Fire Department Repayment Act of 2022

Fire Department Repayment Act of 2022

This bill requires standard operating procedures for reciprocal fire suppression cost share agreements.

The Departments of Agriculture, the Interior, Homeland Security, and Defense shall

• establish standard operating procedures relating to fire suppression cost share agreements established under the Reciprocal Fire Protection Act; and
• with respect to each agreement in operation on one year after enactment of this bill, review each agreement and modify it as necessary to comply with the standard operating procedures.

The standard operating procedures shall include a requirement that each fire suppression cost share agreement be aligned with each of the cooperative fire protection agreements applicable to the entity subject to such fire suppression cost share agreement.

The standard operating procedures shall also include

• a requirement that the departments, to the maximum extent practicable, complete reviews, including second-level reviews of a fire suppression cost share agreement, as soon as practicable after a wildfire related to the area covered by such cost share agreement is contained; and
• a requirement that in completing such reviews, the department concerned consults with state and local fire suppression organizations.

Bill 117 HR 8035, also known as the Fire Department Repayment Act of 2022, is a piece of legislation currently being considered by the US Congress. The purpose of this bill is to provide financial assistance to fire departments that have incurred expenses related to responding to emergencies and disasters.

The bill proposes to establish a grant program that would allocate funds to eligible fire departments to help cover the costs of equipment, training, and other necessary resources. These funds would be used to reimburse fire departments for expenses incurred while responding to emergencies such as wildfires, natural disasters, and other hazardous situations.

In order to qualify for the grant program, fire departments must meet certain criteria, including demonstrating a need for financial assistance and providing documentation of expenses incurred during emergency response efforts. The bill also includes provisions for oversight and accountability to ensure that funds are used appropriately and effectively. Overall, the Fire Department Repayment Act of 2022 aims to support and strengthen the capabilities of fire departments across the country by providing them with the financial resources they need to effectively respond to emergencies and protect the safety and well-being of their communities.