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SAFER Grant 2023 – Everything you need to know

by | Feb 28, 2023

What are SAFER fire department grants 2023

SAFER (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) grants are provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help fire departments and emergency medical service (EMS) organizations with staffing and equipment needs.
This fire department grants 2023 aim to enhance fire departments’ operational capabilities by providing financial assistance for firefighter staffing, training, and equipment. It provides safer grant awards for giving firefighters the necessary resources for responding to fires, extreme weather events, routine calls for service, and many other emergencies.

The Benefits of the SAFER Grant Awards

The grants can also be used to buy things that firefighters and EMS workers need to do their jobs, like cars, special clothes, and radios. It will also fund safety initiatives such as risk reduction, early detection systems, and preventative education programs. This grant is an example of how the government recognizes the importance of having well-equipped fire departments around the country in order to ensure the safety of everyone.

Who is eligible to apply for the SAFER grant

The SAFER grant is for fire departments that have ambulances and at least one firefighter working each shift. It can be one fire department or a group of them all in the same area.
To apply for the grant, potential applicants need to complete a Grant Application package which can be found on the FEMA website. Moreover, there is an application checklist that you must tick and complete before sending the application.
It is important to note that the specific requirements and guidelines for SAFER grants can vary from year to year. Thus, it is best to check the FEMA website or other official sources for the most up-to-date information.

Categories of the SAFER Grant Program

The SAFER Grant program is divided into two main categories :
  1. The hiring of Firefighters: This includes funding for rehiring laid-off firefighters. On secondary priority, the grant money will go to people who are at risk of losing their job or whose job has been left empty due to the economy. Moreover, hiring new firefighters is also one of the main functions of this grant.
  2. Recruitment and Retention of Volunteer Firefighters: Grant funding is intended to help departments with high turnover secure a reliable force of volunteer firefighters. Funding may be used to cover the cost of recruiting activities such as background checks, physical examinations, immunization tests, etc., as well as training programs for current volunteers.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What can the SAFER grant be used for?
The SAFER grant is a brilliant opportunity to equip fire departments with the most up-to-date tools, training, and research they need to protect their communities. Moreover, one can use these grants for hiring and retaining new and old firefighters. The grants will provide vital tools to firefighters and EMS workers, such as vehicles, reliable communication networks, protective gear, and more. SAFER grants can be used to help keep people safe by investing in safety initiatives. This includes smoke alarms that can alert the authorities if there is an emergency.
2. What is SAFER grant 2023 Deadline?
March 17, 2023, is the last date to apply for SAFER grants. You can expect a similar deadline each year. It’s important to note that the application period for SAFER grants is typically only open for a limited time, so interested organizations should regularly check the FEMA website or other official sources for updates and announcements regarding the grant program and its application deadline.
3. When will safer grants be awarded?
As the application time period for the fire department grants 2022 is still open, and exact dates haven’t been provided yet, it is expected that recipients will be notified in the near future. This news brings a sense of welcome relief to those looking to benefit from additional economic stability during these difficult times.
However, there is a list of the expected approval for volunteer fire department grants 2022 that you can take advantage of. According to FEMA, the Haw River Town Hall grants in North Carolina will be awarded on 2/24/23. You can keep an eye on this list to see the results of your grant approval.
4. Who can not apply for SAFER grants?
Non-eligible entities to apply for SAFER include:

  • For-profit organizations, individuals, emergency medical service organizations. ambulance services, rescue squads, urban search, rescue teams, etc.
  • To get a SAFER grant, the organization must be part of or connected to a bigger organization like a department, agency, or AHJ. If not, they can not receive the SAFER grants.
  • Fire departments that work with the Federal Government and only help put out fires on federal properties cannot ask for money from SAFER grants.

Last Updated on March 1, 2023