Winchester City Council on Oct. 14 voted to accept a federal Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant that will fund six full‑time firefighter positions for three years.

The grant, presented as a resolution (R 2025‑40) by Councilor Bell, John Piper and Drew Savage, covers roughly $874,000 of payroll and related expenses for the six positions over three years, Piper told council. “The grant covers about $874,000 to fund six new full‑time firefighter positions for three years,” he said.

Why it matters: Council and fire officials said the grant helps the city move toward recommended staffing levels set out in national standards and a 2020 Emergency Services Consulting International study, which prompted earlier changes to minimum staffing. Piper said the federal award will pay up to 75% of base salary and expenses for the new positions in years one and two and up to 35% in year three; the city will be responsible for the remaining local share and for the longer‑term staffing costs after the grant ends.

Details and local impact: Piper told council the estimated local fiscal impact over three years is presented in the council packet and that the FY2026 budget impact is about $118,000. He said the department expects to put 15 new firefighters into the academy soon because of recently approved hires and anticipated retirements; the SAFER positions will be rolled into that class. The fire chief (name not specified in the meeting) said the timing of the award fit the city’s existing hiring pipeline and that members funded by the grant would be operational in 2026.

Union support and background: Marcus Allen Ballinger, president of Winchester Professional Firefighters & Paramedics Local 3401, urged council to approve the item during public comment. Ballinger told council the SAFER grant will help the department work toward NFPA 1710 staffing goals and thanked the council for previous staffing increases.

Council action: A motion to approve the resolution was made, seconded and carried by voice vote. No opposing votes were recorded during the meeting.

What’s next: With council approval, staff will accept the federal award and amend the city’s position classification and pay plan to create the six positions and start the hiring and academy pipeline. The resolution and related budget material will be reflected in next year’s fiscal planning documents.

For reference: The SAFER program is a federal grant that reimburses local agencies for hiring and overtime costs aimed at improving emergency response staffing; the council packet included detailed budget impact numbers (see city staff materials).