PROTECT Firefighters Act

Bill Number

H.R. 3370

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Emergency Management

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-02-11: ASSUMING FIRST SPONSORSHIP - Ms. Houlahan asked unanimous consent that she may hereafter be considered as the first sponsor of H.R. 3370, a bill originally introduced by Representative Sherrill, for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII. Agreed to without objection.

Last Updated

2026-02-12T09:06:40Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The PROTECT Firefighters Act (H.R. 3370) aims to enhance the safety of firefighters by requiring the United States Fire Administration (USFA) to create a detailed plan for improving equipment, training, and staffing standards for Rapid Intervention Teams (RITs). These teams are dedicated rescue crews that stand by at fire scenes to quickly search for and rescue trapped or injured firefighters. The legislation specifically includes RITs that handle fires at port facilities and on ships, addressing gaps in current practices to reduce firefighter deaths and improve response effectiveness.

Key Provisions

• Submission of Comprehensive Strategy: Within one year of enactment, the USFA Administrator must deliver a strategy to four congressional committees (House Science, Space, and Technology; House Homeland Security; Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation; Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs). The strategy covers:
• Current standards for RIT equipment (e.g., gear and tools), training frequency, and staffing levels (number of personnel and response times), including financial or logistical barriers like costs or access issues.
• Ways to improve access to modern, high-quality equipment and training, and ensure standardization (uniform practices) and interoperability (ability to work together seamlessly) across teams in different states and localities.
• Special focus on RITs for maritime and port fires, assessing if their equipment, training, and staffing are adequate for various ships, including foreign-flagged vessels (ships from other countries that may use different firefighting systems). It identifies barriers to maritime-specific training and equipment.
• Review of Firefighter Deaths: The strategy must analyze reports from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program over the prior five years. This includes summarizing trends in RIT access to resources and examining how shortages or lack of standardization contributed to on-duty firefighter deaths (known as "Line of Duty Deaths").
• Recommendations to Congress: The strategy provides specific suggestions for lawmakers, such as funding or policy changes to expand access to better resources, overcome barriers, and address causes of firefighter fatalities. Separate recommendations target general RITs and those for port/maritime settings.
• Briefing Requirement: Within 18 months of enactment, the USFA must brief the same congressional committees on the strategy's content and progress.
• Definition: A "firefighter Rapid Intervention Team" is defined as a standby rescue crew available for immediate search and rescue of firefighters in emergencies.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill introduces a new mandate for the USFA to develop and submit a proactive strategy on RIT standards, which does not appear to amend prior laws directly. It builds on existing programs like NIOSH fatality investigations by requiring their integration into a broader national plan. No explicit repeals or modifications to current firefighting regulations are outlined, but it could influence future standards through the recommended actions.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The USFA will face new responsibilities for research, analysis, and reporting, potentially increasing administrative workload and requiring coordination with NIOSH and state/local fire departments. Congressional committees gain oversight tools to push for firefighter safety enhancements.
• On Citizens and Firefighters: Improved RIT standards could reduce firefighter injuries and deaths, leading to safer communities by enhancing emergency response reliability. Fire departments, especially those with staffing shortages, may benefit from recommendations addressing financial barriers, potentially leading to better-funded training and equipment.
• On International Relations: The focus on foreign-flagged ships at U.S. ports could promote better preparedness for international maritime incidents, indirectly supporting smoother cooperation with global shipping standards, though no direct diplomatic changes are mandated.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Firefighters and Fire Departments: Primary beneficiaries, as the strategy targets their equipment, training, and staffing needs, particularly in under-resourced or port-area teams.
• United States Fire Administration (USFA): Responsible for developing and implementing the strategy.
• Port and Maritime Facilities: Operators and responding teams will see assessments of specialized needs, potentially improving safety at critical infrastructure sites.
• Congressional Committees: Involved in receiving the strategy and briefing, positioning them to influence future funding or laws.
• National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH): Their reports are central to the analysis, amplifying their role in firefighter safety.
• State and Local Governments: Affected through efforts to standardize practices across jurisdictions and address nationwide barriers.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal Implications: The bill creates enforceable deadlines for USFA actions, which could lead to follow-up legislation based on recommendations. It emphasizes standardization without imposing new federal mandates on states, respecting federalism (the division of powers between national and state governments).
• Constitutional Implications: No direct challenges to constitutional principles; it operates within Congress's authority to regulate interstate commerce and public safety, including maritime activities.
• Political Implications: As a bipartisan bill (introduced by Reps. Sherrill and Bacon), it highlights cross-party consensus on first responder safety. The focus on port facilities ties into broader national security concerns, potentially garnering support amid ongoing discussions on infrastructure and emergency preparedness.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Sherrill, Mikie [D-NJ-11]

Cosponsors (2)

Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]

Recent Actions

• 2026-02-11: ASSUMING FIRST SPONSORSHIP - Ms. Houlahan asked unanimous consent that she may hereafter be considered as the first sponsor of H.R. 3370, a bill originally introduced by Representative Sherrill, for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII. Agreed to without objection.
• 2025-05-13: Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
• 2025-05-13: Introduced in House
• 2025-05-13: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Providing Resources and Operational Training to Eliminate Crisis Threats to Firefighters Act — issued 2025-05-13 — PDF (9 pages)