RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING SUBMISSION OF A FISCAL YEAR 2025 STAFFING FOR ADEQUATE FIRE AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE GRANT APPLICATION FOR NINE FIREFIGHTER POSITIONS WHEREAS, the United States Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency administers the Fiscal Year 2025 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grant Program to help fire departments increase the number of firefighters and improve compliance with staffing, response, and operational standards; and WHEREAS, the Salinas Fire Department’s current SAFER grant supporting nine firefighter positions expires in March 2027 and the City does not have local funding identified to continue the positions without additional grant assistance; and WHEREAS, elimination of the nine positions would create an operational capacity deficit, require elimination of Engine 7 operations, increase unit hour availability, and increase firefighter fatigue and mandatory overtime; and WHEREAS, the Department’s current staffing level is approximately 0.58 firefighters per 1,000 population, below regional partner staffing of approximately 0.92 firefighters per 1,000 population and below the Department’s referenced national standard of 1 firefighter per 1,000 population; and WHEREAS, the estimated 36-month cost for nine firefighter positions is $5,066,550, with an estimated federal share of $3,103,672.50 and an estimated City cost share of $1,962,877.50, subject to final FEMA eligibility and award calculations.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Salinas City Council authorizes the Fire Department to submit an application to FEMA for FY 2025 SAFER Grant.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 16th day of June, 2026, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN: APPROVED:
_______________________
Dennis Donohue, Mayor
ATTEST:
_________________________
Patricia M. Soratos, City Clerk
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