All the time and effort the NVFC put into working in legislation has finally paid off. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) approved a change to the guidelines of the ODP grant funding in November. The change will allow the funds to provide compensation to volunteer firefighters participating in ODP training and exercises.

An NVFC official said the compensation includes the use of ODP grant funds to provide stipends, cover lost wages, and provide compensation to volunteer, paid-on-call, paid-for-call, and paid-per-call firefighters.

Prior to the change in guidelines, it was almost impossible for volunteer first responders to receive any compensation for being involved in anti-terrorism courses. Federal grants only reimbursed overtime and backfill costs for full-time firefighters.