The Braidwood Fire Protection District announces an award in the amount of $1,080,000.00 that has been secured through the Staffing for Adequate Fire Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This funding has been secured to fund three new full-time Firefighter/Paramedic positions, fully for three years. The grant covers salary, as well as all benefits associated with the position.
This is a major opportunity for the Braidwood Fire Protection District (BFPD), as this grant will increase full-time staffing of the department and enhance fire protection and public safety services for BFPD residents. Just over a year ago, the first three full-time Firefighter/Paramedic positions were hired. This grant will allow for three additional, totaling six full-time Firefighter/Paramedics for the Fire District. At the completion of the three years, BFPD will be responsible for sustaining the positions.
SAFER Grants were created to provide funding directly to fire departments to help them increase or maintain the number of trained “front-line” firefighters. The goal of SAFER is to enhance the local fire departments’ abilities to comply with the staffing, response, and operation standards established by NFPA 1710.
Funding opportunities like this are difficult to obtain. We are incredibly thankful for all those that were involved in making this possible. We are also incredibly grateful and would like to thank Senator Tammy Duckworth, as well as her team for writing a letter of support for our grant application. Their commitment to increase public safety is invaluable.
This is the largest grant the Braidwood Fire Protection District has ever received for staffing. We are overwhelmed with the support of our community, our neighbors, as well as the members that serve on our organization. It is only through partnerships and the support of our community that we are capable of sharing this success.