By Stephanie Bays
The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Program is now open!
SAFER administered by FEMA, aims to bolster fire department staffing to meet community needs and provides $324 million to support fire departments in hiring firefighters and enhancing the recruitment and retention of volunteer personnel. The program aims to help departments meet staffing standards, improve emergency response capabilities, and support firefighter health and safety, particularly within volunteer and combination fire departments.
While the core mission remains consistent, several notable changes distinguish the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 program from its FY 2023 predecessor. Notable changes this year include the reintroduction of cost-sharing for the Hiring Activity, expanded eligibility for wellness-related expenses under Recruitment & Retention, and clarified applicant eligibility criteria.
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Key differences between FY 2023 and FY 2024 SAFER programs
1. Cost-sharing requirements
- FY 2023: No cost-sharing was required; FEMA covered 100% of eligible hiring costs.
- FY 2024: Introduces a cost-sharing component for the Hiring Activity:
- Years 1 & 2: FEMA covers up to 75% of a firefighter’s usual annual cost.
- Year 3: FEMA covers up to 35%.
- Applicants must certify that their fire-related budgets haven’t decreased below 80% of the average funding level over the past three years.
2. Funding allocation
- FY 2023: Allocated $360 million in total funding.
- FY 2024: Allocates $324 million, with mandates that:
- At least 10% supports Recruitment and Retention (R&R) activities.
- At least 10% is reserved for volunteer or mostly volunteer departments under the Hiring Activity.
3. Eligible costs for R&R activities
- FY 2023: Covered basic recruitment and retention initiatives.
- FY 2024: Expands eligible expenses to include:
- Initial and annual physical exams.
- Job-related immunizations.
- Behavioral health services.
- Cancer screening programs aligned with NFPA 1582 standards.
- Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) for behavioral health training.
4. Application Platform Updates
- FY 2024: FEMA GO, the grant application platform, no longer supports Internet Explorer. Applicants must use alternative browsers to access and submit applications.
Consistencies across both fiscal years
- Program structure: Both years maintain two primary activities: Hiring of Firefighters and Recruitment and Retention of Volunteer Firefighters.
- Program goals: Aim to help fire departments meet industry minimum staffing standards and ensure 24-hour staffing to provide adequate fire protection.
- Application process: Applications are submitted through FEMA GO.
Important Dates to Remember
- FY 2024 application period: Opens May 23, 2025, at 9 a.m. ET and closes July 3, 2025, at 5 p.m. ET.
