Thanks to a generous federal grant, six new firefighters will be working in Roseville in 2021. The City Council accepted the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant at its September 28 meeting.
The $1.87 million federal grant provides three years’ worth of funding for Roseville to increase the number of firefighters. With the funding, the Fire Department will complete its Phase II staffing plan, which means the department will have three staffed vehicles available 24/7 to respond to fire and medical emergencies and two fire companies available to be on the scene at any fire incident. This ensures the city will be better staffed to respond to emergency calls and provide for the safety of all firefighters.
“The grant couldn’t have come at a better time,” said Fire Chief Timothy O’Neill. “With pressure on local budgets, adding new positions is challenging and department resources are stretched thin due to COVID. Firefighters have been on the front line without a break since mid-March. This grant opportunity will provide much needed relief.”