WASHINGTON, DC (February 7, 2025) The Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI) is pleased to announce that Senator Gary Peters (MI), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, has been selected by the leadership of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus to serve as a co-chair. Senator Peters assumes the position following the departures of former co-chairs Senator Tom Carper (DE) and Senator Jon Tester (MT).
Senator Peters, the senior Senator from Michigan, is a longtime advocate of the fire and emergency services. Since he joined the Senate in 2015, Senator Peters has worked hard to advance legislative issues in the spirit of bipartisanship.
As Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee in the 118th Congress, Senator Peters worked tirelessly to pass into law the Fire Grants and Safety Act (P.L. 118-67), a bill to reauthorize the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) and Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) programs, as well as the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA). As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Peters has also consistently worked to provide funding for AFG, SAFER, and USFA.
“Senator Gary Peters has been an unwavering advocate for the fire and emergency services, consistently championing the needs of first responders in communities across Michigan and the nation. His strong bipartisan leadership has helped secure critical legislation supporting America’s fire and EMS personnel,” said CFSI Board of Directors President Jim Estepp.
“Firefighters and first responders in Michigan and across the United States put themselves in harm’s way to protect our communities, and it is essential that Congress have their backs,” said Senator Peters, Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. “I’m proud to be serving as Co-Chair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus during the 119th Congress, and look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure all of our emergency personnel have the resources needed to keep themselves and our communities safe.”
The Fire Caucus is among the largest caucuses in Congress. Members join to learn more about supporting local fire departments and the federal government’s role in addressing the needs of our nation’s fire and emergency services. A list of current members is located on CFSI’s website. If your member is not on the list, ask them to join!
