National Fire Academy RESCUE Act
Summary
What This Bill Does
The National Fire Academy RESCUE Act protects fire departments from eating costs when a FEMA shutdown cancels National Fire Academy training. If a covered course or activity is canceled during or because of a lapse in FEMA appropriations, FEMA must reimburse the fire department within 90 days after the later of the lapse ending or FEMA receiving an itemized request. Reimbursable costs include travel expenses and backfill expenses such as overtime or staffing adjustments needed because personnel were scheduled for training. Fire chiefs or department heads must apply within 30 days after the lapse ends. FEMA does not have to reimburse cancellations for good cause, such as facility closure unrelated to the lapse, instructor illness, or a national emergency that blocks access.
Who Benefits and How
Fire departments benefit because travel and backfill costs for canceled National Fire Academy training become reimbursable. Fire chiefs benefit from a defined 30-day application process and 90-day FEMA payment deadline. Firefighters scheduled for National Fire Academy courses benefit because departments are less likely to avoid future training after losing shutdown costs. Local taxpayers benefit if federal reimbursement replaces local budgets that otherwise absorb canceled-training expenses.
Who Bears the Burden and How
FEMA reimbursement staff must process itemized applications and pay eligible departments within 90 days. National Fire Academy administrators must distinguish shutdown cancellations from good-cause cancellations. Fire department finance officers must document travel, overtime, and backfill expenses for reimbursement. Federal taxpayers fund the reimbursement obligation for eligible canceled courses.
Key Provisions
- Requires FEMA reimbursement when a National Fire Academy course is canceled during or because of a FEMA funding lapse.
- Covers travel expenses and backfill expenses such as overtime or staffing adjustments.
- Requires fire chiefs or department heads to apply within 30 days after the lapse ends.
- Requires FEMA payment within 90 days after the later of the lapse ending or receipt of itemized costs.
- Excludes cancellations for good cause unrelated to the appropriations lapse.
Evidence Chain:
This summary is generated from the full bill text using AI analysis. Expand "Detailed Analysis" below for identified beneficiaries/burden bearers with clause-level evidence links.
At a Glance
What This Bill Does
Requires FEMA to reimburse fire departments for travel and staffing expenses when National Fire Academy courses are canceled during a FEMA appropriations lapse, unless the cancellation is for good cause.
Key Policy Areas
Emergency Management, Fire Services, Government Shutdowns
Primary Purpose
Requires FEMA to reimburse fire departments for travel and staffing expenses when National Fire Academy courses are canceled during a FEMA appropriations lapse, unless the cancellation is for good cause.
Policy Domains
Resolution provisions
Identified Gains
- Fire departments
- Fire chiefs
- Firefighters scheduled for National Fire Academy courses
- Local taxpayers
Identified Costs
- FEMA reimbursement staff
- National Fire Academy administrators
- Fire department finance officers
- Federal taxpayers
Sponsors
Legislative Progress
In CommitteeMrs. McClain Delaney (for herself, Mr. Moulton, Mrs. McIver, Ms. …
Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
Introduced in House
Stakeholder Effects
cui bono?How this legislation distributes effects. Mention counts reflect frequency, not effect magnitude.
Fire departments, Firefighters scheduled for National Fire Academy courses
Local taxpayers, Taxpayers
Positive-direction: Local taxpayers
Negative-direction: Taxpayers
FEMA reimbursement staff, National Fire Academy administrators
Bill Structure & Actor Mappings
Who is "The Secretary" in each section?
We use a combination of our own taxonomy and classification in addition to large language models to assess meaning and potential beneficiaries. High confidence means strong textual evidence. Always verify with the original bill text.
Learn more about our methodology