Maplewood accepts $1.6 million SAFER grant to hire six firefighters

Maplewood accepted a federal SAFER (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) grant on Oct. 13 that will provide $1,600,000 over three years to help the city hire six firefighters.

"Maplewood was awarded funding to assist in the hiring of 6 new firefighters," Fire Chief Mondor said during the council meeting, citing increased call volumes and the department's multi-year staffing plan. He said the grant helps the city reach a minimum three-person staffing level on fire suppression units and improves response during overlapping calls.

The award covers 75% of each firefighter's salary in years one and two and 35% in year three, Chief Mondor said. The city will begin recruitment and onboarding after formally accepting the grant and working with FEMA on the award terms.

Mayor Abrams praised the department's persistence. "You didn't give up," the mayor said, thanking Chief Mondor and staff for repeated grant applications that culminated in the award.

Council members moved and seconded a resolution to accept the SAFER grant; the council recorded a unanimous vote to approve the resolution. Following acceptance, staff said the positions will be integrated into the department's operational schedule and that departments including finance, HR and administration will coordinate implementation.

The city reported the grant is intended to bolster firefighter safety, improve deployment consistency during simultaneous incidents and enhance regional coordination for multi-jurisdictional response. The SAFER program is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).