VIDEO/TRANSCRIPT: Van Hollen Presses DHS Secretary Noem on Maryland-Based National Fire Academy – Gets Commitment for Funding to Resume

Today, in a hearing before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) questioned Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on funding for the National Fire Academy, located in Emmitsburg, Maryland. Video of the Senator’s questioning is available here and his remarks are below:

SENATOR CHRIS VAN HOLLEN (D-Md.): Madam Secretary, I’m going to ask you about something I hope we can agree on. Are you familiar with the U.S. Fire Academy? It trains about 100,000 firefighters from around the country.

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY KRISTI NOEM: I am, yes.

VAN HOLLEN: So, right now, as you may know, it's not being funded. All the in-person classes have been canceled. So, I, together with some of my colleagues, including Congresswoman April McClain Delaney, who represents that district in Congress, wrote to you back on March 14 about the situation there. I would just ask, could you commit today to responding to our letter?

NOEM: Yeah, I believe we did respond – even if it may have just been recently to you – but those grants and programs are being facilitated, and those dollars will be forwarded. So, that is something that if I didn't get that back to you, we will get it to you within 24 hours.

VAN HOLLEN: Well, that would be some good news to come out of the hearing, because we really have not heard a thing. I'm reading from a headline: “Trump officials silent as firefighters lobby to reopen training academy in Maryland.” This is an article from yesterday. So – you're bringing good news today that we're going to renew funding for the National Fire Academy?

NOEM: That is the direction that we are taking, and we will get that information to you.

VAN HOLLEN: Thank you.