For Immediate Release: October 30, 2009

Rep. Sutton Announces the Opening of the Application Period for the FY2009 Staffing for the Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grants

Washington, DC - Today, Rep. Betty Sutton (D-OH) announced that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will begin accepting applications for the FY2009 SAFER Grants beginning November 16 at 8 a.m. EST.  The deadline for receipt of the SAFER Grant applications will be December 18 at 5 p.m. EST.  The application for the grants will be accessible from the Department's Web site at www.firegrantsupport.com. A link will also be available at www.sutton.house.gov. 
 
"This is great news," Rep. Sutton said. "Protecting the jobs of our first responders is a top priority in ensuring the safety of all communities. I am pleased that the Department of Homeland Security will begin accepting these applications, and I encourage all of our local fire departments to apply for these much-needed grants."

Rep. Sutton has been a longstanding champion on behalf of fire fighters in Ohio's 13th District and has worked diligently to get the SAFER grants out into our communities. Earlier this month, Rep. Sutton sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano requesting that the applications for the SAFER grants be released immediately. In May, Rep. Sutton worked to ensure that language was included in the Supplemental Appropriations Bill to expand the permissible uses for SAFER grants that will be used to rehire or retain much-needed fire fighters.

The FY2009 SAFER program has approximately $210 million available for Grants.  The Program Guidance for the Grants will soon be posted on the program's Web site.  The SAFER Grants are administered by the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency.

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Contact: Maureen Shanahan at 202-225-3401 or maureen.shanahan@mail.house.gov