H.R. 3370: Providing Resources and Operational Training to Eliminate Crisis Threats to Firefighters Act

This bill, titled the Providing Resources and Operational Training to Eliminate Crisis Threats to Firefighters Act or the PROTECT Firefighters Act, aims to enhance the capabilities of firefighter Rapid Intervention Teams (RITs) across the United States. The legislation seeks to achieve this through a series of focused improvements related to equipment, training, and staffing standards specifically for these teams, which are essential for rescuing firefighters who may become trapped or injured during emergencies.

Comprehensive Strategy Development

Under this bill, within one year of its enactment, the United States Fire Administrator is required to submit a detailed strategy to several Congressional committees. This strategy will include:

• An assessment of current equipment, training, and staffing standards used by RITs.
• Recommendations to improve access to modern equipment, safety gear, and training for these teams.
• Methods to ensure that equipment and training standards are uniform and interoperable across different RITs.

Key Issues Addressed

The strategy must identify and analyze several critical factors:

• Training frequency and any barriers, whether financial or logistical, that limit access to such training.
• The type and quality of the firefighting equipment currently in use and any barriers to obtaining superior equipment.
• Staffing levels and response times for RITs, especially in departments with staffing shortages.
• The consistency of equipment and training across different states and localities, along with any barriers preventing interoperability improvements.

Maritime and Port Facility Considerations

The bill also emphasizes the unique needs of RITs operating at maritime and port facilities. It requires the strategy to evaluate:

• The adequacy of training and equipment tailored for maritime-specific firefighting situations.
• Barriers that limit access to necessary training and equipment for these RITs.
• The compatibility of their equipment with the various ships that dock at these facilities, including foreign-flagged vessels.

Review and Recommendation Process

In addition to laying out the strategy, the bill mandates:

• A review of incidents leading to firefighter fatalities to identify trends and barriers.
• Concrete recommendations for Congress aimed at enhancing the overall safety and operational effectiveness of RITs.

These recommendations will tackle the logistical and financial obstacles hindering access to modern firefighting resources, training, and adequate staffing levels.

Reporting Requirements

After the initial strategy submission, the Fire Administrator will also provide a briefing to relevant committees within 18 months to discuss the progress of the strategy's implementation.

Definition of Firefighter Rapid Intervention Team

The bill defines a firefighter Rapid Intervention Team as a group of firefighters designated to act as a standby rescue team during emergencies, ready to swiftly search for and rescue trapped, missing, or injured firefighters.

Relevant Companies

None found.