SAFER 2010 Hiring Question

Greetings:

I just have one quick question about a topic regarding the SAFER grant, as I was not able to find it in print when skimming through the DHS documents or anywhere else for that matter.

To give a little overview, my City Dept has recently applied for the 2010 SAFER in hopes to hire 3 Firefighters. A little history about the municiplaity, they currently have a city charter provision that PROHIBITS all full time firefighters from being employed by any other fire dept. other than said municipality.

It has come as a rumor that a provision in the SAFER grant administration, that the above mention charter article has to be revoked (in this case per charter, by the voters) in order to comply with the grant outlined conditions. Thus allowing the current firefighters of the City dept the ability, if they so wish to work on other call/volunteer FD's in other communities.

Is this accurate?


Thanks for the e-mail and question. If you are looking for the particular DHS document that sights "non-discrimination" of volunteering it is located in the 2009 SAFER Guidance Document http://www.firegrantsupport.com/docs/2009SAFERguidance.pdf

Specifically, look on page 27, (f) "Volunteer discrimination: This statement should explain how the applicant plans to meet the requirement ensuring firefighters in positions filled under SAFER Grants are not discriminated against for, or prohibited from, engaging in volunteer activities in another jurisdiction during off-duty hours."

This statement had to be included in your narrative statement in your application. Additionally, this provision is sited in the award responsibilities section (page 38 (10))

Hope this helps!

Respectfully,
FireGrantsHelp