Title
Consider/Discuss/Act on a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Apply for and Accept, if Awarded, a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to Hire Additional Fire Department Personnel
Summary
COUNCIL GOAL: Safe and Secure Community
MEETING DATE: April 17, 2018
DEPARTMENT: Fire Department
CONTACT: Tim Mock, Assistant Fire Chief
Janay Tieken, Housing and Community Development Manager
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION: Approve Resolution
ITEM SUMMARY:
* The goal of the SAFER grant program is to assist local fire departments with staffing and deployment capabilities so that they may respond to emergencies whenever they occur, assuring their communities and firefighters have adequate protection from fire and fire-related hazards.
* Staff requests approval to apply for approximately $1,919,385 in SAFER grant funds and acceptance of that amount, if awarded, to hire twelve (12) additional firefighting/special operations personnel for a minimum three-year period.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
* This funding for will provide for four (4) firefighters, per shift, at each of the single engine company stations - 3,4 and 7. The additional firefighter provides relief for vacations/sick/trainings. This brings each of these stations into compliance with NFPA 1710 and increases firefighter and resident safety by allowing for two (2) firefighters to remain outside structure fires, while two (2) firefighters are inside structure fires.
* This grant for the hiring of new firefighters has a three-year period of performance that provides the fire department with funding to pay 75% of the cost for a first year firefighter for year 1 and 2 of the grant, and 35% of the cost of a first year firefighter in year 3 of the grant.
* The additional firefighters will also receive vertical rescue/special operations training to address the increased number of trench (construction) and swift water res...
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