Title
Application for the 2015 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant for Firefighter Staffing
Details: The application period for the 2015 SAFER grant for firefighter staffing is open February 9 through March 6. This grant would pay for the salary and benefits of three firefighters for two years. There would be no obligation to maintain the firefighters after that period of time. The only stipulation of all SAFER grants is that, if the grant is awarded and accepted, the department cannot lay off or attrition out any positions during that two year period. Council will recall that the Camas-Washougal Fire Department (CWFD) received a SAFER grant award in 2012 to hire three firefighters. That grant expired in 2014. Unfortunately the City did not have the funding to keep those positions after the grant expired, but due to some well-timed retirements, staff was able to avoid laying off any of those firefighters. The department is planning to apply for the 2015 SAFER grant and City Administration supports this effort. This was an informational report to advise Council of plans to apply for the grant. Whenever staff has applied for any grant, staff takes the opportunity to remind Council that if the grant is awarded, Council maintains the final authority on whether it will be accepted.
Presenter: Nick Swinhart, Fire Chief
Recommended Action
Recommended Action: This item is for Council's information only.