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KEY POINTS
FIRE / SAFER Reauthorization
• The Assistance to Firefighters (FIRE) and Staffing for
Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant programs have proven to be among the
most effective and efficient grant programs in strengthening the
ability of local fire departments to protect the public safety and
respond to all hazards. A study by the U.S. Fire Administration
revealed that the FIRE Act has resulted in important enhancements in
local fire protection, including increased and improved equipment
and training. Additionally, the SAFER grant program has enabled
local fire departments to hire more than 3,300 new fire fighters.
• The FIRE grant program is also among the most efficient grant programs,
having been scored as “effective” by an Office of Management and Budget
analysis.
• Although only $750 million was available to make awards in 2008,
local communities applied for nearly $4 billion in FIRE and SAFER grants to
provide necessary training, purchase protective equipment, increase the number
of fire fighters on the job and fulfill other fire service needs.
• Despite the success of the programs, improvements are needed to ensure that federal
funding is spent in ways that maximizes the benefit to public safety and that
grants are distributed more equitably among fire departments.
• Under the current FIRE grant allocation system, the overwhelming majority
of funds are awarded to fire departments that protect areas with relatively
small populations. Since 2002, nearly 70 percent of funds have been awarded
to rural departments, while only 10 percent of funds have been awarded to fire
departments that protect metropolitan areas.
• The SAFER grant program also contains a number of budgetary restrictions,
including a high local match and the need for municipalities to budget five
years into the future, that preclude many fire departments from taking advantage
of the program.
• By restricting the ability of many communities to receive a grant under
FIRE and SAFER, current law undermines the programs’ mission to enhance the
safety of fire fighters and the public nationwide.
• Although the economic stimulus package recently passed by Congress includes
a waiver of the local match for SAFER grants made in FY09 and FY10, this waiver
is temporary, and does not address the other
restrictions that preclude many departments from taking full advantage of SAFER.
• The current economic crisis has led many communities to cut their fire
department budgets, lay off fire fighters and reduce services, making funding
through FIRE and SAFER more important than ever.
• Given the clear need for additional resources and the current uneven
distribution of grants, reauthorizing FIRE and SAFER grants is necessary to fulfill
the program’s initial intent and ensure that funds are used as effectively as
possible.
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