Congresswoman McClain Delaney Introduces FLAME Act on 9/11 to Shield Fire Departments from Abrupt Training Cancellations

Congresswoman McClain Delaney Introduces FLAME Acton 9/11 to Shield Fire Departments from Abrupt Training Cancellations

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman April McClain Delaney (D-MD) introduced the Firefighter Learning and Management Education (FLAME) Act, legislation designed to prevent last-minute cancellations at the U.S. Fire Administration's (USFA) National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland, and shield fire departments from unexpected costs. The bill was introduced on the anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks-a day that reminds us of the extraordinary courage of those firefighters and first responders, and the critical importance of their training.

Fire departments from across the country send tens of thousands of career and volunteer first responders to attend NFA courses, providing comprehensive workshops and training programs in emergency management that expand national readiness and innovation in fire safety. This is especially critical for rural departments that could not otherwise afford high-quality training to better protect their communities and first responders.

On March 7th, 2025, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced an immediate cancellationof Academy classes to review NFA "programs and spending to ensure alignment with Administration priorities," derailing the plans of current participants and those en route to training. Last-minute cancellations leave fire departments facing non-refundable travel and lodging expenses, staff scheduling conflicts, and wasted training time. Currently, no official has clear authority to cancel classes, and the Academy is not required to provide students with advanced notice of cancellations.

To address these issues, the FLAME Actwould:

• Require at least 30 days' notice to students of any planned cancellation;
• Give only the U.S. Fire Administrator authority to issue a large-scale cancellation of courses and notification of Congress; and,
• Allow fire departments that incur expenses related to canceled classes to obtain reimbursement from FEMA.

"First responders nationwide come to Maryland's 6th to attend the National Fire Academy, and last-minute cancellations like the one this spring hit our Emmitsburg community-and the entire first responder community-hard," said Congresswoman McClain Delaney. "We introduced this bill on 9/11 because that day reminds us of the courage, sacrifice, and dedication of firefighters, and how critical their training is to protecting all of us. This legislation ensures that first responders can continue to gain the skills they need - for their safety, the safety of our communities and the safety of our country."

"Last-minute cancellations don't just disrupt a student's training-they ripple back to fire departments, affecting both staffing and budgets," said John E. DiBacco, Fire Chief, Hagerstown Fire Department. "Requiring at least 30 days' notice is a simple, good-faith step that strengthens the trust between our departments and our partners at the National Emergency Training Center and the National Fire Academy. We're grateful to Congresswoman McClain Delaney for leading this effort to support the needs of firefighters and the communities we serve."

Cosponsors include: Bell (D-MO), Bonamici (D-OR), Carson (D-IN), Craig (D-MN), Cleaver (D-MO), Davids (D-KS), Fields (D-LA), Hoyer (D-MD), Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Landsman (D-OH), Lofgren (D-CA), Min (D-CA), Mfume (D-MD), Neguse (D-CO), Raskin (D-MD), Stanton (D-AZ)

Supporting organizations include the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.

You can view the bill text here.

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For updates, follow Rep. McClain Delaney at @RepAprilDelaney.

Congresswoman April McClain Delaney was elected in 2024 to serve Maryland's 6th Congressional District, which encompasses all or part of Montgomery, Frederick, Washington, Allegany and Garrett Counties. In Congress, McClain Delaney is focused on improving US competitiveness and innovation, protecting our natural environment and championing policies that represent the values and priorities of Maryland's 6th District.