Fire Department Repayment Act of 2023

Fire Department Repayment Act of 2023

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 118 HR 3396, also known as the Fire Department Repayment Act of 2023, 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 outlines a process by which fire departments can apply for reimbursement for costs such as equipment, training, and personnel expenses. It also establishes a fund to support these reimbursements, which will be administered by a designated government agency.

Additionally, the bill includes provisions for monitoring and oversight to ensure that funds are being used appropriately and efficiently. It also requires regular reporting on the impact of the program and any improvements that can be made. Overall, the Fire Department Repayment Act of 2023 aims to support and strengthen fire departments across the country by providing them with the financial resources they need to effectively respond to emergencies and disasters.