IAFF Affiliates to Gain Under Proposed FIRE/SAFER Amendments 

October 9, 2009 – Legislation about to be introduced in Congress would make improvements to both the Assistance to Firefighters (FIRE Act) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant programs that will significantly benefit professional U.S. fire departments. The IAFF and other national fire service organizations have secured the endorsement of a key congressional committee for a compromise proposal that will reauthorize the FIRE Act and SAFER programs for five years and change the way grants are awarded.

Specifically, the proposal would amend the FIRE Act to guarantee professional and combination fire departments a minimum percentage of funding, significantly increase the amount of funding for which larger departments may apply, and reduce the local match from 20 percent to 10 percent. The proposal also allows the match to be waived for communities facing financial hardship, and eliminates the local match entirely for departments applying for a fire prevention grant.

“Although the FIRE Act grant program is a tremendous resource for local fire departments, for years, professional fire departments have been shortchanged in grants awarded,” says IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger. “This proposal will ensure that professional departments receive a fairer share of funds, as well as make it more affordable for communities to pursue a grant.”

The proposal also simplifies the rules governing SAFER, making it significantly easier for municipalities to commit to a SAFER grant. Amendments include shortening the grant period from five to three years, implementing an across-the-board 20 percent local match, and eliminating the current funding cap. It also makes permanent the temporary authorities enacted by the IAFF to waive the SAFER local match and other restrictions.

In addition to advancing legislation to reform the SAFER program, the IAFF has also been encouraging the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to expedite publication of the revised guidance for SAFER. In June, Congress granted the DHS Secretary the authority to waive SAFER rules to allow funds to be used to rehire laid off fire fighters and prevent future layoffs. The guidance is expected to be released this month.

The legislation has been endorsed by the leadership of the House Science Committee, which has jurisdiction over the issue. The Committee is expected to move quickly to approve the bill once it has been formally introduced.

The proposal is the result of many months of negotiations with Congress and other national fire service organizations. Earlier this year, the IAFF testified before a House Subcommittee on ways to improve the programs. The proposal unveiled this week includes almost all of the recommendations raised in the IAFF testimony.

“We look forward to working with Congress and the Obama Administration in the coming months to ensure that these vital fire service programs provide much needed support to the nation’s professional fire service,” says Schaitberger.