The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will begin accepting applications soon for Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants. Congress has approved $405 million in SAFER funding for Fiscal Year 2011 to rehire and retain fire fighters, in addition to hiring additional personnel. The SAFER program has already put more than 5,000 fire fighters back to work, giving a much-needed boost to public safety in countless struggling communities.

The IAFF encourages its affiliates to work with their fire departments to begin preparing for the grant application period. A Grant Application Get Ready Guide will be available soon from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) with additional information to help prepare SAFER applications. For more information, click here or call the fire grants Help Desk at 866-274-0960.

Municipalities with fire departments facing reduced emergency response capabilities in particular should apply for SAFER funding. The IAFF urges affiliates to work with their fire chiefs and local lawmakers to file for the grants. City management must submit the application, but the IAFF is available to assist your community in applying for the grants.

The grant application process requires a significant amount of time to properly complete, therefore, the IAFF recommends that affiliates submit a draft version of their grant application to the IAFF Grants Department well in advance of the application deadline.

IAFF Grants Department staff will also be available at the 2012 Affiliate Leadership Training Summit in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, January 24-26 to answer questions regarding fire grants and funding, and will be available throughout the application period to assist affiliates with their applications.

For more information, contact the Grants Administration Department at (202) 824-8631 or email grants@iaff.org.