Alexandria, VA. – Grassroots political organization Firefighters & EMS Fund says that Biden’s COVID Response strategy is a good starting point to provide relief and resources to first responders like firefighters and EMS personnel, but more needs to be done to support local emergency services. 

At the end of January, the Biden Administration announced, “Memorandum to Extend Federal Support to Governors’ Use of the National Guard to Respond to COVID-19 and to Increase Reimbursement and Other Assistance Provided to States,” which will provide additional federal funding at a time when it is urgently needed.

This memorandum issued by President Biden sets out the framework for a variety of cost sharing programs for local and state governments with the feds, including emergency services.

“To make reimbursements for approved work under the Stafford Act to respond to COVID-19 available more quickly, FEMA shall expedite reimbursement for eligible emergency work projects and, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law…”

But while securing this cost sharing initiative is a big victory, there are still issues plaguing the Fire and EMS community in America that were exacerbated by the pandemic but have existed long before this last year, according to the Fire and EMS Fund Executive Director, Nile Porter.

“This is a good step to aid local fire departments but more needs to be done. Issues like staffing and overworked first responders have been persistent for years and now is the time to answer the calls that were made pre-pandemic.”

The organization urges citizens and their grassroots supporters to continue to advocate for more federal cooperation in overcoming the funding crisis for essential services and to support the brave first responders that have continued to provide these services in the midst of a global and deadly pandemic. 

For more information, visit www.fireandemsfund.com 

Firefighters & EMS Fund is a national political organization organized under Section 527 of the IRS Tax Code. Contributions made to Firefighters & EMS Fund are not tax-deductible. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.

Contact Firefighters and EMS Fund

Nile Porter
Executive Director
(703) 844-2285
media@fireandemsfund.com