Arlington fire department receives personnel grant
Published on Wed, Sep 23, 2009 by Beckye RandallRead More Local News
Funding two new fire department positions just became a little easier for the City of Arlington, thanks to a grant from Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER). The positions are needed to cover expanded service to the Smokey Point area, which was annexed into the city in 1999.
The fire department was informed at the beginning of 2009 that it was not on the list to receive SAFER funds. However, because of the declining economy, fire departments from around the country that had received SAFER grants had to either withdraw their request or turn down the opportunity due to the matching funds requirement.
For Arlington, the award offers an opportunity to help with costs that were going to be incurred whether the grant was received or not.
"We needed to add additional staff this year due to the increased service area we will be taking on beginning October 1," stated Fire Chief Jim Rankin.
In 2006, the City Council voted to assume full responsibility for providing EMS and fire protection services to the Smokey Point area. This service was previously provided through a contract with Marysville Fire District #12. In order to provide this service, the City Council voted to authorize construction of a new fire station.
Unfortunately, the city had insufficient funds to construct a permanent station at this time. The revised plan was to assemble a temporary station from an existing commercial building until funds become available to build the permanent station.
"While our personnel were disappointed that the new station they had envisioned was not going to happen at this time, they took on the challenge of how they could still make taking over the service area in Smokey Point work while maintaining a high level of service to the community," said Deputy Chief Tom Cooper. "We created a team internally that came up with a plan to refit an existing warehouse building and, with the assistance of City of Arlington Capital Projects Manager Paul Ellis, secured a location that we can make work until funds become available to build a new station."
The SAFER grant will cover a percentage of the costs for two of the four new positions the fire department needs to add this fall. The cost share decreases annually over a five-year period.
"Being awarded this grant is welcome news for our department during these difficult times," said Rankin. "In addition to the SAFER Grant, the fire department union has made concessions to their contract to allow money to go towards the funding of the new positions."
Since 2005, the Arlington Fire Department has received over $780,000 in grant funds to assist with the daily operations of their fire service.
"Receiving grants takes work," Rankin said. "Putting a grant request together can take over 40 hours of personnel time. Captain Dave Kraski has been putting these together for us since 2005. In addition to writing them, they must be monitored once the money is awarded. You could almost make chasing after grants a full time job, but because of the need, the majority of this work is done off-shift, showing the full dedication of folks like Dave, his fellow firefighters and the administrative team and the commitment they have to this community."
The fire department invites local businesses and residents to visit the temporary station, located at 18824 Smokey Point Blvd. #104 in Arlington, on Monday, October 5, from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
The fire department was informed at the beginning of 2009 that it was not on the list to receive SAFER funds. However, because of the declining economy, fire departments from around the country that had received SAFER grants had to either withdraw their request or turn down the opportunity due to the matching funds requirement.
For Arlington, the award offers an opportunity to help with costs that were going to be incurred whether the grant was received or not.
"We needed to add additional staff this year due to the increased service area we will be taking on beginning October 1," stated Fire Chief Jim Rankin.
In 2006, the City Council voted to assume full responsibility for providing EMS and fire protection services to the Smokey Point area. This service was previously provided through a contract with Marysville Fire District #12. In order to provide this service, the City Council voted to authorize construction of a new fire station.
Unfortunately, the city had insufficient funds to construct a permanent station at this time. The revised plan was to assemble a temporary station from an existing commercial building until funds become available to build the permanent station.
"While our personnel were disappointed that the new station they had envisioned was not going to happen at this time, they took on the challenge of how they could still make taking over the service area in Smokey Point work while maintaining a high level of service to the community," said Deputy Chief Tom Cooper. "We created a team internally that came up with a plan to refit an existing warehouse building and, with the assistance of City of Arlington Capital Projects Manager Paul Ellis, secured a location that we can make work until funds become available to build a new station."
The SAFER grant will cover a percentage of the costs for two of the four new positions the fire department needs to add this fall. The cost share decreases annually over a five-year period.
"Being awarded this grant is welcome news for our department during these difficult times," said Rankin. "In addition to the SAFER Grant, the fire department union has made concessions to their contract to allow money to go towards the funding of the new positions."
Since 2005, the Arlington Fire Department has received over $780,000 in grant funds to assist with the daily operations of their fire service.
"Receiving grants takes work," Rankin said. "Putting a grant request together can take over 40 hours of personnel time. Captain Dave Kraski has been putting these together for us since 2005. In addition to writing them, they must be monitored once the money is awarded. You could almost make chasing after grants a full time job, but because of the need, the majority of this work is done off-shift, showing the full dedication of folks like Dave, his fellow firefighters and the administrative team and the commitment they have to this community."
The fire department invites local businesses and residents to visit the temporary station, located at 18824 Smokey Point Blvd. #104 in Arlington, on Monday, October 5, from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
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