Salem to receive $301K fire grant

By D.A. Wilkinson

wilkinson@vindy.com

SALEM

A grant awarded to the fire department will free money in the city’s general fund.

Fire Chief Jeff Hughes said Thursday that funding for the fire department for about two years will be paid with a Federal Emergency Management Agency grant.

The city’s fire department is to receive $301,648.

Hughes said he has not been formally notified of the award but said he learned of it through an announcement by U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown.

The grant is called Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response, or a SAFER grant.

Steve Andres, the city’s safety-service director, said the funds normally obligated for the fire department will remain in the city’s coffers. He said the administration would ask city council what it wants to do with the extra money.

Last year, the city cut spending to the fire and police departments, which resulted in increased overtime.

In 2009, the fire department spent a total of $1,167,000. That included $49,000 in what Hughes said was normal overtime.

In 2010, the fire department cost $1,179,000, including overtime of $125,000.

Hughes said that over at city hall, “They’re pretty happy about this.”