Rutherford County to apply for SAFER grant to fund 16 firefighter positions

Rutherford County Public Safety Committee members acknowledged a request on June 16 for the county to apply for a federal Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant that would fund 16 firefighter positions if awarded.

Fire Chief Farley told the committee the SAFER grant would cover 75% of the hired positions’ salaries for the first two years and 35% in the third year; after the grant term the county would be responsible for the full salaries. "The first 2 years, the grant pays 75%, the county pays 25%. The third year, the grant pays 35%, the county will pay 65%," Farley said.

Chief Farley explained the request would staff a new rescue unit due for delivery in January and add personnel to Rescue 60; the application deadline is July 3, and awards are expected between September and October. He said the county has used similar federal grant-funded hiring in the past and that participation does not legally bind the county to retain positions after grant funding ends.

Committee members questioned long-term staffing obligations and whether the grant imposes multi-year retention requirements. Farley and other members clarified that the county could decide not to continue funding positions after the grant expires; past SAFER-funded hires had been transitioned or, in some neighboring counties, laid off when grant support ended.

Committee members moved to acknowledge and permit the application; the motion passed on a voice vote following a second. The committee noted that if the county receives the grant, formal approvals through the Public Safety Committee, the budget committee and the full commission will follow before county funds are committed.