The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Act (HR 1118/ S544) is a program that would help municipalities hire more firefighters to protect communities. The legislation is similar to the COPS program that has helped DeKalb PD hire more police officers.

This bill recognizes the NFPA 1710 standard that sets guidelines for response time for structure fire and EMS calls, as well as, guidelines for staffing apparatus (minimum of 4 on engines and ladders). This bill also recognizes that 2/3 of the fire departments in the United States are under staffed for the most basic of responses. This number does represent staffing issues that would be seen in any natural disaster or terroristic or WMD incident.

The cost of the plan is $1 billion over a five period that gradually has the municipality take over the salary of the firefighter. The municipality would pay only 10% during the first year, 20% the second year, 50% the third year, 70% the fourth year and 100% the final year of the program. This would of most benefit to an employer because funding would not be an all at once issue.

Write Senator Miller and Chambliss and your representative and ask them to support the SAFER Act.

The US Senate voted and approved the SAFER Act as part of the Defense authorization bill.  The House of Representatives has voted on their version of the Defense authorization bill, which does not include the SAFER Act.  Currently, the SAFER Act is before the House Committee on Science.  Georgia's Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-11th) is a member of the committee.  Let him know that we appreciate his support and hope he moves this act for a vote by the whole House of Representatives.

“Passing this initiative through the Senate constitutes a major win for the IAFF,” commented General President Harold A. Schaitberger. “We are already hard at work lobbying House members to ensure the ultimate passage and enactment of SAFER. We’ve won a crucial battle in a long campaign and we will fight on until victory is ours.”