Van Hollen, McClain Delaney Announce Restart of Classes at Emmitsburg National Fire Academy

Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen and U.S. Representative April McClain Delaney (both D-Md.) announced that classes at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland are resuming, following their pushback on the Trump Administration’s decision to halt trainings that support first responders from across the United States. In March, Senator Van Hollen and Congresswoman McClain Delaney led a bipartisan, bicameral letter with over 60 of their colleagues, including Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), demanding answers from the Administration on the decision to cancel trainings and pressing them to reinstate classes.  

“The National Fire Academy, based in Emmitsburg, provides critical training to first responders across the country – ensuring our firefighters have the tools they need to save lives. The Trump Administration’s decision to abruptly cancel these classes made no sense – and what’s more, it risked significant harm to our communities and those who protect them. While the good work done by the men and women National Fire Academy never should have been halted, I’m glad to see the Administration has heeded our calls to lift this senseless ban,” said Senator Van Hollen, who recently received a commitment from Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to resume classes in response to his questioning at a Senate hearing.

“Despite receiving no response from the Trump Administration to our letter objecting to the senseless cancellation of training classes at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, MD, I am happy to share that programming will be resuming immediately for dedicated fire fighters and first responders from around the nation! The rash decision to close the academy wasted valuable resources and undermined our communities’ safety, resilience, and response efforts. Thank you to Senator Van Hollen and dozens of our Congressional colleagues for joining in the fight to preserve the important mission of the National Fire Academy and the need for educational resources for our first responders,” said Representative McClain Delaney.

“Firefighters save lives, and that’s exactly what the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg trains them to do. The Trump Administration’s decision to cancel these classes was as baffling as it was foolish. I worked with Senator Van Hollen and Representative McClain Delaney to push the President to reverse this callous decision on behalf of the firefighters who train there and the people in the community they keep safe. Our efforts came to fruition with today’s announcement that the ban has been lifted. I will always stand up for the brave men and women at the National Fire Academy,” said Senator Alsobrooks.