Bright Votes to Reauthorize Grants for Firefighters

Congressman Bobby Bright

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Posted by: JSKeppy
Date: Nov 18 2009 5:23 PM

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Bobby Bright voted for the Fire Grants Reauthorization Act today.  H.R. 3791 reauthorizes the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG) and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program for the next five years.  The programs are administered through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).  The bill passed by a bi-partisan 395 - 31 margin.  The bill now heads to the Senate for further consideration.

“As a former mayor, I have seen our first responders bravely answer the call of duty when emergencies occur,” Bright said. “Unfortunately, they are also vulnerable to the same budgetary constraints that affect local governments struggling to make ends meet in a tough economy.  AFG and SAFER grants have helped many fire departments keep and hire firefighters and purchase equipment when there are no other funds available.  These grants are keeping our communities safe, and I am very pleased that they are being reauthorized and improved so fire departments across the country can remain strong and protect American citizens.”

Since the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program was created in 2000, nearly $5 billion has gone directly to fire departments to purchase equipment, training, fire trucks and other resources.  The reauthorization provides $1 billion a year over the next five years and apportions available funds in the following manner:  25 percent for career fire departments, 25 percent for combination fire departments; 25 percent for volunteer fire departments; 10 percent for Fire Prevention and Safety Grants; 2 percent for volunteer, non-fire service EMS and rescue operations; 3 percent for state fire training academies; and the 10 percent remaining open for competition among all types of fire departments.

Additionally, H.R. 3791 lowers the matching requirements for local fire departments under AFG from 20% to 10%, and only 5% for departments serving areas with less than 20,000 people.

The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program was created in 2004 and has allocated nearly $700 million for fire departments to hire firefighters.  The reauthorization calls for $1.194 billion per fiscal year from FY 2010 to FY 2014.  Fire departments participating in the program are required to retain firefighters hired with SAFER funds for the full three years of the grant, ensuring job stability for firefighters.  The local matching requirement is 20% per year of the grant.  However, the bill includes an economic hardship waiver for fire departments that are unable to meet the matching requirements or maintenance of budget requirements.

H.R. 3791 has been endorsed by the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the International Association of Fire Fighters, and the National Volunteer Fire Council.  Congressman Bright encourages fire departments in the Second District to contact Jill Corbin in his Montgomery district office about grant opportunities.  The number in Montgomery is               334-277-9113         334-277-9113.  You can find more information for SAFER grants at http://www.firegrantsupport.com/safer/.  Grants are currently available and the application deadline is December 18^th.

 

“These grants can be tremendously beneficial to fire departments in the Second District and I strongly encourage them to quickly apply for these programs,” Bright said.  “My office will continue to be a resource and support fire departments and firemen across Southeast Alabama.”

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