The 2016 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant application is due to open in January. Recently, FEMA released information to assist departments in planning their applications for the upcoming program opening. These documents revealed several changes to critical sections of the program that may impact departments’ ability to apply for funding and information needed for their application. SAFER grants provide funds directly to fire departments and national, state, local or tribal organizations representing volunteer firefighters to assist them in increasing the number of firefighters to help communities meet industry minimum standards and attain 24-hour staffing to provide adequate protection from fire and fire-related hazards.