Erie County Legislator Frank Todaro voted in favor of a resolution from the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services that authorizes the acceptance of $75,000 in funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) of the Department of Homeland Security. The money is for the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Program, Recruitment and Retention of Volunteer Firefighters Activity. The SAFER Program provides funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations to assist in increasing the number of firefighters to help communities meet industry minimum standards and attain 24-hour staffing.
“I have seen firsthand the many heroic actions of our volunteer fire departments. But in the busy times we are living in, it is often difficult to recruit new members. I am hopeful that this funding will help to attract more volunteers,” said Legislator Frank Todaro.
The SAFER Program is designed to provide adequate protection from fire and fire-related hazards, and to fulfill traditional missions of fire departments by providing critically needed resources to recruit and retain firefighters.
The Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Fire Safety Division will use these funds to support development and implementation of marketing plans for volunteer fire departments and fire districts to recruit volunteer firefighters.
