Bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus Endorses Legislation to Support First Responders Battling Wildfires

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus announced its endorsement of the Fire Department Repayment Act. The legislation will expedite repayments to fire departments that respond to wildfires on federal lands and increase transparency in cost-share agreements between the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and fire departments nationwide.

The bipartisan legislation was introduced by Representatives Josh Harder (CA-09) and John Curtis (UT-03) and has 23 additional cosponsors, 11 of whom are Members of the Problem Solvers Caucus.

According to the National Interagency Fire Center, there were 125,568 wildfires in the United States in 2022 and 2023. After local fire departments stepped in to fight these fires, many experienced significant delays in reimbursement for their staffing and equipment expenses due to burdensome red tape and reporting requirements.

The Fire Department Repayment Act would address these inefficiencies by:

· Establishing a standard operating procedure for fire suppression cost agreements between USFS and local fire departments.

· Ensuring fire suppression cost agreements align with cooperative fire protection agreements.

· Expediting the review of standard operating procedures to allow for timely federal reimbursements.  

The provisions outlined in this bill will ensure our nation’s firefighters can continue protecting their communities and stepping in to help combat emergency wildfires on federal lands. 

“Our local firefighters are working harder than ever to keep our families safe,” said Congressman Josh Harder (CA-09). “When fires occur on federal land, our locals always answer the call, but right now the federal government isn’t reimbursing for their services quickly enough and it’s killing our locals’ budgets. It’s totally unacceptable that the federal government is skipping out on the bill. This legislation forces the federal government to do the right thing and get our fire departments paid ASAP. I’m glad my Problem Solvers Caucus colleagues are pushing to get our common-sense bill over the finish line.” 

“First responders on the front lines deserve our utmost support, not delays in the resources they need,” said Congressman John Curtis (UT-03). “The Fire Department Repayment Act will cut through the red tape and strengthen our commitment to those who safeguard Utah's communities and natural beauty.”

“This commonsense, bipartisan legislation will ensure that our first responders have the resources and support they need to protect themselves and our communities,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05). “I’m glad that the members of the Problem Solvers Caucus came together to endorse the bipartisan Fire Department Repayment Act to get the backs of those who protect us.”

“It is essential the U.S. Forest Service promptly repay local fire departments that assist the forest service in fighting thousands of fires across the country every year,” said Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01). “As co-chair of the Problems Solvers Caucus and Congressional Fire Services Caucus, I am proud the Problems Solvers has endorsed this bipartisan legislation to cut the red tape and streamline the reimbursement process.”

“Our local and county fire departments risk their lives on the front lines to keep CA-40 communities safe. The last thing they should have to worry about is navigating bureaucratic hurdles to receive the compensation they have earned while in the line of duty,” said Congresswoman Young Kim (CA-40). “First responders deserve better. That’s why I proudly back the Fire Department Repayment Act to streamline the current repayment system, cut through red tape, and address backlogged firefighter pay.”

"As a former Fire Chief, I’ve worked tirelessly to ensure Congress does everything possible to support firefighters, and I am confident the Fire Department Repayment Act will go a long way towards aiding our nation’s brave fire service professionals,” said Congressman Anthony D’Esposito (NY-04). “I am proud to co-sponsor this bipartisan legislation that will help cut through significant bureaucratic red tape and ensure that American firefighters are able to protect their communities while receiving the pay they deserve.”

“Our local fire departments are not only critical to keeping citizens safe in our neighborhoods, many also send their own firefighters to combat wildfires,” said Congressman Chuck Edwards (NC-11). “Due to burdensome red tape, the U.S. Forest Service is not able to provide timely payments to these local fire departments. This hinders the departments’ abilities to pay firefighters and be prepared for future wildfire responses. The Fire Department Repayment Act that I’m co-sponsoring will fix the inefficient repayment system and make sure that local fire departments receive necessary funds in a timely manner to keep our communities safe.”

"I’m proud to support the Fire Department Repayment Act alongside the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus,” said Congressman Marc Molinaro (NY-19). “Local fire departments, which have tight budgets, are typically the first to respond to wildfires. They send their own firefighters, use their own resources, and are supposed to receive reimbursements from the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) in a timely manner. But because of red tape, this isn’t happening. Our bipartisan bill ensures local fire departments are swiftly reimbursed for their heroism."

“I’m proud to represent a district where one out of every two households has a firefighter, law enforcement officer, veteran, or service member living in the household. It’s incumbent on us to support these heroes and ensure they get the support they need,” said Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17). “Our local firefighters who risk their lives to save others shouldn’t have to jump through hoops to get reimbursed by the federal government for helping them put out wildfires. To that end, I was proud to co-sponsor the Fire Department Repayment Act and pleased to see it receive the endorsement of the Problem Solvers Caucus. This bipartisan common sense bill will go a long way to supporting our heroic firefighters and departments struggling with increased costs.”

The full text of the bill can be found here.

The Problem Solvers Caucus, which is Co-Chaired by Congressmen Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) and Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), has sixty-two Members evenly split between Republicans and Democrats.

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