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Owasso accepts $1.83 million FEMA SAFER grant to add nine firefighters; council approves budget amendment
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Summary
The Owasso City Council accepted a FEMA SAFER grant award of $1,828,416.91 to fund nine new firefighter positions over three years and approved a related budget amendment in the half‑penny sales tax fund to cover the city’s match and timing requirements.
The Owasso City Council on Oct. 21 accepted a FEMA Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant of $1,828,416.91 to fund nine additional frontline firefighter positions.
Fire Chief (recorded in the transcript as Chief First) told the council FEMA will reimburse 75% of salary and benefits for the nine positions during each of the first two years and 35% for the third year. The grant is intended to add new positions rather than replace existing staff; the department must maintain the nine positions and replace any who do not complete probation within a reasonable time to remain compliant with the grant terms.
Staff said acceptance will improve emergency response capacity and reduce overtime while helping maintain National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) staffing expectations. The chief and finance staff said the city will assume funding responsibility for the ninth positions in the fourth year after the grant period ends.
Council also approved a follow-up budget amendment in the half‑penny sales tax fund necessary for the grant compliance. Staff told the council the amendment will increase estimated revenues by $370,625 and add appropriations to cover the city’s share and timing requirements; the staff memo presented at the meeting contains the detailed appropriation figures. Finance staff said the grant reimbursement requires the local funds to be in the adopted budget before FEMA will reimburse the city.
The council voted to accept the grant and to approve the budget amendment by recorded voice vote as shown in the meeting minutes.
