FASTER Act
- Sponsor
- Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME]
- Committees
- Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Sep 23, 2026
Bottom line
This bill establishes a federal grant program to empower local fire departments to proactively address fall risks and improve emergency access for seniors in their homes, leveraging their role as first responders.
What it actually does
This bill authorizes the Administrator of FEMA to provide grants directly to career, combination, and volunteer fire departments. These grants are intended to fund programs that improve home safety and prevent falls for older adults, including through community paramedicine activities, minor home modifications, and installation of safety devices like lock boxes and smoke detectors.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue this bill will save lives and reduce healthcare costs by leveraging the trusted role of fire departments to implement evidence-based fall prevention strategies and improve emergency response for a vulnerable population, directly addressing a leading cause of injury and death among older adults.
Opponents contend
Critics might argue that this program represents an expansion of federal involvement into local services that could be handled by existing state or local health and social services, potentially creating new administrative burdens for fire departments or duplicating efforts without clear evidence of superior outcomes.
The bill is concise and clearly written, making it accessible for a quick and thorough review by an informed reader.
Section 3(b)
Establishment of Fall Prevention and Home Safety Grants
This section directs the Administrator of FEMA to create a grant program specifically for career, combination, and volunteer fire departments. The grants are designed to help these departments implement programs focused on improving home safety and preventing falls among older adults, utilizing evidence-based measures. Each grant will be awarded for a three-year period.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that empowering fire departments, which are often the first responders and trusted community figures, to proactively engage in fall prevention is a highly effective way to address a significant public health issue, saving lives and reducing healthcare burdens.
Critics contend
Some might argue that this expands the mission of fire departments beyond their core responsibilities, potentially diverting resources or focus from traditional fire and emergency response, or that such programs are better handled by dedicated health agencies.
Tradeoffs
This provision balances the need for proactive public health interventions for older adults against potential concerns about mission creep for fire departments and the allocation of federal resources.
Section 3(d)
Permitted Activities for Grant Funds
This section specifies the allowable uses for the grant funds. These include procuring and installing lock boxes for quicker emergency access, recruiting and retaining community paramedicine personnel (such as firefighters, EMTs, social workers), installing and replacing smoke detectors, compiling health information for emergency responders, making minor home modifications to reduce fall risks (e.g., flattening rugs, installing grab bars), conducting medication risk assessments, and referring older adults to fall prevention classes and medical professionals.
Sections 3(b)(5) and 3(e)
Federal Contribution Limits and Non-Supplantation Rule
This provision sets limits on the federal share of program costs, allowing 75% in the first two years of a grant and 35% in the third year, thereby requiring increasing local contributions over time. It also includes a non-supplantation clause, ensuring federal funds supplement, rather than replace, existing state or local funding for fire-related programs. Furthermore, to be eligible, a department's annual budget for fire-related programs must not have been reduced below 80% of its average funding level from the preceding three years.
Section 3(f)
Economic Hardship Waivers
This section grants the Administrator of FEMA the authority to waive the non-supplantation requirement or reduce the federal contribution limits and budget stability requirements in cases where an applicant demonstrates economic hardship. FEMA is mandated to establish and publish guidelines for determining economic hardship, considering factors such as local unemployment rates and eligibility for food stamps, and must consult with experts in emergency medical services and local government economics.
Section 3(k)
Funding Authorization
This section authorizes specific amounts to be appropriated for the grant program over a ten-year period. It begins with $1 million annually for fiscal years 2026-2028, increases to $2 million for 2029-2031, then to $4 million for 2032-2034, and concludes with $7 million for fiscal year 2035. Up to 5% of these authorized funds can be used by FEMA for administrative expenses. The authority for this section is set to expire on September 30, 2036.