2024: Fitzpatrick Voted To Improve Forecasting And Detection Of
Weather And Environmental Conditions That Can Start Or Affect
Wildfires. In April 2024, Fitzpatrick voted for , according to
Congressional Quarterly, "the bill, as amended, that would direct the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to establish a program
that would improve the forecasting, detection and monitoring of weather
and environmental conditions that can start and affect the behavior of
wildfires. The program also would improve the delivery of forecast
products to federal and state agencies, local emergency managers and any
other relevant stakeholders. The bill would include potential hiring
authorities to overcome workforce and training challenges for
meteorologists to assist with wildfire forecasting and monitoring. The
bill would require the National Institute of Standards and Technology to
research methods for improving communications systems used by
firefighters, land management agencies and other emergency responders.
The bill also would authorize $5 million for fiscal 2025 to establish a
fire weather forecasting and detection program." The vote was on
passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 341 to 48. [House Vote
153, 4/29/24;
Congressional Quarterly,
4/29/24; Congressional
Actions, H.R.
4866]