Washington, DC – The U.S. House of Representatives today passed H.R. 3791, the Fire Grants Reauthorization Act, which reauthorizes the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program for the next five years.  The bill includes language inserted by Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson that enhances mental health support for firefighters in the wellness and fitness programs established by the bill.  The Fire Grants Reauthorization Act passed by a vote of 395-31.

“As municipal governments struggle to balance budgets and provide needed services, the AFG and SAFER programs become even more critical,” Congresswoman Johnson said.  “The Fire Grants Reauthorization Act strengthens fire departments around the country, making the communities they serve safer and more secure.”

The Fire Grants Reauthorization Act provides an authorization of $1 billion per fiscal year for the AFG program, which provides money to fire departments to purchase equipment, fire trucks and other resources, and to fund training programs.  The legislation authorizes $1.194 billion per year for the SAFER program, which provides money to fire departments to hire additional firefighters.

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U.S. Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson is the highest-ranking Texan on the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure and a senior member of the Science Committee. She represents the 30th Congressional District of Texas, which, includes Downtown Dallas, Fair Park, Oak Lawn, Old East Dallas, Pleasant Grove, & South Oak Cliff; all of Balch Springs, DeSoto, Hutchins, Lancaster & Wilmer and parts of Cedar Hill, Duncanville, Ferris, Glenn Heights and Ovilla.