The Hendersonville Fire Department is pleased to announce it has been awarded a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant in the amount of $1,252,324.20.
The grant is from the Department of Homeland Security/Federal Emergency Management Agency for the hiring of twelve firefighters.
“The safety of our citizens and visitors is vital to us,” said Mayor Barbara Volk. “The SAFER grant will allow for fuller coverage in emergency situations throughout the city. We congratulate the Hendersonville Fire Department staff for their work in securing this grant for us.”
The SAFER grant is intended to help local fire departments improve their staffing and deployment capabilities in order for them to respond to emergencies more effectively. The Hendersonville Fire Department was directed to submit a grant application by City Council during their March 7, 2019 meeting. FEMA found the proposal to be consistent with the SAFER grant program’s purpose and worthy of award.
“We will utilize this grant to hire twelve firefighters, giving us the ability to staff an additional engine company and much needed Battalion Chief positions,” said Hendersonville Fire Chief Joseph Vindigni. “This will not only improve our service delivery to the City but also improve safety while operating on the fire ground and at emergency incidents.”
The SAFER grant is awarded for a period of three years. The grant will pay for 75 percent of the salary and benefits for each of the new firefighters in the first and second year of the grant; the third year of the grant funds 35 percent of salary and benefits.