H.R. 6094: Fire Innovation Unit Act

The proposed bill, known as the Fire Innovation Unit Act, aims to establish a public-private partnership focused on developing and demonstrating technologies to prevent, detect, and mitigate wildfires. Here’s a breakdown of what the bill encompasses:

Partnership Establishment

The bill directs the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior to create a pilot program within one year of the bill's enactment. This program will facilitate collaboration between federal agencies and private and nonprofit organizations, as well as institutions of higher education, to explore innovative wildfire technologies.

Key Definitions

• Covered Agency: This includes various federal land management agencies, the Department of Defense, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, FEMA, NASA, and any state or local fire departments involved in wildfire response.
• Covered Entity: This refers to private companies, nonprofit organizations, and educational institutions that can participate in the program.

Functions of the Pilot Program

The pilot program will have several core responsibilities, including:

• Consulting with the National Wildfire Coordinating Group to align efforts.
• Identifying and promoting technologies in key areas such as:
• Hazardous fuel reduction techniques
• Wildfire modeling and communication technologies
• Remote sensing and tracking systems
• Community resilience measures
• Connecting selected covered entities with covered agencies for testing technology in real-world situations.
• Establishing criteria to evaluate the effectiveness and scalability of the demonstrated technologies.
• Ensuring efficient deployment of technologies through partnerships and expert assistance.

Application Process

To participate, covered entities will need to submit an application to the Secretaries, specifying how they plan to demonstrate technologies that meet the program's key priorities.

Outreach and Reporting

The Secretaries will conduct outreach efforts to inform potential participants about technology priorities and will produce regular reports to Congress. These reports will include:

• Descriptions of technologies being tested.
• Cost estimates for widespread implementation.
• Assistance and outreach activities to encourage participation.
• Assessments and recommendations for technology adoption.

Program Duration

The pilot program will remain active for a period of seven years from the date of enactment. Following its conclusion, the program aims to provide valuable insights and advancements in wildfire management technologies.

Relevant Companies

None found