Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Anacortes accepts FEMA SAFER grant to add three firefighters; council discusses long-term funding
Summary
Council authorized acceptance of a SAFER grant that will fund three firefighter positions for three years and approved creating three FTEs starting in 2026; staff said unfunding one assistant chief position plus the grant will net short-term general fund savings but long-term pay sustainability remains a council issue.
The Anacortes City Council voted Oct. 13 to accept a federal SAFER (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) grant that will fund three firefighter positions for a 36-month period and to create three new fire department full-time equivalent positions beginning in 2026.
Fire Chief (presenter) described the FEMA grant program and explained the department’s plan: accept the SAFER award, unfund one assistant chief position, and use the grant funds plus savings from the vacant assistant chief to staff three firefighters so battalion chiefs can operate as independent incident commanders out of a command vehicle rather than serving as company officers on engines.
Chief’s presentation said the SAFER award covers roughly 75% of wages in years one and two and 35% in year three; the grant is expected to total about $1.1 million over three years. Chief and staff showed an org chart that illustrated how moving battalion chiefs out of engines and adding firefighters would increase on-duty personnel and allow dedicated supervisory capacity, which the chief argued improves compliance with NFPA and reduces safety risk identified by NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health).
Council members praised the operational case and the department’s successful grant application but pressed the chief on long-term affordability once the grant ends. The chief said the original plan was to fund newly created positions with EMS levy revenue increases approved by voters in 2024, and that levy growth (shown in the presentation) would help support long-term costs. He also said the vacancy of an assistant chief produced about $225,000 in immediate savings and that staff will continue evaluating options including an ambulance utility, regionalization, or other long-term revenue strategies.
Council then approved a motion authorizing the mayor to accept the SAFER grant and to create three new FTEs beginning in 2026. The vote was unanimous on the record.
Council discussion emphasized the grant’s operational value and the need to plan for sustainability after the three-year grant period; several council members said they would expect staff and council to return with options for long-term funding during upcoming budget discussions.
