HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-08-14 PACKET 04.M.REQUEST OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION COUNCIL AGENDA
MEETING ITEM #�
DATE 08/14/13 �
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PREPARED BY Public Safety Craig Woolery
ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT STAFF AUTHOR
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COUNCIL ACTION REQUEST:
Pass a motion approving the application for a grant through FEMA for the 2013 Assistance to
Firefighters Grants Program (AFG) and the 2013 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency
Response (SAFER) Grant in the amount of $495,000 for three full time firefighter/paramedic
positions.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Pass a motion approving the application for a grant through FEMA for the 2013 Assistance to
Firefighters Grants Program and the 2013 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency
Response (SAFER) Grant in the amount of $495,000.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
❑ MEMO/LETTER: Memo dated August 9, 2013 from Fire Chief Rick Redenius
ADMINISTRATORS COMMENTS:
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Date
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COUNCIL ACTION TAKEN: ❑ APPROVED ❑ DENIED ❑ OTHER
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To:
From:
Date:
City of Cottage Grove
Public Safety
Honorable Mayor and City Council
City Administrator Ryan Schroeder
Rick Redenius
Deputy Public Safety Director / Fire Chief
August 9, 2013
Mem o
Subject: REQUEST COUNCIL AUTHORIZATION TO APPLY FOR THE 2013
STAFFING FOR ADEQUATE FIRE AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE
(SAFER) GRANT
INTRODUCTION
The SAFER Grant is a competitive grant program which is funded through the
Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG). This program provides funding directly
to fire agencies having primary fire and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) authority in
an effort to hire personnel to increase the fire and EMS protection in their community.
The SAFER Grant would provide 100% funding for approved entry level salaries and
benefits for 2 years (24 months).
DISCUSSION
The Cottage Grove Fire Department is in the midst of a personnel and department
change which will eventually move our EMS service from a primarily police based
system to fire based system. What this unique funding opportunity provides our city with
is a means to plan for the future; to maintain consistent levels of service to the public.
This grant funding allows the opportunity to focus on meeting the public's service needs
well into 2018.
We currently have four (4) full-time firefighter/paramedics whose main function is EMS
response and fire protection. Two (2) Deputy Chiefs who are paramedics and have lead
roles within the department which causes them to be back up paramedics if needed.
This has been more often than not lately. There is still a police compliment of
paramedics as well but those numbers are being reduced when they can as we move to
a fire-based response. The addition of three (3) firefighter/paramedics if awarded the
grant will certainly place the department in a better position to be considered a fire
based EMS response city.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS
The SAFER Grant provides a unique opportunity for Cottage Grove to plan for the
future. The funding would cover 100% of the salary and benefits for a two (2) year
period. It will help address the city's growth, needs for service and a means to maintain
consistent staffing levels and response times. If awarded, the two year grant would pay
the salaries and benefits for three full-time firefighter/paramedics for a two cost of
$495,000 dollars
Grant Award Citv Cost
Year 1- three employees $240,000 $�
Year 2- three employees . �255 000 ��
Total $495,000
APPLICATION PROCESS
- Applications are due August 30, 2013
- Grand awards should occur not later than September 30, 2014
- Recruitment and hiring of personnel after grant notification in 2014
- Grand funding for years 2014 and 2015 (24 months)
RECOMMENDATION
Authorize the Department of Public Safety / Fire Division to submit a grant application to
the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Program for three
(3) firefighter/paramedic positions.
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