Order Code RS20071
Updated June 2, 2008
United States Fire Administration:
An Overview
Lennard G. Kruger
Specialist in Science and Technology
Resources, Science, and Industry Division
Summary
The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) — which includes the National Fire
Academy (NFA) — is currently an entity within the Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA) of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The objective of the
USFA is to significantly reduce the nation’s loss of life from fire, while also achieving
a reduction in property loss and non-fatal injury due to fire. The President’s FY2008
budget proposed $43.3 million, and the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2008 (P.L.
110-161) also provided $43.3 million. The Administration’s FY2009 budget proposal
requested $40.9 million for USFA, a reduction of 5.5% from the FY2008 level. On
April 3, 2008, the House passed H.R. 4847, the USFA reauthorization bill. The Senate’s
USFA reauthorization bill, S. 2606, was approved by the Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs on April 10, 2008. Other USFA-related legislation
includes H.R. 1351, H.R. 4846, and H.R. 6112. This report will be updated as events
warrant.
Background
The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) is currently an entity within the Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) of the Department of Homeland Security
(DHS). Its mission is to provide leadership, coordination, and support for the nation’s fire
prevention and control, fire training and education, and emergency medical services
activities, and to prepare first responders and health care leaders to react to all hazard and
terrorism emergencies of all kinds. One of USFA’s key objectives is to significantly
reduce the nation’s loss of life from fire, while also achieving a reduction in property loss
and non-fatal injury due to fire. Although fire loss has improved significantly over the
past 25 years, the fire problem in the United States remains serious. The United States
still has one of the highest fire death rates in the industrialized world. According to the
National Fire Protection Association, in 2006 there were 3,245 civilian fire deaths, 16,400
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civilian fire injuries, and an estimated $11.307 billion in direct property loss.1 According
to the U.S. Fire Administration, there were 115 firefighter on-duty deaths in 2007.2
The genesis of USFA and FEMA’s fire prevention and control activities can be
found in the landmark 1973 report of the National Commission on Fire Prevention and
Control,3 entitled America Burning. The Commission recommended the creation of a
federal fire agency which would provide support to state and local governments and
private fire organizations in their efforts to reduce fire deaths, injuries, and property loss.
The Commission recommended that this new agency be placed within the Department of
Housing and Urban Development. Congress instead opted to place the agency in the
Department of Commerce, and with the passage of the Federal Fire Prevention and
Control Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-498),4 the National Fire Prevention and Control
Administration (NFPCA) was established. In 1978, Congress changed the name of
NFPCA to USFA (P.L. 95-422), and in 1979, President Carter’s Reorganization Plan No.
3 placed the USFA within the newly created FEMA. Also in 1979, the National Fire
Academy (NFA) in Emmitsburg, Maryland was opened, offering courses and training to
fire service personnel and other persons engaged in fire prevention and control.
During the early 1980s, the Reagan Administration proposed the elimination of the
USFA (while preserving the Fire Academy). Although Congress did not allow the
termination of the USFA, the agency suffered severe staff reductions and the Fire
Academy was separated from the USFA and housed organizationally with other FEMA
emergency training programs. In 1991, the NFA was subsequently reorganized back into
the USFA, where it remains today.
Currently, the USFA is located on the grounds of the National Emergency Training
Center in Emmitsburg, Maryland. USFA programs include the following:
Data Collection — USFA’s National Fire Data Center (NFDC) administers a
national system for collecting, analyzing and disseminating data and information on fire
and other emergency incidents to State and local governments and the fire community.
The NFDC provides a national analysis of the fire problem, identifying problem areas for
which prevention and mitigation strategies are needed.
Public Education and Awareness — Through partnerships and special initiatives,
USFA involves the fire service, the media, other federal agencies and safety interest
groups in the development and delivery of fire safety awareness and education programs.
These programs are targeted at those groups most vulnerable to the hazards of fire,
including the young, elderly, and disabled.
1 Karter, Michael J., National Fire Protection Association, Fire Loss in the United States During
2006, September 2007, available at [http://www.nfpa.org/assets/files/PDF/OS.fireloss.pdf].
2 U.S. Fire Administration, On-Duty Firefighter Fatalities in the United States, available at
[http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/downloads/pdf/07-fatality-summary.pdf].
3 The Commission was created by P.L. 90-259, the Fire Research and Safety Act of 1968.
4 15 U.S.C. 2201 et seq.
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Training — USFA’s National Fire Academy (NFA) offers educational opportunities
for the advanced professional development of the mid-level and senior fire/EMS officer
and allied professionals involved in fire prevention and life safety activities. The
Academy develops and delivers educational and training programs with a national focus
that supplement and support State and local fire service training. The NFA also offers
training to support the National Incident Management System Integration Center (NIC)
and nationwide implementation of the National Incident Management System (NIMS).
Research and Technology — Through research, testing and evaluation, USFA works
with public and private entities to promote and improve fire and life safety. Research and
special studies are conducted on fire detection, suppression and notification systems as
well as issues related to firefighter and emergency responder health and safety. Research
results are published and made available to the public free of charge through the USFA
Publications Center.
Budget
In previous years, the USFA, through FEMA, received its yearly appropriation
through the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on VA, HUD, and
Independent Agencies. Beginning in FY2004, the USFA received its appropriation
through the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Homeland Security.
Appropriations. Beginning in FY2004, the USFA was funded through the
Preparedness, Mitigation, Response, and Recovery (PMRR) account within the
Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate of the Department of Homeland
Security. On July 13, 2005, DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff announced a restructuring
of DHS, effective October 1, 2005. USFA was removed from the PMRR account and
received a separate appropriation (its own line item) under the new DHS Directorate for
Preparedness. The FY2007 Department of Homeland Security appropriations bill (P.L.
109-295) transferred the USFA back to the Federal Emergency Management Agency
within DHS.
FY2008. The Administration’s FY2008 budget request for USFA was $43.3
million.5 As in past years, the budget documents do not provide a breakdown of funding
for the National Fire Academy. Proposed increases for the USFA included $300,000 for
expansion of a distance learning program and $1 million to develop curriculum for the
Preparedness Leadership Institute. On June 5, 2007, the House Appropriations
Committee approved the same amount ($43.3 million) requested by the Administration.
On June 15, 2007, the House passed the FY2008 Department of Homeland Security
appropriations bill (H.R. 2638; H.Rept. 110-181), providing the same amount ($43.3
million) requested by the Administration. On June 14, 2007, the Senate Appropriations
5 This constitutes a decrease of $3.549 million from the FY2007 level for the “United States Fire
Administration and Training†line item, and reflects the transfer of $5.5 million for the Noble
Training Center to the Center for Domestic Preparedness. In FY2006 and FY2007, the Noble
Training Center — a hospital facility in Alabama which trains health care workers in disaster
preparedness and response — was part of the USFA and Training account. P.L. 109-295
transferred the Noble Training Center to the State and Local Programs (SLP) Appropriation,
Center for Domestic Preparedness.
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Committee also approved $43.3 million for USFA (S.Rept. 110-84). On July 26, 2007,
the Senate passed H.R. 2638. On December 26, 2007, the President signed the
Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-161), which provides $43.3 million
for the USFA. Additionally, as stated in the Joint Explanatory Statement accompanying
P.L. 110-161, the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations provide $1 million
for development of a web-based version of the National Fire Incident Reporting System.
This initiative is to be led by the USFA.
FY2009. The Administration’s FY2009 budget proposal requested $40.9 million
for USFA, a reduction of 5.5% from the FY2008 level. According to the budget proposal,
the reduction is based on several factors including “the substantial level of funding over
the past five years and a reprioritization of FEMA resources.†The budget proposal
further stated that “the reduction in funding will result in a minimal impact†on USFA
program performance. Additionally, the Administration FY2009 budget transferred the
USFA budget from a stand-alone FEMA line item to the Operations, Management, and
Administration (OMA) account within FEMA.
Table 1. Appropriations, U.S. Fire Administration
($ millions)
FY2006
FY2007
FY2008
FY2009
(P.L. 109-
(P.L. 109-
(P.L. 110-
(Admin.
90)
295)
161)
request)
U.S. Fire Administration
40.037
41.349
43.300
40.913
Authorizations. The U.S. Fire Administration Reauthorization Act of 2003 (P.L.
108-169) was signed into law on December 6, 2003. The act reauthorized the USFA
through FY2008 at the following levels: $63 million for FY2005, $64.85 million for
FY2006, $66.796 million for FY2007, and $68.8 million for FY2008. P.L. 108-169 also
reestablished the presidentially appointed position of the U.S. Fire Administrator, which
had been statutorily abolished by the Homeland Security Act of 2002. Additionally, the
legislation (incorporating S. 321/H.R. 545, Firefighting Research and Coordination Act)
directed the USFA to develop new firefighting technologies and standards in coordination
with private sector standards groups and federal, state, and local agencies. P.L. 108-169
required that equipment purchased with fire grant money meet or exceed voluntary
consensus standards when feasible.
On October 2, 2007, the Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation of the House
Committee on Science and Technology held a hearing on the reauthorization of the
USFA. H.R. 4847, the United States Fire Administration Reauthorization Act of 2007,
was introduced on December 19, 2007, by Representative Mitchell. H.R. 4847 would
authorize the USFA at $70 million for FY2009, $72.1 million for FY2010, $74.3 million
for FY2011, and $76.5 million for FY2012. Specific activities are authorized, including
National Fire Academy training program modifications and reports, upgrading and
updating the National Fire Incident Reporting System to an Internet-based real-time
incident reporting database, developing training and technology to address fires occurring
at the wildland-urban interface, improving fire research dissemination to the public,
encouraging adoption of standards for firefighter health and safety, and enhancing
coordination regarding fire service-based Emergency Medical Services. On February 7,
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2008, the House Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation approved H.R. 4847 and
forwarded the bill to the full committee. On February 27, 2008, the House Committee on
Science and Technology ordered H.R. 4847 to be reported with amendments (H.Rept.
110-559). Adopted Committee amendments would: authorize USFA to enter into
contracts with one or more nationally recognized third-party organizations to deliver
training; authorize USFA to conduct or contract studies on fire-service based EMS; and
require USFA to develop, within two years, a National Fire Academy course on incident
training command for firefighting at U.S. ports and in marine areas. On April 3, 2008,
the House adopted an amendment in the nature of a substitute and passed the bill 412-0.
Added was a provision expressing congressional support for USFA recommendations for
adoption and education regarding sprinklers in commercial and residential buildings.
On February 7, 2008, Senator Dodd introduced S. 2606, the United States Fire
Administration Reauthorization Act of 2008. On April 10, 2008, S. 2606 was approved,
with amendments, by the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Although largely similar to the House bill (H.R. 4847), S. 2606 would also establish a
state and local fire service position at the National Operations Center within DHS.
Assistance to Firefighters Program (FIRE Act Grants)6
During the 106th Congress, many in the fire community asserted that local fire
departments require and deserve greater support from the federal government.
Accordingly, H.R. 1168, the Firefighter Investment and Response Enhancement (FIRE)
Act, was introduced on March 17, 1999, by Representative Pascrell. Ultimately, FIRE
Act authorization language was incorporated into Title XVII of the FY2001 National
Defense Authorization Act (P.L. 106-398, H.R. 4205/H.R. 5408), which was signed into
law on October 30, 2000. P.L. 106-398 established a new office in FEMA to administer
grants to fire departments and fire prevention organizations for a variety of purposes,
including hiring and training personnel, prevention programs, equipment and facilities,
and public education.
At its inception, the fire grant program was administered by the USFA and focused
on enhancing the basic needs of fire departments across the nation. Since its inception,
the fire grant program has been administered by FEMA/USFA (FY2001-FY2003), the
Office for Domestic Preparedness (FY2004), the Office of State and Local Government
Coordination Preparedness (FY2005), and the Office of Grants and Training in the DHS
Directorate for Preparedness (FY2006). Congressional appropriations reports have
consistently instructed DHS to maintain USFA involvement in the grant administration
process for fire and SAFER grants.7 The FY2007 DHS appropriations bill (P.L. 109-295)
transferred fire and SAFER grants (along with the USFA) back to FEMA.
6 For more information, see CRS Report RS21302, Assistance to Firefighters Program, by
Lennard G. Kruger.
7 For more details on the SAFER grant program, see CRS Report RL33375, Staffing for Adequate
Fire and Emergency Response: The SAFER Grant Program, by Lennard G. Kruger.
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Issues
The Administration’s FY2009 budget proposal to reduce the USFA budget and to
transfer the USFA into FEMA’s Operations, Management, and Administration account
are likely to generate controversy. Debate over the USFA budget focuses on whether the
USFA is receiving sufficient funding to accomplish its mission and to enable the USFA
to assume an enhanced role within DHS. Those debates will likely continue during
congressional consideration of the USFA appropriation and reauthorization. Other
legislation introduced into the 110th Congress would expand USFA’s role. H.R. 1351, the
Firefighters Special Operation Task Force Act, would authorize USFA to award grants
to firefighter task forces for equipment, training, and personnel. H.R. 4846, the First Line
of Defense Infrastructure Improvement Act, would establish a new grant program within
USFA that would primarily fund repairs and renovations to fire stations located near
critical infrastructure. H.R. 6112, the Healthy Firefighters Act, would authorize USFA
to contract with medical research universities to conduct long-term health monitoring of
firefighters who have responded to emergencies in disaster areas and to consult with the
Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide for the treatment of those firefighters.
Meanwhile, an ongoing issue is the viability and status of the USFA and National
Fire Academy within the Department of Homeland Security. While initially supportive
of the reorganization of FEMA into DHS, many in the fire service community have
cautioned that USFA and NFA programs — which address the day-to-day challenges
faced by fire departments — should not be overshadowed in an organization which
focuses on homeland security and counterterrorism. Since the establishment of DHS in
March 2003, fire service groups have opposed a number of actions DHS has taken with
respect to the USFA and NFA. These include the abolishment of the presidentially
appointed position of U.S. Fire Administrator (subsequently reestablished by enactment
of the USFA Reauthorization Act of 2003); proposed cancellations of some NFA courses
in 2003 due to an across-the-board FEMA budget cut (those NFA courses were
subsequently restored after fire service protests); and the transfer of the fire grants
program from the USFA to the Office for Domestic Preparedness. On July 13, 2005,
DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff announced a restructuring of DHS, effective October 1,
2005. Under this restructuring, USFA was removed from FEMA and located under the
new DHS Directorate for Preparedness. However, in the 109th Congress, Title VI of the
Conference Agreement on the DHS appropriations bill (P.L. 109-295; H.Rept. 109-699),
the Post Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006, transferred most of the
existing Preparedness Directorate (including the USFA) back to an enhanced FEMA.
Additionally, P.L. 109-295 directed that the Administrator of the USFA remain an
assistant secretary-level position.