Obama Calls for Doubling Funding for SAFER

President Responds to IAFF Priority

May 8, 2009 – In his first formal budget request, President Barack Obama fulfilled a campaign commitment by proposing a huge funding increase for Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants, the IAFF’s signature program. The Obama budget proposed $420 million for SAFER, doubling the funding that the program received last year.

During the campaign, Obama often noted his strong disagreement with President Bush’s efforts to kill the SAFER program, and promised IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger that he would robustly fund the program if elected.

“President Obama has demonstrated that he clearly understands what we have long maintained: that adequate staffing is the critical component to effective response and civilian and fire fighter safety,” says Schaitberger. “Simply put, boots on the rigs are more important than fancy equipment and bells and whistles.”

The funding proposal is especially significant in light of separate legislation that would expand the uses of SAFER grants. Language contained in a supplemental appropriation bill currently moving through Congress would allow fire departments to use SAFER funds to rehire fire fighters who were laid off and restore cuts made to staffing as a result of the financial crisis, in addition to providing grants to grow fire departments.

Notably, SAFER was one of the very few homeland security programs to receive an increase, with other first responder programs either level funded or cut. One of the biggest cuts was to the Assistance to Firefighters (FIRE Act) grant program, which provides training and equipment grants to fire departments. Last year, the FIRE Act was funded at $565 million, but the Obama budget slashes the program to $170 million.

Even with the significant cut to the FIRE Act program, the $590 million total spending that President Obama proposed for fire departments is nearly double the $300 million proposed by President Bush in his last budget request. Congress traditionally exceeded Bush’s request for both FIRE Act and SAFER grants, and it may similarly increase the levels proposed by Obama.

The Obama budget proposes funding levels for several other programs of concern to the nation’s fire fighters. The State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSGP) was funded at $950 million -- the same as last year -- while the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) received a slight increase to $887 million. Grants for Interoperable radio equipment was also maintained at $50 million.

The president's budget proposal now goes to Capitol Hill where 12 Appropriations Subcommittees in both the House and Senate will begin crafting detailed spending bills. While Congress is expected to follow the administration's recommendations in some areas, they are also sure to put their own stamp on the spending levels for various programs.

The IAFF will be working with its allies on Capitol Hill to preserve the Obama request for the SAFER program, and will also be seeking to increase the funding level for FIRE Act grants.