SAFER Application Period Now Open

August 12, 2013

The FY 2013 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant application period is now open. These grants fund recruitment and retention efforts for local fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations to help increase the number of trained, front line firefighters available. The deadline to apply is Friday, August 30 at 5pm Eastern.

Part of FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant program, SAFER is designed to enhance local fire departments’ abilities to comply with staffing, response, and operational standards established by the National Fire Protection Association. If your department needs help recruiting new members and/or retaining existing members, apply for a SAFER grant to support your initiatives.

The SAFER grant web site includes tools to help prepare your application, including the Funding Opportunity Announcement, Get Ready guides, self-evaluation sheets, and videos. Be sure to read the Funding Opportunity Announcement carefully to learn this year’s eligibility requirements, funding priorities, funding restrictions, and other essential information needed for preparing the grant application.

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) also provides grant-writing resources to help departments plan and prepare their SAFER grant applications. In addition, NVFC members are eligible to receive a 25% discount on grant-writing services from FireGrantsHelp.com. To take advantage of this benefit, login to the NVFC Members-only web site and click on Member Benefits.