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IAFF LEGISLATIVE FACT SHEET
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SAFER AND FIRE GRANTS
The IAFF supports level funding for SAFER and
FIRE grants and extending the SAFER waivers.
BACKGROUND
The SAFER and FIRE grant programs were created
by Congress to help address the significant staffing, equipment, training and
health and safety needs of fire departments. Under SAFER, fire departments apply
for federal grants to help pay the costs associated with hiring new personnel to
maintain safe staffing levels. The importance of adequate fire department
staffing has been well-documented by independent studies. The National Fire
Protection Association and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration
promulgated standards for the minimum number of fire fighters needed to respond
safely and effectively to emergencies.
Since 2001, the FIRE grant program has provided
over four billion dollars to thousands of fire departments across the nation to
purchase protective equipment, provide needed training and fund prevention
activities. These grants have improved the effectiveness of fire department
operations and protected the health and safety of local fire fighters.
For Fiscal Years 2009 and 2010, in response to
the recession, Congress enacted waivers to SAFER allowing communities to use the
grant to retain or rehire fire fighters. They also waived a number of budgetary
requirements, including requirements to maintain the fire department’s budget,
funding caps and local matching requirements. As a direct result of the waivers,
1236 good-paying fire fighter jobs were created or saved with FY09 grants, and
an estimated 2500 additional jobs will be created or saved with FY10 grants.
The SAFER waivers were intended to be a
temporary measure to help fire departments weather the recession, and expired in
Fiscal Year 2010. However, as the recession lingers at the local level and
staffing reductions continue, it is imperative that they be extended.
Unfortunately, the weak economy is causing
communities nationwide to reduce fire department staffing and cut back on
training and equipment purchases. These budget cuts undermine emergency response
and pose significant threats to public safety and local preparedness. Continued
robust funding of SAFER and FIRE will help ensure that communities have the
resources needed to protect the public safety. Additionally, extending the SAFER
waivers will ensure that those departments which need SAFER funds most will be
able to utilize SAFER to maintain or restore safe staffing levels.
CURRENT LEGISLATION
Because the last Congress did not complete work
on Fiscal Year 2011 appropriations, the current Congress is considering both
FY11 and FY12 appropriations.
For FY11, the U.S. House of
Representatives addressed funding for SAFER and FIRE in H.R. 1, legislation to
provide continuing funding for the federal government. Final funding for
the fiscal year was included in H.R. 1473.
For FY12, the U.S. House of
Representatives and the U.S. Senate addressed funding for SAFER and FIRE in
their respective versions of H.R. 2017, the Department of Homeland Security
Appropriations Act, 2012. Final funding for the fiscal year was included
in H.R. 2055.
CONGRESSIONAL ACTION
FY11 Appropriations
On February 11, 2011, H.R. 1 was introduced in
the U.S. House of Representatives. As introduced, the bill contained $300
million for FIRE and eliminated the SAFER grant program. Additionally, the bill
did not extend the SAFER waivers.
On February 16, 2011, the House approved an
amendment offered by Representative Bill Pascrell (D-NJ) to restore funding for
the SAFER and FIRE grant programs to $420 million and $390 million,
respectively, by a
vote of 318-113.
On February 17, 2011, the House approved an
amendment offered by Representative David Price (D-NC) to restore the SAFER
waivers for FY11 by a
vote of 267-159.
On February 19, 2011, the House approved H.R. 1,
including the Pascrell and Price amendments, by a vote of 235 – 189.
On April 11, 2011, H.R. 1473 was
introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. As introduced, the bill
contained $405 million for SAFER and $405 million for FIRE. Additionally,
the bill only partly extended the SAFER waivers.
Read More: Budget -
The Good and the Bad.
On April 14, 2011, the House
approved H.R. 1473 by a vote of 260 - 167.
On April 14, 2011, the U.S.
Senate approved H.R. 1473 by a vote of 81 - 19.
On April 15, 2011, H.R. 1473 was
signed into law: Public Law 112-10.
FY12 Appropriations
On February 14, 2011, the Administration
released its budget proposal for FY12. The proposal includes $420 million for
SAFER and $250 million for FIRE.
On May 26, 2011, H.R. 2017 was
introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. As introduced, the bill
contained $200 million for FIRE and $150 million for SAFER. Additionally,
the bill did not extend the SAFER waivers.
On June 1, 2011, the House
approved an amendment offered by Representatives Steven LaTourette (R-OH) and
Bill Pascrell (D-NJ) to restore funding for the SAFER and FIRE grant programs to
$335 million each, by a
vote of
333-87.
On June 2, 2011, the House
approved an amendment offered by Representative David Price (D-NC) to restore
the SAFER waivers for FY12 by a
vote of
264-157.
On June 2, 2011, the House
approved H.R. 2017, including the LaTourette and Price amendments, by a vote of
231-188. Read More:
House Votes to Restore FIRE Act, SAFER Funding; Extend SAFER Waivers
On September 7, 2011, the Senate
Committee on Appropriations adopted a substitute amendment to H.R. 2017.
As adopted, the amendment contained $375 million for SAFER and $375 million for
FIRE. Additionally, the amendment extended the SAFER waivers for FY12 and
included language clarifying the SAFER waivers for FY11.
On December 16, 2011, the House
approved H.R. 2055 by a vote of 296-121. As approved, the bill contains $337.5 million each for
both FIRE and SAFER. Additionally, the bill fully extended the SAFER
waivers for Fiscal Years 2011 and 2012.
Read More: IAFF
Scores Huge Congressional Victory
On December 17, 2011, the Senate
approved H.R. 2055 by a vote of 67-32.
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