Congresswoman McClain Delaney Introduces the National Fire Academy RESCUE Act to Protect Fire Departments During Government Shutdowns

Congresswoman McClain Delaney Introduces the National Fire Academy RESCUE Act to Protect Fire Departments During Government Shutdowns

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Last week, Congresswoman April McClain Delaney (D-MD) introduced the National Fire Academy Reimbursement for Emergency Service Course Unavailability and Expenses Act, or the National Fire Academy RESCUE Act, to protect local fire departments from shutdown-related impacts.

The U.S. Fire Administration's National Fire Academy (NFA), based in the Congresswoman's district, provides training for tens of thousands of career and volunteer first responders from across the country.

Under current law, when NFA classes are canceled, local fire departments cannot be reimbursed for NFA training-related expenses such as hotel cancellation fees, flight change costs, or staffing-related expenditures. This means that when Congress fails to pass government funding bills, local fire departments are on the hook for costs that they cannot recover.

The legislation builds on Congresswoman's Firefighter Learning and Management Education (FLAME) Act, which she introduced last month on September 11 to protect fire departments' time and resources from other abrupt cancellations. Earlier this year she also introduced the bipartisan NFA Reporting Act that addresses current gaps in Congressional oversight.

"When a lapse in appropriations pauses the Academy's programming, our fire departments and first responders should not be forced to shoulder travel and backfill costs for services they won't receive," said Congresswoman McClain Delaney. "The NFA RESCUE Act, along with the FLAME Act, will shield our local fire departments from the cost of last-minute cancellations -including government shutdowns."

Cosponsors include: Reps. Lofgren (D-CA), Bonamici (D-OR), Carson (D-IN), Craig (D-MN), Johnson (D-GA), Landsman (D-OH), McIver (D-NJ), and Subramanyam (D-VA).

View the bill text.

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For updates, follow Rep. McClain Delaney at @RepAprilDelaney.

Congresswoman April McClain Delaney was elected in 2024 to serve Maryland's 6th Congressional District, which encompasses all or part of Montgomery, Frederick, Washington, Allegany and Garrett Counties. In Congress, McClain Delaney is focused on improving US competitiveness and innovation, protecting our natural environment and championing policies that represent the values and priorities of Maryland's 6th District.