Broken Arrow City Council
Meeting of: 09-17-2024
Title:
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Consideration, discussion, and possible acceptance of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Fiscal Year 2023 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant that will fund the salaries and benefits of twelve (12) new firefighter positions for a period of three (3) years
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Background:
The Broken Arrow Fire Department has been awarded a $2,896,659.12 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant to over hire twelve (12) firefighters above current staffing levels for a period of three (3) years. During this three-year period, the grant will allow the department to increase the number of firefighters that respond to our citizens' needs on a daily basis.
The purpose of a SAFER grant is to provide funding directly to fire departments to assist them with increasing the number of firefighters. This is achieved by: (1) hiring new firefighters, (2) rehiring firefighters that have been laid off, (3) allow retention of firefighters facing imminent layoffs, or (4) the filling of positions that were vacated through attrition.
The 2023 SAFER grant will provide 100% funding for salaries and benefits of twelve (12) entry level firefighters for a period of three-years. Upon completion of the three-year performance period, the City of Broken Arrow is under no obligation to retain the positions funded by the SAFER grant. This performance period begins March 2, 2025, and will conclude on March 1, 2028. The grant does not require cost-sharing for funds under the FY2023 appropriation and does not establish limits for annual salaries.
During the three-year performance period, the Broken Arrow Fire Department will be required to maintain the staffing level that existed at the time of the award, in addition to the SAFER funded positions. The fire department's current staffing level is 172, with an authorized st...
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