A Blue Ribbon Report published in 2004 called, “Preserving and Improving the Future of the Volunteer Fire Service,” authored by Chief John M. Buckman III and Chief Gary Scott, detailed recommendations outlining what would be necessary at the local, state and federal levels to ensure that the volunteer fire service continues to be a full partner with all facets of homeland security and that it effectively functions as the recognized first line of defense within local communities.

The Federal government was providing funding to support the fire service prior to September 11th but, they thought that funding the fire service was more of a local issue. However, September 11th made them realize that the level of funding they were providing was not adequate according to the South Carolina State Firefighters Association (SCSFA).

According to the SCSFA, “The Fire Grant Program is one of the most successful programs that the Federal government has ever done. There's very little red tape and the equipment is getting to the local level.” However, while the Federal Government has provided funds in the form of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, state and local governments must also pitch in and shoulder some of the responsibilities by financially supporting their state and local fire service organizations.

The South Carolina Legislature, recognizing that volunteer firefighters and emergency workers face significant challenges in overcoming a lack of resources, has enacted the “Volunteer Strategic Assistance and Fire Equipment Act of 2007.” This extremely popular bill had 35 cosponsors. The object of this Act is to appropriate $3 million dollars for a state grant program to award funds to certain volunteer and combination fire departments for the purpose of protecting communities and regional response areas from fire, hazardous materials, and terrorism. V-SAFE, which the SCSFA lobbied hard to support, is administered by the South Carolina Office of the State Fire Marshall and is a step in the direction of empowering volunteer departments at the local level. The V-SAFE program is the first state level program of its kind and is modeled after the Federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program.

The goal of V-SAFE is to make the funding appropriation recurring, and possibly to add funding each year. Two percent ($60,000) may be awarded annually to the SCSFA for a Volunteer Incentive and Retention Program. It will provide up to $30, 000 of assistance to approximately 100 fire departments, with 98% of the funds being directed to volunteer departments. No administration fees will be taken from the funding as the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation and the Fire Marshall's Office will absorb the associated cost. There will be no matching funds requirement and a department may only be awarded one grant within a 3-year period. The first priority of the grant is to encourage the use of compliant Personal Protective Equipment and SCBAs; the second priority is training; and the third, other firefighting equipment. Like the Federal program, the V-SAFE program will utilize a volunteer peer review panel of subject matter experts to determine who will be recommended for receiving grant funds.

All of the stakeholders have the utmost gratitude for the General Assembly's support of the bill and the bill exemplifies the mission of the state government, making South Carolina a safer place to live, work, and play.

For more information about the VSAFE program, go to the South Carolina Division of Fire & Life Safety Web site: http://www.llr.state.sc.us/firemarshal.asp.

Information can also be found on the South Carolina State Firefighters Association Web site: http://www.scfiremen.com/.

Information about the bill can be found on the South Carolina Legislature Online Web site: http://lgdb.com/bills/84404-South_Carolina_2007_Enact_The__Volunteer_Strategic

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