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Rochester council authorizes application for FEMA SAFER grant to add eight firefighters
Summary
After a presentation on staffing and high-rise risk, Rochester council authorized the city to apply for a FEMA SAFER grant that would fund eight additional firefighters over three years, increasing ladder-truck staffing and operational flexibility if the grant is awarded.
Rochester — The city authorized its fire department on June 16 to apply for a federal SAFER grant that would fund eight full-time firefighter positions over a three-year period.
Fire Chief Mason Pooler told the council that Rochester’s firefighter headcount has not kept pace with population and vertical development increases, leaving aerial ladder trucks staffed with three personnel rather than the five recommended by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). "This grant I'm proposing would allow us to staff 4 firefighters per day on both of our aerial trucks," Chief Pooler said, arguing that an extra firefighter per ladder truck creates two-person crews that increase safety, allow simultaneous tasks on a fireground and provide greater flexibility for EMS responses.
The SAFER grant program will cover 75% of salary-and-benefit costs in years one and two and 35% in year three under current guidance; the city's share would be required thereafter if it chose to retain the positions. Pooler outlined costs (roughly $130,000 fully loaded per firefighter) and said FEMA's application window closes July 3, 2025, making a council authorization to apply time-sensitive.
Council debate centered on timing outside the regular budget cycle, equipment and long-term cost obligations if the grant were accepted. Several council members said they favored applying now to pursue a funding opportunity staff described as unusual and time-limited; others wanted more time to vet the long-term budget implications. The council voted to authorize application for the SAFER grant and to return for final acceptance only if awarded and terms are acceptable to the city.
What happens next: Staff will submit the FEMA SAFER application before the July 3 deadline; if selected, council will review the grant agreement and decide whether to accept the award and adopt required budget amendments before the positions are hired.
