Fire Department to Use Grant to Expand Daytime Services

Fire responses to the town’s southern end can be challenging for Southington firefighters, especially with volunteers at often unable to assist with daytime calls. That’s about to change.

A $720,000 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency will help the provide four daytime firefighters to be stationed along Clark Street in Milldale, firefighter Eric Heath said Thursday.

The firefighters would join the already existing daytime shift and could have the ability to reduce fire department overtime as well.

“It’s something we are excited about and something that could really benefit the community,” said Heath, who helped write the grant. “Southington was selected from over 1200 applicants for the SAFER Grant, and one of two departments awarded funding in Connecticut so far this year.”

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The SAFER (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) Grant was created to provide funding directly to fire departments to help them increase the number of trained, "front-line" firefighters available in their communities.

The will vote on whether to accept the grant Monday and if approved, Heath said firefighters would be sent to the state's fire academy in August.

The town had sought the grant in the past, but was unable to obtain it due to the existence of several volunteer fire departments. As the economy has continued to struggle, however, Heath said volunteers have been unavailable daytime due to work obligations.

Money from the grant will provide full funding for salaries and benefit to hire a full-time lieutenant and three firefighters that will be stationed at Engine Co. 3. Heath said the grant also allows the department to plan ahead.

“The two-year grant time line will allow the department the planning time to ensure these savings are maintained after the grant funds are used,” he said.

Board of Fire Commissioners Chairman Robert Sherman said the board fully supported the request and the awarded funding. The Board of Fire Commissioners approved accepting the grant at a special meeting on June 21.

The town learned of the grant award last week .

“Being selected for this grant award is a significant achievement; it is a highly competitive process. This funding will help us continue to provide a fast, safe and effective response to the variety of emergency incidents in our community,” Southington Fire Chief Harold “Buddy” Clark said in a press release.

“The awarded manpower will enhance our all-hazards emergency capabilities and provide for a safer community by increasing the level of service that the community deserves," he said. "Grant funding is a means to address these needs in a fiscally prudent manner. We must keep in mind the biggest advantage of this grant is the added protection to the citizens and visitors of Southington.”

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