Getting Grants

Act now to save AFG and SAFER levels

There is hope to substantially restore both programs through the efforts of Congressman Steven LaTourette

This maybe one of the shortest articles that I have ever written for any publication but it also maybe the most important.

The reason for the brevity: a vote is expected sometime later this week by United States House of Representatives to cut the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program by more than 50 percent from the current year $405 million to $200 million for FY 2012.

In addition, the House will also consider reducing the SAFER program from $405 to $150 million for FY 2012.

There is hope to substantially restore both programs through the efforts of Congressman Steven LaTourette (R-OH). Congressman LaTourette will be offering an amendment to the bill to fund both AFG and SAFER at their current levels.

You need to act quickly to save these vital programs. Simply contact your congressman and ask them to support the LaTourette amendment.

To email your member of the United States House of Representatives, go to House.gov and select the Write Your Representative category from this menu.

This will take you to a page that includes options for contacting your representative.

Here are some thoughts:

1. Remember to be polite and respectful

2. Be concise in your remarks

3. Ask your Representative to support the LaTourette Amendment

It is that simple please take a few minutes today and contact your congressman before both AFG and SAFER are drastically cut.

About the author

Jerry Brant is a senior grant consultant and grant writer with FireGrantsHelp and EMSGrantsHelp. He has 46 years of experience as a volunteer firefighter in rural West-Central Pennsylvania. He is a life member of the Hope Fire Company of Northern Cambria, where he served as chief for 15 years. He is currently an active member of the Patton Fire Company 1 and serves as safety officer. Jerry graduated from Saint Francis University with a bachelor of arts degree in political science. In 2003 he was awarded a James A Johnson Fellowship by the FannieMae Foundation for his accomplishments in the field of community development. For 20 years, Jerry was employed as the executive director and then president of a small non-profit community development corporation. He has successfully written more than $70 million in grant applications and proposals. Jerry has taught grant-writing classes at a number of locations and he frequently speaks at emergency services events. Jerry can be reached at Jerry.Brant@FireGrantsHelp.com.