The Madison Fire Department announced Friday they were awarded approximately $1.9 million under the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant.
The MFD applied for the grant though the Department of Homeland Security and was awarded the money, which totals $1,950,840, by the U.S. Fire Administration. The MFD will use the money to hire new firefighters this fall, said MFD Fire Chief Debra Amesqua.
She added the MFD was officially awarded the money on Wednesday.
“We were totally delighted to be notified of the award,” Amesqua said. “It’s pretty close to $2 million, and it will enable us to add 18 new firefighter positions.”
The grant will fund the hiring of firefighters for the MFD’s October recruit class, Amesqua said. With 18 new firefighters the department should be able to create a new fire company.
The grant will help the MFD manage its increasing volume of calls to which it responds, known as “runs.” In 1998 the fire department responded to about 14,000 runs while in 2008 the department responded to 25,000 runs.
Currently the MFD is out of compliance with standards set by the National Fire Protection Association, which requires the first-in engine that responds to a call to arrive within five minutes of that call 90 percent of the time, according to the release. The MFD meets this standard only 43.1 percent of the time.
According to Amesqua, the MFD will need the continued support of Mayor Dave Cieslewicz and the city council to maintain the positions, however.
The grant will only fund the new recruitment class for a five-year period of time, Amesqua said, describing the money as a “kick start.” After the five-year period, the city council needs to re-approve the budget each year. The council realizes the money means a safer community, Amesqua added.
“I’m pleased that under the leadership of Chief Debra Amesqua, our Fire Department has succeeded in securing this very competitive grant,” Cieslewicz said in a statement. “These funds will help us hire and train the firefighters necessary to continue the excellent fire protection and medical services provided by the Madison Fire Department.”
— Heather Burian contributed to this report.