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Hawaii County Council accepts FEMA SAFER grant to fund 12 temporary firefighter positions
Summary
The council approved Resolution 478‑26 to accept a FEMA SAFER grant totaling $2,678,274.60 to fund 12 temporary firefighter positions and approved a companion budget measure (Bill 133) to appropriate related funds; members urged the administration to plan for converting the positions to permanent roles before grant funding expires.
The Hawaii County Council on March 18 approved Resolution 478‑26 to accept a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency that will fund 12 temporary firefighter positions, with the grant award listed in the resolution as $2,678,274.60.
Councilmember Kerkowitz praised the Hawaii Fire Department’s work securing the federal resources and urged the administration to plan for the budgetary implications when the grant period ends, saying the council should “begin planning for what comes next” and consider converting temporary grant‑funded positions to permanent posts over the next three years.
The council also approved Bill 133 at first reading, a companion budget amendment that increases revenues tied to the federal grant and appropriates funds to create the 12 temporary, grant‑funded positions. Both measures passed with recorded support: Resolution 478‑26 was approved (motion carries 8 ayes, 1 excused) and Bill 133 was approved at first reading (8 in favor, 1 excused).
The chief of the Hawaii Fire Department attended the meeting and was recognized; council discussion focused on implementation planning and the long‑term staffing implications once grant funding ends. The council recorded no votes against the measures. The next procedural step is for the administration to execute the grant acceptance and for staff to proceed with implementing the positions and associated budget adjustments.
Action details: Resolution 478‑26 authorizes the mayor to accept and administer the SAFER grant; Bill 133 amends the FY 2025‑26 operating budget to appropriate grant proceeds for 12 temporary positions.
