Responded to a Fire on Federal Property? You May Have 90 Days to Recover Costs

Fire departments that respond to fires on federally owned property may have an opportunity to recover certain firefighting costs through the U.S. Fire Administration.

The important part: the claim must be submitted within 90 days of the incident.

What May Qualify?

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, the program applies to eligible state, local, tribal, territorial, public, and private fire departments that performed fire suppression activities on federally owned property.

Eligible costs may include direct expenses or losses above the department's normal operating costs, such as:

• Overtime

• Specially hired personnel

• Additional fuel

• Food expenses

• Equipment loss or damage

Fire prevention, training, and other non-suppression activities are not covered under this particular program.

Documentation Matters

Departments should be prepared to document the incident and the costs being requested.

The claim package may require information such as:

• The location and description of the fire

• Fire and dispatch reports

• Personnel who responded

• Apparatus used

• Direct expenses related to the response

• Proof that the property is federally owned

• Information showing the department had authority to respond

USFA also notes that firefighting costs on federally leased property are not reimbursable through this program simply because a federal agency occupies the property.

Don't Miss the Deadline

This is the part departments should remember:

90 days.

If your department responds to a fire involving federal property, don't wait until the end of the year to determine whether reimbursement may be available. Identify the property owner, preserve the incident documentation, and review the program requirements early.

Source: U.S. Fire Administration — Reimbursement for Firefighting Costs on Federal Property