Committee recommends $6.5 million for statewide fire‑incident management software and equipment grants
Summary
The committee advanced HB2456, which would appropriate $6.5 million to the Arizona Department of Administration for a fire incident management grant program that funds software and equipment for fire departments; questions focused on program rules and prior fund balances.
House Bill 2456, which appropriates $6,500,000 from the state general fund to the Arizona Department of Administration for a fire incident management grant program, received a due-pass recommendation from the committee.
Witnesses — including software vendor representatives, a Glendale deputy fire chief and union representatives — described technology the grant would buy: mapping, situational‑awareness tablets, resource tracking and firefighter-accountability tools. Deputy Fire Chief Eric Miller said the systems improve communications, interoperability and after‑action reporting, adding that some departments still manage incidents with pen and paper.
Mike Williams, representing a software vendor selected through the ADOA procurement, said the software can provide real‑time location and shared situational awareness on wildland and structural incidents, and recounted an overseas incident where crews credited the software with helping personnel find each other in poor visibility. Labor and local fire chiefs supported the appropriation as a way to equip many agencies in a standardized way.
Lawmakers asked for program details. Representative Sandoval asked about program eligibility for rural districts; staff and vendors said the grant requirements are set by DOA’s request for proposals and that the appropriation would restore funds swept from an earlier authorization so more departments can apply. Representative Sandoval also noted $9 million already in the fund and requested further detail; she voted no in committee pending additional information.
Outcome: Committee returned HB2456 with a due-pass recommendation (committee tally 5 ayes, 2 nays, 1 absent). Staff said DOA will administer applications and that awarded funds may include multi‑year licensing and deployments.
