3^rd District Vice President Bennie Ouber with Anita Bailes of the American Cancer Society delivering a petition with 60,000 signatures to the Leesville office of Speaker of the House Mike Johnson in support of the Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Act. 

As the significant stress on our economy continues from the actions taken to limit the spread of COVID-19, access to funding and other resources is and will be a problem for many jurisdictions.

There are two things you can do right now to help your local government get access to critical funding dollars going forward.

• Push your departments and elected leaders to coordinate with local and state emergency managers to apply for disaster relief funds under the Stafford Act.

To apply, your local city or county government typically submits a project worksheet for all government entities subordinate to your respective city/county, including the fire department. It's important that your fire department carefully documents costs so it can justify how they are related to the disaster (in this case the pandemic), such as overtime, backfill, equipment, mileage, fuel, COVID-19 testing, etc. Every state and locality is different, so begin asking the questions now to get this process started.

• The application period for the Fiscal Year 2019 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants is expected to begin on or around April 13, 2020.

If your department needs assistance in applying for a SAFER grant, email firegrants@iaff.org. If your department did not previously apply for an Assistance to Firefighters (FIRE Act) grant this year, your department will need to register with the new Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) GO system to apply for a SAFER grant.

Dear IAFF Member:

A college degree in the fire service can help you advance your career. In fact, several fire departments require a degree in fire science or a related field to be considered for promotion.

The IAFF believes all members should have access to quality higher education. That’s why we continue our partnership with Kaplan University ? a leader in online education ? to ensure you have an opportunity to earn a recognized fire science degree.

Kaplan University is:

Affordable

• Tuition is reduced to $210 per quarter credit for all undergraduate degree programs
• 15% tuition reduction on all graduate degree programs
• Textbooks and course materials included
• Waiver of application and per-term technology fees

Recognized

• Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
• FESHE recognized
• IFSAC accredited

Flexible

• 100% online programs
• Monthly start dates
• Learn and study on your schedule
• Three-week trial of classes with no financial obligation

Transfer-Credit Friendly

• Earn credit from your IAFF training, Pro Board fire certifications, NREMT certifications, prior learning and more
• Earn credit for eligible work/life experience

Take advantage of the many education benefits available to you and your immediate family members. Expand your knowledge and be better prepared for the challenges of your chosen career in the fire service and beyond.

Visit the IAFF/Kaplan University website at IAFF.Kaplan.edu or call 866.583.6765 for details and to learn more about the terms and conditions of your benefits.