RESOLUTION NO. (N.C.S.)
ACCEPTANCE OF THE SAFER (STAFFING FOR ADEQUATE FIRE AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE) GRANT AWARD IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,740,042.15.
WHEREAS, the City of Salinas Fire Department has diligently applied for and successfully secured the FY 2022 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant award from the United States Department of Homeland Security, totaling $4,740,042.15; and WHEREAS, the SAFER Grant program has as a primary objective the augmentation of recruitment, retention, and hiring of emergency response personnel to help fire agencies adequately protect against fire and fire-related hazards while meeting critical industry standards; and WHEREAS, the City of Salinas Fire Department recognizes the urgent need to enhance its capacity to respond effectively to fire emergencies and other critical incidents within our community, particularly in light of the impending increase in population and demand for emergency services; and WHEREAS, Salinas Fire Department currently operates from only six stations and has experienced a consistent annual average increase of 5.4% in emergency calls from 2020 to 2023, while falling significantly below the recommended industry standard of 1.2 firefighters per 1000 residents, signifying a pressing need for additional resources to meet the growing demand for services; and WHEREAS, the City of Salinas Fire Department is committed to providing equitable emergency responses to all residents within a 6-minute timeframe; and WHEREAS, recognizing the significance of managing the grant effectively and efficiently, the City of Salinas hereby requests the creation of the SAFER Fund, dedicated to appropriately managing the requirements of the SAFER grant; and WHEREAS, the grant funding of $4,740,042.15 will be distributed over a period of three years, covering all costs associated with hiring nine additional Firefighter positions, including fringe benefits.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Salinas hereby accepts the FY 2022 SAFER grant award in the amount of $4,740,042.15, recognizing the significant positive impact it will have on the City of Salinas Fire Department's capacity to provide prompt, efficient, and equitable emergency services to our residents.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 25 day of September 2023, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
APPROVED:
_______________________
Kimbley Craig, Mayor
ATTEST:
_________________________
Patricia M. Barajas, City Clerk
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