The FAMA/FEMSA GAC wants to bring the following three important developments to your attention.
1) AFG Reauthorization Reported out of Senate Committee: Last week the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee reported out S. 4882, The Fire Grants and Safety Act which reauthorizes through FY 2030 the AFG, SAFER and U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) programs. The USFA reauthorization would increase by $20 million to $95 million. The AFG and SAFER programs would sunset on September 30, 2032. S. 4882 was co-sponsored by Committee Chair Gary Peters (D-MI) and ranking member Rob Portman (R-OH). The bill is essentially a straight reauthorization of the existing AFG and SAFER programs. Please contact your senators to encourage them to co-sponsor this important legislation.
2) GAC White House Zoom Call on Supply Chain Issues: Last week GAC co-chair David Durstine, FEMSA President David Russell, and Dave Gatton, Sr. GAC Advisor, participated in a White House Zoom call with key agencies on supply chain issues specifically related to fire and emergency apparatus and ambulances. The call was arranged by the IAFF and the IAFC. It was an outgrowth of previous discussions the GAC has held with these two organizations. During the call we were able to brief participants from White House staff, DOT, DOC, and NHTSA on the challenges the Fire apparatus industry is currently facing with supply chain delays. Participants were very interested in the dynamics of the industry and indicated they would be back to us with further questions and discussions. They also said the meeting was extremely informative and productive. We will keep FAMA and FEMSA members informed of these informational meetings as they occur.
3) Proposed Designation of PFOA and PFOS as CERCLA Hazardous Substances, Comment deadline, November 7, 2022: EPA is proposing to designate two per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) — perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), including their salts and structural isomers — as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), also known as Superfund. This proposed rulemaking would increase transparency around releases of these harmful chemicals and help to hold polluters accountable for cleaning up their contamination.
The rulemaking would require entities to immediately report releases of PFOA and PFOS that meet or exceed the reportable quantity to the National Response Center, state or Tribal emergency response commission, and the local or Tribal emergency planning committee (local emergency responders). Entities would not be required to report past releases of PFOA or PFOS as they were not yet listed as hazardous substances.
EPA is asking for public comment which must be received on or before November 7, 2022–at docket EPA-HQ-OLEM-2019-0341 on www.regulations.gov
Click here for background on the proposed rule.
If you have any questions, please contact the GAC Co-chairs:
John Granby at [email protected]
Lee Morris at [email protected]
David Durstine at [email protected]
or GAC Sr. Adviser Dave Gatton at [email protected]