City of Oak Creek

Common Council Report

Meeting Date: June 20, 2006

Item No.:        

Recommendation:  That the Common Council grant the Fire Department approval to apply for the SAFER Act Grant requesting the grant award to be used for three firefighter positions in the 2007 budget cycle.

Background:  The Federal government has again offered the opportunity for Fire Departments from across the country to apply for the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant in 2006.  The program is modeled after the COPS grant program which helps communities fund new police positions.  The City has participated in this program in 2005, with no award.

The program provides funding of 90% the first year, 80% the second year, 50% the third year, and 30% the fourth year.  In the fifth year the positions are fully funded by the City.  The dollar value to be awarded per position is capped at $37,260, $33,120, $20,700 and $12,420 dollars respectively for years 1 thru 4 per firefighter.

Because of the continued growth in the City, the department will be requesting additional personnel to cope with the increased population, call volume, and hazard risk.  The three additional firefighters will further improve our response capability by maintaining a minimum of 5 personnel at Station #1, 4 at Station #2 and 4 at Station #3 (5-4-4 Staffing Plan).  If the next personnel request is approved for the 2007 budget, this federal grant would assist in reducing the impact of personnel costs by an estimated 24.6% over the 5 year period.

For the first quarter of 2006 this program was unfunded, however the Federal Government has restored funding at a reduced level.  The application period for this program is very short and the department needs to move quickly to complete the application by the deadline of June 30.  If the grant is awarded, the department will return to the Common Council to request permission to accept the grant before proceeding.

Fiscal Impact:  If the grant is awarded, the department will provide a more detailed 5-year cost projection to the Council before asking for approval to accept the grant.  Below is a preliminary estimate of the 5 year costs and possible grant award.

Prepared by,                                                           Respectfully submitted,

Thomas Rosandich                                                           Patrick DeGrave

Assistant Fire Chief                                                           City Administrator

Approved by,                                                          Fiscal Review by,

Brian M. Satula                                                       Beverly Buretta, CMC

Fire Chief                                                               City Clerk