The "Wildfire Emergency Preparedness Act of 2025" aims to significantly improve the nation's capacity to respond to wildfires and wildland-urban interface (WUI) fires. It directs the Secretary of Agriculture, through the Forest Service, to establish a national training plan for structural firefighters, including federal employees, to safely and effectively respond to these incidents. This plan will include guidelines for a curriculum incorporating materials from the National Academy for Fire Prevention and Control and the National Wildfire Coordinating Group. The bill also authorizes competitive grants to eligible nonprofit organizations to carry out training programs adhering to these guidelines, with $5 million authorized annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2031.

To enhance coordination, the bill establishes a new position: the Under Secretary of Agriculture for Fire Coordination, appointed by the President. This Under Secretary will serve as the principal advisor for coordinating federal, state, and local governments in wildfire and WUI fire preparedness and response. Furthermore, the legislation mandates the inclusion of a representative from a national labor organization for state and local firefighters on the Wildland Fire Leadership Council and the National Wildfire Coordinating Group. It also permits the Secretary of Defense to authorize Department of Defense firefighters to assist in wildfire and WUI operations upon request from qualified agency heads, with reimbursement for services.

The bill addresses firefighter health and safety by amending the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to establish a research and development program under the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). This program will focus on protecting firefighters' respiratory health and identifying per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and other carcinogens in fire-affected areas and protective equipment, with $20 million authorized annually for FY2026-2031. Additionally, it amends the Stafford Act to require the FEMA Administrator to include specific criteria for mental health assistance in first responder task forces, ensuring the presence of qualified mental health practitioners and training in peer mental health support services, authorizing up to $10 million annually for this purpose.

Finally, the Act authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to award supplemental grants to fire departments and non-affiliated EMS organizations. These competitive grants, with amounts varying based on population served (up to $9 million), are intended for acquiring personal protective equipment suitable for wildfire/WUI response and for training firefighting personnel. A total of $100 million is authorized for these grants in fiscal year 2026. The Under Secretary for Fire Coordination is also required to submit a report to Congress on the extent and effectiveness of local wildfire training and obstacles to coordination.