Council to take action to ratify and approve the submission of the Fiscal Year 2024 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant applicati

4.N
CITY OF BUCKEYE
Regular Council Meeting
COUNCIL ACTION REPORT
MEETING DATE: 09/16/25
AGENDA ITEM: 4.N. FIN - Federal
Emergency Management Agency - Fiscal
Year 2024 Staffing for Adequate Fire and
Emergency Response Grant Application
DATE PREPARED: 09/11/25
DISTRICT NO.: All
STAFF LIAISON: Rob Roach, Grant Program Manager, rroach@buckeyeaz.gov,
(623) 349-6165
DEPARTMENT: Financial Services
AGENDA ITEM TYPE: Consent Agenda
Items / New Business
ACTION/MOTION: (This language identifies the formal motion to be made by the Council) 
Council to take action to ratify and approve the submission of the Fiscal Year 2024 Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant
application for the hiring of 15 full-time Buckeye Fire-Medical-Rescue Department firefighters to staff the
new Victory Fire Station 709, in the total amount of $ 4,777,253.55, constituting $2,945,973.00 in grant
funds, with a City of Buckeye matching requirement of $1,831,280.55, over a three-year period from the
date of a fully-executed grant agreement; and authorize the Mayor, the City Manager, the City Attorney,
and the City Clerk to take the steps necessary to submit the Grant application on behalf of the City of
Buckeye.
SUMMARY
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
The Buckeye Fire-Medical-Rescue Department seeks to improve safety within Buckeye through a grant
application, which requests funding to support the addition of 15 new firefighters to staff the new Victory
Fire Station 709. Buckeye's population growth and increased call volume resulted in the need to plan two
new fire stations, expanding service into new areas that are developing residential, retail, and
commercial properties, and requiring the Buckeye Fire-Medical-Rescue Department to increase the size
of its firefighter staff. If awarded, the grant will cover 15 firefighters' salaries and benefits over a three-
year period. After the three-year grant period is complete, Buckeye will have the ability to retain, reduce,
or eliminate the 15 firefighter positions. 
BENEFITS:
The addition of 15 new firefighters will improve response time by reducing the need for current
firefighters to cover other distant response areas. The national average number of firefighters per 1,000
of population is 2.5 firefighters, whereas the Buckeye Fire-Medical-Rescue Department's ratio is 1.14.
These positions will assist in reducing the consumption of the Buckeye Fire-Medical-Rescue
Department's overtime budget. The addition of 15 new firefighters, as requested through this grant,
improves the ratio to 1.27 firefighters per 1,000 people, ensuring high-quality and rapid service to the
community. 
FUTURE ACTION:
If awarded, the award agreement will be presented to Council for approval. After the grant's three-year
funding for the 15 firefighters has been exhausted, Buckeye may retain the full-time firefighters through
the general fund budget. If available, the Grants Team will pursue other potential grant funding
opportunities to fund these positions. Buckeye will also have the option to reduce or eliminate the
positions.
FINANCIAL IMPACT STATEMENT:

The grant request amount is $2,945,973.00 with a City of Buckeye matching requirement of
$1,831,280.55. The total project cost is $4,777,253.55, over a three-year period.
CURRENT FISCAL YEAR TOTAL COST:
Nothing is expected to be expended in Fiscal Year 2026. If awarded, the grant funding will be
$2,945,973.00 over three years and the Buckeye cost over three years will be $1,831,280.55.
BUDGETED:
Yes
FISCAL YEAR:
2027-2030
FUND/DEPARTMENT:
Grant Organization Account/35742140
Items related to a project or facility location must include an attached vicinity map for Council
Review.
ATTACHMENTS:
CAR Recap SAFER Application.docx
SAFER FEMAGO App Submitted 7.2.25.pdf
SAFER Wage Worksheet RR.xlsx