08/23/2009

Wilkesboro Fire Department receives SAFER Grant

The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant was created to provide funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations in order to help them increase the number of trained, "front-line" firefighters available in their communities.  

The goal of SAFER is to enhance the local fire departments' abilities to comply with staffing, response and operational standards established by NFPA and OSHA (NFPA 1710 and/or NFPA 1720 and OSHA 1910.134. For more information on SAFER grants, see http://www.nfpa.org/SAFERActGrant. Specifically, SAFER funds should assist local fire departments increase their staffing and deployment capabilities in order to respond to emergencies whenever they may occur. 

We are pleased to announce that the Wilkesboro Fire Department (WFD) is one of the twenty-three fire departments in the United States that has been awarded a 2008 SAFER grant through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). With the SAFER grant award, it will allow the Town of Wilkesboro to hire 3 firefighters on a full-time basis.  

Once the new staff is hired, our fire department will operate with a combination of both full-time and volunteer firefighters. The new firefighters will work in 24-hour shifts and staffing will be available at the new fire station at 400 South Cherry Street. In return, the citizens will have improved response and deployment times and greater protection in our town. 

Grantees under the “Hiring of Firefighter Activity” must agree to a five-year commitment during the Federal contribution towards the costs of the salaries and benefits will diminish over the course of the performance period, 10/24/09 to 10/23/14. The total award is $325,140.00 and awardees draw the Federal share of the awarded portion on the grant funds as the actual expenses are incurred.  

There is no extensions to the SAFER grants and the funds must go towards the purposes detailed in the approved grant application only, which are completed through periodic performance reporting and accounting of grant funds. The grantee cannot transfer funds or assets purchased with grant agencies or departments without prior written approval of DHS.  

The Town is beginning it’s recruitment process on Friday, August 28, 2009. You may find the job descriptions and requirements along with the official Town of Wilkesboro’s application and specific position supplemental application under our career opportunities. The positions will have full town benefits and an overview of our benefits can be found under the Town Services tab.