Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (Public Law 93-498)

88 STAT. ]

PUBLIC LAW 93-498-OCT. 29, 1974

1535

Public Law 93AN A C T
To reduce losses of life and property, through better fire prevention and control,
and for other purposes.

October 29, 1974
[s. 1769]

Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress asseinhled^ That this Act may Federal Fire
be cited as the "Fedei-al Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974". ^conuol'llt^ot
FINDINGS

15 u s e 2201
note.

SEC. 2. The Congress finds that—
is use 2201.
(1) The National Commission on Fire Prevention and Control,
established pursuant to Public Law 90-259, has made an exhaustive ^^j^g'^^^ ^^^^
and comprehensive examination of the Nation's fire problem, has made
detailed findings as to the extent of this problem in terms of human
suffering and loss of life and property, and has made ninety thoughtful recommendations.
(2) The LTnited States today has the highest per capita rate of death
and property loss fi-om fire of all the major industrialized nations in
the world.
(3) Fire is an undue burden affecting all Americans, and fire also
constitutes a public health and safety problem of great dimensions.
Fire kills 12,000 and scars and injures 300,000 Americans each year,
including 50,000 individuals who require extended hospitalization.
Almost $3 billion worth of property is destroyed annually by fire, and
the total economic cost of destructive fire in the United States is estimated conservatively to be $11,000,000,000 per year. Firefighting is
the Nation's most hazardous profession.
(4) Such losses of life and property from fire are unacceptable to
the Congress.
(5) While fire prevention and control is and should remain a State
and local responsibility, the Federal Government must help if a significant reduction in fire losses is to be achieved.
(6) The fire ser\icc and the civil defense program in each locality
would both benefit from closer cooperation.
(7) The Nation's fire problem is exacerbated by (A) the indifference with which some Americans confront the subject; (B) the
Nation's failure to undertake enough research and development into
fire and fire-related problems; (C) the scarcity of reliable data and
information; (D) the fact that designers and purchasers of buildings
and products generally give insufficient attention to fire safety; ( E )
the fact that many communities lack adequate building and fire prevention codes; and (F) the fact that local fire departments spend about
95 cents of every dollar appropriated to the fire services on efforts to
extinguish fires and only about 5 cents on fire prevention.
(8) There is a need for improved professional training and education oriented toward improving the effectiveness of the fire services,
including an increased emphasis on preventing fires and on reducing
injuries to firefighters.
(9) A national system for the collection, analysis, and dissemination
of fire data is needed to help local fire services establish research and
action priorities.
(10) The number of specialized medical centers which are properly
equipped and staffed for the treatment of burns and the rehabilitation
of victims of fires is inadequate.
(11) The unacceptably high rates of death, injury, and property
loss from fire can be reduced if the Federal Government establishes a

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PUBLIC LAW 93-498-OCT. 29, 1974

[88 STAT.

coordinated program to support and reinforce the fire prevention and
control activities of State and local governments.
PURPOSES

15 use 2202.

QEC. 3. I t is declared to be the purpose of Congress in this Act to—
(1) reduce the Nation's losses caused by fire through better fire
prevention and control;
(2) supplement existing programs of research, training, and
education, and to encourage new and improved programs and
activities by State and local governments;
(3) establish the National Fire Prevention and Control Administration and the Fire Research Center within the Department of
Commerce; and
(4) establish an intensified program of research into the treatment of burn and smoke injuries and the rehabilitation of victims
of fires within the National Institutes of Health.
DEFINITIONS

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f

SEC. 4. As used in this Act, the term—
(1) "Academy" means the National Academy for Fire Prevention and Control;
(2) "Administration" means the National Fire Prevention and
Control Administration established pursuant to section 5 of this
Act;
(3) "Administrator" means the Administrator of the National
Fire Prevention and Control Administration;
(4) "fire service" means any organization in any State consisting of personnel, apparatus, and equipment which has as its purpose protecting property and maintaining the safety and welfare
of the public from the dangers of fire, including a private firefighting brigade. The personnel of any such organization may be
paid employees or unpaid volunteers or any combination thereof.
The location of any such organization and its responsibility for
extinguishment and suppression of fires may include, but need
not be limited to, a Federal installation, a State, city, town, borough, parish, county, fire district, fire protection district, rural
fire district, or other special district. The terms "fire prevention",
"firefighting", and "firecontrol" relate to activities conducted by
a fire service;
(5) "local" means of or pertaining to any city, town, county,
special purpose district, unincorporated territory, or other political subdivision of a State;
(6) "Secretary" means the Secretary of Commerce; and
(7) "State" means any State, the District of Columbia, the
Commonwealth of Puerto Kico, the Virgin Islands, the Canal
Zone, Guam, American Samoa, the Trust Territory of the Pacific
Islands and any other territory or possession of the United States.
ESTABLISHMENT or

THE NATIONAL FIRE PREVENTION AND CONTROL
ADMINISTRATION

15 use 22 4.

g^^ g ^^^ ESTABLISHMENT OF ADMINISTRATION.—There is hereby
established in the Department of Commerce an agency which shall be
known as the National Fire Prevention and Control Administration,
(b) ADMINISTRATOR.—There shall be at the head of the Administration the Administrator of the National Fire Prevention and Control
Administration. The Administrator shall be appointed by the Presi-

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PUBLIC LAW 93-498-OCT. 29, 1974

1537

dent, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, and shall be
compensated at the rate now or hereafter provided for level I V of the
Executive Schedule pay rates (5 U.S.C. 5315). The Administrator
shall report and be responsible to the Secretary.
(c) DEPUTY ADMINISTRATOR.—^There shall be in the Administration
a Deputy Administrator of the National Fire Prevention and Control
Administration who shall be appointed by the President, by and with
the advice and consent of the Senate, and who shall be compensated at
the rate now or hereafter provided for level V of the Executive Schedule pay rates (5 U.S.C. 5316). The Deputy Administrator shall perform such functions as the Administrator shall from time to time
assign or delegate, and shall act as Administrator during the absence
or disability of the Administrator or in the event of a vacancy in the
office of Administrator.
PUBLIC

EDUCATION

SEC. 6. The Administrator is authorized to take all steps necessary
to educate the public and to overcome public indifference as to fire and
fire prevention. Such steps may include, but are not limited to, publications, audiovisual presentations, and demonstrations. Such public
education efforts shall include programs to provide specialized information for those groups of individuals who are particularly vulnerable
to fire hazards, such as the young and the elderly. The Administrator
shall sponsor and encourage research, testing, and experimentation to
determine the most effective means of such public education.

^^ ^^"^ ^2°^-

N A T I O N A L ACADEMY FOR F I R E P R E V E N T I O N A N D CONTROL

SEC. 7. (a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall establish, at the
earliest practicable date, a National Academy for Fire Prevention and
Control. The purpose of the Academy shall be to advance the professional development of fire service personnel and of other persons
engaged in fire prevention and control activities.
(b) SUPERINTENDENT.—The Academy shall be headed by a Superintendent, who shall be appointed by the Secretary. I n exercising the
powers and authority contained in this section the Superintendent
shall be subject to the direction of the Administrator.

^^ ^^^ ^^°^'

(c) POWERS OF SUPERINTENDENT.—The Superintendent is author-

ized to—
(1) develop and revise curricula, standards for admission and
performance, and criteria for the awarding of degrees and
certifications;
(2) appoint such teaching staff and other personnel as he
determines to be necessary or appropriate;
(3) conduct courses and programs of training and education, as
defined in subsection (d) of this section;
(4) appoint faculty members and consultants without regard to
the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing appoint- s use loi ef
ments in the competitive service, and, with respect to temporary ^^'^•
and intermittent services, to make appointments to the same extent
as is authorized by section 3109 of title 5, United States Code;
(5) establish fees and other charges for attendance at, and subscription to, courses and programs offered by the Academy. Such
fees may be modified or waived as determined by the
Superintendent;
(6) conduct short courses, seminars, workshops, conferences,
and similar education and training activities in all parts and
localities of the United States;

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Financial assistance.

PUBLIC LAW 93-498-OCT. 29, 1974

[88 STAT.

(7) enter intx) such contracts and take such other actions as
may be necessary in carrying out the purposes of the Academy;
and
(8) consult with officials of the fire services and other interested
persons in the exercise of the foregoing powers.
(d) PROGRAM OF THE ACADEMY.—The Superintendent is authorized
to—
(1) train fire service personnel in such skills and knowledge as
may be useful to advance their ability to prevent and control fires,
including, but not limited to—
(A) techniques of fire prevention, fire inspection, firefighting, and fire and arson investigation;
(B) tactics and command of firefighting for present and
future fire chiefs and commanders;
(C) administration and management of fire services;
(D) tactical training in the specialized field of aircraft
fire control and crash rescue;
(E) tactical training in the specialized field of fire control
and rescue aboard waterborne vessels; and
( F ) the training of present and future instructors in the
aforementioned subjects;
(2) develop model curricula, training piognims, and other
educational materials suitable for use at other educational institutions, and to make such materials available without charge;
(3) develop and administer a program of correspondence
courses to advance the knowledge and skills of fire service
personnel;
(4) develop and distribute to appropriate officials model questions suitable for use in conducting entrance and promotional
examinations for fire service personnel; and
(5) encourage the inclusion of fire prevention and detection
technology and practices in the education and professional practice of architects, builders, city planners, and others engaged in
design and planning aflPected by fire safety problems.
(e) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—The Administrator is authorized, to
the extent that he determines it necessary to meet the needs of the
Nation, to encourage new programs and to strengthen existing programs of education and training by local fire services, units, and
departments. State and local governments, and private institutions, by
providing technical assistance and advice to—
(1) vocational training programs in techniques of fire prevention, fire inspection, firefighting, and fire and arson investigation;
(2) fire training courses and programs at junior colleges; and
(3) four-year degree programs in fire engineering at colleges
and universities.
(f) ASSISTANCE.—The Administrator is authorized to provide
ussisUuice to State and local fire service training programs through
grants, contracts, or otherwise. Such assistance shall not exceed 4 per
centum of the amount authorized to be appropriated in each fiscal year
pursuant to section 17 of this Act.
(g) SITE SELECTION.—The Academy shall be located on such site as
the Secretary selects, subject to the following provisions:
(1) The Secretary is authorized to appoint a Site Selection
Board consisting of the Academy Superintendent and two other
members to survey the most suitable sites for the location of the
Academy and to make recommendations to the Secretary.
(2) The Site Selection Board in making its recommendations
and the Secretary in making his final selection, shall give consideration to the training and facility needs of the Academy, environ-

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PUBLIC LAW 93-498-OCT. 29, 1974

1539

mental effects, the possibility of using a surplus Government
facility, and such other factors as are deemed important and relevant. The Secretary shall make a final site selection not later than
2 years after the date of enactment of this Act.
(h) CONSTRUCTION COSTS.—Of the sums authorized to be appropriated for the purpose of implementing the programs of the
Administration, not more than $9,000,000 shall be available for the
construction of facilities of the Academy on the site selected under
subsection (g) of this section. Such sums for such construction shall
remain available until expended.
(i) EDUCATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE.—The Adminis-

trator is authorized to—
(1) provide stipends to students attending Academy courses
and programs, in amounts up to 75 per centum of the expense of
attendance, as established by the Superintendent;
(2) provide stipends to students attending courses and nondegree training programs approved by the Superintendent at
universities, colleges, and junior colleges, in amounts up to 50 per
centum of the cost of tuition;
(3) make or enter into contracts to make payments to institutions of higher education for loans, not to exceed $2,500 per
academic year for any individual who is enrolled on a full-time
basis in an undergraduate or graduate program of fire research
or engineering which is certified by the Superintendent. Loans
under this paragraph shall be made on such terms and subject to
such conditions as the Superintendent and each institution
involved may jointly determine; and
(4) establish and maintain a placement and promotion opportunities center in cooperation with the fire services, for firefighters
who wish to learn and take advantage of different or better career
opportunities. Such center shall not limit such assistance to students and graduates of the xVcademy, but shall undertake to assist
all fire service personnel.
(j) BOARD OF VISITORS.—Upon establishment of the Academy, the

Secretary shall establish a procedure for the selection of professionals
in the field of fire safety, fire prevention, fire control, research and
development in fire protection, treatment and rehabilitation of fire
victims, or local government services management to serve as members
of a Board of Visitors for the Academy. Pursuant to such procedure,
the Secretary shall select eight such persons to serve as members of
such Board of Visitors to serve such terms as the Secretary may prescribe. The function of such Board shall be to review annually the
program of the Academy and to make comments and recommendations
to the Secretary regarding the operation of the Academy and any
improvements therein which such Board deems appropriate. Each
member of such Board shall be reimbursed for any expenses actually
incurred by him in the performance of his duties as a member of such
Board.
Committee on
(k) ACCREDITATION.—The Superintendent is authorized to establish Fire
Training and
a Committee on Fire Training and Education which shall inquire into Education.
and make recommendations regarding the desirability of establishing E s t a b l i s h m e n t .
a mechanism for accreditation of fire training and education programs
and courses, and the role which the Academy should play if such a
mechanism is recommended. The Committee shall consist of the Superintendent as Chairman and eighteen other members appointed by the
Administrator from among individuals and organizations possessing
special knowledge and experience in the field of fire training and edu- Report to Adcation or related fields. The Committee shall submit to the Adminis- ministrator.
trator within two years after its appointment, a full and complete

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Termination.

PUBLIC LAW 93-498-OCT. 29, 1974

report of its findings and recommendations. Upon the submission of
such report, the Committee shall cease to exist. Each appointed member of the Committee shall be reimbursed for expenses actually
incurred in the performance of his duties as a member.
(1) ADMISSION.—The Superintendent is authorized to admit to the
courses and programs of the Academy individuals who are members
of the firefighting, rescue, and civil defense forces of the Nation and
such other individuals, including candidates for membership in these
forces, as he determines can benefit from attendance. Students shall be
admitted from any State, with due regard to adequate representation
in the student body of all geographic regions of the Nation. In selecting students, the Superintendent may seek nominations and advice
from the fire services and other organizations which wish to send
students to the Academy.
FIRE

15 use 2207.

M
3

[88 ST AT.

TECHNOLOGY

gj,^ g ^^^ TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.—The Administrator shall conduct a continuing program of development, testing, and
evaluation of equipment for use by the Nation's fire, rescue, and civil
defense services, with the aim of making available improved suppression, protective, auxiliary, and warning devices incorporating the
latest technology. Attention shall be given to the standardization, compatibility, and interchangeability of such equipment. Such development, testing, and evaluation activities shall include, but need not be
limited to—
(1) safer, less cumbersome articles of protective c'othing,
including helmets, boots, and coats;
(2) breathing apparatus with the necessary duration of service,
reliability, low weight, and ease of operation for practical use;
(3) safe and reliable auxiliary equipment for use in fire prevention, detection, and control, such as fire location detectors,
visual and audio communications equipment, and mobile equipment;
(4) special c'othing and equipment needed for forest fires,
brush fires, oil and gasoline fires, aircraft fires and crash rescue,
fires occurring aboard waterborne vessels, and in other special
firefighting situations;
(5) fire detectors and related equipment for residential use with
high sensitivity and reliability, and which are sufficiently inexpensive to purchase, install, and maintain to insure wide acceptance and use;
(6) in-place fire prevention systems of low cost and of increased
reliability and effectiveness;
(7) methods of testing fire alarms and fire protection devices
and systems on a non-interference basis;
(8) the development of purchase specifications, standards, and
acceptance and validation test procedures for all such equipment
and devices; and
(9) operation tests, demonstration projects, and fire investigations in support of the activities set forth in this section.
(b) LIMITATION.—The Administration shall not engage in the
manufacture or sale of any equipment or device developed pursuant
to this section, except to the extent that it deems it necessary to adequately develop, test, or evaluate such equipment or device.
(c) MANAGEMENT STUDIES.—(1) The Administrator is authorized
to conduct, directly or through contracts or grants, studies of the
operations and management aspects of fire services, utilizing quantitative techniques, such as operations research, management economics,
cost effectiveness studies, and such other techniques and methods as

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PUBLIC LAW 93-498-OCT. 29, 1974

1541

may be applicable and useful. Such studies shall include, but need
not be limited to, the allocation of resources, the optimum location of
fire stations, the optimum geographical area for an integrated fire
service, the manner of responding to alarms, the operation of citywide
and regional fire dispatch centers, firefighting under conditions of civil
disturbance, and the effectiveness, frequency, and methods of building
inspections.
(2) The Administrator is authorized to conduct, directly or through
contracts or grants, research concerning the productivity and efficiency
of fire service personnel, the job categories and skills required by fire
services under varying conditions, the reduction of injuries to fire
service personnel, the most effective fire prevention programs and
activities, and techniques for accurately measuring and analyzing the
foregoing.
(3) The Administrator is authorized to conduct, directly or through
contracts, grants, or other forms of assistance, development, testing,
and demonstration projects to the extent deemed necessary to introduce and to encourage the acceptance of new technology, standards,
operating methods, command techniques, and management systems for
utilization by the fire services.
(4) The Administrator is authorized to assist the Nation's fire services, directly or through contracts, grants, or other forms of assistance,
to measure and evaluate, on a cost-benefit basis, the effectiveness of the
programs and activities of each fire service and the predictable consequences on the applicable local fire services of coordination or combination, in whole or in part, in a regional, metropolitan, or statewide
fire service.
(d) EuRAL ASSISTANT:.—The Administrator is authorized to assist
the Nation's fire services, directly or through contracts, grants, or other
forms of assistance, to sponsor and encourage research into approaches,
techniques, systems, and equipment to improve fire prevention and
control in the rural and remote areas of the Nation.
(e) COORDINATION.—In establishing and conducting programs
under this section, the Administrator shall take full advantage of
applicable technological developments made by other departments and
agencies of the Federal Government, by State and local governments,
and by business, industry, and nonprofit associations.
NATIONAL FIRE DATA CENTER

SEC. 9. (a) GENERAL.—The Administrator shall operate, directly or is use 2208.
through contracts or grants, an integrated, comprehensive National
Fire Data Center for the selection, analysis, publication, and dissemination of information related to the prevention, occurrence, control,
and results of fires of all types. The program of such Data Center shall ^^^^^^J^^f^,l^J
be designed to (1) provide an accurate nationwide analysis of the fire p r o g r a m , f u n c problem, (2) identify major problem areas, (3) assist in setting priorities, (4) determine possible solutions to problems, and (5) monitor
the progress of programs to reduce fire losses. To carry out these functions, the Data Center shall gather and analyze—
(1) information on the frequency, causes, spread, and extinguishment of fires;
(2) information on the number of injuries and deaths resulting
from fires, including the maximum available information on the
specific causes and nature of such injuries and deaths, and information on property losses;
(3) information on the occupational hazards faced by firefighters, including the causes of deaths and injuries arising,
directly and indirectly, from firefighting activities;
38-194 O - 76 - 15 Pt. 2

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PUBLIC LAW 93-498-OCT. 29, 1974

[88 STAT.

(4) information on all types of firefighting activities, including
inspection practices;
(5) technical information related to building construction, fire
properties of materials, and similar information;
(6) information on fire prevention and control laws, systems,
methods, techniques, and administrative structures used in foreign
nations;
(7) information on the causes, behavior, and best method of
control of other types of fire, including, but not limited to, forest
fires, brush fires, fire underground, oil l3low-out fires, and waterborne fires; and
(8) such other information and data as is deemed useful and
applicable.
(b) METHODS.—In carrying out the program of the Data Center,
the Administrator is authorized to—
(1) develop standardized data reporting methods;
(2) encourage and assist State, local, and other agencies, public
and private, in developing and reporting information; and
(3) make full use of existing data gathering and analysis organizations, both public and private.
J"f°=Ti!f'°" '^^^' (c) DISSEMINATION.—^The Administrator shall insure disseminasemination.
emination.

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.

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f r>

i

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tion to the maximum extent possible or fire data collected and developed by the Data Center, and shall make such data, information, and
analysis available in appropriate form to Federal agencies. State and
local governments, private organizations, industry, business, and other
interested persons.
MASTER PLANS

15 use 2209.

SEC. 10. (a) GENERAL.—The establishment of master plans for fire
prevention and control are the responsibility of the States and the
political subdivisions thereof. The Administrator is authorized to
encourage and assist such States and political subdivisions in such
planning activities, consistent with his powers and duties under this
^ct.
Report to Con(b) REPORT.—Four ycars after the date of enactment of this Act,
gress.
the Secretary shall submit to the Congress a report on the establishment and effectiveness of master plans in the field of fire prevention
and control throughout the Nation. Such report shall include, but need
not be limited to—
(1) a summary of the extent and quality of master planning
activities;
(2) a summary and evaluation of master plans that have been
prepared by States and political subdivisions thereof. Such summary and evaluation shall consider, with respect to each such plan
(A) the characteristics of the jurisdiction adopting it, including,
but not limited to, density and distribution of population; ratio
of volunteer versus paid fire services; geographic location, topography, and climate; per capita rate of death and property loss
from fire; size and characteristics of political subdivisions of the
governmental units thereof; and socio-economic composition; and
(B) the approach to development and implementation of the
master plans;
(3) an evaluation of the best approach to the development and
implementation of master plans (e.g., central planning by a State
agency, regionalized planning within a State coordinated by a
State agency, or local planning supplemented and coordinated by
a State agency) ;
(4) an assessment of the costs and benefits of master plans;
(5) a recommendation to Congress on whether Federal financial
assistance should be authorized in order that master plans can be
developed in all States; and

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PUBLIC LAW 93-498-OCT. 29, 1974

(6) a model master plan or plans suitable for State and local
implementation.
(c) DEFINITION.—For the purposes of this section, a "master plan"
is one which will result in the planning and implementation in the
area involved of a general program of action for fire prevention and
control. Such master plan is reasonably expected to include (1) a
survey of the resources and personnel of existing fire services and an
analysis of the effectiveness of the fire and building codes in such area;
(2) an analysis of short and long term fire prevention and control
needs in such area; (3) a plan to meet the fire prevention and control
needs in such area; and (4) an estimate of cost and realistic plans for
financing the implementation of the plan and operation on a continuing
basis and a summary of problems that are anticipated in implementing
such master plan.

1543

"faster plan."

^^

,

R E I M B U R S E M E N T FOR COSTS OF F I R E F I G H T I N G ON FEDERAL PROPERTY

SEC. 11. (a) CLAIM.—Each fire service that engages in the fighting is use 2210.
of a fire on property which is under the jurisdiction of the United
States may file a claim with the Administrator for the amount of direct
expenses and direct losses incurred by such fire service as a result of
fighting such fire. The claim shall include such supporting information
as the Administrator may prescribe.
(b) DETERMINATION.—Upon receipt of a claim filed under subsection (a) of this section, the Administrator shall determine—
(1) what payments, if any, to the fire service or its parent jurisdiction, including taxes or payments in lieu of taxes, the United
States has made for the support of fire services on the property
in question;
(2) the extent to which the fire service incurred additional firefighting costs, over and above its normal operating costs, in
connection with the fire which is the subject of the claim; and
(3) the amount, if any, of the additional costs referred to in
paragraph (2) of this subsection which were not adequately
covered by the payments referred to in paragraph (1) of this
subsection.
(c) PAYMENT.—The Secretary shall forward the claim and a copy
of the Administrator's determination under subsection (b) (3) of this
section to the Secretary of the Treasury. The Secretary of the Treasury
shall, upon receipt of the claim and determination, pay such fire service
or its parent jurisdiction, from any moneys in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated but subject to reimbursement (from any appropriations which may be available or which may be made available for
the purpose) by the Federal department or agency under whose
jurisdiction the fire occurred, a sum no greater than the amount
determined with respect to the claim under subsection (b) (3) of this
section.
(d) ADJUDICATION.—In the case of a dispute arising in connection
with a claim under this section, the Court of Claims of the United
States shall have jurisdiction to adjudicate the claim and enter judgment accordingly.
REVIEW o r

CODES

SEC. 12. The Administrator is authorized to review, evaluate, and relenT/on codecs
suggest improvements in State and local fire prevention codes, build- rewew/"" ''° ^^'
ing codes, and any relevant Federal or private codes and regulations, is use 2211.
In evaluating any such code or codes, the Administrator shall consider
the human impact of all code requirements, standards, or provisions

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[88 STAT.

in terms of comfort and habitability for residents or employees, as
well as the fire prevention and control value or potential of each such
requirement, standard, or provision.
F I R E SAFETY E F F E C T I V E N E S S

15 use 2212.

g^c. 13. The Administrator is authorized to encourage owners and
managers of residential multiple-unit, commercial, industrial, and
transportation structures to prepare Fire Safety Effectiveness Statements, pursuant to standards, forms, rules, and regulations to be
developed and issued by the Administrator.
ANNUAL

15 u s e 2213.

STATEMENTS

CONFERENCE

SEC. 14. The Administrator is authorized to organize, or to participate in organizing, an annual conference on fire prevention and control.
He may pay, in whole or in part, the cost of such conference and the
expenses of some or all of the participants. All of the Nation's fire
services shall be eligible to send representatives to each such conference
to discuss, exchange ideas on, and participate in educational programs
on new techniques in fire prevention and control. Such conferences shall
be open to the public.
P U B L I C SAFETY AWARDS

15 use 2214.

g^Q 15^ (a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There are hereby established two
classes of honorary awards for the recognition of outstanding and
distinguished service by public safety officers—
(1) the President's Award For Outstanding Public Safety
Service ("President's Award") ; and
(2) the Secretary's Award For Distinguished Public Safety
Service ("Secretary's Award").
(b) DESCRIPTION.— (1) The President's Award shall be presented by
the President of the United States to public safety officers for extraordinary valor in the line of duty or for outstanding contribution to
public safety.
(2) The Secretary's Award shall be presented by the Secretary, the
Secretarv of Defense, or by the Attorney General to public safety
officers for distinguished service in the field of public safety.
(c) SELECTION.—The Secretary, the Secretary of Defense, and the
Attorney General shall advise and assist the President in the selection
of individuals to whom the President's Award shall be tendered and
in the course of performing such duties they shall seek and review
nominations for such awards which are submitted to them by Federal,
State, county, and local government officials. They shall annually
transmit to the President the names of those individuals determined
by them to merit the award, together with the reasons therefor. Recipients of the President's Award shall be selected by the President.
(d) LIMITATION.—(1) There shall not be presented in any one calendar year in excess of twelve President's Awards.
(2) There shall be no limitation on the number of Secretary's
Awards presented.
(e) AWARD.— (1) Each President's Award shall consist of—
(A) a medal suitably inscribed, bearing such devices and
emblems, and struck from such material as the Secretary of the
Treasury, after consultation with the Secretary, the Secretary of
Defense, and the Attorney General deems appropriate. The Secretary of the Treasury shall cause the medal to be struck and furnished to the President; and
(B) an appropriate citation.

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PUBLIC LAW 93-498-OCT. 29, 1974

1545

(2) Each Secretary's Award shall consist of an appropriate
citation.
(f) KEGULATIONS.—The Secretary, the Secretary of Defense, and
the Attorney General are authorized and directed to issue jointly such
regulations as may be necessary to carry out this section.
(g) DEFINITIONS.—^As used in this section, the term "public safety offir^r'''''' ^^^^'^
officer" means a person serving a public agency, with or without
compensation, as—
(1) a firefighter;
(2) a law enforcement officer, including a corrections or court
officer; or
(3) a civil defense officer.
ANNUAL

REPORT

SEC. 16. The Secretary shall report to the Congress and the President Report to connot later than June 30 of the year following the date of enactment of fJenf. ^"
this Act and each year thereafter on all activities relating to fire pre- is use 2215.
vention and control, and all measures taken to implement and carry
out this Act during the preceding calendar year. Such report shall
include, but need not be limited to—
(a) a thorough appraisal, including statistical analysis, estimates, and long-term projections of the human and economic losses
due to fire;
(b) a survey and summary, in such detail as is deemed advisable,
of the research and technology program undertaken or sponsored
pursuant to this Act;
(c) a summary of the activities of the Academy for the preceding 12 months, including, but not limited to—
(1) an explanation of the curriculum of study;
(2) a description of the standards of admission and
performance;
(3) the criteria for the awarding of degrees and certificates;
and
(4) a statistical compilation of the number of students
attending the Academy and receiving degrees or certificates;
(d) a summary of the activities undertaken to assist the Nation's
fire services;
(e^ a summary of the public education programs undertaken;
(f) an analysis of the extent of participation in preparing and
submitting Fire Safety Effectiveness Statements;
(g) a summary of outstanding problems confronting the
administration of this Act, in order of priority;
(h) such recommendations for additional legislation as are
deemed necessary or appropriate; and
(i) a summary of reviews, evaluations, and suggested improvements in State and local fire prevention and building codes, fire
services, and any relevant Federal or private codes, regulations,
and fire services.
A U T H O R I Z A T I O N OF APPROPRIATIONS

SEC. 17. There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out the
foregoing provisions of this Act, except section 11 of this Act, such
sums as are necessary, not to exceed $10,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1975, and not to exceed $15,000,000 for the fiscal year
ending June 30,1976.
F I R E RESEARCH

CENTER

SEC. 18. The Act of March 3, 1901 (15 U.S.C. 278), is amended by
striking out sections 16 and 17 (as added by title I of the Fire Preven-

^^ ^^'^ ^^le.

1546
278^ ^^^ ^^^^'
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15
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