TO: Mayor and Members of City Council
THRU: Douglas J. Hewett, ICMA-CM, City Manager
Jeffrey Yates, ICMA-CM, Assistant City Manager
FROM: Kevin Dove, Fire Chief
Taylor Floyd, Budget and Evaluation Director
DATE: October 12, 2026
RE:Title
Accept and Appropriate Budget Ordinance Amendment for the SAFER Grant Award
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COUNCIL DISTRICT(S):
Council District(s)
All
b
Relationship To Strategic Plan:
Goal 1: Safe and Secure Community
Executive Summary:
The Fayetteville Fire Department (FFD) has been awarded the FY25 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This grant will fund a significant portion of the salary and benefits for 18 additional Firefighter positions, comprising two new fire units, over the three-year performance period: 75 percent in years one and two, and 35 percent in year three. The total federal share awarded to the City is $2,364,833.
Council is asked to adopt Budget Ordinance Amendment 26-0677 to appropriate $457,448 in grant funding to cover personnel costs of the 18 additional positions for the remainder of fiscal year 2026-27.
This project will improve emergency response times and ensure we meet our established Standard of Cover. Beyond response times, this project supports broader community benefits. Increasing our daily staffing and expanding service capacity will help maintain the Fire Department’s excellent ISO rating.
Background:
Increasing call volume over the last several years has impacted the FFD’s ability to remain resilient when multiple-unit incidents occur. In addition, the Raeford Road/Rim Road corridor has experienced a tremendous amount of growth which necessitates an aerial apparatus stationed in the area. Currently there is a gap in aerial apparatus coverage in that area, as well as the Ramsey Street/Langdon Street area.
Issues/Analysis:
A recent analysis identified the need for two additional ladder companies, one serving the Ramsey Street corridor and another serving the Lake Rim area. Adding these units will give us the staffing necessary to assemble an Effective Response Force (ERF) within time frames that meet or exceed national industry standards. Internal studies and analysis using GIS modeling have shown the need for two additional Ladder Truck Companies in the City. The most effective places for these units are Station 11 and Station 14. Two new units at these stations will decrease the coverage gap between aerial apparatus and improve our ability to place an ERF on fire scenes within the FFD’s Standard of Cover.
Budget Impact:
The City’s fiscal year 2026-27 required 25 percent match for the 18 new positions is approximately $198,686. This includes the cost of upgrading 6 existing Firefighter positions to Fire Lieutenants to provide supervisory positions in the new units.
The SAFER Grant covers personnel costs only. Uniforms, equipment, and other non-salary expenses are not eligible under this grant. To address these needs, FFD has submitted an additional grant application that, if approved, would cover 90 percent of the estimated $131,800 required to outfit the new Firefighters. Notification on this application has not yet been received.
With this additional grant funding, reduced overtime usage in the Fire Department may generate budget savings to cover the additional costs to the City in the current fiscal year. Staff will provide an updated plan to Council when information on the additional grant is received.
The anticipated General Fund cost of these positions is $424,671 in fiscal year 2027-28, $459,633 in fiscal year 2028-29, and $924,743 in fiscal year 2029-30. Beginning in fiscal year 2030-31, the full cost of these 18 positions will fall to the General Fund.
Options:
1. Adopt Budget Ordinance Amendment 26-0677 to appropriate the grant award.
2. Do not adopt Budget Ordinance Amendment 26-0677 and provide further guidance to staff.
Recommended Action::Recommended Action
Staff recommends that Council adopt Budget Ordinance Amendment 26-0677 as presented.
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Attachments:
Budget Ordinance Amendment 26-0677
Award Notification Letter