§ 2201. Congressional findings

§ 2201. Congressional findings

(1) The National Commission on Fire Prevention and Control, established pursuant to Public Law 90–259, has made an exhaustive and comprehensive examination of the Nation’s fire problem, has made detailed findings as to the extent of this problem in terms of human suffering and loss of life and property, and has made ninety thoughtful recommendations.

(2) The United States today has the highest per capita rate of death and property loss from fire of all the major industrialized nations in the world.

(3) Fire is an undue burden affecting all Americans, and fire also constitutes a public health and safety problem of great dimensions. Fire kills 12,000 and scars and injures 300,000 Americans each year, including 50,000 individuals who require extended hospitalization. Almost $3 billion worth of property is destroyed annually by fire, and the total economic cost of destructive fire in the United States is estimated conservatively to be $11,000,000,000 per year. Firefighting is the Nation’s most hazardous profession.

(4) Such losses of life and property from fire are unacceptable to the Congress.

(5) While fire prevention and control is and should remain a State and local responsibility, the Federal Government must help if a significant reduction in fire losses is to be achieved.

(6) The fire service and the civil defense program in each locality would both benefit from closer cooperation.

(7) The Nation’s fire problem is exacerbated by (A) the indifference with which some Americans confront the subject; (B) the Nation’s failure to undertake enough research and development into fire and fire-related problems; (C) the scarcity of reliable data and information; (D) the fact that designers and purchasers of buildings and products generally give insufficient attention to fire safety; (E) the fact that many communities lack adequate building and fire prevention codes; and (F) the fact that local fire departments spend about 95 cents of every dollar appropriated to the fire services on efforts to extinguish fires and only about 5 cents on fire prevention.

(8) There is a need for improved professional training and education oriented toward improving the effectiveness of the fire services, including an increased emphasis on preventing fires and on reducing injuries to firefighters.

(9) A national system for the collection, analysis, and dissemination of fire data is needed to help local fire services establish research and action priorities.

(10) The number of specialized medical centers which are properly equipped and staffed for the treatment of burns and the rehabilitation of victims of fires is inadequate.

(11) The unacceptably high rates of death, injury, and property loss from fire can be reduced if the Federal Government establishes a coordinated program to support and reinforce the fire prevention and control activities of State and local governments.

(Pub. L. 93–498, § 2, Oct. 29, 1974, 88 Stat. 1535.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The National Commission on Fire Prevention and Control, established pursuant to Public Law 90–259, referred to in par. (1), refers to the Commission established pursuant to Pub. L. 90–259, title II, §§ 201–207, Mar. 1, 1968, 82 Stat. 36, which provisions were set out as a note under section 278f of this title. The Commission has expired pursuant to sections 203(c) and 207 of Pub. L. 90–259.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Short Title of 2024 Amendment

Pub. L. 118–67, div. A, § 1, July 9, 2024, 138 Stat. 1447, provided that: “This division [amending sections 2216, 2229, and 2229a of this title] may be cited as the ‘Fire Grants and Safety Act of 2023’.”

Short Title of 2022 Amendment

Pub. L. 117–246, § 1, Dec. 20, 2022, 136 Stat. 2345, provided that: “This Act [enacting section 2235 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Empowering the U.S. Fire Administration Act’.”

Short Title of 2018 Amendment

Pub. L. 115–98, § 1, Jan. 3, 2018, 131 Stat. 2239, provided that: “This Act [amending sections 2216, 2229, and 2229a of this title and enacting provisions set out as notes under section 2229 of this title] may be cited as the ‘United States Fire Administration, AFG, and SAFER Program Reauthorization Act of 2017’.”

Short Title of 2013 Amendment

Pub. L. 112–239, div. A, title XVIII, § 1801, Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 2099, provided that: “This subtitle [subtitle A (§§ 1801–1807) of title XVIII of div. A of Pub. L. 112–239, amending sections 2203, 2204, 2206, 2210, 2214, 2215, 2217, 2218, 2224, 2226, 2229, 2229a of this title and section 290a of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare] may be cited as the ‘Fire Grants Reauthorization Act of 2012’.”

Pub. L. 112–239, div. A, title XVIII, § 1811, Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 2117, provided that: “This subtitle [subtitle B (§§ 1811–1815) of title XVIII of div. A of Pub. L. 112–239, amending sections 2204, 2205, 2208, 2216 of this title] may be cited as the ‘United States Fire Administration Reauthorization Act of 2012’.”

Short Title of 2008 Amendment

Pub. L. 110–376, § 1, Oct. 8, 2008, 122 Stat. 4056, provided that: “This subtitle [probably should be “This Act”, enacting section 2234 of this title, amending sections 2203, 2206 to 2208, 2216, and 2218 of this title and section 321d of Title 6, Domestic Security, and enacting provisions set out as a note under this section] may be cited as the ‘United States Fire Administration Reauthorization Act of 2008’.”

Short Title of 2004 Amendment

Pub. L. 108–375, div. C, title XXXVI, § 3601, Oct. 28, 2004, 118 Stat. 2195, provided that: “This title [amending section 2229 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program Reauthorization Act of 2004’.”

Short Title of 2003 Amendment

Pub. L. 108–169, title I, § 101, Dec. 6, 2003, 117 Stat. 2036, provided that: “This title [amending section 2216 of this title and enacting provisions set out as a note under section 2204 of this title] may be cited as the ‘United States Fire Administration Reauthorization Act of 2003’.”

Pub. L. 108–169, title II, § 201, Dec. 6, 2003, 117 Stat. 2036, provided that: “This title [amending sections 2206, 2207, 2209, and 2229 of this title and sections 151303, 151304, and 151307 of Title 36, Patriotic and National Observances, Ceremonies, and Organizations, and enacting provisions set out as notes under section 2206 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Firefighting Research and Coordination Act’.”

Short Title of 2000 Amendment

Pub. L. 106–503, title I, § 101, Nov. 13, 2000, 114 Stat. 2298, provided that: “This title [enacting sections 2230 and 2231 of this title, amending sections 1511, 2203, 2204, 2206, 2209, 2210, 2214 to 2218 and 2220 of this title, sections 151302 to 151304 and 151307 of Title 36, Patriotic and National Observances, Ceremonies, and Organizations, and section 290a of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare, and repealing sections 2222 and 2223 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Fire Administration Authorization Act of 2000’.”

Short Title of 1997 Amendment

Pub. L. 105–108, § 1, Nov. 20, 1997, 111 Stat. 2264, provided that: “This Act [amending sections 2216, 2225, and 2227 of this title and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 2204 and 2218 of this title] may be cited as the ‘United States Fire Administration Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1998 and 1999’.”

Short Title of 1994 Amendment

Pub. L. 103–254, § 1, May 19, 1994, 108 Stat. 679, provided that: “This Act [enacting sections 2221 and 2228 of this title, amending sections 2216, 2220, and 2227 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under this section and section 2216 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Arson Prevention Act of 1994’.”

Short Title of 1990 Amendment

Pub. L. 101–391, § 1, Sept. 25, 1990, 104 Stat. 747, provided that: “This Act [enacting sections 2224, 2225, 2225a and 2226 of this title and section 5707a of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, amending section 2203 of this title and sections 5701 and 5707 of Title 5, and enacting provisions set out as notes under this section and sections 5707 and 5707a of Title 5] may be cited as the ‘Hotel and Motel Fire Safety Act of 1990’.”

Short Title

Pub. L. 93–498, § 1, Oct. 29, 1974, 88 Stat. 1535, provided: “That this Act [enacting this chapter and section 290a of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare, amending sections 278f and 1511 of this title, and repealing section 278g of this title] may be cited as the ‘Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974’.”

Study on Need for Federal Assistance to State and Local Communities To Fund Firefighting and Emergency Response Activities

[Pub. L. 106–398, § 1 [div. A], title XVII, § 1701(b)], Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1654, 1654A–363, required the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to conduct a study in conjunction with the National Fire Protection Association related to the activities and needs of the fire services and submit a report on the results of the study to Congress within 18 months of Oct. 30, 2000.

Local Firefighter and Emergency Services Training

Pub. L. 104–132, title VIII, § 819, Apr. 24, 1996, 110 Stat. 1316, as amended by Pub. L. 109–295, title VI, § 612(c), Oct. 4, 2006, 120 Stat. 1410, provided that: “(a) Grant Authorization.—The Attorney General, in consultation with the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, may make grants to provide specialized training and equipment to enhance the capability of metropolitan fire and emergency service departments to respond to terrorist attacks. “(b) Authorization of Appropriations.—There are authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 1997, $5,000,000 to carry out this section.”

Arson Prevention and Control; Congressional Findings

Pub. L. 103–254, § 2, May 19, 1994, 108 Stat. 679, provided that: “Congress finds that— “(1) arson is a serious and costly problem, and is responsible for approximately 25 percent of all fires in the United States; “(2) arson is a leading cause of fire deaths, accounting for approximately 700 deaths annually in the United States, and is the leading cause of property damage due to fire in the United States; “(3) estimates of arson property losses are in the range of $2,000,000,000 annually, or approximately 1 of every 4 dollars lost to fire; “(4) the incidence of arson in the United States is seriously underreported, in part because of the lack of adequate participation by local jurisdictions in the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) and the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program; “(5) there is a need for expanded training programs for arson investigators; “(6) there is a need for improved programs designed to enable volunteer firefighters to detect arson crimes and to preserve evidence vital to the investigation and prosecution of arson cases; “(7) according to the National Fire Protection Association, of all the suspicious and incendiary fires estimated to occur, only ⅓ are confirmed as arson; and “(8) improved training of arson investigators will increase the ability of fire departments to identify suspicious and incendiary fires, and will result in increased and more effective prosecution of arson offenses.”

Congressional Findings and Purpose

Pub. L. 110–376, § 2, Oct. 8, 2008, 122 Stat. 4056, provided that: “Congress makes the following findings: “(1) The number of lives lost each year because of fire has dropped significantly over the last 25 years in the United States. However, the United States still has one of the highest fire death rates in the industrialized world. In 2006, the National Fire Protection Association reported 3,245 civilian fire deaths, 16,400 civilian fire injuries, and $11,307,000,000 in direct losses due to fire. “(2) Every year, more than 100 firefighters die in the line of duty. The United States Fire Administration should continue its leadership to help local fire agencies dramatically reduce these fatalities. “(3) The Federal Government should continue to work with State and local governments and the fire service community to further the promotion of national voluntary consensus standards that increase firefighter safety. “(4) The United States Fire Administration provides crucial support to the 30,300 fire departments of the United States through training, emergency incident data collection, fire awareness and education, and support of research and development activities for fire prevention, control, and suppression technologies. “(5) The collection of data on fire and other emergency incidents is a vital tool both for policy makers and emergency responders to identify and develop responses to emerging hazards. Improving the data collection capabilities of the United States Fire Administration is essential for accurately tracking and responding to the magnitude and nature of the fire problems of the United States. “(6) The research and development performed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the United States Fire Administration, other government agencies, and nongovernmental organizations on fire technologies, techniques, and tools advance the capabilities of the fire service of the United States to suppress and prevent fires. “(7) Because of the essential role of the United States Fire Administration and the fire service community in preparing for and responding to national [probably should be “natural”] and man-made disasters, the United States Fire Administration should have a prominent place within the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Homeland Security.”

Pub. L. 101–391, § 2, Sept. 25, 1990, 104 Stat. 747, provided that: “(a) Findings.—Congress finds that—“(1) more than 400 Americans have lost their lives in multistory hotel fires over the last 5 years; “(2) when properly installed and maintained, automatic sprinklers and smoke detectors provide the most effective safeguards against the loss of life and property from fire; “(3) automatic sprinklers and smoke detectors should supplement and not supplant other fire protection measures, including existing requirements for fire resistive walls and fire retardant furnishings; “(4) some State and local governments and the hotel industry need to act more rapidly to require the installation and use of automatic sprinkler systems in hotels; and “(5) through the United States Fire Administration and the Center for Fire Research, the Federal Government has helped to develop and promote the use of residential sprinkler systems and other means of fire prevention and control. “(b) Purpose.—It is the purpose of this Act [see Short Title of 1990 Amendment note above] to save lives and protect property by promoting fire and life safety in hotels, motels, and all places of public accommodation affecting commerce.”

Waiver of Federal Liability

Pub. L. 101–391, § 7, Sept. 25, 1990, 104 Stat. 752, provided that: “In any action for damages resulting from a fire at a place of public accommodation, the Federal Government may not be found liable for the death of or injury to any person or damage to any property because an officer or employee of the Federal Government was negligent in carrying out any requirement under this Act [see Short Title of 1990 Amendment note above] or the amendments made by this Act.”

Effect on Certain Requirements