National Fire Academy RESCUE Act
H.R. 5777, the National Fire Academy Reimbursement for Emergency Service Course Unavailability and Expenses Act (also called the National Fire Academy RESCUE Act), would require the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to reimburse fire departments for certain costs when there is a lapse in federal funding for FEMA that leads to cancellations of National Fire Academy (NFA) courses or conferences. The bill adds a new provision to the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974. If an NFA course or activity is cancelled during a funding lapse, FEMA must reimburse the affected fire department for defined “covered expenses” (such as travel and backfill staffing) within 90 days after the lapse ends or after FEMA receives an itemized claim from the department. The reimbursement is not required if the cancellation occurs for “good cause.” Fire departments must submit an itemized reimbursement request within 30 days after the lapse ends. The bill also defines key terms like “covered course or activity,” “covered expense,” “backfill expense,” and “good cause.” In short, the bill aims to shield fire departments from financial losses when FEMA funding gaps force the cancellation of NFA training and related activities. Sponsor and status information: The bill was introduced in the House on October 17, 2025, by Rep. McClain Delaney and several co-sponsors, and referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. It is currently in the introductory stage.
Key Points
- 1Reimbursement trigger: If an NFA course or activity is canceled because FEMA experiences a lapse in appropriations, FEMA must reimburse the fire department for related expenses (subject to certain conditions).
- 2Reimbursement timeline: Reimbursement must occur not later than 90 days after the later of (a) the end of the lapse period, or (b) when FEMA receives a department’s itemized claim.
- 3Claim process: Fire departments must submit an itemized reimbursement request within 30 days after the lapse ends, detailing each covered expense.
- 4Covered expenses: Include travel expenses and backfill expenses (staffing adjustments and overtime).
- 5Covered activities: Include NFA offerings (in-person on-campus, in-person off-campus, or virtual/synchronous/asynchronous formats) and associated conferences or symposiums.
- 6Good-cause exception: Reimbursement does not apply if the cancellation is for good cause (e.g., reasons other than the lapse).
- 7Definitions: The bill provides precise definitions for backfill expenses, covered course or activity, covered expense, and good cause, to guide which costs are eligible.