Fire Departments & Reps. Kevin Mullin, Jill Tokuda & Young Kim Announce $56 Million for FEMA Urban Search & Rescue Efforts

East Palo Alto, CA - With fire season around the corner and after years of bipartisan advocacy, Representatives Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Jill N. Tokuda (HI-02), and Young Kim (CA-40) led a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers to secure $56 million to support the lifesaving work of FEMA's National Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) Task Forces, a $15 million increase and the largest increase the program has seen in at least 20 years.

This achievement follows many years of sustained, bipartisan advocacy by a growing coalition of over 40 lawmakers who have consistently pressed Congress to provide stronger, more reliable federal support for US&R teams.

Rep. Mullin gathered with members from US&R's California Task Force 3, based in Menlo Park and East Palo Alto, California Task Force 5, based in Orange County, and local fire departments at the Menlo Park Fire Protection District's Task Force 3 warehouse in East Palo Alto to announce the increased funding during a press conference.

The US&R Response System includes 28 task forces strategically located across 19 states, and are composed of highly-trained emergency personnel from local fire departments. These heroic teams deploy at a moment's notice to communities across America to provide life-saving assistance during catastrophic events such as the Maui and Los Angeles wildfires, Hurricanes Milton and Katrina, the September 11 terrorist attacks, the Oklahoma City bombing, the Northridge Earthquake, and many other crises. The task forces must respond to devastating national disasters well beyond their geographic jurisdictions, but have not received commensuratefunding from the Federal government to maintain their operations.

Now, thanks to the coalition's work, local departments will receive more robust funding for the costs associated with maintaining their readiness to deploy to disasters. Reps. Mullin, Tokuda and Kim, and the bipartisan coalition successfully advocated for at least $56 million to be included in the recently adopted Department of Homeland Security funding bill, a $15 million increase and the highest funding level in at least 20 years.

"Securing this overdue federal funding reflects a vital win for communities across the country by ensuring they can depend on lifesaving support when a crisis strikes. Disasters don't care whether you live in a red or blue state, and I am encouraged by this bipartisan accomplishment to uplift US&R's essential work that is really about Americans coming together to support each other in devastating times of need," said Rep. Kevin Mullin (CA-15). "I'm especially proud to have California's Task Force 3 out of the Menlo Park Fire Protection District in my congressional district, and I'm grateful for the critical aid they provide to residents at home and across the nation. These teams are among the very best in emergency response, providing critical assistance during some of the most devastating moments communities can face. This federal investment strengthens our preparedness, supports the extraordinary work of these teams, and will ultimately save many lives."

"Southern California families count on our first responders in their most critical moments. Our first responders should be able to count on us," said Rep. Young Kim (CA-40). "This funding increase strengthens Urban Search and Rescue teams like Orange County Fire Authority so they can respond quickly, save lives, and better protect our communities. I was proud to help lead this effort alongside our local partners and will keep fighting to ensure our first responders have every resource they need to get the job done."

"The era of a predictable 'disaster season' is over, and we must now confront a year-round reality where Hawaiʻi and communities across the nation face constant, catastrophic threats," said Rep. Jill N. Tokuda (HI-02). "From the devastating Maui wildfires to the more recent Kona Low storms, we have seen firsthand that these disasters strike without regard for the calendar, making the mission of our Urban Search and Rescue teams more critical than ever. Ensuring these teams are ready to deploy at a moment's notice is crucial to saving lives, which is why I am proud to join Representatives Kevin Mullin and Young Kim in fighting for the funding they need to remain prepared 365 days a year. When the unthinkable happens, every American deserves to know that help is ready to move."

"FEMA Urban Search and Rescue teams, sponsored by local government fire agencies like Menlo Park Fire Protection, provide vital, highly trained surge resources to communities that have been struck by catastrophic disasters," said Mark Lorenzen, Fire Chief, Menlo Park Fire Protection District (CA-TF3). "They are critical in both life saving measures as well as helping move jurisdictions forward to recovery. The teams have been financially burdened by increased costs while federal funding lags well behind inflation. Thanks to Reps. Mullin, Tokuda, and Kim for leading this effort to bridge the funding gap to ensure our sustainability."

"The Urban Search & Rescue (US&R) system task forces will be better prepared and equipped to respond to both natural and man-made disasters thanks to increased funding teams will receive," said Joseph R. Downey, Chief of Rescue Operations with Fire Department of the City of New York (NY-TF1). "We are deeply grateful for the strong support from our representatives, who recognize the critical importance of maintaining a National US&R system capable of deploying anywhere in the country to support the state resources. This investment strengthens our ability to continue to assist communities impacted by hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, and flooding."

"The OCFA's pride in serving as the sponsoring agency for CA-TF5, one of just 28 FEMA Urban Search & Rescue teams in the country, is matched only by our gratitude for the national leaders who understand, value, and support the critical role these first responders play," said OCFA Interim Fire Chief TJ McGovern. "Congressman Mullin, Congresswoman Kim, and Congresswoman Tokuda are such leaders, and the additional funding stemming from their efforts will strengthen our ability to serve and help ensure our teams are equipped, trained, and ready to deploy when lives are on the line."

The bipartisan coalition led by Reps. Mullin, Kim, and Tokuda includes Reps. Gabe Amo (RI-01), Becca Balint (VT-At Large), Wesley Bell (MO-1), Ami Bera (CA-6), Brendan Boyle (PA-2), André Carson (In-7), Emanuel Cleaver (MO-5), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Gabe Evans (CO-8), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1), Mike Flood (NE-1), Jared Golden (ME-2), Daniel Goldman (NY-10), Maggie Goodlander (KY-3), Julie Johnson (TX-32), William Keating (MA-9), Timothy Kennedy (NY-26), Jennifer Kiggans (VA-2), John Larson (CT-1), Stephen Lynch (MA-8), Seth Magaziner (RI-2), Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11), Doris Matsui (CA-7), Dave Min (CA-47), Seth Moulton (MA-6), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Chris Pappas (NH-1), Scott Peters (CA-50), Brittany Pettersen (C0-7), Ayanna Pressley (MA-7), Maria Salazar (FL-27), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-5), Greg Stanton (AZ-4), Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10), Lori Trahan (MA-3), Derek Tran (CA-45), Frederica Wilson (FL-24).

The full press conference on YouTube can be found here.

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