Bill > S1437

This bill, titled the Modular Airborne Firefighting System Flexibility Act, amends existing law to authorize the National Guard to assist civilian firefighting efforts, including the use of the Modular Airborne Firefighting System (MAFFS), which is a system that allows aircraft to drop large quantities of fire retardant. This authority is grounded in the principles of the National Incident Management System and the National Response Framework, which emphasize that local authorities are the first responders to incidents and retain command over their areas. The bill clarifies that the Governor of a state is the principal civilian authority, and the State Adjutant General is the principal military authority responsible for mobilizing National Guard members and units for firefighting support, provided that funds for these operations are reimbursed.