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Fire Rescue wins $661,000 federal grant; department reports improved retention and new hires
Summary
The county's fire rescue chief reported improved retention—separations dropped from 60 in FY23 to 29 so far this year—and said the department secured an AFG grant of $661,000 for SCBA replacement and will add positions tied to Mobile Integrated Health.
Fire Rescue reported improved hiring and retention and new federal grant funding during the Alachua County budget review. Chief Harold Diaz told commissioners the department is seeing separations fall from 60 in fiscal year 2023 to 29 so far this year and announced the department won another Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) for self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) replacement worth $661,000.
"This 1 is worth $661,000," the chief said while describing the award and how the department is using recruitment and retention efforts to stabilize operations. Diaz also outlined plans tied to a Mobile Integrated Health program in partnership with Community Support Services that will add state-funded positions. The department also requested three funded FTEs for fiscal 2025, including a senior fiscal assistant, a network specialist and a logistics captain to address audit-identified logistics and central supply needs.
Commissioners praised the hiring results but pressed for clarity on childcare, overtime, and ambulance collection policies that may affect staff. Staff noted the sheriff and other departments are also competing for employees in a tight job market, and county budget staff said they will include relevant FTE requests and grant funding in the final budget package.
