WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressmen Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) and Don Davis (N.C.-01) today introduced the Providing Childcare for Firefighters and EMS Act, legislation that would help states fund childcare services for the minor children of firefighters, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), and paramedics during shift work and non-traditional hours.
“As a father, I know how important reliable, affordable childcare really is for families across Virginia. Our community’s firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics deserve to know their kids are taken care of when they answer the call to serve,” said Vindman. “This legislation will support more childcare options for our neighbors that work long hours. I will always fight for Virginia’s families and first responders to succeed.”
The Providing Childcare for Firefighters and EMS Act would authorize the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award competitive grants to help states fund childcare programs tailored to the shift schedules and non-traditional work hours of covered first responders.
Grants would be awarded for three-year periods, with matching requirements increasing over the course of the grant term. Eligible beneficiaries would include career and volunteer firefighters, certified emergency medical technicians, and licensed paramedics who are employed by or affiliated with state, local, tribal, or territorial agencies.
“First responders across eastern North Carolina work long shifts, nights, weekends, and holidays to keep our communities safe, but finding childcare that works around those hours can be a real challenge,” said Davis. “I am proud to co-lead the Providing Childcare for Firefighters and EMS Act to help communities expand childcare options that reflect the realities of first responders’ schedules. Our firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics are there for us at all hours of the day, so we should ensure their families have the support they need to continue serving our communities.”
This legislation is endorsed by the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) and the Prince William County IAFF.
“In more than two decades as a firefighter and paramedic, I’ve watched talented colleagues walk away from this profession entirely because they couldn’t reliably find childcare,” said the Prince William County IAFF. “Our work doesn’t stop at 5 p.m. We work 24-hour shifts, often leaving home well before sunrise to report for duty, and we cover nights, weekends, and holidays. Traditional childcare simply isn’t built for that. The Providing Child Care for Firefighters and EMS Act tackles a problem that’s quietly costing us good people.”
BACKGROUND
Since coming to Congress, Vindman has been a champion for law enforcement and first responders across Virginia and the United States.
In 2026, Vindman secured more than $2,750,000 for law enforcement and public safety projects in Virginia’s Seventh District as part of a U.S. House-passed Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 appropriations bill.
Vindman has also led key congressional efforts — like the Nitazene Control Act, the Targeting Online Sales of Fentanyl Act, and the Enhancing Southbound Inspections to Combat Cartels Act — to give law enforcement the tools they need to tackle the fentanyl and nitazene crises.
Vindman has cosponsored the Providing Child Care for Police Officers Act, the Officer John Barnes and Chief Michael Ansbro Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program Expansion Act, and the COPS Reauthorization Act.
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