Pappas, Letlow, Kean Introduce Legislation to Help Small, Rural Departments Upgrade Essential Public Safety Infrastructure

Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), Congresswoman Julia Letlow (LA-05), and Congressman Tom Kean Jr. (NJ-07) announced the introduction of the Building Up Infrastructure for Local Departments (BUILD) Act. This legislation would help small and rural public safety agencies serving jurisdictions of less than 50,000, including both fire departments and police departments, upgrade their facilities to modern standards. Eligible projects could receive up to $4 million in funding for projects that would improve emergency services, training, recruitment, and retention of public safety officers, community engagement, and overall community safety. 

“It’s clear from the conversations I’ve had with our law enforcement, fire fighters, and town representatives that this legislation would help our communities and departments fund much needed public infrastructure upgrades,” said Congressman Pappas. “Our public safety agencies must have access to the funds they need to upgrade their facilities to modern standards, supporting our officers as well as community safety. I will continue to work alongside our communities, and with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, to advocate for the resources they need to promote public safety and keep us safe.”

“Our local law enforcement, first responders, and firefighters are the lifeline of the safety and well-being of our communities,” said Congresswoman Letlow. “It is critical that the brave men and women who put themselves in harm’s way in service to our communities have the proper resources they need to keep us safe. I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing the bipartisan BUILD Act, to ensure our rural public safety agencies have the adequate investments to continue their critical work for our communities.”

"Supporting funding for local law enforcement and firefighters is paramount to safeguarding the heart of our communities,” said Congressman Kean. “We must invest in these courageous professionals who risk their lives to protect us daily, respond to emergencies, and keep our neighborhoods secure. I am proud to co-sponsor the BUILD Act. We owe it to our first responders to provide adequate funding so they can do their jobs effectively." 

This legislation would support communities across New Hampshire, including towns like Danville and Candia, where representatives and departments are currently looking to fund needed infrastructure upgrades. 

“Over thirty-five years ago, the Danville Police Department moved into a 750 square foot space within the Kimball Safety Complex, intending to temporarily share space with our Fire Department until standalone office space could be found. But without assistance, we’re unable to find or construct a fully functional office space that will allow our dedicated law enforcement officers to best serve our growing community,” said Danville Selectman and Building Committee Member Dennis Griffiths. “Congressman Pappas’s plan to authorize a new grant program to modify, upgrade, or construct facilities for local agencies would help towns like ours improve emergency services, attract and retain officers, and improve public safety.”

“Like many local New Hampshire police departments, Candia has a number of pressing infrastructure and building needs that, if addressed, could greatly improve our department's ability to protect our residents and serve our community,” said Candia Chief of Police Mike McGillen. “Federal support through legislation like the BUILD Act would go a long way to helping Candia and other smaller police departments modernize and expand to meet the needs of our officers and our communities.”

This legislation is also supported by the National Sheriffs’ Association and The Law Enforcement Action Partnership.

"The nation needs to maintain our public-safety infrastructure, and Congressman Chris Pappas' BUILD Act will provide critical assistance to our smaller Sheriff’s Offices. The BUILD Act will provide vital resources to refurbish existing facilities or to build new ones, and it includes provisions to ensure tax money is spent responsibly. Not only is Congressman Pappas thinking about community well-being, he is thinking equitably by addressing the needs of less-populous communities,” said Sheriff Jim Skinner, Government Affairs Committee Chair, National Sheriffs’ Association.

" The BUILD Act will serve as a lifeline to smaller law enforcement agencies facing tough headwinds amid an era of high officer turnover and low staffing levels. By providing federal funding for critical infrastructure upgrades, we can help these agencies boost training, recruitment, and retention efforts, which will ultimately enhance overall public trust and safety. Police departments are only as good as their officers. This legislation ensures that we are providing the necessary investment to help them be the best they can be," said Lieutenant Diane Goldstein (Ret.), Executive Director of the Law Enforcement Action Partnership.

Specifically, the BUILD Act would: 

• Authorize a new BUILD grant program at the Department of Justice to modify, upgrade, or construct facilities for small local law enforcement agencies serving jurisdictions of less than 50,000

• Authorize a new BUILD-FIRE grant program at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to modify, upgrade, or construct facilities for small fire departments serving jurisdictions of less than 50,000

  • For fire departments with EMS contingents, EMS projects would be eligible too

• Require a GAO study of the sufficiency of the existing capital infrastructure of small public safety agencies over the near term and long term

• Require the Attorney General to conduct and publish a study of the met and unmet construction and renovation needs of a national sample of police departments

• Require the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct and publish a study of the met and unmet construction and renovation needs of a national sample of fire departments