OPEN APPLICATION PERIOD ANNOUNCEMENT: The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grants (SAFER) Application Period will open on April 13, 2020 at 8:00am ET and close on May 27, 2020 at 5:00 pm ET. In 2018, Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants awarded $350 million to fire departments around the country. There is no limit on the amount of funding your fire department can receive, and you can use these funds to invest in a new sign to improve recruiting, retention, and more in your fire department.