A Conversation with You: The Alternative to an Immediate Increase in Federally Funded A.F.G and S.A.F.E.R

Today, local fire departments can obtain funding from only a handful of sources: private donations, state and locally established taxes, and federal funding. Since 9/11, federal funding for fire departments has been relatively stable with Congress renewing support for these programs yearly, however it has abstained from increasing that support- much to the dismay of the industry. Fire Departments need funding to purchase tools, equipment, and ensure adequate staffing to manage workload, and the Federal government has good reason to invest locally within the National Response Framework.

The two most critical federal programs that fill the gaps in funding are: The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER). Thankfully, these programs have not been politicized and receive support from both sides of the aisle. Regardless, as inflation has gone up, the efficacy of these programs has wained substantially. With AFG and SAFER being funded every year at $350 million each, one would need $460 million dollars in todays money to buy what $350 million could buy in 2011.

Reader and Fire Chief Will Anderson said: “I believe funding in 2001 was close to $1B and during covid the funding received a temporary increase again of $650 million.

With hundreds of thousands of firefighters belonging to departments that are funded without tax mechanisms or by mechanisms that are decades old, it is evident what is needed is a change in culture. As a member of the Congressional Fire Services Institute, I have been privileged to attend a Hill Day event almost every year advocating for increases in funding, however these departments need to pass tax levies to meet the growing demands placed on the 911 system and replace old, failing equipment.

A Proposed Solution:

I hold the belief that a new federal grant program needs to be established, and if created, will positively benefit millions who reside in America’s poorest areas. This new program can reward fire departments who establish levies in communities (not previously supported by tax dollars) by matching all or a portion of what will be raised and meets the needs of the community. This would make the burden of shouldering a tax, in an area that has not ever been subjected to one for this purpose more manageable. Departments will need to illustrate to the community before election day just how much is truly needed to bring standard operating procedures, facilities, and equipment into the modern era. The levy can be subsidized until up for renewal, and it should be well illustrated that the subsidy will only be received for the duration of the initial levy itself which typically last 5, or 10 years.

This program could be particularly effective in the midwest, north, and southeast where a large number of the low revenue, volunteer departments are contracted to provide service. Namely pockets of America where first responders are underpaid, undertrained, and under appreciated; Rural communities in states like New York, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, West Virginia, the Carolinas, Indiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Georgia, and Mississippi.

Reader and Former LION Protects Vice President of Government Relations John Granby said: Utilizing levies is difficult at best. I just worked on a local level (for a vote last night). The idea has merits but with the attitude of the American voting population I am not sure that is the best way to seek new funding.

Thanks for your thoughts John. I agree that levies are difficult to sell. This is where organizations similar to the one I founded can come in. Working with the state legislatures to establish a culture and an expectation that the taxpayer will foot the bill for modern EMS is not the easiest route, however the community and the fire department have an interdependent relationship and the community’s needs are one with the fire department’s. Local control over Fire and EMS agencies should be maximized to continuously improve the quality of patient care and positive outcomes.

The Solution Continued

As each levy this grant program supports expires, and fire departments are expected to come up with the other half or make compromises with their tax base, it can be expected that these funds will be rolled over into AFG and SAFER. Providing the increase we industry advocates ask for with each passing year. While this grant program will largely benefit and serve the majority-volunteer states, the money that is rolled into AFG and SAFER will benefit all states.

Reader and Fire Chief Will Anderson said: “How can departments who lack resources illustrate this need with so few volunteers in the country's poorest areas? It's hard for some of them to use a computer and have a virtual meeting. I often hear there is no time or money to recruit new members. I believe these departments will need a lot of help to illustrate that to the community.

Will, thats an amazing point. I believe the issue facing these departments who are working in the poorest areas of the country can be both complicated and sensitive. This is where I believe “we” step in. The challenges facing the fire service today are not ones that should be addressed by the members alone but rather in cooperation with supportive, outside forces. Namely those who reside in the service area.

From money to expend on a ballot measures to resources that help the recruitment and retention of talented human capital, ensuring America continues to receive first world, high-quality emergency services is up to the American voter; while it is up to us- industry advocates to help them understand the power they wield and how their decisions affect national preparedness.

Have thoughts on this article? Write to Jane