IAFF Encourages Fire Departments to Apply for SAFER Grants

July 30, 2007 – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced that the application period for the Assistance to Firefighters Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program will begin at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time on July 30, 2007. All applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on August 31, 2007.

The SAFER program awards grants directly to fire departments to help hire additional fire fighters. With local communities struggling to fund many priorities, SAFER grants provide critical federal funding to local fire departments, more than two-thirds of which are understaffed.

Under the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2007, Congress allocated $115 million for SAFER Grants.

DHS has posted Program Guidance, application materials and other useful information regarding the 2007 SAFER Grant program for applicants on its web site. Additionally, applicants with questions regarding SAFER Grant opportunities can contact the DHS help desk at 1 (866) 274-0960 or at firegrants@dhs.gov. During the SAFER application period, the help desk will operate Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time.

The FIRE Act and SAFER are the only two federal programs that provide funding directly to fire departments, expressly for fire department needs. The IAFF asks its affiliates to encourage their fire chiefs, city managers or mayors to submit a SAFER application immediately.