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
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.
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 committeesmeans 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.