Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Problem Solvers Caucus announced its endorsement of the bipartisan Building Up Infrastructure for Local Departments (BUILD) Act (H.R. 2979), legislation to help small and rural law enforcement agencies and fire departments modernize outdated facilities and better meet the demands of public safety in the 21st century.

Across the country, thousands of local law enforcement agencies and fire departments operate out of facilities that no longer meet the demands of modern public safety. More than 40 percent of all firehouses were built in the 1980s or earlier, with an estimated replacement cost of $70 billion to $100 billion, while many local law enforcement agencies face similar infrastructure challenges. This bipartisan legislation would help ensure small and rural departments have access to the modern infrastructure needed to meet today’s public safety challenges.

The BUILD Act would:

• Establish new BUILD and BUILD-FIRE grant programs at the Department of Justice and FEMA to help small law enforcement agencies and fire departments renovate, upgrade, or construct modern facilities.
• Authorize up to $250 million annually for each program, subject to appropriations.
• Provide grants of up to $4 million for departments serving communities with fewer than 50,000 residents.
• Support projects that improve emergency services, strengthen recruitment and retention, expand training opportunities, increase community engagement, and enhance public safety.
• Ensure equitable geographic distribution of grant funding and require studies to better assess the long-term capital infrastructure needs of local police and fire departments.

The Build Act is led by Representatives Chris Pappas (NH-01), Julia Letlow (LA-05), and Tom Kean Jr. (NJ-07). The bill was brought forward for Caucus endorsement by Representatives Pappas and Kean.

“Upgrading our public safety infrastructure to modern standards is critically important for community safety. I know from my conversations with local law enforcement, fire fighters, and town representatives that this legislation is desperately needed,” said Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01). “I’m glad to have the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus endorse my legislation to provide police and fire departments with federal resources to make necessary facility upgrades, which will support our officers and improve public safety. I will continue to work alongside our local departments, officials, and with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to advocate for the resources our communities need.”

“Our local law enforcement and firefighters risk their lives to keep our communities safe, and we must see to it that they have the proper resources to do their jobs effectively,” said Congressman Tom Kean Jr. (NJ-07). “As a member of the Problem Solvers Caucus, I am pleased to see the Caucus endorse our bipartisan BUILD Act, which will ensure our first responders in rural areas have access to modern infrastructure, training, and the support they need.” 

“As a former mayor and county executive, I know firsthand that local governments, especially small and suburban communities, can struggle to afford the major upgrades needed to keep community police and fire departments operating safely and effectively,” said Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair Congressman Tom Suozzi (NY-03). “The BUILD Act is a commonsense, bipartisan effort that lends federal support to modernizing outdated public safety infrastructure so our firefighters, police officers, and EMS personnel have the facilities they need to protect our communities, respond to emergencies, and recruit and retain the next generation of first responders. This investment in public safety is exactly the kind of legislation the Problem Solvers are proud to endorse.”

“Having worked alongside law enforcement and first responders throughout my career, I’ve seen firsthand that the strength of a department depends on more than the dedication of its people. It also depends on whether they have the facilities to train, prepare, collaborate, and respond effectively,” said Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01). "The BUILD Act helps ensure our smaller police and fire departments have infrastructure that matches the heroic mission they carry out every day. By endorsing this bill, the Problem Solvers Caucus is making clear that the men and women who answer the call deserve more than our gratitude—they deserve the tools and facilities to do the job.”

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The Problem Solvers Caucus is a group of Members of Congress — split evenly between Republicans and Democrats — committed to advancing common-sense solutions to key issues facing our nation.