Title
Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Firefighter Grant Program FY2017 Funds (NB)
This item involves a request to apply for and accept a grant, if awarded, from the Federal SAFER Grant Program for the hiring of firefighters.
Explanation
The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Act was established by Congress in 2004. This Act authorizes funding to local fire departments for the purpose of increasing the number of firefighters to meet industry-minimum standards for safety and effective deployment. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) SAFER Grant was approved in January 2018, and the Congress allocated $345 million to the FY2017 program.
In March 2011, Gainesville Fire Rescue (GFR) was successful in obtaining a SAFER grant of $1.6 million to staff Fire Station-8. Again in 2014, we were awarded $1.14 million in support of a new Squad company.
GFR is requesting approval to apply for SAFER grant funding to staff a four-person aerial/ladder apparatus (Quint) capable of fire suppression, vehicle extrication, rescues, emergency medical services (EMS) and other all-hazard responses. This unit will be deployed to serve the rapidly growing southwest and adjoining service areas, and to comply with national response standards for apparatus and personnel.
Development in the SW and associated areas, particularly the increase in the number of multi-story occupancies, presents additional coverage risk and potential for elevated structural firefighting and rescue services. A second GFR unit and the upgrade to Quint capabilities is part of the deployment plan to maintain the two-unit level of service currently provided under the FSAA. The other unit serving that area is a three-person unit (Squad) at GFR Station 9 (4213 SW 30th Avenue).
A permanent station location is being sought to serve this area for the longer term. Regardless of the outcome of talks between the City and Count...
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