H.R. 5575 — FASTER Act

This section states congressional findings on falls among adults aged 65 and older, including that approximately 14 million falls occur annually nationwide, resulting in 38,000 deaths, 3 million emergency department visits for fall injuries, and over $80 billion in annual medical costs. The section further finds that falls are the leading cause of injuries and injury-related deaths in this population, cause over 95% of hip fractures and most traumatic brain injuries, occur in the home in over 70% of cases, and can often be prevented through simple home modifications with fire department involvement.

This section directs the FEMA Administrator to award competitive grants to career, combination, and volunteer fire departments for three-year programs to improve home safety and prevent falls for older adults, covering up to 75% of costs in years one and two and 35% in year three. Allowable uses include (1) procuring and installing lock boxes for emergency access, (2) recruiting and funding community paramedicine personnel salaries and benefits, (3) installing smoke detectors, (4) compiling health information for responders, (5) minor home modifications such as grab bars and hazard removal, (6) medication risk assessments, and (7) referrals to fall prevention resources. Applications must detail need for assistance and post-grant sustainability plans; grants may not supplant non-Federal funds, and recipients' fire-related budgets must equal at least 80% of their three-year prior average (with waivers available for economic hardship). The FEMA Administrator may provide technical assistance and must establish performance evaluation requirements.