Fire chief warns SAFER sunset will force staffing choices for new station

Fire Chief Casey Wilson reported to the council that SAFER grant funding that currently supports 24 firefighter positions will expire in March 2027 and that the city is planning recruitment and contingency steps now. "The grant expires March 2027," Chief Wilson said.

Wilson explained that the department currently has several vacancies and that, operationally, opening and sustaining Station 6 likely requires between 16 and 19 of the SAFER positions to remain funded on an ongoing basis (to cover staffing, vacation and sick relief). He described strategies the department is pursuing: reapplying for a future SAFER NOFO, evaluating staffing models, and coordinating potential reimbursement or partnerships with a new County ambulance provider (AMR) to offset costs.

Council members pressed staff on several adjacent items that affect feasibility: whether the city can convert some SAFER positions to CFD or Measure C funding, the status of the county mutual‑aid contract that expires at the end of calendar year 2026, and cost estimates for relocating or building new stations (estimates cited in the discussion placed a new station in a $15–20 million range, with Station 56 facing a roughly $3 million shortfall). Chief Wilson said the department would return with more precise staffing plans and a request for council direction before the grant expires.

The council did not take a formal vote but directed staff to study options, pursue grant opportunities where feasible and bring back budget scenarios showing the impact of SAFER’s sunset on station openings and service levels.