TO: Mayor and Commissioners
FROM: Ronald L. Martin, Fire Chief
THROUGH: Terrence R. Moore, ICMA-CM, City Manager
DATE: June 17, 2025
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REQUEST PERMISSION FROM THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA, FOR THE FIRE RESCUE DEPARTMENT TO PROCEED WITH SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION FOR THE 2025 SAFER GRANT.
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Recommended Action:
Recommendation
Motion to request approval to allow for the Fire Rescue Department of the City of Delray Beach to apply for the 2025 offering of the (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) SAFER Grant.
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Background:
The City of Delray Beach Fire Rescue Department has the contractual obligation to transition to a 42-hour work (24/72) week schedule on 10/1/2025, as such and to maintain its current level of service additional firefighters need to be hired to support the operation. The SAFER grant, if awarded, will provide an opportunity to offset some of the financial costs associated with these additional firefighters. This is a 3-year cost sharing grant that bases all funding of the starting salary and benefits cost of a firefighter.
The approximate value of the grant over 3 years could range from: $2,490,850 to $4,018,669,39.
The due date for submitting applications for this grant is July 3rd, 2025, at 1700 hours.
City Attorney Review:
Not required per the City Attorney.
Funding Source/Financial Impact:
Cost sharing breakdown:
Year 1: 75% Grant Funded/ 25% City Funded
Year 2: 75% Grant Funded/ 25% City Funded
Year 3: 35% Grant Funded/ 65% City Funded
Timing of Request:
This is time sensitive to meet the application deadline.