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PROTECT Firefighters Act

USA119th CongressHR-3370| House 
| Updated: 2/11/2026
Mikie Sherrill

Mikie Sherrill

Democratic Representative

New Jersey

Cosponsors (2)
Don Bacon (Republican)Brian K. Fitzpatrick (Republican)

Science, Space, and Technology Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill mandates the United States Fire Administration (USFA) to create a comprehensive strategy aimed at improving the equipment, training, and staffing standards for firefighter Rapid Intervention Teams (RITs). Within one year of enactment, the USFA must submit this strategy to relevant congressional committees. The core objective is to identify current standards, assess access to modern resources, and propose methods to ensure standardization and interoperability among these critical rescue teams. The strategy must delve into specific areas, including an analysis of existing RIT training, equipment quality, and staffing levels across the nation, highlighting any financial or logistical barriers. A significant focus is placed on RITs that respond to fires at maritime and port facilities , evaluating the sufficiency of their resources for various types of vessels, including foreign-flagged ships. Furthermore, the USFA is required to review five years of National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Line of Duty Death reports to understand how inadequate RIT resources contribute to firefighter fatalities. Based on these findings, the strategy must provide Congress with concrete recommendations. These recommendations should detail how to expand access to high-quality equipment, safety gear, training, and appropriate staffing levels for all RITs, including those serving maritime environments. The goal is to overcome identified logistical and financial hurdles, enhance standardization, and ultimately reduce firefighter line-of-duty deaths. An 18-month follow-up briefing to Congress is also required.
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Timeline
May 13, 2025
Introduced in House
May 13, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
Feb 11, 2026
ASSUMING FIRST SPONSORSHIP - Ms. Houlahan asked unanimous consent that she may hereafter be considered as the first sponsor of H.R. 3370, a bill originally introduced by Representative Sherrill, for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII. Agreed to without objection.
  • May 13, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • May 13, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.


  • February 11, 2026
    ASSUMING FIRST SPONSORSHIP - Ms. Houlahan asked unanimous consent that she may hereafter be considered as the first sponsor of H.R. 3370, a bill originally introduced by Representative Sherrill, for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII. Agreed to without objection.

Emergency Management

Congressional oversightEmployment and training programsFiresFirst responders and emergency personnelGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsIntergovernmental relationsNavigation, waterways, harborsState and local financeState and local government operations

PROTECT Firefighters Act

USA119th CongressHR-3370| House 
| Updated: 2/11/2026
This bill mandates the United States Fire Administration (USFA) to create a comprehensive strategy aimed at improving the equipment, training, and staffing standards for firefighter Rapid Intervention Teams (RITs). Within one year of enactment, the USFA must submit this strategy to relevant congressional committees. The core objective is to identify current standards, assess access to modern resources, and propose methods to ensure standardization and interoperability among these critical rescue teams. The strategy must delve into specific areas, including an analysis of existing RIT training, equipment quality, and staffing levels across the nation, highlighting any financial or logistical barriers. A significant focus is placed on RITs that respond to fires at maritime and port facilities , evaluating the sufficiency of their resources for various types of vessels, including foreign-flagged ships. Furthermore, the USFA is required to review five years of National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Line of Duty Death reports to understand how inadequate RIT resources contribute to firefighter fatalities. Based on these findings, the strategy must provide Congress with concrete recommendations. These recommendations should detail how to expand access to high-quality equipment, safety gear, training, and appropriate staffing levels for all RITs, including those serving maritime environments. The goal is to overcome identified logistical and financial hurdles, enhance standardization, and ultimately reduce firefighter line-of-duty deaths. An 18-month follow-up briefing to Congress is also required.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
May 13, 2025
Introduced in House
May 13, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
Feb 11, 2026
ASSUMING FIRST SPONSORSHIP - Ms. Houlahan asked unanimous consent that she may hereafter be considered as the first sponsor of H.R. 3370, a bill originally introduced by Representative Sherrill, for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII. Agreed to without objection.
  • May 13, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • May 13, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.


  • February 11, 2026
    ASSUMING FIRST SPONSORSHIP - Ms. Houlahan asked unanimous consent that she may hereafter be considered as the first sponsor of H.R. 3370, a bill originally introduced by Representative Sherrill, for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII. Agreed to without objection.
Mikie Sherrill

Mikie Sherrill

Democratic Representative

New Jersey

Cosponsors (2)
Don Bacon (Republican)Brian K. Fitzpatrick (Republican)

Science, Space, and Technology Committee

Emergency Management

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Congressional oversightEmployment and training programsFiresFirst responders and emergency personnelGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsIntergovernmental relationsNavigation, waterways, harborsState and local financeState and local government operations