SAFER Grants Bring More Fire Fighters Back to Work

July 9, 2010 -- The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has awarded a fresh round of grants totaling $2,659,554 to fire department through the Staffing for Adequate Fire Emergency Response (SAFER) program for Fiscal Year 2009.

“The economic downturn has taken far too many fire fighters out of station houses leaving communities more vulnerable to fires,” says IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger. “These SAFER grants are not only making communities safer, they are putting our brothers and sisters back to work.”

U.S. fire departments have now received nearly $137 million in SAFER grants since March 31, putting nearly 1,500 fire fighters back to work.

Administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), $210 million is available in Fiscal Year 2009. Another $420 million has been appropriated for Fiscal Year 2010 and will be available under the new guidelines negotiated by the IAFF that allow SAFER funds to be used to rehire fire fighters laid off as a result of the economic crisis. The grants available in Fiscal Year 2010 will restore another 3,400 jobs.

Caroline County, Virginia received $575,100 in this latest round.

“This grant will allow us to rehire the five full time positions that were frozen in fiscal year 2009,” says Caroline County, VA Local 4314 President Ed Bonham, adding that the new hires will boost staffing by 60 percent during the day. “Collectively, these fire fighter/medic positions will assist our department in meeting staffing requirements, as well as improve our emergency responses with a minimal financial impact on our budget.”

Other communities receiving SAFER grants in this round were: Fauquier County, Virginia Department of Fire and Emergency Services (Local 3762) - $757,350; Hanover, Virginia Fire and EMS (Local 4202) - $329,696; Ridge/Culver Fire District, Rochester, New York (Local 4176) - $194,518; Scarborough, Maine Fire Department (Local 3894) - $448,100; and Taylorville, Illinois Fire Department (Local 3144) - $354,790.

Once a round of awards is determined, city officials must accept the grant. FEMA must then give Congress three days’ notice before the official public announcement is made.

SAFER grants for Fiscal Year 2010 will be made available soon. For a full list of SAFER grants awarded, click here.

For additional information or assistance, contact Jennifer Stewart at (202) 824-8631 or jstewart@iaff.org.