Dear Nozzlehead: I’m extremely confused by the federal fire program funding for 2010. Some people have told me the funding is up; others have said it’s down. I read articles written by people who seem to think I actually understand what they’re talking about! I’m both a career firefighter and a volunteer firefighter in my hometown. Can you–in simple Nozzlehead terms–explain exactly what’s going on with the SAFER and AFG programs?
–Fiscally Frustrated Firefighter
Dear Fiscally Frustrated,
“A critical task of government is taking money (taxes) from its citizens and then giving it back to them in a different form (grants) so the citizens actually feel that it’s a glorious gift from their loving government.”
–Nozzlehead, November 2009
How about THAT quote, Fisk’y? Damn prolific as far as I’m concerned.
When it comes to money and government questions, I’ll have to use extreme discipline to stay focused on your question.
I’m of the opinion that most people in government are “happy” as long as we don’t ask any questions and don’t ask for help or support. On the other hand, I do have to admit that when it comes to the folks from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA)–the ones who run the fire grant funding programs–they are good people who actually DO care and actually TRY to make the program work. And it does work. Is it perfect? Well, it’s about as close to perfect as any government program I’ve ever encountered. Could it be better? Sure. For example, we’re not fans of them putting caps on what they feel equipment should cost or of some of the new rules that have come out. (For a detailed explanation of the key components of and changes to the bill, visit http://tinyurl.com/3791-changes.) But for the most part, these programs are home runs from a government-services standpoint. And these days, the feds need as many home runs as they can muster.
As far as 2010, let me attempt a non-cynical overview of the latest news related to the fire grants programs (as of Dec. 18, 2009).
First of all, grants are awarded to fire and EMS agencies (as well as to support groups, fire service organizations, associations and universities) to enhance our ability to protect our communities and our personnel from fire and related hazards.
There are four types of “fire” grants available:
- Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER)
- Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG)
- Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S)
- Assistance to Firefighters Fire Station Construction Grants (SCG)
Based on your question, I’ll focus on SAFER and AFG.
You may have seen recent information related to the House (not the Senate … yet) supporting RE-AUTHORIZATION, which is the law (and its associated rules) that allows for the fire grants. To be clear, while the re-authorization ALLOWS for $1 billion for each of the AFG and SAFER programs annually, they will not be funded at that level; they never are.
It’s important to understand the difference between the “appropriation” (what grant money the fire service actually gets) and the “authorization” (the law that allows the program to exist and determines the maximum funding). Also, while the House approved the re-authorization in mid-November, the Senate still has to vote. It was hoped they would do so before their Thanksgiving recess, but they didn’t because healthcare was the big issue on the table. So when you read this column, that action may still be pending.
What you need to know: The funding for 2010 includes $420 million for the SAFER Grant program, doubling the amount of funding from last year under President Bush. To be clear, the SAFER program is grant money for PEOPLE. Simply put, SAFER allows departments to apply for grants to hire firefighters–or re-hire them in layoff situations. Also, SAFER can be used for recruitment and retention of volunteers.
The AFG Program is for EQUIPMENT and those other supportive programs. For 2010, the bill provides $390 million for this program, which is, unfortunately, a 31 percent cut in funding to the program.
Note: Congress DID provide a significant increase in funding over the Obama Administration’s request. The White House initially requested only $170 million for the AFG program–a 70 percent cut to Fiscal Year 2009’s enacted level. The House Appropriations Committee initially approved $380 million for AFG. During the debate by the full House, Congressman David Price (NC-4), chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, sponsored an amendment that increased funding for the AFG program by $10 million. The Price amendment was adopted by a vote of 345-85. We were hoping for more, but we were only able to get an increase of $10 million.
Now don’t fall over when you hear this: The entire process was EXTREMELY political (even more than usual because of the tensions related to the economy), but due to excellent cooperation by the International Association of Fire Fighters, the National Volunteer Fire Council, the National Fire Protection Association, the International Association of Fire Chiefs and other key fire service organizations, in coordination by the Congressional Fire Services Institute, we made positive progress in softening the blow.
It is critical that EVERY member of the fire service stay appraised of the most recent information. If our federally elected officials do not hear from EACH and EVERY one of us directly, and through our associations, we very well may see some very significant, drastic and painful changes to grant funding in the coming future.