SAFER Grant Application Period Now Open

February 10, 2015

Need more firefighters in your department? FEMA has opened the application period for the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant opportunity. Grant funds can be used to recruit and retain volunteer firefighters or to hire paid firefighters.

The goal of SAFER is to assist local fire departments with staffing and deployment capabilities in order to respond to emergencies, and assure that communities have adequate protection from fire and fire-related hazards. Volunteer and combination departments as well as national, state, local, or tribal organizations representing the interests of volunteer firefighters can apply for funds to support recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters. Career, combination, and volunteer fire departments can apply for funds to support hiring or retaining paid firefighters. The highest priority in the volunteer recruitment and retention category is to assist departments experiencing a high rate of turnover and that have staffing levels significantly below those recommended by NFPA standards 1710 or 1720.

Click here to access the SAFER Application Assistance Tools, and be sure to read the guidance document carefully. Also make sure to register your department or organization with SAM.gov, which is required for all AFG applicants and awardees.

NVFC members needing assistance with writing their grant application can take advantage of a 25% discount on grant-writing services from FireGrantsHelp.com. Click here to request assistance, and use discount code NVFC25. You can also view the slideshow SAFER Recruitment and Retention in Brief here.