Council accepts FEMA SAFER grant to fund 15 firefighters; staff to return with timing/budget options

Roseville Fire Chief Rosnehan told the council the department received a FEMA SAFER grant award to hire 15 full-time firefighters. The federal grant phases the federal share down over time (staff cited 75% federal funding in years one and two, 35% in year three), after which the city assumes full cost of the positions. Chief Rosnehan noted the city previously used a SAFER award in fiscal 2019 to hire six firefighters; the SAFER program is competitive and designed to fund frontline firefighter positions.

The award requires a 30-day acceptance window (ending Oct. 25), then a 180‑day recruitment window before the 36‑month period of performance typically begins. Staff outlined two timing options: (1) align the start of the period of performance with mid‑April 2026 (earlier operationalization, but an estimated additional levy impact for 2026 of about $185,000 compared with a September start) or (2) begin a later, September‑aligned schedule that staff and council had discussed previously (smaller 2026 levy impact but later operational implementation).

Council voted unanimously to accept the grant. Members expressed interest in pursuing an earlier (April) start if feasible and asked the city manager and finance staff to return with refined budget scenarios showing levy impacts, potential reserve use and other options. Chief Rosnehan described recruitment and training plans and said academies would run about three months; staff noted hiring competition in the region because several other cities also received SAFER awards.