FASTER Act

Better home safety and fewer senior falls: Under Section 3(b)(1), fire departments can get direct grants to run programs that improve home safety and prevent falls for older adults, which directly helps protect seniors from serious injuries.

Quicker emergency response times: Under Section 3(d)(1), grant money can be used to buy and install devices like lock boxes on homes, which helps emergency responders get inside much faster during an emergency.

Help with physical home repairs: Under Section 3(d)(5), grants can pay for minor home modifications that reduce fall risks, such as installing handrails and grab bars, flattening rugs, and removing tripping hazards.

Health checks and safety education: Under Section 3(d)(6) and Section 3(d)(7), funds can pay for risk assessments, medication reconciliations, and referrals to classes that educate older adults on how to lower their risk of falling.

Risks of losing grant funding for communities: Under Section 3(i), the FEMA Administrator has the power to suspend or revoke grants if a fire department is found not to be in compliance with the rules, which could pull away needed safety resources from a community.

Strict funding history rules for local governments: Under Section 3(e)(2), fire departments cannot get a grant if their local municipality's annual budget for fire and emergency programs has dropped below 80 percent of its average over the previous three years, potentially punishing communities that are already struggling financially unless they qualify for a waiver.