LaHood, Bustos Advocate to Keep
Firefighters on the Job in Call to FEMA
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[June 25, 2020]
Representatives Darin LaHood (IL-18) and Cheri
Bustos (IL-17) called on the Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA) to provide our nation’s fire departments flexibility as they
face unprecedented budget shortfalls while working to combat the
spread of COVID-19. To help keep experienced firefighters on the job
and avoid potential future layoffs, the members urge FEMA to
temporarily expand the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency
Response (SAFER) Grant Program to include firefighters already on
payroll. Currently, the SAFER program has a requirement that funding
is used only to hire new fire men and women.
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“Public health concerns have forced cities across
the country to shut down and, in turn, take drastic budgetary
measures,” the members wrote. “This threatens the immediate
viability of fire stations. Fire stations are struggling to retain
the experienced firefighters already on staff—the same men and women
that go out day after day as first responders to some of our most
vulnerable.”
“As of now, FY19 SAFER grantees could only hire new firefighters at
the equivalent cost of a first-year. Normally, this would be welcome
assistance to get a station up to required staffing levels with
fresh talent. However, during this public health crisis, we feel
that retaining experienced fire men and women is most important,”
the members continued.
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The call comes as cities and towns across the nation face steep
budget shortfalls in the wake of COVID-19. According to recent
reports, cities from Houston to New York to Dayton have considered
or announced layoffs of emergency services. Peoria is looking at an
11-percent reduction of the city’s workforce, which could mean
layoffs for up to 22 firefighters.
Decreased revenue from lost retail, hotel and gas sales, for
example, is straining already limited finances and forcing mayors to
contemplate difficult cuts.
You can view full text of the letter here and below:
May 26, 2020
The Honorable Peter T. Gaynor
Administrator
Federal Emergency Management Agency
500 C Street SW
Washington, DC 20024-2523
Dear Administrator Gaynor,
We thank you for your agency’s extension of the deadline for the
Fiscal Year 2019 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response
(FY19 SAFER) Grant Program applications. As our nation’s fire
departments grapple with the spread of COVID-19 in their
communities, we encourage the Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA) to waive the requirement that FY19 SAFER grant spending be
used on new firefighter hires only.
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Public health concerns have forced cities across the
country to shut down and, in turn, take drastic budgetary measures.
This threatens the immediate viability of fire stations. Fire
stations are struggling to retain the experienced firefighters
already on staff—the same men and women that go out day after day as
first responders to some of our most vulnerable. As of now, FY19
SAFER grantees could only hire new firefighters at the equivalent
cost of a first-year. Normally, this would be welcome assistance to
get a station up to required staffing levels with fresh talent.
However, during this public health crisis, we feel that retaining
experienced fire men and women is most important.
As you know, Congress gave your agency the authority to waive
certain FY19 SAFER requirements. Furthermore, recent Office of
Management and Budget memoranda have given you considerable leeway
for waivers. We are thankful for the waived requirements and
modifications you released on May 14, 2020. As you consider
additional waivers, we encourage you to waive the FY19 SAFER grant
spending requirement on new firefighter hires only.
Thank you for your attention to this request, should you have any
questions or need additional information, please do not hesitate to
contact our offices.
Sincerely,
[Office of Congressman Darin LaHood]
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