Title
Request to Apply for and Accept 2021 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant (Ordinance S-48387)
Description
Request to retroactively authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to apply for, and accept, if awarded, up to $10,984,800 from federal fiscal year (FFY) 2021 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Program funds. If awarded, request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to add 32 new sworn positions. Further request authorization for the City Treasurer to accept, and for the City Controller to disburse, all funds related to this item. If not approved, the grant, if awarded, would be turned down and no new positions would be added.
Report
Summary
The grant application period opened on Jan. 3, 2022 and closed on Feb. 4, 2022. The purpose of SAFER grants is to increase the number of firefighters to help communities meet industry minimum standards and attain 24-hour staffing to provide adequate protection from fire and fire-related hazards. The grant application will request $10,984,800 to hire 32 new firefighter positions lost through attrition (retirements and resignations). These positions will be used to increase service coverage area and improve emergency response time. Funding will be distributed over a three-year period with no cost match required. If awarded, federal funding will be up to $10,984,800, over the period of performance.
Contract Term
The grant period of performance, if awarded, is three years and is estimated to begin on or around March 2023 with a program end date on or around May 2026.
Financial Impact
If awarded, the City of Phoenix Fire Department will receive up to $10,984,800 in grant funding for 32 new firefighter positions. No match will be required from the city.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is recommended by Assistant City Manager Lori Bays and the Fire Department.