Wildfire workforce grant program (Report Recommendation 88)

(a) Grants authorized Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Education shall award grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible entities to carry out a program described in subsection (c). (b) Application To be eligible to receive a grant under this Act, an eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary an application in such manner, at such time, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. (c) Use of funds An eligible entity that receives a grant under this Act shall carry out an educational or vocational program that leads to a degree, certificate, or other recognized credential in wildfire emergency management, including— (1) agricultural landscape planning relating to wildfire resilience; (2) natural resource management relating to wildfire resilience; (3) emergency management; (4) emergency medical technician services; (5) paramedic services; (6) fire science; (7) firefighting; (8) community planning relating to wildfire resilience; (9) short- and long-term post fire recovery safety and operations training for structural firefighters assigned to wildfire incidents; or (10) any other program that trains individuals in the wildfire mitigation, response, or recovery workforce. (d) Definitions In this section: (1) Accredited local academy The term accredited local academy means a partnership, between a local fire suppression organization and the office of the Fire Marshall of a State, that delivers a State Fire Training program. (2) Accredited regional training program The term accredited regional training program means a partnership, between a junior or community college or institution of higher education and the office of the Fire Marshall of a State, or the State Wildland Firefighting Agency or in combination of Federal Land Management Agencies, that delivers an approved State Fire Training program within a given region. (3) Eligible entity The term eligible entity means— (A) a junior or community college; (B) an institution of higher education; (C) an accredited regional training program; (D) an accredited local academy; or (E) a nonprofit entity with experience administering education and training programs for fire service personnel. (4) Institution of higher education The term institution of higher education has the meaning given such term in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002). (5) Junior or community college The term junior or community college has the meaning given such term in section 312 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1058). (e) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2035.