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 com...
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