Wildfire Emergency Preparedness Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 4852
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Emergency Management
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-08-02: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-22T08:07:22Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The Wildfire Emergency Preparedness Act of 2025 aims to better equip structural firefighters (those trained for building fires) to handle wildfires and fires in wildland-urban interface areas (regions where urban development meets wildlands). It also seeks to improve coordination among federal, state, and local firefighting teams to enhance overall wildfire response effectiveness.
Key Provisions
- National Training Plan and Grants (Section 2): The Secretary of Agriculture, through the U.S. Forest Service, must develop and publish a training plan within one year of enactment. This plan focuses on safe and effective responses to wildfires and wildland-urban interface fires, consulting with the Secretary of the Interior, a new Under Secretary for Fire Coordination, and FEMA's National Fire Academy. The plan includes guidelines using existing training materials from the National Fire Academy and the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (e.g., courses S-130 and S-190 on basic wildfire safety). Competitive grants (up to $5 million authorized annually from FY2026-2031) are available to nonprofit organizations experienced in firefighter training to develop and deliver programs adhering to this plan. Applications require consultation with state/local fire officials, volunteers, building code enforcers, and safety researchers.
- Coordination of Fire Operations (Section 3): Establishes a new Under Secretary of Agriculture for Fire Coordination position, appointed by the President with Senate confirmation. This role advises on federal-state-local coordination for wildfire preparedness and response, integrates firefighting efforts within the Forest Service, and handles related duties. Within 60 days of enactment, the Secretaries of Agriculture and Interior must add a representative from a national labor organization for state/local firefighters to the Wildland Fire Leadership Council and National Wildfire Coordinating Group.
- Department of Defense Firefighting Support (Section 4): Allows the Secretary of Defense to deploy DoD firefighters to assist federal or other agencies in wildfire responses upon request from qualified agency heads (e.g., Secretaries of Agriculture or Interior). Assistance requires reimbursement at agreed rates. The Secretary of Defense must report to Congress on financial and logistical barriers to such support.
- Firefighter Health and Safety Research (Section 5): Amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to require the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Director to conduct research on protecting firefighters' respiratory health during wildfires, including identifying and measuring per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS, chemicals linked to health risks like cancer) in fire-affected areas, protective gear, and other settings. Research involves consultation with FEMA, USDA, firefighter representatives, manufacturers, and the EPA. Annual reports to Congress are required, with $20 million authorized annually from FY2026-2031.
- Mental Health Assistance for First Responders (Section 6): Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to expand crisis counseling for disaster mental health. New criteria mandate that task forces include mental health experts to treat post-traumatic stress and related conditions in firefighters and responders. All task force members must be trained in peer support services (e.g., spotting warning signs, de-escalation, referrals). Up to $10 million annually from FY2026-2031 can fund criteria development and training grants to nonprofits.
- Supplemental Firefighter Assistance Grants (Section 7): The Under Secretary of Agriculture for Fire Coordination can award competitive grants to fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical services (EMS) organizations for wildfire-related personal protective equipment and training. Grants are capped by population served (e.g., up to $1 million for jurisdictions under 100,000 people; up to $9 million for over 2.5 million), with a 1% aggregate limit per recipient (waivable for extraordinary needs). $100 million is authorized for FY2026.
- Report to Congress (Section 8): Within one year of enactment, the Under Secretary must submit a report on local fire training for wildfires, its effectiveness, and coordination obstacles, including case studies. Consultations with firefighter organizations are required.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Creates a new Senate-confirmed position (Under Secretary of Agriculture for Fire Coordination) to centralize wildfire coordination, previously handled more ad hoc.
- Amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act (1970) to add a dedicated NIOSH research program on wildfire-specific hazards like PFAS, expanding beyond general occupational safety.
- Modifies the Stafford Disaster Relief Act to incorporate mandatory mental health training and peer support in disaster response teams, building on existing crisis counseling but adding specifics for firefighters.
- Introduces new grant programs and authorizations under USDA and FEMA, including DoD involvement in civilian fire responses (previously limited), without altering core wildland fire management laws like the Federal Land Policy and Management Act.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Enhances interagency coordination (e.g., USDA, Interior, DoD, FEMA, NIOSH), potentially streamlining wildfire responses but increasing administrative burdens (e.g., new position, reports). Authorizes about $185 million total across programs from FY2026-2031, requiring budget allocations.
- Citizens: Improves public safety in wildfire-prone areas by better-trained firefighters and faster responses, reducing property damage and evacuation risks. Mental health and equipment grants could indirectly benefit communities through safer EMS services.
- International Relations: Minimal direct impact; focuses on domestic U.S. firefighting, though improved capabilities could aid mutual aid in cross-border fires (e.g., with Canada or Mexico) if extended bilaterally.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Firefighters and EMS Personnel: Structural, wildland, volunteer, and DoD firefighters gain access to specialized training, equipment, health research, and mental health support, addressing rising wildfire exposures.
- Government Entities: USDA Forest Service, Department of Interior, DoD, FEMA, NIOSH, and state/local fire agencies benefit from coordination and funding but face new reporting/reporting duties.
- Nonprofits and Labor Organizations: Eligible for grants and consultations; firefighter unions gain representation on key councils.
- Communities and Researchers: Residents in wildland-urban interfaces see enhanced protection; safety researchers and equipment manufacturers contribute to and benefit from PFAS studies.
- Taxpayers: Funding comes from federal appropriations, potentially increasing costs for wildfire mitigation.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Introduces enforceable timelines (e.g., 1-year plan deadline) and competitive grant processes, with Senate confirmation for the new Under Secretary ensuring oversight. Reimbursement requirements for DoD aid prevent unfunded mandates. PFAS research could lead to future regulations on firefighting gear under environmental laws.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's spending power (Article I) for public safety and commerce clause authority over interstate hazards like wildfires. No apparent First Amendment or federalism issues, as it encourages state/local consultation without mandates.
- Political: Addresses escalating wildfire crises (e.g., in Western states), potentially bipartisan appeal given introducers from California. Enhances federal role in local disasters without overriding state authority, but new position and funding may spark debates on bureaucracy and priorities amid budget constraints.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (14)
Rep. Valadao, David G. [R-CA-22], Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-40], Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24], Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28], Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21], Rep. Norcross, Donald [D-NJ-1], Rep. Dexter, Maxine [D-OR-3], Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-50], Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6], Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5]
Recent Actions
- 2025-08-02: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
- 2025-08-01: 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.
- 2025-08-01: 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.
- 2025-08-01: 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.
- 2025-08-01: 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.
- 2025-08-01: 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.
- 2025-08-01: Introduced in House
- 2025-08-01: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Wildfire Emergency Preparedness Act of 2025 — issued 2025-08-01 — PDF (18 pages)