REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: KERRI L. DONIS, Fire Chief
Fire Department
SUBJECT
Title
Authorize the Fire Chief to apply for the 2021 SAFER (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) Grant, deadline for submissions is February 4, 2022.
Body
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended Council authorize the Fire Chief to apply for the 2021 SAFER grant pursuant to the resolution passed by council on September 4, 2020.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The 2022 SAFER grant opened on January 3, 2022 and will close on February 4, 2022. Prior to submission of the application, this item is being brought before the council to ensure it remains the will of the Council to apply. With this SAFER application, the Fire Department seeks to hire twenty four (24) firefighter recruits under the grant. The grant pays for all salaries and benefits, excluding overtime pay, for all recruits for a period of 36 months. Note: There is no requirement to retain the firefighters following the 36 month performance period.
BACKGROUND
The Fresno Fire Department currently has 347 authorized sworn safety positions serving a population of 537,000 residents. This firefighter per capita rate of 0.65 members per 1,000 residents is one of the lowest in the State and country for comparable cities. The increasing population and demand for services requires the Department to expand its capacity to preserve and improve service levels. With the approval of this application, the Department would increase the number of members' on-duty each day by adding a 4th firefighter to several apparatus and increase Department's ability to meet the challenges of responding to 47,000 calls for service each year with our growing population. It would also help meet the challenges of attrition and relief pool shortages. Should council approve this grant, adding 24 new members, the per capita ratio would be .69 per thousand residents. The state average is .92 members per thousand residents.
Under the grant, the F...
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