photo by Bruce Garner
The Chattanooga Fire Department is in the unique position of being able to hire additional firefighters soon, thanks to a federal grant. The Department of Homeland Security notified the fire department recently that the grant application of $1,840,356 from the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant has been approved, which will allow increased staffing on the squads and quick response vehicles (QRV).
At a news conference in front of Fire Station 19 in Hixson on Thursday, Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke said this grant is a real benefit for the fire department and the city as a whole. "Our firefighters work every day to help ensure the safety of our city, not only by saving property and lives from flames, but as first responders to other medical emergencies," said Mayor Berke. "Having adequate staffing for the QRV system will help increase efficient delivery of a critical city service."
The SAFER grant will enable the fire department to hire 14 additional firefighters. City Councilman Chip Henderson, who is also chairman of the council's safety committee, said it's a step in the right direction. "This fills a void that the council took a hard look at this budget year," said Henderson. "This will enhance the quality of protection that our residents will receive through the addition of these 14 firefighters."
The SAFER grant will pay the salaries and benefits for the 14 firefighters for a two-year period. After that, Fire Chief Chris Adams said that city leaders will have to make a decision to continue the funding. "The city will have two years to see how the economy is doing and where we are with the budget," said Adams. The department plans to add the 14 firefighters hired with the SAFER grant to a new academy, which is expected to start in late September.
The Chattanooga Fire Department responded to 17,453 incidents last year, and of those calls, about 48% of them were for medical emergencies. In February of this year, the fire department started a new pilot program that is designed to enhance responses to medical emergencies in Chattanooga. Under the new initiative, three Quick Response Vehicles, or QRVs, began responding to medical calls in place of the large fire apparatus, which is what firefighters traditionally use whether responding to a fire, car wreck or medical emergency.