NFCA SAFER Grant

  

Nevada Fire Chiefs Association 2006

 SAFER Grant Summary

Background

In 2006, at the direction of the Nevada Fire Chiefs Association’s Executive Board, Jo Anne Hill, the Association’s Executive Director at the time, applied for a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant through the Office of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program. The purpose of the grant is to enhance recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters on a statewide basis. On March 21, 2007 the grant was awarded in the amount of $472,100 for the period of March 21, 2007 to March 21, 2011.

Purpose of the Grant

The goals outlined in the grant consist of recruiting a total of 105 volunteer firefighters over the next four years. For the first year assistance will be provided to three volunteer or combination departments to recruit a total of fifteen (15) firefighters. In years two (2) through four (4) assistance will be provided to ten (10) departments each year, recruiting thirty (30) firefighters each year.

Volunteer or combination departments that want to participate must be NIMS compliant, report fire data to the State Fire Marshals Office using the National Incident Reporting System (NFIRS), and train firefighters to NFPA 1001 Standard and EMT Basic. They also must at least one Chief Officer who is a member of the NFCA.

The primary focus will be on marketing volunteer firefighter positions in communities that have inadequate numbers of volunteer firefighters and those with high turnover rates of volunteers. A marketing plan will need to be developed and implemented for the four year period. The marketing plan includes a recruitment plan for volunteer firefighters, an outline of benefits available to volunteer firefighters, and an emphasis on relationships with vendor members (i.e. Volunteer Fund Insurance Services or Provident Insurance). Marketing materials will need to be produced to include posters, advertisements, and a website. Representatives of the NFCA will also be available in to speak at community recruitment events if requested.

The NFCA will work closely with the State Fire Marshals Office and the State EMS Office to verify that the minimum fire and EMS certification requirements prescribed by the locality or State have been met within twelve months of appointment to the department. The NFCA will also coordinate reimbursement of lost wages, based on an average annual rate of $16.05 per hour, for volunteers attending required training to meet the required minimum certifications necessary to become a volunteer firefighter. Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD & D) insurance will be offered to volunteer firefighters that can verify completion of Firefighter I and Firefighter II certification.

Selecting Departments

A Recruitment and Retention Advisory Committee (RRAC) will be established to provide guidance to the NFCA’s Grant Coordinator. The RRAC will consist of representatives from the State Fire Marshals Office, State EMS Office, Nevada State Firefighters Association, as well as designated NFCA representatives from the Northern, Eastern, and Southern areas of the State. In addition to these organizations a representative from a small volunteer and a large volunteer or combination department will be selected to serve as members of the RRAC. The Washoe County Fire Coordinator will also be a member of the RRAC.

The RRAC will assist the NFCA’s Grant Coordinator in selecting the volunteer fire departments to assist in recruiting and retention of volunteers. An assessment tool and application process will be developed to facilitate the selection process. Those departments with the most urgent need will be assisted first. The RRAC will also assist in the development of the marketing plan and marketing materials.

Grant Budget

The total amount of funds awarded is $472,100 and is allocated as follows:

Description	Year 1	Year 2	Year 3	Year 4	Total
Program Coordinator	42,000	43,000	44,000	45,000	174,00
Marketing Program	9,500	7,500	7,500	7,500	32,000
General Equipment/ Office Supplies	2,500	1,500	1,500	1,500	6,000
Travel Expenses	6,000	6,000	6,000	6,000	24,000
Computer	2,300	0	0	0	2,300
AD & D Insurance	120	360	600	720	1,800
Reimbursements	33,000	66,000	66,000	66,000	231,000
Total	95,420	124,360	125,600	126,720	472,120

The AD & D insurance is estimated to be $8.00 per year per person and the amount for reimbursement of wages is based on $16.05 per hour for a total of $2,200 per person per year. Any purchases of goods or services require a competitive bid process before funds can be expended.

Conclusion

The SAFER grant provides an opportunity for a statewide effort to recruiting and retaining volunteer firefighters. The marketing plan and materials can be used after the grant period ends. There may be opportunities to sustain the AD & D insurance and wage reimbursement through alternative funding when the grant period is over. The NFCA is excited about the opportunity to enhance the current recruitment and retention strategies already in place through this grant and increasing the number of trained, certified and competent firefighters capable of responding to emergencies.