Gillen Urges Local Fire Departments to Apply for SAFER Federal Grants to Help Hire, Recruit, and Retain Firefighters

WASHINGTON, DC-Today, Congresswoman Laura Gillen (NY-04), a Member of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, called on Nassau County fire departments to apply for the FEMA Staffing For Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program. This program provides federal funding directly to fire departments to hire new firefighters and help recruit and retain volunteer firefighters.

"Every day, Long Island's volunteer firefighters put themselves in harm's way to protect our communities, and they deserve more support and resources," said Rep. Gillen. "I am urging fire departments across the Fourth Congressional District to apply for SAFER grants. Securing federal funding will help invest in our local departments and support critical firefighter recruitment and retention."

The full letter can be found HEREand the text below:

Dear Fire Chief:

Thank you for serving on the front lines and protecting our communities from fires, emergencies, and natural disasters. As your Representative in Congress, I'm committed to supporting our first responders by maximizing the federal resources we bring back from Washington to Long Island to help you do your jobs safely and effectively. That is why I am urging fire departments across the Fourth Congressional District to apply for the Fiscal Year 2024 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program to help fire departments, including volunteer departments, recruit, retain, and increase the number of trained firefighters available in their community. My team and I are eager to assist you, and I would be glad to write a letter asking for full and fair consideration of your application.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) SAFER Grant program provides federal funding directly to career, combined, and volunteer fire departments for hiring new, and additional firefighters, and for the recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters. In FY24, there is $324 million available through the SAFER program. These grants are already appropriated from our tax dollars. But you must apply to get these funds to come to our communities or they will go to other towns and cities across the country. You may find additional information about the program at: fema.gov/grants/preparedness/firefighters/saferand access the Notice of Funding Opportunity at: fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_gpd_safer-nofo_fy24.pdf.

The deadline to apply for the Fiscal Year 2024 SAFER grant program is Thursday, July 3, 2025, at 5 p.m. PT. You can complete the full application at https://go.fema.gov. You may also contact the SAFER Program Help Desk for technical assistance and any questions you might have as you apply at: (866) 274-0960 or by email at FireGrants@ fema.dhs.gov.

Please do not hesitate to contact my office by calling (202) 225-5516 for any support or assistance. Thank you for your work to help protect and secure our communities, and I look forward to continuing to work with you to make Long Island safer.

Regards,

Laura A. Gillen .