Congressional Fire Services Institute

🏛️🔥 The latest edition of Washington Watch was released in today's newsletter! Stay informed on policy updates and legislative news impacting the fire and emergency services.

📌AFG, SAFER, and FP&S Grant Programs Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is now OPEN!
📌National Fire Academy Resumes In-Person Emergency Management Trainings
📌Acting FEMA Administrator Replaced

➡️ Check it out here: https://cfsi.org/washington-watch-may-21-2026/

📩 Sign up for the newsletter today: https://bit.ly/CFSINewsletter

✅ Save the date for CFSI’s upcoming virtual mini symposium on firefighter health, safety, and wellness. Hear from leading experts as they discuss statewide mental wellness programs, occupational cancer screening research, behavioral health leadership strategies, and the health hazards associated with electric vehicle firefighting and PPE contamination.

🗓️ Date: May 27, 2026
⌚ Time: 10:00 AM–12:30 PM ET
🔗 Add to your calendar: https://bit.ly/CFSIHealthSymposium2026

Thank you to our presenters:
Dena Ali, First Responder Center for Excellence
Dr. Bryan Bassig, Inova
Dr. Deborah Beidel, UCF RESTORES-Trauma Therapy Program
Dr. Rebecca Kaltman, Inova
Dr. Jennifer Lund, Inova
Ryan McGill, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department
Dr. Chandler Probert, Fire Safety Research Institute

🚨 AFG, SAFER, and FP&S Grant Programs Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is POSTED!
📍 Deadline to Apply: June 22, 2026
❓ Questions: [email protected]

🔥 AFG: https://grants.gov/search-results-detail/362440
🔥 SAFER: https://grants.gov/search-results-detail/362438
🔥 FP&S: https://grants.gov/search-results-detail/362442

✅Mark your calendars for an upcoming CFSI virtual mini symposium focused on firefighter health, safety, and wellness. Hear from leading experts on building statewide mental wellness programs, occupational cancer screening research, organizational leadership and behavioral health, and the health hazards associated with electric vehicle firefighting and PPE contamination.

❗Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about the latest research, best practices, and emerging challenges impacting the fire and emergency services community.

🗓️Date: May 27, 2026
⌚Time: 10am-12:30pm ET
🔗Add to your calendar: https://bit.ly/CFSIHealthSymposium2026

Thank you to our presenters:
Dena Ali, First Responder Center for Excellence
Dr. Bryan Bassig, Inova
Dr. Deborah Beidel, UCF RESTORES-Trauma Therapy Program
Dr. Rebecca Kaltman, Inova
Dr. Jennifer Lund, Inova
Ryan McGill, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department
Dr. Chandler Probert, Fire Safety Research Institute

On May 7th, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Review Council finalized its report following its final council meeting. The recommendations included items related to a focus on shifting disaster response to the state and local level, staffing levels in FEMA, and the speed of federal disaster relief funds. View the Full Report at https://bit.ly/4u38IiX

🏛️🔥 The latest edition of Washington Watch was released in today's newsletter! Stay informed on policy updates and legislative news impacting the fire and emergency services.

📌FEMA Reform Report is Finalized
📌DHS Shutdown Status Report
📌National Fire Academy Reopens
📌WTCHP Provides FY2026 Grant Cycle Update
📌U.S. Department of Agriculture Releases Wildfire Readiness Memorandum

➡️ Check it out here: https://cfsi.org/washington-watch-may-7-2026/
📩 Sign up for the newsletter today: https://bit.ly/CFSINewsletter

🚨 After a 76-day shutdown, the majority of the Department of Homeland Security has been reopened, including FEMA, USFA and the National Fire Academy, FEMA grant programs, and more. CFSI has worked, and will continue to work, to ensure that critical fire service programs and agencies are appropriately funded.

CFSI’s webinar on single-stairway buildings is available—covering first responder risks, building codes & standards, and the ongoing push to balance affordability with safety.

🎥 Watch here: https://bit.ly/CFSISingleStair
➡️Check out our one-pager on codes & standards: https://bit.ly/CFSICodesStandards

Thank you to our panelists:

Karl Fippinger International Code Council
Bob Sullivan National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
Sean DeCrane International Association of Fire Fighters
Robert Marshall IAFC - International Association of Fire Chiefs

🏛️🔥 The latest edition of Washington Watch was released in yesterday's newsletter! Stay informed on policy updates and legislative news impacting the fire and emergency services.

📌FirstNet Reauthorization Passes the House
📌DHS Shutdown Status Report
📌President Trump Nominates Dr. Erica Schwartz to be CDC Director
📌Recap of Key Budget Hearings

➡️ Check it out here: https://cfsi.org/washington-watch-april-23-2026/
📩 Sign up for the newsletter today: https://bit.ly/CFSINewsletter

CFSI is proud to announce new leadership for its National Advisory Committee (NAC). Vickie Pritchett, National Fire Sprinkler Association - NFSA will serve as Chair, and Butch Browning, National Association of State Fire Marshals as Vice Chair. We look forward to their leadership in advancing consensus-driven policy and strengthening engagement with federal lawmakers.

🔗Read more here: https://cfsi.org/new-leadership-of-the-national-advisory-committee/

The First Responder Network Authority Reauthorization Act of 2026 has passed the House of Representatives! H.R. 7386 extends the FirstNet Authority through FY2037 to continue providing mission-critical communications for our nation’s first responders. As the legislation must now pass the Senate, CFSI and our partners look forward to finishing the job of FirstNet Reauthorization.

Read More ➡️

FirstNet Reauthorization Bill Passes the House - Congressional Fire Services Institute The First Responder Network Authority Reauthorization Act of 2026 (H.R. 7386) passed the House of Representatives on April 20th by voice vote. CFSI and our partner organizations have worked diligently […]