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: OCTOBER 14, 2025
FROM: FIRE AND RESCUE DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: ACCEPTANCE OF GRANT AWARD FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024
STAFFING FOR ADEQUATE FIRE AND EMERGENCY
RESPONSE (SAFER) GRANT PROGRAM
ATTACHMENT (Y/N): YES ITEM # 10
GOVERNMENT CODE § 84308 APPLIES: NO
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council, by Resolution, authorize the Fire Chief, or designee, to accept a grant award on behalf of the City of Anaheim, in the amount of $8,326,980 with a local match of $3,192,009, from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for the Fiscal Year 2024 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Program, execute all required grant documents to accept the grant funds, and increase the Fire & Rescue Department’s budget accordingly for the fiscal years in which the grant funds are awarded.
DISCUSSION:
The City Council authorized the Fire Chief to apply for the Fiscal Year 2024 SAFER Grant Program on July 15, 2025, and received notification that the application had been approved on September 25, 2025. The award must be accepted no later than October 24, 2025.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) administers the SAFER Grant Program. The SAFER Grant provides financial assistance to help fire departments increase or maintain the number of trained, “front-line” firefighters available in their communities. As specified in the July 15, 2025 staff report (attached), Anaheim Fire & Rescue proposes utilizing this grant award to offset the cost of hiring 12 additional firefighters to support the high fire risk areas in East Anaheim. The 12 new firefighter positions will be placed at Fire Station 10 to mitigate risk in East Anaheim.
The Fiscal Year 2024 SAFER Grant award is for a total of $8,326,980, which includes a local match of 25% in years one and two of the grant, followed by a 65% local match in year three of the grant, for a total local match of $3,192,009. The net grant award is $5,134,971 over the three-year grant period.
Acceptance of Grant Award for Fiscal Year 2024 SAFER Grant Program October 14, 2025
This item is in line with City’s Strategic Plan Goal A, Maintain Financial Responsibility, Strategy 2 – Continue proactive pursuit of state and federal grant funds.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
Sufficient appropriation is included in the Fire & Rescue Department’s FY 2025/26 budget. General Fund revenues will be increased by the Federal share of the grant award.
Respectfully submitted,
Patrick Russell
Fire Chief
Attachments:
1. Resolution
2. July 15, 2025 Staff Report (without attachments)