 budget is slated to be released the week of May 22.

If you have any questions, please contact GAC Co-chairs John Granby at [email protected]; Lee Morris at [email protected]; Joe Mirabile at [email protected]; or GAC Sr. Adviser Dave Gatton at [email protected].