Funding for SAFER and FIRE Grants

SAFER and FIRE Grants Restore Traditional Funding Levels for the SAFER and FIRE Grant Programs  

Funding provided directly to local fire departments SAFER and FIRE Grants Federal grants to ensure fire departments have sufficient resources to operate safely and effectively SAFER: Personnel FIRE: Equipment, apparatus, training, health and safety Funding provided directly to local fire departments

Fiscal Year 2016 Funding SAFER and FIRE Grants $690 Million Total SAFER: $345 Million FIRE: $345 Million

Cut from Previous Funding Levels: SAFER and FIRE Grants Cut from Previous Funding Levels: Fiscal Year 2011 Funding: $810 million total Fiscal Year 2010 Funding: $810 million total

Flat funding for five years Reduction in real dollars Continuing need State of Play Flat funding for five years Reduction in real dollars Continuing need The result: “Less Bang for your Buck”

Undermines Emergency Response State of Play The result: Undermines Emergency Response Threatens Public Safety and Local Preparedness

Fiscal Year 2017 114th Congress didn’t finish appropriations for Fiscal Year 2017. Due by late April, 2017. Best we can expect is flat funding – likely CR.

Fiscal Year 2018 Fiscal Year 2018 Appropriations process to begin soon. President’s Budget Due Mid-March Bills likely to be introduced late spring / early summer.

Fiscal Year 2018 Your Ask: Restore Traditional Funding Levels $810 million, evenly divided SAFER: $405 million FIRE: $405 million

SAFER Waivers? Fiscal Year 2018 Have been critical to maintain staffing, retain and rehire fire fighters Temporary waivers from 2009 – 2015 Permanent Waivers now Enacted

Strong funding of SAFER and FIRE grants Make Your Case Congress can help ensure local fire departments have the resources they need Strong funding of SAFER and FIRE grants $810 million, evenly divided  

SAFER and FIRE are proven effective Make Your Case SAFER and FIRE are proven effective Demonstrable improvements in equipment, health and safety and training SAFER grants have created or saved thousands of fire fighter jobs Efficient and Cost-Effective!

Make Your Case Fire Departments have significant needs Grant applications far outpace awards Local budget cuts Exacerbated by recession Significant threats to public safety and fire fighter safety

Make Your Case Restoring SAFER funding will create thousands of fire fighter jobs Restoring FIRE funding will allow departments to purchase equipment and provide training previously postponed

Has your department incurred layoffs or other staffing reductions? Make Your Case Get Local! Has your department incurred layoffs or other staffing reductions? Has your fire department budget been cut? What is the impact?

Has your state or local received a grant(s)? Make Your Case Get Local! Has your state or local received a grant(s)? Grants by State: www.iaff.org/legmaterials What was the impact?

Targets House and Senate Appropriations Committee Subcommittees on Homeland Security Members with Grantees in District www.iaff.org/legmaterials Previous Supporters

Restore traditional funding levels for SAFER and FIRE What Do We Want Restore traditional funding levels for SAFER and FIRE Provide $810 million, evenly divided $405 million SAFER $405 million FIRE

PLEASE Give us feedback on IAFF E-Response Card What Do We Want Give us feedback on IAFF E-Response Card PLEASE www.iaff.org/legresponse