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Commission approves backup paid‑staffing plan for fire department if SAFER grant is not received
Summary
With a federal SAFER grant uncertain, commissioners approved a smaller, reserve‑backed staffing plan to keep the volunteer department viable: three paid officers at $56,000 plus benefits, with conditions to preserve a part‑time maintenance role until staffing is in place.
The Town Commission voted to approve a contingency staffing plan for the Melbourne Beach Volunteer Fire Department in case the town does not receive a federal SAFER grant.
Chief Gavin Brown and commission members told the meeting the department faces recruitment and supervision challenges that could threaten response capacity. The SAFER grant — a federal program that funds firefighter hiring — was described as the preferred funding route to add six full‑time firefighters, but the town has not yet received an award. Commissioners debated smaller local options as a backup plan.
The commission approved a plan to add three paid officer positions (each budgeted at $56,000 plus benefits) and to eliminate an administrative assistant position in that cost model. The commission also agreed to keep the current part‑time maintenance position funded until the second of the newly hired…
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