FLAME Act
The Firefighter Learning And Management Education Act (FLAME Act) would amend the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 to give the Administrator of the United States Fire Administration (USFA) explicit authority to cancel or delay certain courses and programs offered by the National Academy for Fire Prevention and Control (the Academy). It creates a mechanism for large-scale cancellations, requires advance notice to Congress and affected students/departments, and provides for reimbursement of certain expenses to fire departments when cancellations occur. The bill also directs a Government Accountability Office (GAO) study to assess the impact of cancellations and the Academy’s role in creating a common approach to fire and emergency response. Overall, the act adds formal, auditable processes around cancellations and funding reimbursements, while preserving the Academy’s mission to train first responders.
Key Points
- 1Authorizes the Administrator to implement a large-scale cancellation action for Academy courses or programs, defined as canceling at least 25% of the total planned for a fiscal year.
- 2Requires 60 days’ notice to Congress before a large-scale cancellation (or as soon as practicable in exigent circumstances) and 45 days’ notice to students and their fire department heads before cancellations begin.
- 3Establishes reimbursement requirements: FEMA must reimburse fire departments for covered expenses (such as travel and backfill) within 90 days after receiving an itemized request, unless the cancellation is for good cause.
- 4Defines key terms: “covered course or program,” “covered expense,” and “good cause” (e.g., facility closure, instructor unavailability, national emergency).
- 5Directs a GAO study due by March 30, 2026 evaluating the impact of cancellations on preparedness, potential negative consequences, the Academy’s role in interoperability and mutual aid, and recent attendance data broken down by delivery mode.