Bustos, LaHood Advocate to Keep Firefighters on the Job in Call to FEMA

Statement

Today, Representatives Cheri Bustos (IL-17) and Darin LaHood (IL-18) called on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide our nation's fire departments flexibility as they face unprecedented budget shortfalls while working to combat the spread of COVID-19. To help keep experienced firefighters on the job and avoid potential future layoffs, the members urge FEMA to temporarily expand the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Program to include firefighters already on payroll. Currently, the SAFER program has a requirement that funding is used only to hire new fire men and women.

"Public health concerns have forced cities across the country to shut down and, in turn, take drastic budgetary measures," the members wrote. "This threatens the immediate viability of fire stations. Fire stations are struggling to retain the experienced firefighters already on staff--the same men and women that go out day after day as first responders to some of our most vulnerable."

"As of now, FY19 SAFER grantees could only hire new firefighters at the equivalent cost of a first-year. Normally, this would be welcome assistance to get a station up to required staffing levels with fresh talent. However, during this public health crisis, we feel that retaining experienced fire men and women is most important," the members continued.

The call comes as cities and towns across the nation face steep budget shortfalls in the wake of COVID-19. According to recent reports, cities from Houston to New York to Dayton have considered or announced layoffs of emergency services. Peoria is looking at an 11 percent reduction of the city's workforce, which could mean layoffs for up to 22 firefighters.

Decreased revenue from lost retail, hotel and gas sales, for example, is straining already limited finances and forcing mayors to contemplate difficult cuts.

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