Stimulus funding: What you need to know

By Jamie Thompson
FireRescue1 Editor

AP Photo/David Zalubowski President Obama signs the economic stimulus bill during a ceremony in Denver on Tuesday

Related Resources:  Fire station, wildland funding included in approved stimulus plan  Financial Crisis and the Fire Service

WASHINGTON — Of the $787 billion economic stimulus bill signed into law by President Obama this week, hundreds of million of dollars are earmarked specifically for fire stations and wildland management.

But fire departments across the nation could also be eligible to apply for additional funding from the handout, and are being urged to be proactive to ensure firefighters benefit.

The package includes nearly $8.8 billion in the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund that will be provided to states to address "high priority needs, such as public safety and other critical services."

Both the IAFF and the IAFC are urging members to champion the fire service and work with their governors and local government administrations to get access to the funding.

"The fund, which the governors can use at their discretion, with a focus and priority that maintains public safety and other essential services, is where we are going to have to be ready to act," IAFF President Harold Schaitberger said.

The funding will be distributed at the state level by governors who will have to submit a request to the federal government stating how the money will be used.

With competition for the money bound to be fierce, the IAFF recommends firefighters:  

• Know your own situation: budget deficit, layoffs, station or company closures, furloughs, etc. 
• Know the amount of stimulus funds earmarked for your state
• Call key decision-makers to ask for a commitment to actively work to get access to resources immediately
• Call your mayor or city manager
• Get to your governor or his staff
• Contact your state association and tell them your situation
• Put other key, powerful community and business leaders to work to get funding from all stimulus resources into your jurisdiction – shoring up the local budget will help them, as well.

The $210 million that is specifically earmarked for fire station construction, the IAFC said it expected the AFG office to use a competitive application process that will be similar to the FIRE and SAFER grant application process so applications will be fairly and appropriately reviewed.

According to the law, no grant can exceed $15 million, with the application period expected to take place this summer.

The Department of Homeland Security has already developed a concept of operations, which has been sent to general counsel and senior FEMA staff for approval. It aims to put all necessary processes in place to award all funds by Sept. 30.

The stimulus package also provides for local matching grants for the SAFER program to be waived for the 2009 and 2010 appropriations.

The stimulus bill automatically waives the 10-20-50-70 percent local match requirement for new SAFER grants awarded during the FY 2009 and FY 2010 application periods.

However, the IAFC said it is important to note the waiver doesn't affect previously awarded SAFER grants.