119-hr4852

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4852 Introduced in House

    (IH) ]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
 1st Session
 H. R. 4852

 To increase the preparation of structural firefighters to assist in 
 wildfire and wildland-urban interface fire response efforts and the 
coordination of firefighting teams across all levels of government, and 
 for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

 August 1, 2025

 Mr. Harder of California (for himself and Mr. Valadao) introduced the 
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and 
in addition to the Committees on Natural Resources, Transportation and 
 Infrastructure, Armed Services, and Education and Workforce, for a 
 period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for 
consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the 
 committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

 A BILL

 To increase the preparation of structural firefighters to assist in 
 wildfire and wildland-urban interface fire response efforts and the 
coordination of firefighting teams across all levels of government, and 
 for other purposes.

 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

 This Act may be cited as the ``Wildfire Emergency Preparedness Act 
of 2025''.

SEC. 2. TRAINING PLAN AND GRANT PROGRAM UNDER THE UNITED STATES FOREST 
 SERVICE.

    (a) Establishment of National Training Plan.--Not later than 1 year 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, in 
consultation with the entities described in subsection

    (b) , shall 
publish a plan to train structural firefighters in the United States, 
including such firefighters employed by the Federal Government, to 
respond safely and effectively to incidents of the following:

    (1) Wildfire.

    (2) Fire in the wildland-urban interface.

    (b) Entities Described.--The entities described in this subsection 
are the following:

    (1) The Secretary of the Interior.

    (2) The Under Secretary of Agriculture for Fire 
 Coordination (as established under 

section 3

    (a) ).

    (3) The Superintendent of the National Academy for Fire 
 Prevention and Control of the Federal Emergency Management 
 Agency.
            (c) Guidelines.--The plan published under subsection

    (a) shall 
include guidelines for a training curriculum that incorporates the 
following:

    (1) Such training materials as may be developed by the 
 Superintendent of the National Academy for Fire Prevention and 
 Control pursuant to 

section 7 of the Federal Fire Prevention 
 and Control Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 2206).

    (2) The material for courses S-130 and S-190 (or any 
 substantially similar successor course) developed by the 
 National Wildlife Coordinating Group.
            (d) Training Development Grants.--The Secretary of Agriculture, 
acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, may make a grant, on a 
competitive basis, to an eligible entity to carry out a training 
program for structural firefighters with a curriculum that--

    (1) adheres to the plan published under subsection

    (a) ; and

    (2) satisfies the guidelines referred to in subsection
            (c) .

    (e) Eligibility.--An entity is an eligible entity and eligible to 
apply for a grant described in subsection
            (d) if the entity is a 
nonprofit organization that provides training or development programs 
for structural firefighters with demonstrated experience with respect 
to each of the following:

    (1) Developing curricula for classroom and practical 
 training of structural firefighters.

    (2) Delivering teaching or training programs, both in-
 person and online, to structural firefighters on topics related 
 to fireground safety and wildfire operations.

    (3) Collaboration with national nonprofit organizations to 
 support research on firefighting safety and the health and 
 wellness of firefighters.

    (f) Applications.--An eligible entity may apply to the Secretary of 
Agriculture, in a form and manner determined by the Secretary, for a 
grant under this section if the application includes a certification 
that the training program referred to in subsection
            (d) is to be 
carried out in consultation with each of the following:

    (1) Firefighting personnel of State and local fire service 
 agencies, including such personnel with supervisory 
 responsibilities or heads of such agencies.

    (2) Volunteer firefighters.

    (3) State and local officials who maintain and enforce 
 building codes.

    (4) Researchers with experience investigating firefighting 
 injuries and fatalities.

    (g) Authorization of Appropriations.--

    (1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated to 
 carry out this section $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 
 through 2031.

    (2) Technical assistance.--The Secretary of Agriculture, 
 acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, may obligate 
 and expend, for each fiscal year specified in paragraph

    (1) , 
 not more than 2.5 percent of the amount authorized to be 
 appropriated under such paragraph for technical assistance.

    (3) Carryover.--Amounts authorized to be appropriated to 
 carry out this section shall remain available until expended.

SEC. 3. COORDINATION OF WILDFIRE AND WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE FIRE 
 OPERATIONS.

    (a) Under Secretary of Agriculture for Fire Coordination.--

    (1) Establishment.--There is established in the Department 
 of Agriculture a position known as the Under Secretary of 
 Agriculture for Fire Coordination (referred to in this section 
 as the ``Under Secretary''), who shall be appointed by the 
 President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.

    (2) Duties.--
        (A) Fire preparedness and response.--The Under 
 Secretary shall serve as the principal adviser to the 
 Secretary of Agriculture for any matter that relates to 
 the coordination of Federal, State, and local 
 governments in preparing for, and responding to, 
 incidents of the following:
            (i) Wildfire.
            (ii) Fires occurring in the wildland-urban 
 interface.
        (B) Integration and effectiveness of firefighting 
 efforts.--The Under Secretary shall coordinate with the 
 Chief of the Forest Service with respect to the 
 following:
            (i) Improving the effectiveness of 
 firefighting operations conducted by the 
 Secretary of Agriculture.
            (ii) Advising the Secretary of Agriculture 
 regarding the coordination described in 
 subparagraph
        (A) .
            (C) Other duties.--The Under Secretary shall 
 exercise such other functions, and perform such other 
 duties, as may be required by law or prescribed by the 
 Secretary of Agriculture.

    (b) Wildland Fire Leadership Council; National Wildfire 
Coordinating Group.--

    (1) In general.--Not later than 60 days after the date of 
 the enactment of this section, the Secretary of Agriculture and 
 the Secretary of the Interior shall take such necessary actions 
 to ensure that a representative of a national labor 
 organization representing State and local firefighters is a 
 member of the following:
        (A) The Wildland Fire Leadership Council.
        (B) The National Wildfire Coordinating Group.

    (2) Application.--A representative described in paragraph

    (1) may be a member of the Wildland Fire Leadership Council and 
 the National Wildfire Coordinating Group at the same time if 
 the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior 
 determine such is appropriate.

SEC. 4. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE FIREFIGHTING PERSONNEL.

    (a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, upon 
request from a qualified agency head, the Secretary of Defense may 
authorize firefighters in the Department of Defense to conduct 
operations, or to assist the qualified agency head in conducting 
operations, in response to incidents of wildfire or fire in the 
wildland-urban interface.

    (b) Reimbursement.--A qualified agency head who makes a request to 
the Secretary of Defense under subsection

    (a) shall reimburse the 
Secretary for the costs of the services provided by the Secretary 
pursuant to the request, at rates determined, and agreed to, by the 
Secretary, the Secretary of Agriculture, and the Secretary of the 
Interior.
            (c) Report to Congress.--The Secretary of Defense shall submit to 
the appropriate congressional committees a report on any financial and 
logistical barriers to conducting the operations, or providing the 
assistance, described in subsection

    (a) .
            (d) === Definitions. ===
-In this section:

    (1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term 
 ``appropriate congressional committees'' means the following:
        (A) The Committee on Agriculture of the House of 
 Representatives.
        (B) The Committee on Natural Resources of the House 
 of Representatives.
            (C) The Committee on Science, Space, and Technology 
 of the House of Representatives.
            (D) The Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and 
 Forestry of the Senate.
        (E) The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources 
 of the Senate.
        (F) The Committee on Homeland Security and 
 Governmental Affairs of the Senate.

    (2) Qualified agency head.--The term ``qualified agency 
 head'' means any of the following:
        (A) The Secretary of Agriculture.
        (B) The Secretary of the Interior.
            (C) The head of any other relevant agency, as 
 determined by the Secretary of Defense.

SEC. 5. FIREFIGHTER HEALTH AND SAFETY RESEARCH IN THE NATIONAL 
 INSTITUTE FOR OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH.

 

Section 22 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29 
U.S.C. 671) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
subsection:
 ``
            (i) Program of Firefighter Health and Safety Research.--
 ``

    (1) In general.--The Director shall carry out a research 
 and development program with respect to accomplish the 
 following:
 ``
        (A) To protect the respiratory health of 
 firefighters responding to incidents of wildfire or 
 fires in the wildland-urban interface.
 ``
        (B) To identify and measure per- and 
 polyfluoroalkyl substances (commonly referred to as 
 `PFAS') and other carcinogens which may be present in 
 any of the following:
 ``
            (i) Areas affected by--
 ``
            (I) incidents of wildfire or fire 
 in the wildland-urban interface; or
 ``
            (II) firefighting operations 
 conducted in response to such 
 incidents.
 ``
            (ii) Protective equipment used by 
 firefighters responding to such incidents.
 ``
            (iii) Any other setting, as determined by 
 the Director in accordance with paragraph

    (2)
        (B) .
 ``

    (2) Consultation with stakeholders.--
 ``
        (A) In general.--In carrying out this subsection, 
 the Director shall consult with the following:
 ``
            (i) The Administrator of the United 
 States Fire Administration.
 ``
            (ii) The Secretary of Agriculture.
 ``
            (iii) Representatives from such nonprofit 
 organizations or labor unions representing 
 firefighters and fire officers in the public 
 sector.
 ``
        (B) PFAS exposure investigations.--In identifying 
 any other setting under paragraph

    (1)
        (B)
            (iii) , the 
 Director shall consult with the following:
 ``
            (i) The entities specified in 
 subparagraph
        (A) .
 ``
            (ii) Stakeholders from the industries 
 that manufacture equipment for, or provide 
 assistance to, firefighters.
 ``
            (iii) Structural firefighters who have 
 responded to incidents of wildfire or fires in 
 the wildland-urban interface.
 ``
            (iv) The Secretary of the Interior.
 ``
            (v) The Administrator of the 
 Environmental Protection Agency.
 ``

    (3) Reports to congress.--Not later than 180 days after 
 the date of the enactment of this subsection and annually 
 thereafter, the Director shall submit to the appropriate 
 congressional committees a report on the following:
 ``
        (A) The progress of the Director in carrying out 
 this subsection.
 ``
        (B) Any research findings identified as a result 
 of the research conducted under this subsection.
 ``

    (4) Authorization of appropriations.--There are 
 authorized to be appropriated $20,000,000 for each of fiscal 
 years 2026 through 2031 to carry out this subsection.
 ``

    (5) Definition of appropriate congressional committees.--
 In this subsection, the term `appropriate congressional 
 committees' means the following:
 ``
        (A) The Committee on Natural Resources of the 
 House of Representatives.
 ``
        (B) The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources 
 of the Senate.''.

SEC. 6. MENTAL HEALTH ASSISTANCE FOR FIRST RESPONDERS.

 

Section 327
            (d) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5165f
            (d) ) is amended--

    (1) in paragraph

    (1) --
        (A) by striking ``Administration'' and inserting 
 ``Administrator''; and
        (B) by inserting ``, subject to paragraph

    (4) '' 
 after ``participation''; and

    (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
 ``

    (4) Criteria for mental health assistance.--
 ``
        (A) In general.--The Administrator shall include 
 the following in the criteria described in paragraph

    (1) :
 ``
            (i) Criteria specifying that a task force 
 with firefighters or other emergency responders 
 as members shall include, as members of the 
 task force, mental health practitioners 
 qualified to treat, monitor, or assess such 
 firefighters or other emergency responders for 
 post-traumatic stress injuries or other mental 
 or behavioral health conditions attributable to 
 service in the task force.
 ``
            (ii) Criteria for each member of a task 
 force to be trained in peer mental health 
 support services and to provide such services 
 to an emergency responder serving in the task 
 force.
 ``
            (iii) Criteria establishing that the peer 
 mental health support services referred to in 
 clause
            (ii) include the following:
 ``
            (I) Identification of warning 
 signs of post-traumatic stress 
 injuries.
 ``
            (II) Recognition of symptoms of 
 behavioral health conditions.
 ``
            (III) Application of de-
 escalation methods.
 ``
            (IV) Referral to mental health 
 practitioners when appropriate.
 ``
        (B) Consultation.--The Administrator may consult 
 with nonprofit organizations to develop the criteria 
 described in subparagraph
        (A) and provide grants to 
 such organizations to provide training to task forces 
 to comply with such criteria.
 ``
            (C) Authorization of appropriations.--From 
 amounts authorized to be appropriated to carry out this 
 section, the Administrator may obligate and expend not 
 more than $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 
 through 2031 to carry out this paragraph.''.

SEC. 7. SUPPLEMENTAL FIREFIGHTER ASSISTANCE.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the 
Under Secretary of Agriculture for Fire Coordination, in consultation 
with the chief executives of each State in which a respective potential 
recipient is located, may award grants on a competitive basis directly 
to--

    (1) fire departments, for the purpose of protecting the 
 health and safety of the public and firefighting personnel 
 throughout the United States against fire, fire-related 
 hazards, and other hazards; and

    (2) nonaffiliated EMS organizations (as defined in 

section 33

    (a) of the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 
 (15 U.S.C. 2229

    (a) )) to support the provision of emergency 
 medical services.

    (b) Maximum Grant Amounts.--

    (1) Population.--Subject to paragraph

    (2) , the Secretary of 
 Agriculture may not award a grant under this section in excess 
 of amounts as follows:
        (A) In the case of a recipient that serves a 
 jurisdiction of 100,000 people or fewer, the amount of 
 the grant to such recipient shall not exceed $1,000,000 
 in any fiscal year.
        (B) In the case of a recipient that serves a 
 jurisdiction with more than 100,000 people but not more 
 than 500,000 people, the amount of the grant award to 
 such recipient shall not exceed $2,000,000 in any 
 fiscal year.
            (C) In the case of a recipient that serves a 
 jurisdiction with more than 500,000 but not more than 
 1,000,000 people, the amount of the grant awarded to 
 such recipient shall not exceed $3,000,000 in any 
 fiscal year.
            (D) In the case of a recipient that serves a 
 jurisdiction with more than 1,000,000 people but not 
 more than 2,500,000 people, the amount of the grant 
 awarded to such recipient shall not exceed $6,000,000 
 for any fiscal year.
        (E) In the case of a recipient that serves a 
 jurisdiction with more than 2,500,000 people, the 
 amount of the grant awarded to such recipient shall not 
 exceed $9,000,000 in any fiscal year.

    (2) Aggregate.--
        (A) In general.--Except as provided under 
 subparagraph
        (B) , the Secretary of Agriculture may not 
 award a grant under this section in a fiscal year in an 
 amount that exceeds the amount that is one percent of 
 the available grand funds in such fiscal year.
        (B) Exception.--The Secretary of Agriculture may 
 waive the limitation in subparagraph
        (A) with respect 
 to a grant recipient if the Secretary determines that 
 such recipient has an extraordinary need for a grant in 
 an amount that exceeds the limit under the 
 subparagraph.
            (c) Use of Grant Funds.--Each recipient of a grant under this 
subsection shall use the grant for one or more of the following 
purposes:

    (1) To obtain personal protective equipment suitable for 
 responding to incidents of wildfire or fires in the wildland-
 urban interface.

    (2) To train firefighting personnel in responding to 
 incidents of wildfire or fires in the wildland-urban interface.
            (d) Authorization of Appropriations for Grants.--There is 
authorized to be appropriated $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2026 to make 
grants under this section.

SEC. 8. REPORT TO CONGRESS ON OPERATIONS INVOLVING WILDFIRES AND FIRES 
 IN THE WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the 
enactment of this section, the Under Secretary of Agriculture for Fire 
Coordination, in consultation with such nonprofit organizations or 
labor organizations representing firefighters as determined appropriate 
by the Under Secretary, shall submit to the appropriate congressional 
committees a report that contains information relating to the 
following:

    (1) The extent to which local fire service providers train 
 personnel to respond to wildfires and fires in the wildland-
 urban interface.

    (2) The effectiveness of such training.

    (3) Obstacles that prevent the coordination described in 
 

section 3

    (a)

    (2)
        (A) , with specific case studies to illustrate 
 such obstacles.

    (b) Definition of Appropriate Congressional Committees.--In this 
Act, the term ``appropriate congressional committees'' means the 
following:

    (1) The Committee on Agriculture of the House of 
 Representatives.

    (2) The Committee on Natural Resources of the House of 
 Representatives.

    (3) The Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the 
 House of Representatives.

    (4) The Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry 
 of the Senate.

    (5) The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the 
 Senate.

    (6) The Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental 
 Affairs of the Senate.
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