SAFER Waivers                                      FY09 SAFER Guidance Now Available

The Department of Homeland Security will begin accepting applications for the Fiscal Year 2009 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants on November 16, 2009.  $210 million is available for the current round of grants.  Applications are due to DHS by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, December 18, 2009. 

Guidance providing detailed information on the FY09 application process is now available on the Assistance to Firefighter Grant program website.

The FY09 grants are the first grants subject to new rules allowing funds to be used to rehire laid-off fire fighters and fill positions lost to attrition.  The IAFF worked with the Obama administration and key members of Congress to pass legislation allowing this change, and worked closely with DHS to establish the new guidelines.

Traditionally, SAFER grants have been limited to departments seeking to hire new, additional fire fighters.      

The new rules are not retroactive and do not affect current SAFER grants.

The IAFF is conducting a detailed analysis of the guidance and will post additional information soon.