Higgins: Federal fire grants available to support staffing & recruitment

SAFER Grant applications due Feb. 4

Congressman Brian Higgins announced the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant application period is now open, with a deadline of 5 p.m. Feb. 4.

“As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to place additional burdens and risks on our hardworking firefighters, new federal funding provided through the SAFER program will critically support recruitment, hiring and retention, ensuring local fire departments have the personnel and resources they need to keep communities safe,” Higgins said. “We encourage local departments to apply.”

SAFER grants work to improve staffing for local fire departments by supporting recruitment efforts with an aim of increasing the number of firefighters to attain 24-hour staffing. The federal funding provided can be used to hire new full-time or volunteer firefighters, as well as to rehire or retain firefighters. Through appropriations and funding passed by Congress in the American Rescue Plan, a total of $560 million has been allocated to support the SAFER Program in this current application round.

Local fire departments with questions can also contact the fire grant help desk at [email protected], or 1-866-274-0960, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

More information on the SAFER fire grant program is available at https://www.fema.gov/staffing-adequate-fire-emergency-response-grants.