Emergency management director given OK to apply for $25,000 recruitment-and-retention grant; first responders teen day draws modest turnout

The Public Safety Committee authorized Director of Emergency Management Scott Golden on Aug. 6 to apply for a recruitment-and-retention grant of up to $25,000 that can be used for firefighter or EMS recruitment, retention and related equipment. Golden told the committee the grant is versatile and can cover items such as turnout gear (noting a full set can cost more than $14,000), training, or other recruitment/retention uses. He said the grant carries no local match requirement. Golden also briefed the committee on recent programs: a summer youth AED/CPR program that served 56 youth and a first-responders teen adventure day held at Alfred University that registered 22 but saw 15 participants attend on the day. Golden said the teen event is intended to encourage future EMS and firefighter recruitment and he offered photos to committee members. The committee approved the grant application by voice vote after questions about how gear or awards would be allocated; Golden said he and staff would establish fair criteria prioritizing the oldest or most needed equipment first.