Tulsa, Okla. The million-dollar grant is going to have a big impact on the Tulsa Fire Department.
FEMA on Friday awarded a $12 million staffing grant to the Department for Substantial Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER).
Chief Michael Baker said the money would help him fill several vacancies within the department for three years.
The grant is specifically designed for departments with shortage of staff.
Chief Baker said there are more than 60 vacancies in his department right now, many of which are due to retired firefighters.
Chief Baker said it was important to be fully staffed without impacting the department’s budget at a time when the pandemic makes it difficult for them to do their jobs.
“As we continue to walk through the coronavirus pandemic, the new version comes out, and we ourselves are more exposed as our firefighters, we have a smaller number who have contracted the virus and we have to fill in for them.” Huh.” So we’re really laying down staff to the level that people should be without too much stress,” Chief Baker said.
Chief Baker said that between the award given to his department and the current budget, there could be three academy classes within the next year.
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