201 S. Anaheim Blvd.
Suite #300
Anaheim, CA 92805
Tel: (714) 765-4000
Fax: (714) 765-4008
www.anaheim.net
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
City of Anaheim
FIRE AND RESCUE DEPARTMENT
DATE: JULY 15, 2025
FROM: FIRE AND RESCUE DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: APPLICATION FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2024 STAFFING FOR
ADEQUATE FIRE AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE (SAFER)
GRANT PROGRAM
ATTACHMENT (Y/N): YES ITEM # 15
GOVERNMENT CODE § 84308 APPLIES: NO
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council, by Resolution, ratify a grant application submitted by Anaheim Fire & Rescue to the Department of Homeland Security for the Fiscal Year 2024 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Program and authorize the Fire Chief, or his designee, to execute all related grant documents.
DISCUSSION:
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has developed grant programs to assist fire departments in protecting the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards. One such grant is the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Program that provides funding directly to fire departments to help them increase or maintain the number of trained, “front-line” firefighters available in their communities.
Applying for a SAFER Grant does not obligate the City in any manner to accept the grant monies and performance obligations. Submitting a SAFER Grant application is the first step in the process.
The goal of applying for the 2024 SAFER Grant is to enhance Anaheim Fire & Rescue’s ability to comply with staffing, response and operational standards established by National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) standard 1710, which provides the minimum requirements for resource deployments for fire suppression, EMS and Special Operations while also addressing firefighter occupational health and safety. If awarded, the 2024 SAFER Grant will provide a three-year grant to Anaheim Fire & Rescue, covering a portion of the salaries and benefits of the SAFER-funded positions.
Anaheim Fire & Rescue applied for the 2024 SAFER Grant to offset the cost of hiring 12 additional bodies approved by City Council as part of the Adopted FY 2025/26 budget and to support the high fire risk areas in East Anaheim. In 2020, the city was awarded a SAFER grant to staff Station 12 in the Platinum Triangle. The staff was Application for the Fiscal Year 2024 SAFER Grant Program July 15, 2025
assigned to Station 10 temporarily while Station 12 was being built. After many delays, construction is underway and planned for completion in June 2026. The prospect of the Engine Company moving to the Platinum Triangle as originally intended highlights the need for a new Engine Company in East Anaheim. The 12 new firefighter positions would be placed at Fire Station 10 to mitigate risk in East Anaheim while the current company moves to the Platinum Triangle station. Representing four personnel on three shifts, these new firefighters would be predominantly grant-funded for three years. The 2024 SAFER Grant requires a 25% City match for years one and two of the grant, followed by a 65% match for year three of the grant. There is no employee retention requirement when the grant performance period ends; however, Anaheim Fire & Rescue must maintain the suppression staffing level for the entire grant performance period. If awarded, the table below illustrates the total cost for (12) SAFER Grant firefighters, broken down to include the federal share and City match amounts.
Grant Year Cost of 12
Firefighters
Federal
Share
City Match
(%)
City Match
($)
1 $2,775,660 $2,081,745 25% $693,915
2 $2,775,660 $2,081,745 25% $693,915
3 $2,775,660 $971,481 65% $1,804,179
$8,326,980 $5,134,971 $3,192,009
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
Sufficient appropriation is included in the Fire & Rescue Department’s FY 2025/26 budget. If awarded, General Fund revenues will be increased by the Federal share of the grant award.
Respectfully submitted,
Patrick Russell
Fire Chief
Attachment:
1. Resolution