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Thompson Encourages Applications for Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grants

August 2, 2013

Washington, D.C. — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has opened the 2013 application period for the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program. The deadline for all SAFER grant applications has been set for Friday, August 30, 2013, at 5 p.m.

"The economy is still in recovery which poses a strain on the ability of local firefighting organizations to meet staffing requirements and emergency deployment capabilities," Rep. Thompson said. "These resources help meet this challenge and ensure that an adequate number of trained personnel are readily available to protect the public during emergencies.”

SAFER grants provide funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations in order to help them increase the number of trained firefighters available in their communities.

"This application period for the SAFER grant program is an opportunity for firefighting organizations to assess budget and organizational challenges," added Rep. Thompson. "It is critically important for anyone interested in applying for assistance to become familiar with eligibility guidelines and the full range of application requirements, all of which can be found outline at www.fema.gov/firegrants."

Grant guidance for this program is available at www.grants.gov, and at https://www.fema.gov/firegrants/safer/index.shtm. “Get ready Guides,” which are available at https://www.fema.gov/staffing-adequate-fire-emergency-response-grants, may also be useful for potential applicants and is provided to answer questions and to help prepare grant applications.

The SAFER program is administered by FEMA’s Grant Programs Directorate in coordination with the U.S. Fire Administration.

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