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Fire chief seeks $350,000 training-building grant and SAFER award to add four firefighters
Summary
Fire Chief Albert outlined two grant proposals: a $350,000 grant (secured with help from Senator Lesser) to buy a modular training building and a SAFER grant to phase in four firefighters, with the city covering 25% of salaries/benefits in years one and two and 65% in year three.
Fire Chief Albert told the council the department has two grant opportunities it would like the council to accept if the Questions to Directors session authorizes them.
"The first grant for 350,000...is to help us purchase our modular fire training building," Chief Albert said, adding the training facility would be placed on the Newfield Street property.
He described a second, larger SAFER grant that would fund four additional firefighters and restore minimum staffing on the truck apparatus. "This grant is awarded to us through FEMA," he said, and explained the three-year cost-sharing structure: the city would pay 25% of salary and benefits in years one and two and 65% in year three.
Why it matters: Chief Albert said the department has been operating its truck apparatus with only two crew members roughly 73% of the time, a level he said is below industry standards and raises safety concerns for both firefighters and residents. The SAFER grant would increase minimum manning to provide at least three people on the truck and improve response capability.
Implementation details and timing: Chief Albert said staff would accept the grant when FEMA opens the acceptance window and then work with human resources to issue conditional offers; he said candidates could start training in August and be available by December after a recruit class. He also said an MOU with the union will be needed to adjust minimum manning and that the grant’s later-year costs will be addressed in subsequent contract negotiations and budget cycles.
Next steps: If the council indicates support, the chief plans to accept the grants when FEMA opens and to present an MOU and budget adjustments during the next budget cycle.
