H.R. 5326 — FLAME Act

This section states congressional findings regarding the National Academy for Fire Prevention and Control (Academy) of the United States Fire Administration, including its location at the National Emergency Training Center in Emmitsburg, Maryland; its establishment under 15 U.S.C. 2206 to advance fire service professional development; its role in providing critical training used by tens of thousands of firefighters annually (over 40,000 in FY2023, with 90% of supervisors reporting improved emergency preparedness); and the need to clarify the Academy's authority to cancel courses with notice to Congress.

This section amends the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 2206), which establishes the National Academy for Fire Prevention and Control (the Academy) under FEMA to train fire service personnel in fire prevention, inspection, firefighting, and related skills. Specifically, it (1) authorizes the FEMA Administrator to implement a large-scale cancellation action—defined as cancelling at least 25% of the Academy's planned covered courses or programs (i.e., in-person on- or off-campus or virtual) in a fiscal year—requires notice to Congress at least 60 days prior (or as soon as practicable in exigent circumstances) identifying affected courses, registered personnel by department, and justifications, and requires notice to enrolled students and fire department heads at least 45 days prior (or as soon as practicable); (2) requires the Academy Superintendent to provide at least 30 days' notice (or as soon as practicable) to students and fire department heads for other cancellations of covered courses or programs; (3) directs FEMA to reimburse fire departments for covered expenses (i.e., travel and backfill costs such as staffing adjustments or overtime) within 90 days of receiving an itemized application submitted within 30 days after the intended start date, unless cancelled for good cause (e.g., facility closure, instructor illness, or national emergency); and (4) requires the GAO to submit a study by March 30, 2026, to specified congressional committees assessing 2025 large-scale cancellations' impacts on fire department preparedness, negative consequences, the Academy's role in firefighter interoperability and mutual aid, and student enrollment over the prior three calendar years.