WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Mike Bost (IL-12), co-chair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, reintroduced legislation Monday to help fire departments across the United States upgrade or replace fire stations in need of repair. The Facilitating Investments Required for Emergency Services to All Towns in Our Nation (FIRE STATION) Act would authorize $750 million in fire station grants administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

“As one of the few former firefighters in Congress, it’s a very personal mission for me to ensure our fire stations are upgraded and modernized,” said Bost. “My role as co-chair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus provides an important platform to see that mission through. I’m proud to support the Fire Station Construction Grants Act to ensure our firefighters have the safe and effective facilities they need to do their jobs and keep their communities safe.”

“Firefighters work long shifts that stretch for 24 hours or more. Their fire stations act as second homes. Firefighters deserve clean, modern, and safe facilities where they can train and rest between emergency responses. Countless fire stations nationwide have fallen into dangerous levels of disrepair – risking firefighters’ health and safety. Budget-strapped local governments need assistance repairing and replacing these dilapidated stations…We urge Congress to pass this legislation and ensure firefighters have safe and modern stations that allow them to best serve their communities,” said Edward Kelly, General President of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF).

The bipartisan legislation is aimed at ensuring that fire and EMS departments across the nation have access to the resources they need to better serve their communities. The grant funding can be used to build, rebuild, or renovate fire and EMS department facilities, upgrade existing facilities to install exhaust emission control systems, install backup power systems, upgrade or replace environmental control systems such as HVAC systems, remove or remediate mold, and construct or modify living quarters. Bost introduced the legislation with U.S. Reps. Bill Pascrell (D-NJ) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA).