New SAFER Grant available to California Departments!

BAER was awarded $1,909,120 for a ‘Staffing for adequate fire & emergency response’ (SAFER) grant

to assist California fire departments with retention & recruitment of volunteer emergency responders.

These grant funds include:

• Accident/injury insurance and disability (loss of wages) protection
• Accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance coverage
• Fire service association membership fees
• Marketing for Volunteer Recruitment

Accident/Injury insurance and Disability (loss of wages) Protection &
Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) insurance coverage
Effective February 1st, 2023 the BAER SAFER Grant is providing funding for a $67,000 AD&D insurance policy plus $250 per week in accident/injury income replacement coverage for every CA Volunteer Emergency Responder. Included in this policy is $10,000 24-Hour AD&D coverage and a First Responder Assistance Program for all Active Members. This benefit program will attempt to meet the needs of Volunteer Emergency Responders in order to provide an incentive for them to remain active with the department. These benefits will only apply to active members in good standing with their department who qualify for this benefit by meeting department training and response requirements. This retention incentive is available to every CA Volunteer Emergency Responder throughout the State.

First Responder Assistance Program (FRAP)
As an added benefit, BAER has added The First Responder Assistance Program. FRAP offers confidential support, resources, and referrals any time day or night by phone for first responders and their families for issues regarding:

• Stress Management
• Depression
• Family Conflict
• Anxiety
• Grief and Loss
• Relationships
• Financial or Legal
• Addictions
• Problem Gambling
• Child and Elder Care

Fire Service Association Membership Dues
Fire Departments not able to financially afford fire service association dues are now eligible to receive 100% of the individual dues paid through this BAER SAFER Grant.
Most fire service associations like NVFC provide individual membership benefits including a $10,000 AD&D policy, training discounts, and other individual benefits for being Volunteer Emergency Responders. The assistance can help cover the cost of department membership, and the membership of individuals on the department’s roster. To request membership dues assistance, the Fire Chief of the department must submit a signed/dated letter requesting assistance. The letter must clearly describe the reason the department needs assistance. The letter should be attached to an email and sent to admin@baer911.org

Marketing for Volunteer Recruitment
To assist in the recruitment efforts throughout the state, BAER will launch an integrated marketing campaign consisting of the following:

1. Media Marketing - Social media, radio, search engines, websites, and internet ads tailored to recruiting Volunteer Emergency Responders for every volunteer/combination department in the state.
2. Volunteer Recruitment Print Marketing- Signs, banners, posters & flyers printed for statewide campaigns as well as local department specific campaigns.

 To order your department customized recruitment kit you must:

• Complete a marketing materials request form.
• Send in your department logo.

All marketing will direct those interested in volunteering to VolunteerFirefighter.org and/or BomberoVoluntairo.org. Potential recruits will fill out & submit a form with contact & background information which will immediately be sent to every volunteer department in their county.

The BAER SAFER Grant Benefit program is a federally funded FEMA grant. This fact means that the accepted applicant and BAER MUST follow and adhere to requirements set forth in the grant award package. The grant was awarded to recruit and retain Volunteer Emergency Responders in California.