From the NVFC: Fire departments have until this Friday, Sept. 17, to apply for a FY 2010 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant to support their retention and recruitment efforts. Grants can be used to help retain and recruit volunteers, as well as to hire career firefighters.

The National Volunteer Fire Council has resources to help volunteer departments apply for SAFER grants, including a list of innovative projects that SAFER has funded. Visit www.nvfc.org/afg.

Find the FY 2010 Program Guidance, applicant tutorial, application, and more at www.firegrantsupport.com/safer.