Program Overview
The School Access for Emergency Response program (SAFER) enacted by SB18-158 provides funding for interoperable communication hardware, software, equipment maintenance and training to allow for seamless communications between existing school communications systems and first responder communications systems. Grant recipients may use the money received through the grant program to deliver training programs to teach effective communications with first responders in an emergency, to implement an interoperable technology solution to provide or upgrade a system for effective communication with first responders in an emergency, to maintain, improve, or provide interoperable communications hardware or software and for any necessary radio system capacity expansions where school loading has been determined to have a significant impact on public safety system loading.
Eligibility
Schools (school district/public school/charter school/board of cooperative services) and public safety communications system owners.
Allowable Use
Purchase and install interoperable communication hardware, software, equipment maintenance and training for communications between school communication systems and first responder communication systems.