FLAME Act

New cancellation rules for firefighter training

If enacted, the U.S. Fire Administration could cancel many National Fire Academy courses at once. “Many” would mean at least 25% of planned courses in a year. Covered courses would include on‑campus, off‑campus, and live or self‑paced online classes. For large cancellations, Congress would get 60 days’ notice, and students and fire chiefs would get 45 days’ notice. If a single covered course is cancelled by the Superintendent, students and chiefs would get 30 days’ notice. In urgent cases, notices could come as soon as practicable. The notice to Congress would list which courses are cancelled, which departments are affected, how many people were registered by department, and the reason for each. FEMA would have to reimburse a fire department’s covered costs—like travel and backfill/overtime—when a course is cancelled. Departments would need to send an itemized request within 30 days after the intended start date. FEMA would have 90 days after receiving the itemization to pay. No reimbursement would apply if the cancellation was for good cause, like a facility closure, instructor illness, or a national emergency that blocks access.