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Newton City Council authorizes application for FEMA SAFER grant to request six firefighters
Summary
The council approved submitting a FEMA SAFER grant application requesting six full‑time firefighter positions (36‑month grant, $1,231,200 total) to improve compliance with NFPA staffing guidelines; the grant requires no local match and does not obligate positions beyond the 36‑month period.
Newton City Council authorized staff to submit an application for the 2022 FEMA Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant during its March 14 meeting.
Fire Chief Kevin Yoder recommended requesting six additional full‑time personnel, saying the department ‘‘does not currently meet minimum staffing levels required by the National Fire Protection Association.’’ Chief Yoder explained the 2022 SAFER grant is funded from FEMA’s 2022 allocation but administered during 2023; the current grant structure provides a three‑year period of performance with no local match through the 36‑month span and no obligation to retain positions after the grant period ends. The total grant/project amount presented to council was $1,231,200.
Mayor Pro Tem John Stiver moved to approve submitting the application, and Council Member Jerry Hodge seconded; council approved the application submission unanimously.
