Establishment of grant program for infrastructure improvements to fire first responder stations

The Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 2201 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

37.

Grants to improve first line of defense incident response and firefighter livability through infrastructure improvements to fire stations

(a)

Establishment of grant program

In order to improve first responder incident response and firefighter livability by making improvements to the infrastructure of fire stations, the Administrator shall establish a competitive grant program and shall award grants in each of fiscal years 2009 through 2013 to eligible fire services. (b)

Use of grant funds

A recipient of a grant awarded under this section shall use the funds to make improvements to the infrastructure of a specified fire station— (1)by repairing such station if the condition of the infrastructure of such station prevents the fire service from performing incident response duties in a timely manner because such station is either decaying or contains structural impairments that impede egress of fire service equipment or personnel from the fire station; or (2)by renovating such station if it does not properly accommodate all personnel in the fire service through the use of gender-equitable facilities, including restroom and shower facilities and sleeping areas. (c)

Prohibited uses

A recipient of a grant awarded under this section shall not use the funds for activities related to the planning or design of infrastructure improvements. (d)

Eligibility

In order to be eligible to receive a grant under this section, a fire service shall submit an application to the Administrator at such time, in such form, and with such information and assurances as the Administrator may require. (e)

Selection Priorities

In selecting a fire service to receive a grant under this section, the Administrator shall give priority to a fire service seeking assistance for a fire station that is located not more than 25 miles from— (1)a facility that produces nuclear power; (2)a facility that produces, treats, or refines more than 20,000 barrels of oil per day; or (3)a location with at least 1 critical infrastructure, such as an international seaport, airport, refinery, or treatment plant. (f)

Grant program specifications

(1)

Amount of grant

The Administrator shall not award a grant under this section in an amount that is more than 40 percent of the reasonable cost of carrying out the project proposed by the fire service to be funded by the grant. (2)

Grant condition

As a condition of receipt of a grant under this section, the fire service shall be responsible for funding, using non-Federal funds, the remaining amount of the reasonable cost of carrying out such project. (g)

Definitions

In this section: (1)The term critical infrastructure has the meaning given such term in the Critical Infrastructures Protection Act of 2001 (42 U.S.C. 5195c). (2)The term incident response means a response by a fire service to— (A)a terrorist attack, including such an attack that utilizes a weapon of mass destruction; (B)a release of a hazardous material; (C)a natural disaster; or (D)any other emergency for which a response by a fire service is appropriate. (h)

Authorization of appropriations

In addition to any other amounts authorized to be appropriated under this Act, there are authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator for grants under this section such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2013.