VICTORY! Price Amendment Passes, SAFER Waivers Restored in House

February 17, 2011 – For the second time in as many days, the IAFF beat long odds and won passage of a significant amendment to protect fire fighters’ jobs nationwide. The U.S. House of Representatives voted Thursday to extend the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) waivers, which have helped hundreds of communities avoid fire fighter layoffs and bring laid-off fire fighters back to work.

The SAFER waivers, which allow fire departments to use grant funds to rehire or retain personnel, expired in Fiscal Year 2010. If they are not extended, fire departments will be unable to use SAFER funds to rehire laid-off workers, fill positions lost to attrition or prevent potential layoffs.

In recognition of the significant budgetary challenges which continue to plague local communities, Representative David Price (D-NC) offered an amendment to H.R. 1, House legislation to continue funding the federal government, to extend the waivers for Fiscal Year 2011. The amendment passed today by a vote of 267-159.

“The SAFER Waivers have proven to be a true lifeline to fire departments across the nation,” says IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger. “Thousands of fire fighter jobs are at risk today. I am encouraged and heartened that, even facing incredible odds, our members and this House joined together to pass such a critical amendment that will help save jobs and lives across the country.”

Representative Harold Rogers (R-KY) and Representative Robert Aderholt (R-AL), chairs of the House Appropriations Committee and the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, respectively, vocally opposed the SAFER waivers and had been working hard to defeat the Price amendment, making passage even more significant.

The passage of the Price amendment comes on the heels of another major victory. On February 16, the House voted by a large bipartisan majority to pass an amendment offered by Representative Bill Pascrell (D-NJ) restoring funding to the SAFER and Assistance to Firefighters (FIRE Act) grant programs. Both amendments were won as a direct result of the IAFF’s lobbying efforts and grassroots operation, which flooded Capitol Hill offices with thousands of calls and emails.

The House is expected to vote on final passage of H.R. 1 this week, after which the Senate will move to consider the bill. The IAFF will continue lobbying on behalf of SAFER and FIRE Act grants as the process continues.