Senator Chalres Schumer, D-NY, is working to change FEMA’s SAFER grants (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) so that they can be used to retain and rehire laid off firefighters. He also will propose that volunteer firefighters be eligible for a $1,000 tax credit. From presscommects.com:
The change is needed to help fire departments maintain staffing in a time of economic recession, Schumer said. He pointed specifically to Johnson City, which is facing the loss of six firefighters, and Binghamton, which is facing a 10 percent reduction in its fire department budget.
In a related matter, Schumer announced he is again proposing legislation to provide a $1,000 tax credit for active members of volunteer fire companies.
Under the Dodd-Schumer legislation, fire departments receiving SAFER grants in the next two years would be eligible for waivers that would allow them to use grants for preventing layoffs and rehiring firefighters lost because of budget problems. The departments would have to retain existing salary scales.
Schumer said he’s confident the legislation he and Dodd are pushing will become a reality because it’s attached to a supplemental funding bill due to pass the Senate this week. President Barack Obama has also proposed more than doubling the money for the SAFER program to a total of $420 million, the New York senator said.
