Fort Lauderdale has received an $11.4 million SAFER grant from FEMA to strengthen its emergency services. The grant will fund the hiring of 28 new firefighters for Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue. This funding is intended to help meet national safety standards and improve the city’s response to fire and medical emergencies, according to a release from the City of Fort Lauderdale.
The grant will be used to staff six new medical rescue units, each with a three-person team. This aims to improve both the speed and effectiveness of responses to emergencies. Mayor Dean Trantalis praised the grant as a major investment in community safety, saying, "This federal grant is a significant investment in the safety and well-being of our residents. With the addition of 28 firefighters, we are ensuring that Fort Lauderdale meets the needs of our growing city. We are grateful to Rep. Moskowitz and FEMA for their support and recognition of our commitment to public safety." Fire Chief Stephen Gollan highlighted the grant’s benefits, noting, "This funding allows us to improve firefighter safety and emergency response times, which are critical in life-saving situations. By enhancing our staffing levels, we are better equipped to protect lives and property, while also ensuring that our firefighters have the support they need to do their jobs safely and efficiently," as per the City of Fort Lauderdale.
In a display of bipartisan support, Rep. Jared Moskowitz expressed his satisfaction with the federal support for fire services in Fort Lauderdale. "I proudly wrote a letter of support for this grant, and I will continue to do whatever I can in Congress to deliver more public safety funding for our communities," Moskowitz told the City of Fort Lauderdale's press.
The SAFER grant will be implemented in March 2025 and will cover the costs of hiring, salaries, and benefits for new personnel. The City Commission will officially accept the grant at their next session, securing the funds to support the city's safety needs. This grant is part of the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Program, which aims to increase or maintain the number of frontline firefighters across the country.
