WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Sam Farr, D-Carmel, announced today that three Central Coast communities will receive $5.4 million in federal grants to hire additional firefighters and first responders under the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program. The funds were awarded to the City of Salinas Fire Department, the City of Hollister Fire Department and the Greenfield Fire Protection District by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration.
“Last month, the Central Coast was reminded of the invaluable role firefighters play in protecting us by unselfishly standing in harm’s way,” said Rep. Farr. “This grant is an essential tool that will allow local communities to improve public safety by hiring and retaining the brave first responders whose service we depend upon.”
Funds under the SAFER program are intended to support the hiring of firefighters and the recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters. The SAFER program will award $320 million in grants to fire departments throughout the United States.
Under the guidelines of the program, the Salinas Fire Department will receive $2.9 million in funds.
“This grant will provide our community with the critical resources to hire essential first responder personnel that will provide our citizens with the public safety services that have been impacted over the past several years because of the economic downturn,” said Mayor Joe Gunter, City of Salinas. “I applaud Fire Chief Edmond Rodriguez and his team for their outstanding work securing this grant. We appreciate Congressman Farr’s support and FEMA’s investment in Salinas.”
The Greenfield Fire District is a special fire district that covers the City of Greenfield and the unincorporated area around Greenfield. It was awarded $297,478 through the SAFER program.
“The SAFER grant will be a tremendous asset to the Fire District,” said Chief Rich Foster, Greenfield Fire Protection District. “This funding will be directly responsible for keeping two firefighters on duty 24 hours a day 7 days a week for the two year performance period of the grant. This award will significantly enhance the safety for the community and our firefighters by keeping constant staffing of 2 full time personnel backed up by 17 volunteers.”
The City of Hollister Fire Department will receive $2.2 million in SAFER grant funds. The fire department was recently contracted by San Benito County and the City of San Juan Bautista to provide fire protection services throughout their jurisdictions. The funds will be used to provide additional personnel for the expanded coverage requirements.