Last evening, Congressman Patrick McHenry (NC-10) voted for H.R. 3791, which reauthorizes a total of approximately $9.8 billion over five years to fund both the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG) and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program. 

The legislation expands program eligibility, increases minimum funding for fire prevention and safety programs, and changes state and federal matching requirements.

“Fire departments across the Tenth District can attest to the success of these critical programs.  Firefighters dedicate their lives to serving people and saving lives - we owe it to them to make sure they have the tools they need to do their job - and stay safe doing it,” said Congressman McHenry.

AFG grants provide local fire departments with necessary funding to protect the health and safety of their firefighting personnel, conduct state fire training academies, implement fire prevention safety and research programs, and support EMS or rescue organizations.  SAFER grants help departments increase their staffing and deployment capabilities in order to better respond to emergency situations.  Local fire departments apply for grants, and the programs are administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration.

During the 2008 fiscal cycle, $1,743,884 was awarded in twenty-six grants to twenty-four departments in the Tenth District and at least one department in each of the district’s ten counties received a grant.

Additionally, H.R. 3791 includes an amendment to prohibit the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) from receiving any funding from the bill.

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