Hawley helps introduce bipartisan bill to upgrade fire stations, improve public safety

WASHINGTON — Today U.S. Senators Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.)  introduced the bipartisan Fire Station Improvement Act of 2022 to help local fire departments make improvements, repairs, and renovations at their local facilities.

“Every day, America’s firefighters put their lives on the line for their communities. At a bare minimum, Congress should ensure that these brave men and women have what they need to succeed, including access to the best tools, facilities, and resources,” said Senator Hawley. “I’m proud to partner with Senator Ossoff on this legislation that will cut red tape so firefighters can have the tools to do their jobs.”

“When your home is on fire, every minute counts for you and your children. There’s no worse nightmare than a fire in the middle of the night but no timely rescue. My bipartisan Fire Station Improvement Act of 2022 will help ensure every family and every community in Georgia is served by fire and rescue services,” said Senator Ossoff. “This bill will help Georgia’s heroic firefighters upgrade their facilities to the highest standards.”

This bill will amend the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act, and cut the red tape that limits the use of funds from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program.

Read the full text of the bill here.

Since taking office, Senator Hawley has been committed to introducing legislation and improving laws to help America’s first responders in every line of defense. Senator Hawley introduced the Supporting and Treating Officers In Crisis Act of 2019 which funds grant programs that provide support services for police officers and their families, which passed the Senate unanimously. Senator Hawley also introduced the National Urban Search and Rescue Parity Act which met a critical need for FEMA access to more volunteers to get to disaster areas and rescue survivors faster.

Both bills were signed into law in 2019 with bipartisan support.