Council approves FEMA grants for SCBA equipment and SAFER personnel awards; grants total more than $1 million
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Summary
Council authorized acceptance of FEMA grants: an Assistance to Firefighters (AFG) grant of $108,900 for self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) with a $9,900 city match and a SAFER personnel grant for $964,434.95 to support firefighter staffing. Both measures passed unanimously.
Freeport City Council on Oct. 1 approved two FEMA grant awards for the Freeport Fire Department: an Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) for new self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and a SAFER staffing grant to support personnel costs.
AFG SCBA grant: The council approved acceptance of a FEMA AFG award totaling $108,900 to purchase breathing apparatus and related equipment. The city's required match is $9,900; staff said the match will come from the department's existing SCBA line item.
SAFER personnel grant: Council also approved acceptance of a SAFER grant totaling $964,434.95 to support firefighter positions. Fire staff said the awards follow several years of grant seeking; the department reported that since 2023 they have brought in nearly $2 million in grant funding across programs.
Outcome: Both grant acceptances were approved unanimously.
Implementation notes: Staff indicated equipment purchase and personnel implementation steps will follow standard procurement and payroll procedures; departments will report on grant-funded hires and equipment acquisitions to council as required.
Votes at a glance: - AFG SCBA grant ($108,900; city match $9,900): Approved unanimously. - FEMA SAFER personnel grant ($964,434.95): Approved unanimously.