WASHINGTON, D.C. –Starting Jan. 30, Ohio fire departments can apply for federal resources to hire and retain firefighters and purchase protective equipment. U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) is alerting fire departments to the application period for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER), which will open on Monday, Jan. 30, 2012 at 8:00AM and close on Feb.24, 2012 at 5:00PM.
 
“Firefighters put their lives on the line each day to keep our communities safe. We must ensure that our fire department adequately staffed,” Brown said. “With so many communities already facing budget shortfalls, critical federal efforts like SAFER are pivotal in keeping our Ohio cities, towns, and villages safe.”

The SAFER grant program supports the hiring of firefighters and the recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters. SAFER grants are awarded directly to volunteer, combination, and career fire departments to help the departments increase the number of frontline firefighters. More information can be found. Interested fire departments can contact Brown’s Grant Coordinator to receive information about federal grant opportunities.