Politics & Government

Montgomery Board OKs $211K SAFER Grant Application to Hire One Firefighter

The grant would cover the cost of hiring a full-time firefighter and reduce the number of part-time hours at Fire Department of Montgomery Township, saving $27,521.

Montgomery Township Director of Fire Services Rick Lesniak is hoping the third time is the charm.
After being denied the past two years by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Montgomery Township is trying a third time to obtain a $211,444 SAFER grant to cover the cost of hiring one full-time firefighter.
"The goal of the SAFER grants is to enhance local fire departments' abilities to comply with staffing, deployment, response and operational standards established by the National Fire Protection Association and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration," Lesniak said.
The grant also looks to increase the frontline number of firefighters and attain 24-hour staffing, according to a board summary.
The fiscal year 2013 grant application began July 29 and closes Aug. 30.
Lesniak wants to hire one full-time firefighter to work four 10-hour day shifts, he said.
He said the hiring would help meet NFPA standards by using recommended best practices.
Beyond the grant's third year, Montgomery Township is not financially responsible or mandated to fund the position. Lesniak said he hoped full-time firefighter positions would be permanent after 2014.
If the grant is awarded, the township Department of Fire Services would receive $211,444 in funding. The hiring of a fourth full-time firefighter would reduce part-time hours and save FDMT $27,521.
The Department of Homeland Security prioritizes the grant first to departments who can rehire laid-off firefighters. The second priority is departments whose firefighters face the threat of layoffs in the future.


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