SAFER 2005

The SAFER 2005 Grant is now CLOSED as of December 6, 2010.

No funding is available for any events or activities that are scheduled after this date.

Therefore, the Southeast Regional Fire School in Atoka taking place in January will not be eligible for reimbursement stipends.

The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) funded two activities:  1. Hiring of paid firefighters, and; 2. Recruitment and Retention of volunteer firefighters.

The Oklahoma State Firefighters Association (OSFA) is focused on the Recruitment and Retention of volunteer firefighters through this grant.  The OSFA is not eligible for the first activity since it is not a fire department.  However, the OSFA is working toward the second activity in the following manner:

1.  Recruitment (Project Closed)
     A.  Marketing - Billboard Campaign, newspaper, radio, etc.
     B.  1-800-FIRELINE (sustained by OSFA)
     C.  Our web presence at:  www.osfa.info (sustained by OSFA)

2.  Retention (Project CLOSED)
     A.  Reimbursement of Expenses of active, volunteer firefighters when attending required training outside of their district.
     B.  Entry-Level Physicals - for newly hired volunteers first, then for those who have the least seniority on the department following.  This is not a "pass-fail" activity, rather it helps to establish the baseline medical for the firefighter and helps to identify any problems from a possible exposure during the volunteer firefighter's service.