Shelbyville fire leaders seek three additional positions tied to federal SAFER grant efforts

Fire Chief Matt (last name not specified) and city staff told the council the department is again pursuing federal staffing support through FEMA's Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant and requested three additional positions to reach the department's target staffing level.

Chief Matt said the city has pursued SAFER grants annually since the 2019 recommendations for staffing increases. “If awarded these 3 additional positions, this will get us finally to the twelfth,” he said, referring to the department's target. He explained the positions would increase suppression staffing so the department could maintain a 2-in/2-out crew model at Fire Hall 2 and meet relevant safety rules.

Council members and staff discussed the department's past grant history and budget timing. The chief said the city has often learned grant results after the municipal budget cycle, requiring budget amendments when grants were not awarded. Council members asked about the department's current shift staffing pattern and whether the requested positions would require ongoing local budget support if the federal award did not arrive.

No formal council vote to create or fund the positions was recorded in the study session. The chief said the department will continue to apply for the federal grant and return to the city if local budget amendments are needed.

Ending: The council asked staff to bring more details on staffing, costs and past citation/operations data back for follow-up; a formal budget amendment or hiring action was not taken during the study session.