Firefighting & Rescue Social / Professional Network
Obama Proposes Significant AFG and PSOB Funding Cuts, Increase in SAFER
By DEVLIN BARRETT
Associated Press Writer
» Also Inside this Report: Administration Proposes Significant Cuts to FIRE Grant Program, SAFER Program Increases
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Obama administration wants to cut almost in half a benefits program for the families of slain police and safety officers.
Source: Congressional Fire Services Institute
On Thursday, May 7th, the White House released the appendix for the Administration's Fiscal Year 2010 budget proposal, detailing requested funding levels for programs and offices in the federal budget. The Administration initially released a blueprint of the $3.6 trillion budget in February, giving a snapshot of the President's spending plan.
The Administration has proposed funding the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program at double the level it was funded in FY2009, increasing funding to $420 million for this crucial program. The United States Fire Administration (USFA) also receives a modest increase of approximately $600,000. The State Homeland Security Grant Program receives the same level of funding as FY2009 ($950 million) and the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) receives a $50 million increase.
Unfortunately the Administration proposes funding the popular FIRE grant program at only $170 million - a cut of nearly 70% from Fiscal Year 2009. The program, which received $3.2 billion in requests in Fiscal Year 2008, provides funding for critical equipment, training, and apparatus directly to local fire departments. The program also provides grants for fire prevention and safety programs and firefighter health and safety research.
While the Administration's budget proposal is meant to serve as a guideline for federal spending, Congress will ultimately determine funding levels for these programs. The House and Senate Appropriations Committees have begun work on crafting Fiscal Year 2010 spending bills. CFSI has reached out to members of Congress regarding the budget proposal and will continue to provide updates as the appropriations process moves forward.
The Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Proposal and Appendix can be obtained from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
The president's proposed budget calls for cutting the Public Safety Officers' Death Benefits Program from $110 million to $60 million.
The Justice Department insisted no one would lose benefits.
President Barack Obama speaks about the fiscal 2010 federal budget, Thursday, May 7, 2009, in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building across from the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
"Any family member who is eligible for benefits under this program will receive them," said Justice Department spokeswoman Melissa Schwartz.
Budget documents say the reduction is being made because "claims are anticipated to decrease," apparently because the number of officers killed in the line of duty has been decreasing.
The proposal is being made just days before Attorney General Eric Holder is expected to attend ceremonies in Washington honoring slain officers.
"It makes us kind of nervous. While we aren't panicking, it certainly has increased our concern, coming a week before National Police Week," said Suzie Sawyer, executive director of Concerns of Police Survivors, a group taking part in next week's events.
Sawyer said as long as the number of police and safety officers killed doesn't increase too much, the amount of money offered in the budget could be enough. And she noted that in the past, the government has found more money for the program when it needed more, such as following the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks.
The program pays benefits of more than $300,000 to the survivors of a safety officer killed in the line of duty.
There were 133 police officers killed in the line of duty last year, the lowest amount since 1960, according to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.
The group said killings of police officers are up 21 percent so far in 2009, compared to the same period the year before.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Associated Press Writer
» Also Inside this Report: Administration Proposes Significant Cuts to FIRE Grant Program, SAFER Program Increases
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Obama administration wants to cut almost in half a benefits program for the families of slain police and safety officers.
Administration Releases Detailed Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Proposal; Proposes Cutting Funds to FIRE Grant Program, Increasing SAFER
Source: Congressional Fire Services Institute
On Thursday, May 7th, the White House released the appendix for the Administration's Fiscal Year 2010 budget proposal, detailing requested funding levels for programs and offices in the federal budget. The Administration initially released a blueprint of the $3.6 trillion budget in February, giving a snapshot of the President's spending plan.
The Administration has proposed funding the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program at double the level it was funded in FY2009, increasing funding to $420 million for this crucial program. The United States Fire Administration (USFA) also receives a modest increase of approximately $600,000. The State Homeland Security Grant Program receives the same level of funding as FY2009 ($950 million) and the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) receives a $50 million increase.
Unfortunately the Administration proposes funding the popular FIRE grant program at only $170 million - a cut of nearly 70% from Fiscal Year 2009. The program, which received $3.2 billion in requests in Fiscal Year 2008, provides funding for critical equipment, training, and apparatus directly to local fire departments. The program also provides grants for fire prevention and safety programs and firefighter health and safety research.
While the Administration's budget proposal is meant to serve as a guideline for federal spending, Congress will ultimately determine funding levels for these programs. The House and Senate Appropriations Committees have begun work on crafting Fiscal Year 2010 spending bills. CFSI has reached out to members of Congress regarding the budget proposal and will continue to provide updates as the appropriations process moves forward.
The Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Proposal and Appendix can be obtained from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
The president's proposed budget calls for cutting the Public Safety Officers' Death Benefits Program from $110 million to $60 million.
The Justice Department insisted no one would lose benefits.
President Barack Obama speaks about the fiscal 2010 federal budget, Thursday, May 7, 2009, in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building across from the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Budget documents say the reduction is being made because "claims are anticipated to decrease," apparently because the number of officers killed in the line of duty has been decreasing.
The proposal is being made just days before Attorney General Eric Holder is expected to attend ceremonies in Washington honoring slain officers.
"It makes us kind of nervous. While we aren't panicking, it certainly has increased our concern, coming a week before National Police Week," said Suzie Sawyer, executive director of Concerns of Police Survivors, a group taking part in next week's events.
Sawyer said as long as the number of police and safety officers killed doesn't increase too much, the amount of money offered in the budget could be enough. And she noted that in the past, the government has found more money for the program when it needed more, such as following the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks.
The program pays benefits of more than $300,000 to the survivors of a safety officer killed in the line of duty.
There were 133 police officers killed in the line of duty last year, the lowest amount since 1960, according to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.
The group said killings of police officers are up 21 percent so far in 2009, compared to the same period the year before.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Chad Furr on -
Ok let me see if I got this right. Cut funding for equipment and saftey and death benefits. But hey lets give everyone more money to hire new ppl when the trained ones dies cause they didnt have what they need. Feel free to correct me if I am wrong.
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Permalink Reply by FIREHIKER on -
*****when I try to share this story by copying the link, it redirects to a home page. the people I am trying to share this with are not firefighters, they won't subscribe. Is there an alternative way to share the article?*****
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Permalink Reply by Firefighter Nation WebChief on -
The link is:
http://www.firefighternation.com/forum/topics/obama-proposes-signif...
Or use the share feature.....they don't need to sign up to view the page right now.
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Permalink Reply by DUST on
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No, the White House staff has blocked it from being sent with their jamming device. Gotta go, I think they are here!
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Permalink Reply by Jim on -
The ONLY thing that I am going to say is that I agree with Chad's read of the situation. He beat me to the punch...coughcough
BUT, other than that I am not even going to comment on this subject because 2 things will happen.
1. I will get permanently banned from FFN
and
2. The Secret Service will be knocking on my door by tomorrow...
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Permalink Reply by Michael Stone on -
Gee, lets not help our already budget tight fire departments, I guess now they are going to treat fire departments like non-transport rescue squads. I think it is sad they are going to cut the funding for a wonderful program, although I really wish it would include non-transport rescue squads too!
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Permalink Reply by JR Thomas on -
I have an idea.... Let's cut the first lady's tennis show budget. $500 for a pair of sneakers would pay half my station dues for the year. IDIOT
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Permalink Reply by Trainer on -
Does anyone have information on say the last 2 years of the safer grant? Or where I can look it up? I’m a little curios as to how much was requested by departments. I doubt if you can find how much was turned down but to me this program is just a bandage as ultimately the city has to start paying anyway. It would also be interesting to see how many FF’s were retained after the 5 years and did the numbers actually grow, which I believe was the purpose, or were they just using the funding to replace retirees. I’m sorry guys but I have to say it; I smell a rat…why would they cut a program, 3.2 billion requested for what 500 million that benefits all and double a program that only benefits a few.
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Permalink Reply by Art "ChiefReason" Goodrich on -
I don't know where you would go to find out how many hired under SAFER are still on the job.
But, I can tell you that in: 2006 there were 1727 apps for $734,432,057, 2007 there were 1503 apps for $706,965,384 and in 2008, there were 1314 apps for $583,953,578. Note the pattern.
You can go here if you like statistics. http://www.firegrantsupport.com/safer/statistics.aspx
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Permalink Reply by frank barresi on -
Whoa brothers and sisters! They've pulled this before. As the article stated, Cogress will decide what the actual funding will be. If past practice is any indication the money will be brought back up to near or over the level it was last year. After the speach VP Biden gave at the CFSC dinner they would be commiting political suicide if they cut this as much as stated. Of course an email, call to your reps in Washington won't hurt either!
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Permalink Reply by Allen Wahlstrom on -
Oh yeah Biden...
So all my Union Brothers and sisters who voted for these frakkin lying idiots, good on ya!
Now maybe you see why the rest of us were just a little wary.
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Permalink Reply by Paul Lambert on -
You know what the real problem is.....if or when they come up for re-election people would of forgotten all that has happened about this.
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